As the Detroit Auto Show kicks off its media day, the winners of the highly anticipated 2025 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year™ (NACTOY) awards were revealed in a press conference this morning. After months of rigorous testing, research, and evaluation, the accolades went to three standout vehicles, each earning top honors for their innovation, performance, and value.
The coveted title of North American Car of the Year™ went to the Honda Civic Hybrid, with 205 votes. Jurors praised the vehicle’s blend of fun, fuel efficiency, and elegant design, noting its position as one of the market’s best compact sedans. “The Honda Civic has won awards for half a century now, and the Civic Hybrid brings Honda’s superb and fuel-efficient hybrid system into one of the market’s best compact sedans,” said John Voelcker of Car and Driver.
In the truck category, the Ford Ranger took home the North American Truck of the Year™ award, receiving 183 votes. The jury was impressed by its budget-friendly pricing, fuel economy, and towing capabilities. Drew Winter of WardsAuto highlighted the Ranger’s “solid and refined chassis” while Jack Nerad of America on the Road Radio applauded its combination of utility, comfort, and convenience.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz claimed the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year™ award with 187 votes, winning over jurors with its blend of nostalgic design and modern electric innovation. “The ID. Buzz is an inspired Volkswagen design for the ages,” said John Davis, host of MotorWeek. With a range of over 230 miles and a spacious interior, the ID. Buzz is as fun to drive as it is a sight to behold, making it a standout choice in the utility vehicle category.
These awards are the result of hundreds of hours of evaluation from 50 professional automotive journalists from across North America. The NACTOY awards, established in 1994, are the longest-running new-vehicle awards not associated with a single publication, with ballots confidentially tallied by Deloitte LLP. As the year progresses, further updates from the NACTOY jury and the winning brands are expected, marking a milestone for the auto industry as a whole.