Kia EV9 to compete for Car of Year
Motoring experts are wondering if the trend of electric vehicles doing well in the Irish Car of the Year will continue for 2025, or whether a hybrid or traditional petrol or diesel model steal the crown this year.
A total of 40 new models are in contention for the 2025 title, sponsored by Continental Tyres and the winners will be revealed at The Conrad Hotel, Dublin, on Friday November 15, marking one of the most anticipated nights in Ireland’s motoring calendar.
The Irish Car of the Year awards are judged by members of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI), a group of 29 leading motoring journalists. The awards aim to guide motorists by highlighting the best cars launched in the country over the last year, with a keen focus on what suits the needs and preferences of the Irish market.
Daragh Keany, chairman of the MMAI, spoke about the resilience of the car industry: “The last few years have presented major challenges for car manufacturers, from the Covid-19 pandemic to the global semiconductor shortage. These issues significantly affected the production and release of new cars, but the fact that we have 40 models competing for this year’s awards, eight more than last year, shows the industry is not just surviving, but thriving.
“The MMAI jurors are eager to begin the voting process, and with such a strong field, we’re going to have our work cut out for us.”
Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres said his company are pleased to continue their sponsorship of the awards. “It’s been interesting to watch how electric vehicles have dominated the awards recently. In fact, for the last four years, the overall winner has been an EV.
“While 17 of the 40 entrants this year are fully electric models, it’s by no means a guarantee that an EV will take the title in 2025.”
The dominance of EVs was highlighted again in last year’s awards when the Hyundai Ioniq 6 claimed the 2024 Irish Car of the Year title. This year’s diverse field includes a mix of electric vehicles, hybrids, and traditional petrol and diesel models, offering a broad range of options for Irish motorists.
Here is the full list of contenders for the 2025 Irish Car of the Year: Audi Q6 eTron; Kia EV9; Renault Rafale; BMW i5/5 Series; Lexus LBX; Renault Symbioz; BMW iX2/X2; Lotus Eletre; Škoda Kodiaq; BYD Dolphin; Mercedes E-Class; Škoda Superb; BYD Seal; Mercedes CLE Coupé/Cabrio; Smart #1; Citroen AMI; Mercedes V-Class; Smart #3; FIAT 600; MINI Countryman; Subaru Forester; Ford Explorer; MINI Cooper; Suzuki Swift; Honda CRV; MG3; Toyota C-HR; Honda ZRV; Peugeot 3008; VW ID.7; Honda eNY1; Polestar 3; VW Tiguan; Hyundai Santa Fe; Polestar 4; Volvo EX30; Hyundai Ioniq 5N; Porsche Macan; KGM Torres EVX; Renault Scenic.