The countdown is on to the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) Awards. Twenty-five vehicles were recently named as “Best of 2025” semifinalists. We'll get the finalist list later this month when they are announced in Los Angeles on November 21. Winners will be announced at the Detroit Auto Show on January 10, 2025.
NACTOY honors vehicles that excel across several criteria: innovation, design, safety, performance, technology, user experience, driver satisfaction and value. Vehicles are evaluated by a jury of 50 veteran automotive journalists who write for a wide variety of print, online and broadcast media across the U.S. and Canada; the awards are highly coveted in the automotive industry because of their lack of association with any single publication.
“We have a great variety of vehicles on the list, from the sporty to the family sedan,” said Jeff Gilbert, NACTOY president and the automotive reporter for WWJ Newsradio 950. “This list is an example of the great products that the auto industry is producing, from cutting edge electric vehicles to traditional gasoline powered cars and trucks, but also hybrids, which are a growing share of the market.”
Ten cars in the running for Car of the Year as well as Utility of the Year, while five trucks are in the running for Truck of the Year.
2025 North American Car of the Year Candidates
- BMW 3 Series
- BMW M5
- Cadillac Celestiq*
- Dodge Charger EV*
- Fiat 500e*
- Honda Civic Hybrid
- Kia K4
- Mercedes-AMG E Class
- Porsche Panamera
- Toyota Camry
2025 North American Truck of the Year Candidates
- Ford Ranger
- GMC Sierra EV*
- Ram 1500
- Rivian R1T*
- Toyota Tacoma
2025 North American Utility of the Year Candidates
- Chevrolet Equinox EV*
- Honda Prologue*
- Volvo EX90*
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 N*
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Jeep Wagoneer S*
- Lincoln Nautilus
- Porsche Macan EV*
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- VW ID. Buzz*
* Indicates electric vehicle
Photo Credit: NACTOY.