40 cars set to battle it out for Irish Car of the Year

Published on 2 October, 2024

2025 Irish Car of the Year Finalists Announced

Overview

Forty new car models are set to compete for the prestigious title of Irish Car of the Year 2025, in association with Continental Tyres. The winners will be unveiled during a gala event at The Conrad Hotel, Dublin, on Friday, November 15th.

The awards are voted on by members of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI), a panel of 29 experienced Irish motoring journalists. These awards aim to highlight the best cars launched in Ireland this year, considering the specific needs of the Irish market.

Daragh Keany, Chairman of the MMAI, remarked, "The past few years have posed significant challenges for the car industry, beginning with the Covid pandemic in 2020 and followed by the global semiconductor shortage. These disruptions severely impacted the production and launch of new cars. However, with 40 exciting new models competing this year—eight more than last year—it’s clear the industry is not only recovering but thriving. The MMAI jurors are eager to begin the voting process, and we have our work cut out for us in the coming weeks."

Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres, the awards' sponsor, added: “We’re proud to continue our association with the Irish Car of the Year awards, which celebrate the best new cars in Ireland each year. Electric vehicles have dominated in recent years, with the overall winner being an electric model for four consecutive years. This year, 17 of the 40 entries are fully electric, so they stand a good chance, but it’s far from guaranteed.”

The 2024 Irish Car of the Year title went to the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 6. Whether an electric vehicle will once again claim the top spot in 2025 will be revealed at the event on November 15.

The full list of contenders for Irish Car of the Year 2025 includes:

• Audi Q6 eTron
• BMW i5/5 Series
• BMW iX2/X2
• BYD Dolphin
• BYD Seal
• Citroën AMI
• FIAT 600
• Ford Explorer
• Honda CRV
• Honda ZRV
• Honda eNY1
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Hyundai Ioniq 5N
• KGM Torres EVX
• KIA EV9
• Lexus LBX
• Lotus Eletre
• Mercedes E Class
• Mercedes CLE Coupé/Cabrio
• Mercedes V Class
• MINI Countryman
• MINI Cooper
• MG3
• Peugeot 3008
• Polestar 3
• Polestar 4
• Porsche Macan
• Renault Rafale
• Renault Symbioz
• Renault Scenic
• Skoda Kodiaq
• Skoda Superb
• Smart #1
• Smart #3
• Subaru Forester
• Suzuki Swift
• Toyota C-HR
• VW ID.7
• VW Tiguan
• Volvo EX30

Sinead McCann

Sinéad is our resident car tester who has the unenviable (-ok, slightly enviable) task of reviewing all the latest new cars to hit the market. You can follow her on Twitter @smcani and on Instagram @whatshedrives