14 Highest-Scoring Vehicles Tested by CAR Magazine in 2025

In 2025, a raft of new cars were put through our stringent road test regimen. We’ve rounded up the 14 highest-scoring vehicles tested by CAR magazine in 2025.

5. Hyundai Tucson 2.0D Executive: 84/100

Image: Peet Mocke

Tested in the September 2025 issue of CAR magazine, the refreshed fourth-generation Tucson impressed the CAR team. The mid-cycle facelift has brought Hyundai’s midsize family SUV much closer to its contemporary rivals, such as the Kia Sportage and 2025 Top 12 Best Buys category winning Volkswagen Tiguan.

4=. Audi RS Q8 quattro performance: 85/100

Image: Peet Mocke

With its brawny 471 kW/850 N.m 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, trick quattro all-wheel-drive system and high-quality finishes, the Audi RS Q8 quattro performance impressed the CAR team in its September 2025-issue road test.

4=. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid 1.6T Elite AWD: 85/100

Image: Peet Mocke

The new Hyundai Santa Fe’s blend of spaciousness, refinement and frugal 175 kW/367 N.m hybrid powertrain make it a capable and appealing family car.

4=. Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance: 85/100

Image: Peet Mocke

The fastest-accelerating SUV tested by CAR to date, the (500 kW/1 020 N.m) Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance recorded a 0-100 km/h sprint time of just 3.41 seconds on our test strip. However, the C63 S E Performance’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) midsize-SUV sibling offers much more than just straight-line performance…

4=. Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI Style DSG: 85/100

Image: Peet Mocke

Although the changes made to the refreshed Volkswagen T-Cross are subtle, they’re noteworthy; covering the key areas where the pre-facelifted current generation fell short – most notably in terms of perceived quality.

4=. Volvo EX30 Plus Single Motor: 85/100

Image: Peet Mocke

In 2025, we’ve sampled several derivatives of Volvo’s EX30, including the Ultra Twin Motor Performance, which recorded a 3.69-second 0-100 km/h sprint time on our test strip, and adventure-focused Cross Country. However, it’s the EX30 Plus Single Motor variant that hits a pleasing sweet spot in the EX30 lineup.

3=. Aston Martin Vantage Coupé: 87/100

Image: Peet Mocke

In our January 2025 Performance Issue, we were genuinely surprised by how raucous and purposeful the updated (489 kW/800 N.m) Aston Martin Vantage is. As with the DB12, there is a welcome attention to detail and intricacy within the Vantage’s packaging.

3=. BYD Sealion 6 Dynamic: 87/100

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The sole Chinese car on this list, with its refined, strong and economical powerplant, as well as its pleasing road manners and plenty of standard kit for the price, the BYD Sealion 6 in Dynamic spec impressed the CAR team in its September 2025-issue road test.

3=. Land Rover Defender Octa Edition One: 87/100

Image: Peet Mocke

The most focused Land Rover Defender to date, the Defender Octa put on a strong showing in its November 2025 road test. With its purposeful styling and raft off off-road-focused enhancements, the Octa truly stands out from the crowd.

3=. Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupé: 87/100

Image: Peet Mocke

The Cayenne GTS, tested in Coupé guise in the October 2025 issue of CAR magazine, strikes a formidable balance between visual and aural drama served up by its pinnacle, Turbo GT sibling and “lesser” peers. Indeed, the GTS-badged model can capably thrill and cosset in equal measure.

3=. Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT: 87/100

Image: Peet Mocke

The least expensive car here, the new Suzuki Swift impressed the CAR team in its March 2025 road test. In the market for a budget-oriented small hatchback? Well, the GLX five-speed manual model we tested is arguably the pick of the pocket-friendly hatchback litter. The Swift claimed top honours in the Budget Car category in our 2025 Top 12 Best Buys awards.

2=. BMW X3 20d xDrive M Sport: 88/100

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Tested in the April 2025 issue of CAR magazine, the X3 20d xDrive (in M Sport guise) impressed the CAR team with its hard-to-replicate balance of comfort and driver engagement, while looking more striking than before. The X3 30d xDrive is arguably the pick of the X3 lineup.

2=. BMW X3 20: 88/100

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Although the “entry-level” model in the X3 lineup, the 20 derivative makes a good case for itself and assured the CAR team was spot on the mark when the X3 scored the most votes in the Premium Midsize SUV category during our 2025 Top 12 Best Buys discussions.

1. Porsche 911 Carrera Coupé PDK: 90/100

Image: Peet Mocke

It may be the opening gambit to Porsche’s local 911 lineup, but the 911 Carrera Coupé is absolutely spectacular. Although not as quick as its Carrera S and Carrera GTS – which we sampled in 2025 – not to mention 911 GT3 siblings, the Carrera is just as impressive in its own right, providing an effortless blend of on-road composure and tight-turn connectivity with its pilot few of its rivals can match.

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