The Best Vehicles of 2025: MotorTrend's Ultimate Car Rankings
It's been a tumultuous year for the auto industry, with changing tariffs and tax incentives sending shockwaves through the market. Yet despite these challenges, several vehicles and segments have stood out as clear winners. MotorTrend's annual rankings reveal which cars, trucks, and SUVs are leading their segments — and why.
3-Row Electric SUV: Hyundai Ioniq 9 Leads
Shoppers in the market for electric 3-row SUVs have more choices than ever. The Hyundai Ioniq 9 leads the pack, followed by the Kia EV9 and the VW ID Buzz. In the luxury segment, the Rivian R1S competes with Volvo EX90, Cadillac Vistiq, Tesla Model X, and Mercedes-Benz EQS-Class SUV. These models tend to be well-rounded with lots of standard features and solid driving range.
Compact SUV: Kia Sportage Rises to the Top
The 2026 Kia Sportage climbed to the top of the compact SUV segment, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. Beyond safety, the Sportage received a handsome refresh with better styling and offers gas, hybrid, and PHEV powertrains. MotorTrend recommends it as a well-rounded choice for daily driving.
Compact Luxury SUV: Acura ADX Impresses
New to the subcompact luxury SUV segment, the Acura ADX finished between the BMW X1 and X2 in rankings. In a tightly contested class, the ADX stands out as a comprehensive package with excellent safety scores and a beyond-basics approach to everyday motoring.
Electric Compact SUV: Ford Mustang Mach-E Wins Big Test
The Ford Mustang Mach-E rose to the top of the electric compact SUV segment after vanquishing its rivals in a MotorTrend Big Test comparison. Not only is the Mach-E the quickest in its class, it offers a spacious interior and solid range. It also earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.
BMW 3 Series: Back on Top
Once the benchmark for sport sedans that had fallen in rankings, the BMW 3 Series again leads the competition. The 2025 update brought chassis refinements that improved comfort and responsiveness, plus a new iDrive 8.5 software that's far easier to navigate. Still, it ranks second to the Tesla Model 3, which MotorTrend rates as the best sedan under $50,000.
Pickup Trucks: Ram Dominates
Ram's lineup of pickup trucks is the best on the market in MotorTrend's estimation. The Ram 1500 leads the full-size pickup segment with the powerful Hurricane straight-six engine family, while the Ram 2500 and 3500 are also segment leaders. Ram has also reintroduced Hemi V-8 models for 2026.
What This Means for Parts Buyers
Top-rated vehicles tend to have long product cycles, sustained dealer networks, and robust aftermarket support. Ram, Kia, BMW, and Ford parts remain in high demand precisely because these vehicles retain their value and stay on roads for years. Carval Auto Parts stocks components for all these top-performing vehicles.
