Hyundai beat the top selling motor vehicle brands to take out the Drive 2025 Car of the Year with its Santa Fe Hybrid model and won two of the SUV categories. An impressive result for the very popular South Korean manufacturer in a highly competitive field of contenders. Reflecting the trends in the Australian motor vehicle market, hybrid models overall received high acclaim with numerous gongs – winners and top 3 finishes, across the categories.
Drive has been running these annual awards for around 20 years, with their expert judges assessing vehicles in 19 categories against specific criteria. The announcement of the winners is highly anticipated each year by many motoring enthusiasts and potential buyers. Giving potential buyers insights into what the judges – experts in the motoring field, consider are the best cars currently available on the Australian market. But are the judges’ choices in line with your idea of the best car?
For many buyers, affordability will be key to any new vehicle purchase. Judging the Best Affordable Cars are part of the awards program. But to be genuinely ‘affordable’ for individual buyers, many will need their finance to also be affordable. While reviewing this year’s winners as a possible purchase, buyers can use our Car Finance Calculator with our latest competitive rates, to assess how affordable we may make that vehicle for you.
Winners of Car of the Year 2025
The Car of the Year (COTY) awards were judged in 19 categories this year. The categories cover options for all types of buyers from family cars, small cars, all sizes of SUVs, luxury ranges, electric vehicles and the very popular cab chassis ute. Categories are stipulated based on pricing which can make it easier for buyers to assess. Prices may not include all dealer and delivery charges, etc.
Here are what the Drive judges consider the winners:-
- Family Cars, price range under $80k Kia Carnival
- Luxury Cars, price range under $100k Polestar 4
- SUV Off-road, price under $80k Ford Everest
- SUV Off-road, price under $150k Land Rover Defender 110
- SUV Small, price under $50k Hyundai Kona Hybrid
- SUV Small, price under $80k Mini Countryman
- SUV Medium, price under $50k Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
- SUV Medium, price under $80k Genesis GV 70
- SUV Large, price under $80k, Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
- SUV Luxury, price under $150k Porsche Macan
- Dual Cab Utes, price under $50k SsangYong Musso
- Dual Cab Utes, price under $100k Ford Ranger
- Dual Cab Utes, price under $150k Silverado 1500
- Urban Cars, price under $30k Chery Tiggo 4 Pro
- Urban Cars, price under $50k Honda Civic Hybrid
- Electric Vehicles, price under $50 BYD Seal Dynamic
- Electric Vehicles, price under $100k Model 3 Tesla
- Family Electric Vehicles, price under $100k Volkswagen ID Buzz
- Luxury Electric Vehicles, price under $150k Macan by Porsche
Want more vehicles to consider? Refer to the top 3 and finalists in each category on the Drive COTY website. The site also contains information on how the judges arrived at their decisions with the assessment report for each winner. Why they chose that vehicle, including the overall winner – the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.
Quickly Estimate Finance for Your Car of the Year
While reviewing the winners, potential buyers can quickly estimate their loan with the Jade Finance Calculator. This handy device allows buyers to calculate estimated repayments based on their loan amount for their choice of motor vehicle finance – Personal Secured Loans, Chattel Mortgage, Leasing or Commercial Hire Purchase.
To get started, refer to the website for the selected manufacturer for a pricing. Most manufacturers will display a price range for the different variants in each model range. Allow for the dealer charges and possibly any accessories you may like to include with your vehicle when estimating your specific loan total with the calculator. Use the rate we are currently achieving for your preferred loan, and the monthly repayment estimate will be displayed.
Calculator estimate not quite in your ballpark? Change the loan amount or loan term and note the different result. Estimate in your budget? Proceed to request a quote or apply for finance online or by phone.
To be ready to place your order on your first dealership visit, apply for pre-approved finance. This is available on all types of motor vehicle financing, attracts the same interest rates as for post-purchase loans, and businesses receive all the appropriate tax benefits.
Purchasing what experts consider are the best cars on the market can be affordable with financing at our highly competitive rates. Each loan is individually sourced and structured to best address personal preferences and requirements, ensuring the purchase works with the household budget or business cash flow.
Acquire your Car of the Year quickly and affordably with the most competitive interest rate loan secured through Jade Finance.
DISCLAIMER: NO LIABILITY IS ACCEPTED IF ERRORS OR MISREPRESENTATIONS ARE FOUND IN THIS ARTICLE. THE ARTICLE IS PREPARED AND PRESENTED FOR GENERAL INFORMATIVE PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE THE SOLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR MAKING FINANCIAL DECISIONS. THOSE REQUIRING GUIDANCE AND ADVICE SHOULD CONSULT A FINANCIAL ADVISOR.
