Global Panel of Female Automotive Journalists Selects Hyundai’s SUV as the Best in the World
The Hyundai Santa Fe has been named the World’s Best Car for 2025 by Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY), a prestigious automotive award judged by 82 motoring journalists from 55 countries across five continents.
The announcement coincides with International Women’s Day, a fitting moment to celebrate automotive innovation and excellence on a global scale.
The Road to Victory
The Hyundai Santa Fe emerged victorious from an initial field of 81 contenders, each rigorously tested and evaluated by the expert jury. The competition narrowed down to category winners, which included:
🏙 Urban Car – MINI Cooper
🚙 Compact SUV – KIA EV3
🚗 Large Car – Audi A6 e-tron
🚜 Large SUV – Hyundai Santa Fe
🏔 4×4 – Toyota Land Cruiser
🏎 Performance Car – Porsche Panamera
In the final round, these outstanding vehicles competed for the ultimate title. After meticulous analysis, the Hyundai Santa Fe claimed the top spot, impressing judges with its bold design, advanced technology, spacious interior, and hybrid powertrains.
What Makes the Hyundai Santa Fe a Winner?
The latest generation of the Hyundai Santa Fe is a game-changer in the SUV segment. Designed to meet the needs of modern drivers, it offers:
✔ Innovative and futuristic design with a rugged, boxy aesthetic
✔ Spacious and versatile interior, accommodating up to seven passengers
✔ Advanced hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, delivering efficiency and performance
✔ Premium safety and technology features, ensuring a secure and comfortable ride
✔ Exceptional handling and stability, even in challenging conditions
Expert Verdict: What the Judges Say
The Hyundai Santa Fe’s design, comfort, and capability set it apart from the competition. Here’s what some of the WWCOTY judges had to say:
🔹 Ina Georgieva (Bulgaria): “A complete transformation of a familiar model, the new Santa Fe impresses with a premium-level interior, outstanding comfort, and exceptional handling—even in snowy conditions. The hybrid version offers great fuel economy and zero-emission driving in the city.”
🔹 Petrina Gentile (Canada): “I was hit by a transport truck while driving the Santa Fe in Italy, and the SUV remained impressively stable. It didn’t roll over, and the damage was minimal—proof of its outstanding safety engineering.”
🔹 Sara Soria (Spain): “The Santa Fe’s seven-seat configuration, spacious boot, and hybrid technology make it a highly competitive option with an excellent quality-to-price ratio.”
🔹 Tanya Gazdik (United States): “Hyundai took the Santa Fe to the next level with a dramatically redesigned interior and exterior, creating a stylish and highly functional SUV. Thoughtful features like a third-row that folds completely flat make it stand out.”
🔹 Shahinaz Hussein (Egypt): “Hyundai has reimagined the Santa Fe with a smart design that maximizes space, versatility, and comfort. It’s an SUV that speaks directly to what modern buyers want.”
🔹 Isabel del Angel Negrete (Mexico): “Value for money, safety, and comfort—Hyundai delivers it all with the new Santa Fe.”
🔹 Geraldine Herbert (Ireland): “For over two decades, the Hyundai Santa Fe has carved out its place as a benchmark for reliability, quality, and smart innovation. The latest seven-seater stays true to that legacy—blending refined comfort with everyday practicality—an SUV designed for families who expect more”
A Prestigious Win for Hyundai
Winning the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year is a significant milestone for Hyundai, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to innovation, safety, and customer-driven design.
The WWCOTY trophy will soon be presented to Hyundai officials in recognition of this achievement.
Founded in 2009 by New Zealand’s Sandy Myhre it’s now led by Executive President Marta García
The goal? Recognize the best cars—not “women’s cars,” just great ones. Judges assess safety, design, price, and sustainability, the same way any driver would. But beyond the awards, it’s about amplifying women’s voices in the auto world and championing mobility as a key to freedom and opportunity.
March 7th 2025
