Six entrants battle it out for the ACOTY Best Cat B Hybrid / Plug-In Hybrid Category accolade.
How Does ACOTY Define This Class?
Every vehicle that qualifies for this category needs to be sold with a Category B Certificate of Entitlement (Cat B COE). It also needs to have a full-hybrid or plug-in hybrid drivetrain that allows it to be driven for some distance purely on electric power alone.
No plug-in hybrids were launched this year under Certificate of Entitlement Category B (COE Cat B).
Meet The Contenders
The first three contenders represent Japan. They are the Toyota Prius (left), Toyota Camry (right) and the Nissan Serena.
The next three entrants represent South Korea. They are the Kia Sorento (left), Kia Carnival (right) and the Hyundai Santa Fe.
The Toyota Prius received the title “King of Full Hybrids” in our review because that’s how brilliantly economical its hybrid system is. Add to that Toyota’s legendary reliability, straightforward interior and decent luggage space and you’ve got a family liftback that’s hard to beat.
The Toyota Camry has long been the benchmark for a mid-range sedan. Now with a more frugal hybrid drivetrain, a supple and spacious interior festooned with features and a comfortable ride, this Camry could easily pass of as a much more expensive Lexus.
Practicality, check. Packaging, check. Spaciousness, check. The Nissan Serena e-Power hits all the essentials on the bullseye while offering good comfort, sufficient tech integration and a unique powertrain that’s a nice halfway house to an EV lifestyle sans the accompanying range anxiety.
The Kia Sorento looks aggressive head-on and makes others notice it. With plenty of room on the inside, tech integration that’s seamless, handling that’s surprisingly nimble and ride comfort that’s necessary for the family, the South Koreans appear to be nailing the SUV brief with aplomb.
Its cousin, the Kia Carnival looks futuristic and aggressive simultaneously. With lots of tech and creature comforts on the inside, packaging and ergonomics that are well thought out, loads of practicality and comfort and pretty good fuel economy for a vehicle it’s size, the Carnival is a great package for the family.
The Hyundai Santa Fe, literally with a “hip-to-be-square” angular physique, is a refreshing change from the sea of boring SUVs on our streets. Featuring a comfortable ride, great fuel economy, an interior that wouldn’t go amiss in a vehicle twice its price, and tech and creature comforts galore, this becomes one seriously compelling family SUV package.
Six contenders battling it out for the green accolade, but only one can stand tall.
AutoApp Car Of The Year Best Cat B Hybrid
Toyota Camry
| Vehicle | Points Tally |
| Toyota Prius | 389 |
| Toyota Camry | 415 |
| Nissan Serena | 351 |
| Kia Sorento | 372 |
| Kia Carnival | 413 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 398 |
The winner of this category with 415 points is the Toyota Camry! That it can mimic a more expensive Lexus while delivering the family to their destination in a frugal manner is what won it top spot.
More on the scoring categories used to derive points here.
Congratulations to the Toyota Camry for winning the AutoApp Car of the Year 2025 Best Cat B Hybrid / Plug-In Hybrid Category!
Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!
