The 2025 World Car Awards announced their last phase with the announcement of the three best finalists in six categories. Among them have received important nominations with the 2025 BMW X3, M5 and Mini Cooper SE.
The winners will be announced in April at the New York International Auto Show after a coordination of an international jury of 100 automotive journalists from 29 countries. BMW competes in the world car of the year and in the categories of the world performance car of the year and Mini in the dispute over the World Urban Car of the Year.
BMW X3 in Running for World Car of the Year
The brand new G45 X3 from BMW was drawn to the closer choice for 2025 World Car of the Year and confronted with two compact electrical Germans: the Hyundai Inster/Casper Electric and the KIA EV3. The new BMW X3 was criticized by customers and complains about the less premium interior, but overall the X3 remains one of the best-selling models from BMW.
However, the increase in affordable electrical Kreuzvers-like the KIA EV3, which offers high-tech features at a lower price-is a significant challenge. The Hyundai Inster, an urban-friendly electrical model, is also intended to address an increasingly focus-focused market.
BMW M5 competes for the World Performance Car of the Year
One of the most expected categories in this year’s awards is the World Performance Car of the Year, in which the new M5 (G90) from BMW will compete against each other with two top -class rivals: the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS and the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.
The BMW M5 has entered a new era with a plug-in hybrid drive train. The 4.4-liter V8 with two turbochargers, combined with an electric motor, delivers 717 hp and 737 LB-FT torque, so that it sprints from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds. Despite the additional weight due to the electrification, BMW has promised that the new M5 maintains the signature and precision of the brand.
However, Porsche brought an impressive competition. The 911 Carrera GTS continues the inheritance of the pure-tailed mileage, during the Taycan Turbo GT-a purely electrical high-performance limousine for a production-EV the fastest Nürburgring lap time for a production-EV.
Mini Cooper SE nominated for the World Urban Car of the Year
In the “World Urban Car of the Year” category, the new Mini Cooper SE was selected as a finalist that was against the Byd Seagull/Delphin Mini and the Hyundai Inster/Casper Electric. However, the electrical Cooper SE is not sold in America.
China’s BYD gulls, which was laid as a budget-friendly EV, gained traction due to its affordability and efficiency, while Hyundais Instern offers a compact footprint with modern mobility characteristics in urban mobility. Mini’s brand and the Premium positioning will be key factors for the award.
BMW absent in the categories of luxury and design categories
Despite the strong presence of BMW in the categories of performance and the mainstream categories, there is a lack of luxury car of the year and in the world car design of the year. The luxury car category is dominated by Porsche and Volvo, with finalists such as the Porsche Macan, Porsche Panamera and Volvo EX90. In previous years the 7 Series or XM could have been expected in this segment from BMW, but no model has secured nomination.
In the meantime, in the world car design of the year, Kia EV3, Toyota Land Cruiser and Volkswagen ID. BUZZ was drawn into the closer choice and the latest models from BMW were left out that was inspired by the vision of new class concept.
2025 World Car of the Year Award finalists:
- BMW X3
- Hyundai Inser / Casper Electric
- Kia EV3
2025 World Electric Vehicle of the Year Award finalists:
- Hyundai Inser / Casper Electric
- Kia EV3
- Porsche Macan Electric
2025 World Luxury Car of the Year Award finalists:
- Porsche Macan
- Porsche Panamera
- Volvo ex90
2025 World Performance Car of the Year Award Finalists:
- BMW M5
- Porsche 911 Carrera GTS
- Porsche Taycan Turbo GT
2025 World Urban Car of the Year Award Finalists:
- Byd Seagull / Delphin Mini
- Hyundai Inser / Casper Electric
- Mini Cooper SE
2025 World Car of the Year Award finalists:
- Kia EV3
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz
