Winners of the 2025 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle Awards Announced

• Honda Civic Hybrid wins Car of the Year for fuel efficiency and design.

• Ford Ranger recognized for towing capacity and budget-friendly midsize truck features.

• Volkswagen ID. Buzz blends retro design with modern electric vehicle technology.

The winners of the 2025 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) awards were unveiled today at the Detroit Auto Show. The prestigious awards highlight the year’s most outstanding vehicles, selected based on a rigorous evaluation process by automotive experts.

The winning vehicles for 2025 are as follows:

• North American Car of the Year: Honda Civic Hybrid
• North American Truck of the Year: Ford Ranger
• North American Utility Vehicle of the Year: Volkswagen ID. Buzz

NACTOY jurors, comprising 50 professional automotive journalists from Canada and the U.S., spent months evaluating the eligible vehicles. Each model was assessed on innovation, design, safety, performance, technology, driver satisfaction, user experience, and value.

The process began in September with the announcement of semifinalists at “Cars at the Station” in Michigan Central Station. The nine finalists were announced in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. To ensure impartiality, votes were cast confidentially and tallied by Deloitte LLP.

North American Car of the Year: Honda Civic Hybrid
The Honda Civic Hybrid received top marks for integrating Honda’s efficient hybrid system into a proven compact sedan design. The model offers sharp styling, a well-crafted interior, a comfortable ride, and exceptional fuel economy, making it an affordable, high-mileage family option.

North American Truck of the Year: Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger earned its award for balancing utility and cost-effectiveness. This midsize truck offers a 7,500-lb towing capacity, impressive fuel economy, and a refined interior. It combines truck utility with modern comforts and features.

North American Utility Vehicle of the Year: Volkswagen ID. Buzz
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz, an electric minivan, stood out for its retro-inspired design and modern functionality. Offering a range of over 370 km, ample interior space, and advanced features, the ID. Buzz bridges nostalgia with cutting-edge electric technology.

Established in 1994, the NACTOY Awards are the longest-running vehicle awards in North America. They are not affiliated with a single publication and are judged independently by journalists from various media outlets. The awards aim to recognize the automotive industry’s best offerings yearly.