The Detroit Auto Show opened its doors with a bang today, unveiling the winners of the highly anticipated 2025 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) Awards. In a year brimming with innovation and competition, the Honda Civic Hybrid, Ford Ranger, and Volkswagen ID. Buzz stood out among a crowded field to claim the top honors.

Here’s why these vehicles earned the prestigious titles and what makes them worthy of your attention.

North American Car of the Year: 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid

The Honda Civic has been a benchmark in the compact car segment for decades, and its latest iteration—the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid—continues that tradition by combining practicality with eco-friendly innovation. Powered by Honda’s advanced hybrid system, the Civic Hybrid boasts impressive fuel economy while delivering an engaging driving experience.

Juror John Voelcker praised the Civic Hybrid as “fun, fuel-efficient, and more elegant than its predecessors,” highlighting the model’s ability to seamlessly blend performance with sustainability. Meanwhile, Matt DeLorenzo emphasized its role as “a much-needed affordable high-mileage family car,” citing its sharp design, comfortable interior, and exceptional value.

Honda’s ability to pack cutting-edge hybrid technology into a compact sedan while keeping it accessible for the masses is what propelled the Civic Hybrid to the top spot, with 205 votes solidifying its win.

North American Truck of the Year: 2025 Ford Ranger

Ford’s mastery of the pickup truck market continues with the 2025 Ford Ranger, a midsize truck that punches well above its weight class. With a bold, full-size F-150-inspired design, robust towing capability, and modern features, the Ranger delivers practicality and versatility for drivers who need a truck that works as hard as they do.

Starting at $34,575, the Ranger offers impressive value, and its capability shines with a 7,500-pound towing capacity and a fuel economy rating of 20 mpg combined. Juror Drew Winter called it “a solid and refined chassis, a nice interior, and a good choice for budget-conscious buyers,” while Jack Nerad noted the Ranger’s ability to blend utility with comfort.

Ford’s legendary truck-building expertise is evident in every detail of the 2025 Ranger, making it a standout in a fiercely competitive segment with 183 votes from jurors.

North American Utility Vehicle of the Year: 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz

No vehicle at this year’s awards generated as much excitement and nostalgia as the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, a modern electric homage to the iconic VW Microbus. With its quirky retro design and cutting-edge EV tech, the ID. Buzz captures the imagination while delivering practical utility.

Offering a range of over 230 miles on a single charge, ample interior space, and clever features, the ID. Buzz combines fun and functionality in equal measure. Ken Gross joked that it’s “the minivan everybody waves to and just wants to hug,” while John Davis called it “an inspired Volkswagen design for the ages.”

With its ability to bridge the gap between past and future, the ID. Buzz earned 187 votes and firmly established itself as one of the most innovative utility vehicles of the year.

The NACTOY Legacy

Founded in 1994, the North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards are among the most prestigious in the automotive world, thanks to their independence and rigorous evaluation process. The 50 jurors, all seasoned automotive journalists, devote countless hours to test driving and evaluating vehicles based on criteria like innovation, design, safety, performance, technology, and value. With the support of Deloitte LLP for vote auditing, NACTOY ensures that the winners truly represent the “best of the best” in the industry.

Why These Winners Matter

This year’s winners reflect the direction of the automotive industry as it continues to innovate and adapt to evolving consumer needs. The Honda Civic Hybrid highlights the importance of fuel-efficient, affordable solutions. The Ford Ranger reinforces the demand for versatile, capable midsize trucks. Meanwhile, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz proves that electric vehicles can be fun, nostalgic, and practical.

For car buyers looking to invest in a standout vehicle in 2025, the NACTOY winners are the perfect place to start. Whether it’s the efficiency of the Civic Hybrid, the rugged capability of the Ranger, or the electric charm of the ID. Buzz, these models are sure to turn heads on the road—and for good reason.