10Best Cars for 2025

For over four decades, VORLAXAUTO “10Best” awards have stood as the automotive industry’s premier benchmark for excellence. Since its inception in 1983, this annual tradition has guided countless car buyers and enthusiasts toward vehicles that truly stand above the rest. As we enter 2025, the fundamental question remains unchanged: “What’s the best car?”

It’s a deceptively simple question that becomes increasingly complex when you consider the hundreds of vehicles our team evaluates each year. From efficient daily drivers to high-performance machines, the automotive landscape continues to evolve, presenting an ever-growing challenge in identifying true excellence.

The “10Best Cars for 2025” list isn’t merely about highlighting the latest models to hit showroom floors. Instead, it represents our unwavering commitment to identifying vehicles that exemplify the perfect blend of performance, value, and driving pleasure – regardless of their model year. This approach ensures that proven performers aren’t overlooked simply because they’re not the newest offerings on the market.

Our selection process remains as rigorous as ever. Each vehicle undergoes extensive real-world driving evaluations, comprehensive instrumented testing, and thorough debate among our editorial team. This methodical approach, combining objective data with subjective expertise, helps us cut through marketing hype to identify truly exceptional vehicles.

The Framework for Excellence

Three fundamental criteria guide our selection process. First, each vehicle must excel in fulfilling its intended mission, whether that’s providing family transportation, delivering sporting thrills, or offering luxury comfort. Second, it must deliver exceptional value to buyers, regardless of price point. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it must evoke genuine driving joy – that intangible quality that transforms transportation into experience.

To maintain focus on vehicles accessible to a broader audience, we’ve maintained our price cap at $110,000. This ceiling ensures our selections remain relevant to real-world buyers while still encompassing a wide range of premium and performance vehicles.

The 2025 list features eight returning champions and two exciting newcomers, reflecting both the enduring excellence of certain models and the continuous evolution of the automotive industry.

The 2025 Winners: A Closer Look

Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing

Making its fourth consecutive appearance on our 10Best list, the CT4-V Blackwing continues to dominate the compact high-performance sports sedan segment. Its remarkable combination of precise handling, powerful acceleration, and daily usability makes it a standout performer. The twin-turbocharged V6 engine delivers an intoxicating blend of power and response, while the available manual transmission offers an engaging driving experience increasingly rare in modern vehicles.

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

In an era where V8 engines, manual transmissions, and rear-wheel drive are becoming endangered species, the CT5-V Blackwing stands as a glorious celebration of traditional performance values. Its supercharged V8 produces an impressive 668 horsepower, yet the car remains surprisingly civilized during daily driving. The interior quality and technology features match its performance credentials, creating a compelling overall package.

Chevrolet Corvette

The Corvette’s transformation to a mid-engine configuration continues to impress, offering supercar performance at a fraction of the expected price. From the base Stingray to the track-focused Z06, each variant delivers a unique and compelling performance envelope. The mid-engine layout has transformed the Corvette’s handling characteristics while maintaining the value proposition that has long been a hallmark of the nameplate.

Honda Accord

Making its astounding 39th appearance on our 10Best list, the Accord continues to define excellence in the family sedan segment. The latest generation combines exceptional handling with class-leading interior space and impressive fuel economy. The hybrid powertrain option delivers seamless performance while achieving remarkable efficiency, and the overall package represents outstanding value in its segment.

Honda Civic

The Civic proves that an affordable car needn’t feel cheap. From the base sedan to the high-performance Type R, each variant delivers engaging driving dynamics, practical functionality, and impressive build quality. The interior design and materials quality exceed expectations for the price point, while fuel efficiency and reliability maintain Honda’s traditional strengths.

Lucid Air

As both a luxury sedan and an electric vehicle, the Lucid Air excels on multiple fronts. Its sleek design houses industry-leading EV technology, delivering exceptional range and performance. The interior combines premium materials with advanced technology in a thoughtfully designed package. While pricing for higher-trim models exceeds our cap, the Pure and Touring variants deliver remarkable value in the luxury EV segment.

Mercedes-Benz E450

The E450 exemplifies Mercedes-Benz’s approach to luxury, combining refined performance with exceptional comfort. The mild-hybrid powertrain delivers smooth, efficient performance, while the interior design and material quality set standards for the segment. Advanced technology features enhance both safety and convenience without overwhelming the driving experience.

Porsche Boxster/Cayman

These mid-engine sports cars continue to define driving excellence in their segment. Available in multiple performance levels and with various options packages, each variant delivers an exceptional driving experience. The combination of precise handling, strong performance, and daily usability makes these Porsches perennial favorites among driving enthusiasts.

Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86

These affordable sports cars prove that driving enjoyment needn’t require a massive budget. Their lightweight design and naturally aspirated engines deliver an engaging driving experience, while practical features make them viable daily drivers. The manual transmission option enhances driver involvement, and their reasonable pricing makes them accessible to a broad range of enthusiasts.

Tesla Model 3 Long Range

The 2024 update has transformed the Model 3 into an even more compelling package. Increased battery capacity extends its already impressive range, while subtle refinements enhance both performance and comfort. The simplified interior design remains distinctive, and Tesla’s continuous over-the-air updates ensure the vehicle’s technology remains current.

Looking Forward

As the automotive industry continues its transformation toward electrification and advanced driver assistance systems, our commitment to identifying truly exceptional vehicles remains unchanged. The 2025 10Best winners represent excellence across a broad spectrum of vehicle types and price points, from affordable sports cars to luxury EVs.

These vehicles demonstrate that regardless of powertrain type or market segment, the fundamentals of automotive excellence – performance, value, and driving enjoyment – remain consistent. As we look toward future editions of 10Best, these criteria will continue to guide our evaluations, ensuring that our recommendations help readers identify truly exceptional vehicles.