Road to Glory: The Contenders for 2025’s Car of the Year Revealed

2025 Car of the Year: Finalist Contenders Announced

The initial roster of vehicles contending for the 2025 Car of the Year includes a range from the Dacia Duster to the VW Tiguan, totaling 41 models.

Even though it's just early August, we've got our hands on the list of vehicles vying for the European honor of "Car of the Year 2025." Established in 1964, this award is reserved for cars that are already available for purchase or will be by the year's end in at least five European countries.

The program has scheduled the completion of the list of all nominees by November 15th, while the first round of voting will take place on November 22nd, resulting in the shortlist of seven finalists.

Photo Gallery: Testing the 2024 Dacia Duster

A panel of 59 judges from 22 European nations will carry out the evaluation. Let’s now examine all the vehicles vying for the 2025 Car of the Year title, aiming to succeed the Renault Scenic E-Tech, the 2024 Car of the Year.

Vehicle of the Year 2025 Contenders

A diverse lineup featuring a mix of compact cars, station wagons, sedans, and sports cars, as well as a significant number of SUVs, includes 25 electric vehicles, offering models that are either exclusively battery-powered or available with traditional internal combustion engines.

Upcoming 2024 Opel Grandland Model

2024 VW Passat Variant with 2.0 TDI R-Line Trim

Seven German-made vehicles are featured on the roster: the Audi Q6 e-tron, BMW's X2/iX2 (following the new 5 Series' second place finish last year), Opel's Grandland and Frontera, the Porsche Macan, and VW's Passat and Tiguan. The Ford Explorer, assembled in Cologne, can be considered the eighth on the list.

The manufacturer boasting the highest number of contenders is Renault, showcasing three models: the 5, Rafale, and Symbioz. Chinese brands such as BYD, MG (British but owned by SAIC), and Xpeng also have a presence, with a total of 7 models originating from the People's Republic.

Vintage Cars of the Year:

The inaugural German victor of the "Car of the Year", or COTY, award was the NSU Ro 80 in 1968. The Audi 80 brought home the title in 1973, followed by the only win for Mercedes with the W116 in 1974. Porsche received its sole gold with the 928 in 1978. Other German winners include the Audi 100 in 1983, the Opel Kadett E in 1985, the Opel Omega A in 1987, the VW Golf III in 1992, the Opel Insignia in 2009, the VW Polo V in 2010, the VW Golf VII in 2013, the VW Passat B8 in 2015, and the Opel Astra K in 2016. Ford has also snagged the top spot a total of five times.

What is your opinion on who the top 7 finalists will be? Also, who do you predict will take home the title of "Car of the Year 2025"?

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