I’m one of about a hundred judges from the world’s automotive media who cast ballots for the World Car of the Year awards, and one of three from Canada. The title will go to whichever vehicle we consider the best of what’s available in at least two large international markets. For a long time, that ruled out cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Corvette, but globalization and mass production have opened borders to almost every vehicle. North America is one of the world’s seven large markets.
There are five categories in consideration, each with groups of eligible vehicles waiting to be ranked. I’ve not driven many of the initial contenders, or even had the opportunity to drive some of them. Cars like the Hyundai Inster and BYD Seagull are unknown in Canada and the United States, though their engineering is studied everywhere by other makers who want to learn from them.
That long list of eligible vehicles, which is every vehicle that is either new or substantially changed for model year 2025, is whittled down to a short list through judges ranking the overall best to worst, smoothed out by having 100 opinions from around the world. The shortlisted vehicles are then judged on their specific strengths and weaknesses in 10 categories, including driving dynamics, build quality, infotainment and value for money. Initial voting ends March 7 and the winners will be announced at the New York International Auto Show in the middle of April.
I’ve driven almost all of the short-listed vehicles, some of which were provided for evaluation to judges in California last November, and this is how I’m going to vote:
World Performance Car
Short-list: Bentley Continental GT Speed, BMW M5, Ford Mustang, Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, Porsche Taycan Turbo GT
The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet is everything a performance car should be without the excesses of the Turbos and GT3s.Courtesy of manufacturer
I never did get to drive the hybrid Bentley, which wowed other judges at the World Car test drives in Pasadena, Calif. last November. I’m sure it’s an exceptional vehicle, but it costs around $400,000, which makes it more of just a curiosity in my book. Candidates must sell at least 1,000 units a year, which makes many supercars ineligible for consideration.
My choice is the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS. It’s expensive at about $200,000 to start, but the cheapest 911 is now about $150,000 – a steep increase from its $100,000 starting price of just five years ago. This car is everything a performance car should be without the excesses of the Turbos and GT3s, and it wins for me over the electric Taycan because of the feel and sound of its 532-horsepower flat-six hybrid powertrain.
World Luxury Car
Short-list: Lexus GX, Porsche Macan, Porsche Panamera, Volkswagen ID.Buzz, Volvo EX90
The EX90 has dual 370-kilowatt electric motors.Jason Tchir/JOBFlocks
It’s a curious selection this year – where are the Mercedes and BMWs and Audis? Contenders must sell at least 5,000 units a year and value for money is still a consideration, which tends to eliminate those high-profit Germans.
My choice would be between the Lexus GX and the Volvo EX90, but I’ve not yet driven the GX to know if I agree with its favourable reviews. The all-electric, $114,000 EX90, however, is the very best – and safest – vehicle that Volvo can produce, with its airy Scandinavian interior that is comfortable and welcoming in any kind of weather.
World Urban Car
Short-list: BYD Seagull, Hyundai Inster, Mini Cooper, Mini Cooper Electric, Suzuki Swift.
The Hyundai Inster is was a cute-as-a-button electric car that performed flawlessly, but isn't available in Canada.Mark Richardson/JOBFlocks
An “urban” car is a small car that can be no longer than 4.25 metres in length. Many of the candidates are considered too small to attract much demand in the Canadian and American markets, though their low prices make them popular in less wealthy countries. I drove both the Hyundai and the Suzuki in Pasadena, Calif. last November, and can confirm the Suzuki Swift is the worst of the bunch – fortunately, it’s not sold in Canada. My tester came up from Mexico and although it sells there for $23,000, it felt even cheaper, with lots of shiny plastic and a gutless engine. You can spend an extra $7,000 there on a more indulgent Swift Sport, but the Swift I drove offered little satisfaction. I’ve not driven the Chinese-made BYD Seagull, but I can’t imagine it’s any worse.
The Hyundai Inster, however, which is called the Casper Electric in some markets, was a cute-as-a-button electric car that performed flawlessly and made me feel a little special. If it was to be sold in Canada, it’s estimated it would cost about $30,000. It’s smaller than any Canadian Hyundai, but I wish it was sold here and it’s my top choice.
World Electric Vehicle
Short-list: Hyundai Inster, Kia EV3, Porsche Macan Electric, Volkswagen ID.Buzz, Volvo EX90
It’s between the Hyundai and the Volvo for me, for all the reasons already given above, but my enthusiastic nod goes to the much more affordable – and considerably smaller – Inster. Its electric range is a claimed 370 kilometres, which is on the low end for a vehicle expected to travel Canada’s vast distances, but more than enough for most everyday driving. And come on – an all-electric car for $30,000, before any subsidies or rebates? Bring it over now!
World Car of the Year
Short-list: Audi A5, BMW X3, Ford Mustang, Hyundai Inster, Kia EV3, Mini Cooper Electric, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Camry, Toyota Land Cruiser, Volkswagen Tiguan
The Tiguan for Europe will have much more electric range on the PHEV than its competition.Mark Richardson/JOBFlocks
The main prize demands that at least 10,000 units of the car are sold in 2025, which makes this a truly mainstream award. I’d like to say my top choice would be the funky Hyundai Inster, but it’s ultimately a small vehicle that’s not appropriate for many families. After that, the Toyota Land Cruiser, because it’s just so capable and comfortable, but it’s ultimately too big.
So my top pick is the new Volkswagen Tiguan, which does everything very well and was a true pleasure to drive. It’s just the right size for most of the world and especially Canada where we get only the long-wheelbase edition. I only wish we’d get the plug-in hybrid version that’s sold in Europe, with its all-electric range of up to 100 kilometres, but that’s not planned to come to North America. At least, not unless enough people demand it …