{"id":33364,"date":"2024-09-14T11:15:40","date_gmt":"2024-09-14T15:15:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=33364"},"modified":"2024-09-14T11:15:40","modified_gmt":"2024-09-14T15:15:40","slug":"best-of-2025-north-american-car-truck-utility-of-the-year-competitors-announced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2024\/09\/best-of-2025-north-american-car-truck-utility-of-the-year-competitors-announced","title":{"rendered":"Best of 2025: North American Car, Truck & Utility of the Year competitors announced"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year tournament bracket is under way and the list of competitors has been narrowed to 25.<\/p>\n

NACTOY jurors announced their \u201cBest of 2025\u201d list Friday afternoon in three categories: 10 cars, five trucks and 10 SUVs. Electric vehicles dominated the list \u2014 making up nearly 50% of the competitors even as EV sales have cooled to just 8% of the vehicle market. Manufacturers are flooding the market with premium-priced EVs to meet onerous government mandates and ambitious internal brand goals.<\/p>\n

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The Dodge Charger EV is one of the nominees for North American Car of the Year. Daniel Mears, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Ten of the vehicles are from domestic auto brands, with U.S. pickups accounting for four of the five truck entries. Two U.S. brands made the car finalists list, while three domestics will vie for top ute. The jury culled the list of 56 eligible vehicles for the 2025 model year.<\/p>\n

Nominees reflect the soaring cost of new vehicles, with average transaction prices this summer nearly $49,000 in the U.S. market. The average, base price of the 25 entries is about $66,000 \u2014 some 35% higher than the average transaction price in June. NACTOY nominee stickers range from the compact, gas-powered, $23K Kia K4 to the estimated $340,000 Cadillac Celestiq EV. Just three nominees cost below $30,000, three have a base price north of $100K, and a dozen start at more than $60,000.<\/p>\n

The list was revealed Friday in front of newly-renovated Michigan Central at the inaugural \u201cCars at the Station\u201d sponsored by Hagerty. The venue was appropriate as Michigan Central\u2019s Newlab research facility aims to lead a revolution in EVs. Judged by an independent jury of 50 journalists (including the author of this article) from the United States and Canada, NACTOY is one of the industry\u2019s most prestigious awards. Jurors will test the Final 25 at their annual meeting in October and determine finalists to be announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Winners will be announced at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show in January.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a great variety of vehicles on the list, from the sporty to the family sedan,\u201d said Jeff Gilbert, NACTOY president and reporter for WWJ Newsradio 950. \u201cThis list is an example of the great products that the auto industry is producing, from cutting-edge EVs to traditional gas-powered cars and trucks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cars<\/h2>\n

Expect the Dodge Charger EV, Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Camry to be the favorites for the Car of the Year.<\/p>\n