BMW, Kia and Hyundai took surprising, or not, spots as the top three cars in the world, vying for the title of World Car of the Year, to be announced shortly by the World Car Awards.

The BMW X3, the brand’s most popular SUV, was redesigned for 2025 and wowed jurors from around the globe for its elevated design and power. The Kia EV3, a short wheel base version of the Kia EV9 also made the top three, notable for delivering the design details and delights of the full-size SUV but in a smaller size and with a more affordable price tag. And the Hyundai Inster, also known as Casper Electric, took the third spot among the top three. The Inster, available for sale in South Korea, Europe and Japan, won over jurors for its adorable approach to a city-sized EV that’s both affordable and tech-forward.

Kia And Hyundai Stand to Dominate World Car Awards—Again

That BMW, Kia and Hyundai dominate the top three is not surprising; all three brands have shown well in recent years as World Car Awards finalists and winners.

Both the Kia EV3 and the Hyundai Inster are also up for other awards for 2025; the EV3 is a finalist in the World Car Design of the Year category, competing against Toyota Land Cruiser and the VW ID. Buzz, as well as the World Electric Vehicle category, where it competes against the Hyundai Inster and Porsche Macan Electric.

The Hyundai Inster is a finalist in the World Urban Car category where it competes against the BYD Seagull/Dolphin Mini and the Mini Cooper Electric, and in the World Electric Vehicle category competing against the Porsche Macan Electric and the Kia EV3.

A Solid BYD Showing For 2025

BYD once again made inroads as a global player by being nominated for an award—the BYD Seagull/Dolphin Mini finished as a top three contender in the World Urban Car category—and taking the top spot for 2025 Person of the Year. Stella Li, BYD executive vice president has been instrumental in the company’s global rollout of battery-electric cars.

An Impossible Race for World Car Design Of The Year

Probably the most unpredictable competition is in the design category; the three finalists, Kia EV3, Toyota Land Cruiser and VW ID. Buzz each represent a pinnacle of design and heritage; while Toyota and VW have won acclaim and consumer attention for modernizing much-loved vintage designs, Kia’s “star map” design and tech-forward approach is minting its heritage in automotive.

Porsche Stands Solid In Luxury, Electric And Performance

Porsche’s move into electrification, witnessed by the introduction of the Porsche Macan Electric and the second generation Porsche Taycan, proved powerful among World Car Awards Jurors who nominated those Porsche models, as well as others, to the Luxury, Electric and Performance awards categories.

The Macan Electric finished in the top three World Electric Vehicles next to the Kia EV3 and Hyundai Inster. The Macan, however, finished in the top three World Luxury Car category next to the Porsche Panamera and the Volvo EX90. And the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT finished in the top three World Performance Car category along side the BMW M5 and the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS.

And Now, The Wait: April 16th At The New York Auto Show

The World Car Awards, the largest most comprehensive automotive awards in the world, will announce the winners at a red-carpet ceremony at the New York Auto Show on April 16th. The Awards, now in its 21st year, is juried by 96 automotive journalists from around the world. Jurors consider all new or significantly redesigned cars sold on more than two continents in the 14 months ending March 31 of the award year.

Last year’s winners included Kia EV9, World Car of the Year; BMW 5 Series, World Luxury Car; Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, World Performance Car; Kia EV9 World Electric Vehicle; Volvo EX30, World Urban Car and Toyota Prius, World Car Design of the Year.