Those five finalists were chosen from a list of almost 30 eligible models in 2024, with each vehicle offering strong credentials – making every decision, including the final winner, extremely difficult and painstaking.
In the end, it was its long list of standard features, build quality, design, powertrain, and practicality that won the Lexus NX its category.
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For 2025, there is a little less than half the number of contenders in this segment compared with the previous year – which still makes for a mammoth task, given they each have a long list of pros and very few cons.
The truth is, most new cars on sale today are very good. The vast majority of buyers would be happy with almost any car on this list, meaning we have to drill down to the smallest details to see which ones set themselves apart from the rest.
Our 2025 contenders include the BYD Sealion 6, Cupra Ateca, Genesis GV70, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia EV5, Kia Sportage Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz GLB, Peugeot 408, Skoda Enyaq, Subaru Solterra, Toyota BZ4X, and the defending winner, the Lexus NX.
This will be one of the most fascinating categories of the competition, given there are newcomers like the Toyota BZ4X and Kia EV5, as well as popular electric cars like the BYD Sealion 6 and facelifted Hyundai Ioniq 5, all going head-to-head against family favourites like Kia Sportage Hybrid and Hyundai Tucson (both petrol and hybrid).
Given the larger Kia EV9 electric SUV took out the overall Drive Car of the Year gong for 2024, it will be very interesting to see how its smaller sibling, the recently-released Kia EV5, fares against established rivals – and new upstarts – in this group.
Or, does the Lexus NX still have the right ingredients to fend off a new wave of medium SUVs and reclaim the title for another year in a row?
Feel free to take bets on what you think might be the finalists – or category winner – in the comments section below.
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FAQs
Which cars are eligible for this category?
Drive’s rules require that, for a car to be eligible, it must:
- Be all-new or significantly updated.
- Be on sale with customer deliveries commenced by 31 December 2024.
- Retail examples be made available for Drive to road test before that cut-off date.
- Pricing cut-offs exclude discounts and limited-time offers.
| Contenders | Not here in time |
| – Cars that are all-new or significantly updated since they last contested Drive Car of the Year. – New categories are open to all cars that fit category requirements. – Last year’s winner is an automatic inclusion. | – These cars meet category requirements, but are not due to arrive in time for Drive Car of the Year 2025 judging. |
| BYD Sealion 6 Cupra Ateca Genesis GV70 – finalist Hyundai Ioniq 5 Hyundai Tucson Kia EV5 Kia Sportage Hybrid Lexus NX (defending) – finalist Mercedes-Benz GLB Peugeot 408 Skoda Enyaq – finalist Subaru Solterra Toyota BZ4X | None |
What are the next steps?
The winner of the 2025 Drive Car of the Year Best Medium SUV Under $80K will be announced in February 2025.
Before then, we will announce the finalists – all of which deliver practically everything for the widest group of people, while doing so in a contemporary way for families and urbanites.
Read more:
Drive Car of the Year 2025 is a go!
Drive Car of the Year Overview
Drive Car of the Year 2024 winners
