The 2025 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) finalists have been announced, featuring a mix of electrified and traditional powertrains.
Detroit-based brands secured three spots among the nine finalists, highlighting the region’s ongoing push toward innovation and sustainability. However, they’ll face stiff competition from strong contenders from Germany, Japan, and South Korea.
Two of the nine finalists—Chevrolet’s Equinox EV and VW’s ID Buzz—are powered solely by electricity. The remaining seven finalists either have hybrid versions or are exclusively hybrid gasoline-electric models. Sales of hybrids and EVs in the U.S. are expected to set records this year, indicating a growing trend towards cleaner, more sustainable transportation solutions within the industry.
Finalists and Categories:
The finalists for the 2025 North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year are:
- Car of the Year Finalists
- Honda Civic Hybrid: A compact sedan known for its affordability, reliability, and fun-to-drive nature, with a 50-mpg EPA city-driving fuel economy estimate. Honda has expanded its Civic lineup this year by introducing a hybrid model, aiming to offer even greater efficiency without sacrificing performance.
- Kia K4: A new compact sedan with a head-turning style, accommodating passenger space, and appealing features. It marks a strong addition to Kia’s offerings in the U.S., aiming to compete directly with other top compact sedans.
- Toyota Camry: America’s best-selling midsize sedan, which adopted a hybrid-only lineup this year. With an EPA rating of 53 mpg in city driving, the Toyota Camry stands out for its style, efficiency, and practicality.
- Truck of the Year Finalists
- Ford Ranger: This popular midsize pickup added a Raptor performance model this year, complementing its rugged looks, utility, and advanced features. Prices for the 400-hp 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor start at $55,365, excluding destination charges.
- Ram 1500: Ram’s flagship full-size pickup continues to raise the bar for truck design, offering a spacious and luxurious interior and a pair of powerful and efficient new straight-six engines. Top models feature one of the industry’s best infotainment systems, making the Ram 1500 a strong contender in the full-size pickup market.
- Toyota Tacoma: America’s best-selling midsize pickup made a significant leap by adopting an advanced new platform and offering a hybrid version that delivers more power and better fuel economy than its V6 predecessor.
- Utility of the Year Finalists
- Chevrolet Equinox EV: This electric compact SUV combines an EPA-estimated range of up to 319 miles with a luxurious exterior design and competitive pricing. It aims to be a top choice in the market for affordable, high-quality EVs.
- Hyundai Santa Fe: A best-selling midsize SUV that adopted a dramatic new design, offering more cargo space and a premium interior feel. The availability of a hybrid version adds to Santa Fe’s appeal, making it a versatile option for families and commuters.
- VW ID Buzz: This electric minivan recalls the nostalgia of the old VW Microbus while incorporating modern design elements and rear- or all-wheel drive capabilities. It features an EPA-estimated range of up to 234 miles on a charge, making it a practical choice for electric travel.
Tough Competition Ahead:
“The competition for these awards will be fierce this year,” said NACTOY President Jeff Gilbert, the automotive reporter for WWJ-AM (950) radio in Detroit. “We have a well-balanced crop of EVs, hybrids, and gasoline-powered vehicles. It will be hard to narrow each category to just one winner — they’re all great choices.”
This year’s field is among the strongest and most diverse seen by the jury in recent memory, according to one of the 50 journalists on the jury. “Eight of the nine finalists got points on my most recent ballot,” said the juror. “I didn’t vote for the Ram 1500, not through any fault of that well-designed and -equipped pickup, but because of technologies offered on a couple of its competitors.”
Where and When:
The 2025 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year winners will be announced at the Huntington Place Convention Center on January 10, 2025, at the Detroit Auto Show.
This year’s finalists showcase a blend of electrification, hybrid innovation, and traditional designs, all competing to set new standards of excellence and meet evolving consumer expectations.
