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

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!

How Does ACOTY Define This Class?

First, each contender needs to be a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). Next, they must be powered and propelled solely by electricity from battery packs. Finally, they need to be sold with a Category A Certificate of Entitlement (Cat A COE). Done deal.

Meet The Contenders

The first two are Bavarian. They are the BMW iX1 (left) and BMW iX2 (right).

The next three are from parent company Stellantis. They are the Citroen e-C4 X (left), Opel Mokka-e (right) and Peugeot e-2008 GT.

Finally, we have the sole South Korean of the group, the Hyundai Kona Electric.

Let the battle royale commence!

The BMW iX1 offers much more space and practicality compared to the previous-generation X1, but now with pure electric propulsion.

With an easily recognisable exterior, sufficient technology and an upmarket interior combined with a smooth yet engaging drive, the iX1 comes into this competition swinging for gold.

As does its coupe-sibling, the BMW iX2. Nearly everything that’s been said about the iX1 also applies here, albeit with a more sleek and audacious four-door SUV coupe body style.

Being the M Sport variant, a more sporty stance and driving experience sets the iX2 apart from its full-SUV brethren. Tech abounds on the inside, as does premium-feeling materials that exude the right levels of ostentatiousness that a BMW should.

The Citroen e-C4 X is practical and brings French flair to this Cat A electric SUV segment. Being a Citroen, one can expect a plush and comfortable ride, even over those tiny ‘killer’ humps that are found in shopping mall and industrial building carparks.

If you need a simple electric SUV, the Opel Mokka-e may be right up your alley. It’s straightforward and no-nonsense, meaning it’s easy to drive and park. With good ride comfort, practicality and smartphone integration, the Mokka-e is designed for those who just want to get on with the journey.

As with the pre-facelift, the Peugeot e-2008 GT is as quirky as French cars come. This time, it features wireless smartphone integration, a slightly larger battery pack and improved efficiency.

Its ride comfort is good, but it can also take corners pretty enthusiastically. And yet again, for its compactness, the interior is rather usable, and once past its French quirks, one can get comfy with the e-2008 GT quite quickly.

The Cyberpunk-looking Hyundai Kona Electric is sure to turn heads as one drives past. With an interior festooned with technology and creature comforts, and with a driving experience that’s surprisingly agile, there’s much to like about this SUV EV.

Six compelling Cat A SUV EV contestants, and only one can be crowned the winner.

AutoApp Car Of The Year Best Cat A SUV EV
BMW iX1

The winner with 402 points is the BMW iX1. This win was not surprising at all, given the unanimous decision of the judging panel. For practicality, space, upmarket feel and brand cachet, the iX1 cannot be beat.

More on the scoring categories used to derive points here.

Congratulations to the BMW iX1 for winning the AutoApp Car of the Year 2025 Best Cat A SUV EV!

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