Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2025 – the winners

Every car buyer wants to know the answer to one simple question: What is the best car for me to buy? Here at Carbuyer, it’s our mission to provide the answers and our annual Carbuyer Best Car Awards are absolutely central to that.

Every year our expert road testers test hundreds of new cars over thousands of miles across the UK, Europe and even further afield. Each one is analysed in detail from its running costs, safety and practicality to performance, technology and design, then our verdict is presented in a Carbuyer in-depth review.

The top models on the market with the highest scores in our reviews then go forward to be considered for the Carbuyer Best Car Awards. These awards simply recognise the best cars on sale, the ones our experts believe should be on top of your car buying shortlist. 

The awards are presented across sixteen categories giving full coverage of the mainstream UK car market and ensuring that we recommend a car to suit as wide a range of different buyers as possible. These category winners then go forward to be considered for the overall Carbuyer Car of the Year title.

We’re in a hugely exciting period for new cars with the march of electrification, increasing in-car technology and the arrival of many new Chinese car brands onto the UK scene. At Carbuyer, we’re here to help you make sense of it so scroll down to see which models we think you should be buying, and why..  

Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2025 – The Winners

The 2025 Best Car Awards winners are exactly that; the best cars to buy in 2025… 

Best Small Car 2025: Renault Clio

18

“The small car still has a vital role to play for consumers in 2025 and the Renault Clio is a masterclass in how to get it right. A top class interior with loads of standard equipment is a highlight but so are the low running costs driven by the clever E-Tech hybrid engines.” 

Read our in-depth review of the Renault Clio

Best Small Family Car 2025: Dacia Duster

18

“Dacia has always done value for money very well but the new Duster is a far more complete package than we’ve seen before from the brand. Sharp design, improved quality and a host of clever practical touches make it a fantastic small family car. And it’s still cheap to buy and run, too.” 

Read our in-depth review of the Dacia Duster

Best Family Car 2025: Skoda Octavia

18

“We love the Skoda Octavia at Carbuyer. It’s always offered a fantastic blend of space, quality and value for families and the latest model is another chip off the old block. Comfort levels in the cabin have reached new heights with the smooth ride and quiet powertrains, while Skoda’s Simply Clever features are still great for making life with an Octavia run even more smoothly.” 

Read our in-depth review of the Skoda Octavia

Best Large Family Car 2025: Skoda Kodiaq

18

“We’ve long been impressed by Skoda’s value proposition but the quality of its most recent creations shines through just as brightly. The latest Skoda Kodiaq doesn’t look like a huge leap forward from the outside but the even more spacious cabin has a real classy feel about it. The technology is easy to use and the 71-mile electric range of the plug-in hybrid version is hugely impressive.”

Read our in-depth review of the Skoda Kodiaq

Best Estate Car 2025: Skoda Superb Estate

18

“SUVs may hog the limelight these days but family car buyers overlook the estate at their peril. None fill the utility wagon role better than the Skoda Superb, either. This big load lugger has the vast boot area to make all your cargo carrying dreams come true and also delivers on ride comfort and efficiency, making it a superb long-distance machine.”

Read our in-depth review of the Skoda Superb Estate

Best Small Company Car 2025: Cupra Born

18

“Electric cars are the perfect choice for company car drivers in 2025 and the Cupra Born stands out from its compact rivals. Sporty style and a driving experience to match combine with generous equipment levels, even in the base car, and a plush interior. Cupra is really making a name for itself on the UK market and the Born is playing a big part.”

Read our in-depth review of the Cupra Born

Best Large Company Car 2025: Tesla Model Y

18

“The Tesla Model Y is a masterclass in minimalism and a hugely cost-effective choice as a company car. The clean lines, both inside and out, give it a character all of its own and it’s competitive in every key area from performance and range to cabin space and charging. With a facelift and a seven-seat version on the way it’s only going to get better, too.”

Read our in-depth review of the Tesla Model Y

Best Sports Car 2025: BMW 2 Series Coupe

18

“The BMW 2 Series Coupe is a sleek two-door that serves up BMW’s legendary driving precision in a relatively affordable package. Just as rewarding in entry-level 220i guise as it is in the hot M240i xDrive configuration, which brings searing acceleration and thrilling grip levels. The 2 Series Coupe is also compact, making it easy to live with, while it boasts an upmarket interior.”

Read our in-depth review of the BMW 2 Series Coupe

Best Hot Hatchback 2025: Volkswagen Golf GTI

18

“No other hot hatch has the pedigree of the Volkswagen Golf GTI, and we have been really impressed with the upgrades for the Mk8.5 facelift. It’s now even more precise, and the Clubsport version in particular is thrilling to drive. With impressive 15-stage adaptive dampers, it also won’t beat you or your passengers up when you aren’t at a track day. Not only that, but tweaks to the car’s infotainment and controls mean it’s now more intuitive”

Read our in-depth review of the Volkswagen Golf GTI

Best Convertible 2025: Mazda MX-5

18

“We might be living through the biggest shift in the automotive landscape ever, but hop in a Mazda MX-5, reach up and unfurl the fabric soft top before tearing off towards a B-road and it’s easy to forget it. Few other cars offer old-school, wind-in-the-hair thrills like this. Like several of our award winners, the MX-5 has been honed over the decades and generations, and any rough edges have been smoothed off. It has superb handling and engines that are both zesty and economical.”

Read our in-depth review of the Mazda MX-5

Best Small Electric Car 2025: Citroen e-C3

18

“There were fears that small cars were going the way of the Dodo, but models like the Citroen e-C3 show that couldn’t be further from the truth. We described it as the right car at the right time, because it brings affordable electric motoring to the masses. Starting from just under £22k, here’s a stylish, practical and comfortable supermini with a 198-mile range and easy driving manners. Standard kit includes all the essentials, while the Max trim adds luxuries like heated seats and even a defrosting windscreen.”

Read our in-depth review of the Citroen e-C3

Best Family Electric Car 2025: Renault Scenic

18

“The term ‘game-changer’ might be overused, but there’s something about the Renault Scenic that makes it feel like a seminal car. Here’s an electric family SUV that offers a driving range of up to 379 miles, along with a spacious and sustainable interior, all without breaking the bank. Renault has really thought about passengers too, serving up excellent rear space and a clever multi-purpose armrest that’s also a charging station and tablet holder for long trips. Other ticks include a big boot and intuitive Google-based infotainment.”

Read our in-depth review of the Renault Scenic

Best Large Electric Car 2025: Kia EV9

18

“Kia’s impressive ascension continues with this Kia EV9 seven-seat luxury electric SUV. We love its striking design, which blends blocky shapes with contemporary twists, and it stacks up just as well when you get inside. A six-seat layout with individual seats is a clever optional extra, and everything feels upmarket – you’d never know a lot of its materials are recycled or made from bioplastic. Single and dual motor versions are offered, and its 99kWh battery and 800-volt charging tech mean public charging stops are speedy affairs.”

Read our in-depth review of the Kia EV9

Best Hybrid 2025: MG ZS

18

“The MG ZS could be the best value car on sale right now, because it offers generous SUV proportions and a fully hybrid powertrain for around £22k. With 197bhp and offering up to 55.4mpg, it’s an impressive engine, and standard kit includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen and MG Pilot driving aids. At less than £25k, the Trophy trim still well undercuts most rivals, yet gets leather-style upholstery, heated seats and steering wheel and a 360-degree camera. What’s not to like?”

Read our in-depth review of the MG ZS

Best Plug-in Hybrid 2025: Toyota Prius

18

“The Toyota Prius has been transformed with space-age styling and a better driving experience than ever before, so it’s no longer a car you pick just with your head. It’s still a hybrid, but it’s now a plug-in with a larger battery for an electric-only range of up to 53 miles. With 223bhp from its petrol and electric motors, it’s also far more spirited than before. Don’t blindly buy an EV without considering a hybrid like the Prius first – for some buyers it will make even more sense”

Read our in-depth review of the Toyota Prius

Best Large Plug-in Hybrid 2025:  Lexus NX

18

“Our reigning champion has done it again, with the Lexus NX still our favourite large plug-in hybrid for 2025. It continues to wow us with its efficiency and refinement, while its build quality is really top notch. It’s one of the most relaxing SUVs to drive on a long trip, and it comes with the reassurance of a long 10-year warranty so long as you don’t mind sticking with Lexus servicing.”

Read our in-depth review of the Lexus NX

Carbuyer Car of the Year 2025: Dacia Duster

18

“The Dacia Duster has become a smash hit with British buyers who love its no-nonsense, affordable approach to SUV ownership. Well guess what, the third-generation Duster is even better. It’s more practical, has more clever features and electrified engines mean it’s more economical too. If you want it, there’s even a four-wheel drive version that’s a genuine budget off-roader."

Read our in-depth review of the Dacia Duster

If you're considering a nearly new car, or just want to see past results, check out our Carbuyer Best Car Award winners from 2024 and 2023

Carbuyer Best Car Award previous winners: