The three final contenders for the 2025 World Car of the Year are all electric or have electric versions. The shortlist includes our Electrifying.com Car of the Year, the Kia EV3 – which appears in three different categories – along with another of our favourites, the Hyundai Inster, and the BMW X3.
In the World Electric Vehicle category, the Kia EV3 and Hyundai Inster make a second appearance in the final three, with the Porsche Macan Electric completing the trio.
The nominated contenders were shortlisted following extensive testing by a panel of more than 96 jurors from 30 countries, including Electrifying.com’s Editor-in-Chief, Ginny Buckley.
For the Design Award, a panel of six highly respected global design experts reviewed the candidates to create a shortlist of recommendations for the jurors’ final vote. Judges – including the former Chief Creative Officer of Nissan, Infiniti, and Datsun, Shiro Nakamura – selected the Toyota Land Cruiser, Volkswagen ID. Buzz, and Kia EV3 as finalists.
The Person of the Year for 2025 has already been announced, with Stella Li, Executive Vice-President of BYD, receiving the title. This marks the first time a woman has been named World Car Person of the Year and also the first World Car Award win for a Chinese brand.
The winners will be announced live at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, 16th April, where they will receive trophies designed by former Jaguar Design Chief Ian Callum.
There are six World Car Awards categories in total, with electrics cars dominating most categories:
World Car of the Year - BMW X3, Hyundai Inster, Kia EV3
World Electric Vehicle - Hyundai Inster, Kia EV3, Porsche Macan Electric
World Luxury Car - Porsche Macan, Porsche Panamera, Volvo EX90
World Performance Car - BMW M5, Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, Porsche Taycan Turbo GT
World Urban Car - BYD Seagull, Hyundai Inster, Mini Cooper Electric
World Car Design - Kia EV3, Toyota Land Cruiser, Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Previous electric winners of the World Car of the Year include:
2024: Kia EV9
2023: Hyundai Ioniq 6
2022: Hyundai Ioniq 5
2021:Volkswagen ID.4
2019: Jaguar I-Pace
