Electric vehicles are poised to make a significant impact at the 2025 World Car Awards, with several all-electric models leading the nominations.
For the prestigious World Car of the Year Award, two of the three finalists are fully electric vehicles. The third contender offers a range of powertrains, including petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric options. This continues a trend: five of the last six winners have been full EVs, with Korean brands particularly successful in recent years. The Kia EV9 won in 2024, with Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 5 taking the title in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Volkswagen’s ID.4 won in 2021 and the Jaguar I-Pace in 2019.
One of the contenders for the overall award is the all-electric Kia EV3. The Hyundai Inster, another Korean-made EV, is also nominated as well. BMW’s X3 rounds out the three-car shortlist.
Both the Kia and Hyundai models are also contending for the World Electric Vehicle Award, alongside the Porsche Macan. The EV3 is also nominated for World Car Design of the Year, competing against the new Toyota Land Cruiser and the all-electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz.
The Inster is also a contender for the World Urban Car Award, along with the MINI Cooper Electric and the BYD Seagull/Dolphin Mini. This is the first time BYD has received a nomination for a World Car award. Notably, Stella Li, an executive at BYD, was named World Car Person of the Year.
Electric models are also well-represented in the World Luxury Car Award, with the Volvo EX90 and new Porsche Macan receiving nominations. The Porsche Panamera, available with plug-in hybrid power, is also nominated.
Furthermore, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are also in the running for the World Performance Car award, with nominations for the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, and the BMW M5.
The winners of the 2025 World Car Awards will be announced at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April 16. This event marks the 20th year of the awards ceremony at the New York show, which is also celebrating a significant anniversary.
Mark Schienberg, president of NYIAS, commented on the upcoming announcement, stating, “As the New York Auto Show marks an incredible 125 years, we’re thrilled to kick off the celebration with one of the industry’s most prestigious honours – the World Car Awards! Winning this award, judged by 96 of the world’s top automotive journalists, is a true triumph and the perfect way to launch North America’s first and most-attended auto show. A huge congratulations to the World Car team for over two decades of excellence, and best of luck to this year’s outstanding finalists!”
