How Does ACOTY Define This Class?

Each contender must be a Multi-purpose Vehicle (MPV), also known as ‘minivan’ in North America, and sold with a Category B Certificate of Entitlement (Cat B COE). Pretty straightforward.

Meet The Contenders

Clockwise from top left are the Kia Carnival, Lexus LM, Nissan Serena and Toyota Vellfire.

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 Lexus LM comes into this competition with its luxury credentials ablaze. For those that demand the highest quality while moving six people, the LM goes to town with captain’s chairs and creature comforts that aim to soothe Sir or Ma’am in the middle row, sufficient but understated customization that follows the Japanese style of opulence, and ride comfort that rivals much more expensive brands.

The Nissan Serena e-Power needs no introduction because it’s relatively common sight on our roads – for good reason.

Practicality, check. Packaging, check. Spaciousness, check. It hits all the essentials on the bullseye while offering good comfort, sufficient tech integration and a unique powertrain that’s a stepping-stone to EV-dom without the accompanying range anxiety.

Want a more sporty-looking yet understated MPV? The Toyota Vellfire is right up your alley in this case. With lots of space, practicality, ride comfort and Japanese sophistication, the Vellfire lets you move the family while sipping petrol with Toyota’s famed hybrid powertrain.

Four minivans that mean business, but only one can be crowned king.

AutoApp Car Of The Year Best Cat B SUV
Kia Carnival

The winner with 413 points is the Kia Carnival. The South Koreans sure know how to offer a lot of vehicle for the money, and the Carnival represents a fantastic value proposition in this group.

More on the scoring categories used to derive points here.

Congratulations to the Kia Carnival for winning the AutoApp Car of the Year 2025 Best Cat B SUV!

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

How Does ACOTY Define This Class?

Every vehicle that qualifies for this category needs to be sold with a Category A Certificate of Entitlement (Cat A 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 A (COE Cat A).

Meet The Contenders

Here are the first three contenders. Representing Japan is the Lexus LBX (left), and South Korea is represented by the Hyundai Kona Hybrid (right) and the Hyundai Avante Hybrid.

The next two contenders can run very briefly on pure electric power, and therefore make an appearance here.

Representing Italy is the Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce (left), and representing Japan is the Suzuki Swift Mild Hybrid (right).

The Lexus LBX is smooth, quiet and feels suitably premium and upmarket on the inside. Its hybrid powertrain means that it’s frugal to run and its compact dimensions make it a great runabout in town.

The Hyundai Kona Hybrid looks futuristic with its angular styling. It’s also longer, taller and wider than its predecessor, meaning more space and practicality than before. Throw in a classic modern interior, essential creature comforts and fuel-frugal attitude, and you’ve got a really attractive package here.

The Hyundai Avante Hybrid’s sharp and angular looks are modern and befitting a vehicle twice its price tag. With sufficient tech and more than enough creature comforts on the inside, comfortable ride and a frugal engine, this is the sedan too look at in the Cat A hybrid segment.

The Alfa Romeo Tonale brings excellent handling for a front-wheel drive SUV, striking good looks befitting an Alfa and decent interior space and practicality.

Ever loved by enthusiasts, the Suzuki Swift is a hatchback that’s affordable, nimble, frugal and quite practical.

Five contenders face off for green-cred bragging rights, and there can only be one.

AutoApp Car Of The Year Best Cat A Hybrid
Lexus LBX

The winner with 383 points is the Lexus LBX. While it may cost a pretty penny, it also feels equally as upmarket while being able to confidently flash its green credentials without breaking a sweat.

More on the scoring categories used to derive points here.

Congratulations to the Lexus LBX for winning the AutoApp Car of the Year 2025 Best Cat A Hybrid / Plug-In Hybrid!

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

How Does ACOTY Define This Class?

Every Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) that qualifies for this category needs to be sold with a Category A Certificate of Entitlement (Cat A 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.

Although no plug-in hybrids were launched this year under Certificate of Entitlement Category A (COE Cat A), there were three full-hybrid SUVs reviewed.

Meet The Contenders

Two come from South Korea while one is Japanese. They are, clockwise from top left, the Kia Niro Hybrid, Hyundai Kona Hybrid and Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid respectively.

The Kia Niro Hybrid has a lot going for it. Sharp, unique looks, an angular, tech-infused cabin and spacious practicality work in favour of the Niro Hybrid. Its frugality coupled with ride comfort means you’ll be wafting around while keeping your wallet firmly in your pocket for longer.

The Hyundai Kona Hybrid has a distinct futuristic angular styling going for it that sets it apart from other vehicles on the road. Being longer, taller and wider than its predecessor means it’s more spacious and practical than ever before. Coupled with a classic modern interior, creature comforts that aid daily driving and fuel-frugality, you’ve got a really attractive package here.

The Toyota Yaris Cross takes a tried and tested Yaris package, pumps up the suspension and roofline and endows it with a hybrid drivetrain. It’s the most compact of the trio here and is designed primarily as a town runabout, which it does very well. The interior is functional and adaptive cruise control means highway jaunts are that much easier. Plus it’s still sitting atop our chart for fuel economy where petrol-powered cars are concerned.

Although three came to the fore, there could only be one.

AutoApp Car Of The Year Best Cat A Hybrid SUV
Kia Niro Hybrid

The winner with 323 points is the Kia Niro Hybrid, and its decisive victory came about because it feels like the most complete value proposition of the trio.

More on the scoring categories used to derive points here.

Congratulations on the Kia Niro Hybrid for winning the AutoApp Car of the Year 2024 Best Cat A Hybrid / Plug-In Hybrid!

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV!