2025's Top 10 Cars: GearTech's Picks Will Surprise You
2025 has been a year of significant shifts in the automotive world. After a period of strong optimism surrounding electric vehicles (EVs), a counter-movement is gaining traction, questioning the pace of the energy transition and fuel economy standards. Automakers are responding by delaying or even canceling planned EV projects in favor of gasoline-powered vehicles. However, it hasn't been all negative. Despite these changing winds, the EV infrastructure continues to expand and, increasingly, feels more reliable. We’ve also witnessed a thrilling Formula 1 season, alongside exciting sports car and Formula E racing. Through it all, we’ve had the opportunity to test drive a wide range of vehicles, and some have truly stood out from the crowd. This article dives deep into GearTech’s selections for the 10 best cars we drove in 2025, offering insights into why they earned a spot on our list.
10th: Lotus Emira V6
A Lotus Emira doesn’t need a vibrant paint job to remind you of the pure joy of driving. While the Lotus resurgence hasn’t unfolded exactly as planned following Geely’s acquisition in 2017, a more traditional Lotus still exists, built in Norfolk, England: the Emira.
Its Toyota-sourced V6 engine is renowned for its reliability, and the inclusion of three pedals and a manual gearstick provides a truly engaging driving experience. Geely’s parts bin contributes modern infotainment and switchgear – a crucial benefit for low-volume manufacturers. The electrohydraulic steering delivers exceptional feel. While many may opt for the Porsche 718 Cayman, we’re delighted the Emira remains available for those seeking a driver-focused sports car.
9th: Volvo V60 Cross Country
My extended time with the Volvo V60 Cross Country completely changed my initial perception of this vehicle. It’s a charming and relaxed car that doesn’t prioritize blistering speed or a dramatic exhaust note. However, its ride, designed to handle challenging Swedish forest roads, translates remarkably well to poorly maintained American roads, offering surprising agility when changing direction.
Station wagons are becoming increasingly rare in North America, especially those that aren’t high-performance models like the BMW M5 or Audi RS6. The V60 Cross Country’s normalcy and pleasant driving experience secure its place in our top 10.
8th: Volkswagen Golf GTI
The recipe is simple: take a practical small hatchback, enhance the suspension, add a more powerful engine, equip it with sticky tires, and apply some styling tweaks. This formula, first implemented with the original Volkswagen Golf GTI in 1976, has proven remarkably enduring. The GTI has surpassed the Beetle as VW’s iconic model, demonstrating that a car can be both sporty and highly functional without requiring increased ride height. Now in its eighth iteration – and recently refreshed – the Golf GTI continues to deliver.
Unfortunately, the manual transmission Golf GTI is no longer available in the US, as demand has dwindled. However, the return to a button-festooned steering wheel – replacing VW’s often-criticized capacitive controls – is a significant improvement. It remains a fun-to-drive vehicle that’s less likely to attract unwanted attention from law enforcement than the Golf R.
7th: BMW i4 xDrive40
BMW’s design team played it safe with the i4, but the engineers didn’t. To the casual observer, it resembles a standard 4 Series Gran Coupe (BMW’s term for a five-door fastback). However, the closed-off kidney grilles reveal its electric nature.
The xDrive40 is the all-wheel-drive version, offering a balance of efficiency and performance. While not as efficient as the rear-wheel-drive i4, it’s more likely to be encountered in the US, given the preference for all-wheel drive. The infotainment system is among the best on the market, the interior is comfortable, and the rear hatch provides SUV-like practicality without the added height.
6th: Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 consistently earns a spot on our annual top 10 list. Like the Golf GTI, the 2025 model year brought a refresh, including a switch to a Tesla-style NACS charging port for US-made vehicles, alongside adapters for CCS and J1772 chargers. This opens up access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, although utilizing a 350 kW CCS1 machine offers significantly faster charging speeds (approximately 15 minutes to charge from 35% to 80%).
The off-road-inspired XRT version adds a certain charm, but its rugged tires impact range. The standard Ioniq 5 remains one of the most efficient and well-rounded EVs available, and now includes USB-C ports and, finally, a rear windshield wiper.
5th: Mercedes-Benz CLA
Mercedes-Benz has introduced a new entry-level EV, and it’s a very competent offering. The CLA is a compact four-door sedan with a remarkably low drag coefficient. However, the real innovation lies beneath the surface. It’s the first true software-defined vehicle from Mercedes, featuring a clean-sheet electronic architecture controlled by four powerful computers instead of numerous individual control units.
The CLA boasts Mercedes’ latest operating system and a modern electric powertrain based on the EQXX concept car, delivering a range of up to 374 miles (602 km) from an 85 kWh battery pack. New driver-assist features will be unveiled in January. Best of all, both rear-drive and twin-motor CLA models are priced under $50,000.
4th: BMW iX3
BMW’s latest EV showcases its cutting-edge powertrain technology, and the company chose the popular compact crossover segment for its introduction. Unlike Mercedes, which will offer a hybrid version of the CLA, BMW’s Neue Klasse platform is exclusively electric. The iX3 is the first vehicle built on this platform.
BMW has replaced traditional chrome accents with illuminated elements. Instead of a conventional instrument cluster, a highly effective display appears integrated into the base of the windshield. The iX3 supports charging speeds of up to 400 kW and boasts a range of at least 400 miles (643 km). Importantly, it delivers the engaging driving experience expected of a BMW, even in SUV form. For sedan enthusiasts, the Neue Klasse i3 – a true electric 3 Series – is on the horizon, and we eagerly anticipate its arrival.
3rd: Honda Civic Hybrid
The Honda Civic Hybrid earns a spot on the podium. The Civic exemplifies how car sizes have increased over time: the 11th generation is three feet (920 mm) longer than models from the early 1970s.
Despite its increased size, the new Civic Hybrid delivers impressive performance and fuel efficiency, generating 200 hp (150 kW) while achieving 50 mpg (4.7 L/100 km) and meeting modern emission standards. The interior retains plenty of physical controls, offering a refreshing alternative to touchscreen-dominated interfaces. Like the Golf, it’s enjoyable to drive a lightweight and relatively low-slung vehicle.
2nd: Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid
I’ve been fortunate enough to drive several excellent 911s this year, including the 992.2 GT3 and a 911 T convertible. However, my top pick is the 911 GTS T-Hybrid.
Porsche developed a new flat-six engine for the T-Hybrid, incorporating turbocharger hybrid technology inspired by Formula 1 and Porsche’s Le Mans winner. This results in a sharper, more immediate throttle response than even the naturally aspirated GT3. It responds to throttle inputs as quickly as an EV, while retaining the characteristics that define a Porsche 911 – a manual gearbox, a free-revving engine, and a satisfying exhaust note. While expensive, it’s still more affordable than the GT3, but the price tag keeps it from the top spot.
1st: Nissan Leaf
While Nissan isn’t facing the same challenges as Lotus, the company could benefit from smoother sailing. A proposed merger with Honda fell through in February, and the Ariya, a competent electric SUV, is no longer available for import due to tariffs. However, the third-generation Leaf, released this year, has impressed us.
Smaller on the outside than its predecessor, the new Leaf offers more interior space thanks to a more modern design. The air-cooled battery, a long-standing criticism of the Leaf, has been replaced. It looks good, and a version with steel wheels achieves over 300 miles (487 km) of range. However, the SV+ trim level offers the best overall value. At under $35,000, it’s one of the most affordable new EVs on the market.