The list of category winners for the UK Car of the Year Awards 2025, sponsored by Heycar, is now out, revealing the contenders for the awards’ overall prize.

Seven cars from 64 contenders have made it to the shortlist for the 2025 UKCOTY overall crown

Seven cars from 64 contenders have battled it past the judges to take the crown in their individual segments – and include first-time honours for Polestar and Mini.

Hyundai leads the way for category wins, with the South Korean manufacturer picking up two of the seven awards on offer – the only manufacturer to win more than one accolade.

The new Santa Fe triumphs in the Large Crossover category, while the Ioniq 5 N claimed the Performance Car trophy.

Hyundai sibling Kia has lifted the Small Crossover crown for 2025 with the EV3; the latest in the ‘EV’ range and the smaller sibling to the EV9, winner of the overall prize.

New entrants Mini and Polestar marked the latest manufacturers to join the list of winners. The Mini Countryman was voted the best Small Crossover by the jury of expert motoring journalists, while Polestar’s stylish 4 took the Executive Car title.

In the closely fought Small Car category, the Suzuki Swift emerged triumphant by a single vote.

Meanwhile, Škoda, no stranger to the UK Car of the Year Awards, picked up its 12th prize in the history of the awards as the Superb dominated the Family Car category.

Created in 2014, the UK Car of the Year Awards gained a larger judging panel in 2025, with 31 motoring journalists based all over the UK now deliberating over the new cars launched in the 12 months to 31 December 2024.

The successful model in each of the segments now qualifies for the next stage – the overall UK Car of the Year 2025, which will be revealed on 6 March 2025.

Full list of UK Car of the Year Awards 2025 category winners:

Small Car – Suzuki Swift

Family Car – Škoda Superb

Small Crossover – Kia EV3

Medium Crossover – Mini Countryman

Large Crossover – Hyundai Santa Fe

Executive Car – Polestar 4

Performance Car – Hyundai Ioniq 5 N