Are You Driving One Of 2025's Best Cars? Edmunds Has Released Their Latest Rankings

Are You Driving One Of 2025's Best Cars? Edmunds Has Released Their Latest Rankings


November 5, 2025 | Peter Kinney

Are You Driving One Of 2025's Best Cars? Edmunds Has Released Their Latest Rankings


Excellence On Wheels

The best vehicles solve problems you didn't know existed. Edmunds put hundreds of contenders through rigorous challenges to find them. Their testing revealed models that bring something truly special to their categories.

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Honda Civic Hybrid

“The best new all-rounder on sale today starts at $30,000. How refreshing”. This enthusiastic endorsement from Edmunds' director of editorial content, Steven Ewing, captures why the Civic Hybrid claimed both Top Rated Car and the prestigious "Best of the Best" award for 2025.

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Honda Civic Hybrid (Cont.)

Astonishing real-world efficiency tells only part of the story as Edmunds measured 49 mpg during their exhaustive testing regimen. The Civic Hybrid's 200-horsepower powertrain delivers unexpectedly spirited acceleration while maintaining its economical nature. This affordable compact has Google-integrated technology.

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Tesla Model 3

Range anxiety becomes a distant memory behind the wheel of the Tesla Model 3 Long Range All-Wheel Drive. The Model 3 underwent a significant change recently, addressing previous weaknesses that held it back from true greatness. Tesla's engineers focused on improving build quality and interior refinement.

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Tesla Model 3 (Cont.)

In Edmunds' independent testing, this electric sedan achieved an impressive 338 miles per charge, cementing its position as the Top Rated Electric Car for 2025. Performance enthusiasts will appreciate the high-performance variant's blistering 3.0-second 0-60 mph time measured during Edmunds' testing. 

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Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

Edmunds calls it "a class of one," and for good reason. The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid stands alone in delivering exceptional fuel economy in a genuinely functional three-row package. This unique combination earned it the coveted Top Rated SUV honor from Edmunds for 2025.

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Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid (Cont.)

How often do family vehicles deliver on their promises without compromise? The Grand Highlander Hybrid achieves an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined—efficiency typically associated with compact sedans, not spacious three-row SUVs. Beyond impressive fuel economy, this Toyota excels where many competitors fall short.

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Kia EV9

Underestimating Kia's capability to deliver premium experiences would be a serious mistake, as evidenced by the EV9's second consecutive Top Rated Electric SUV award from Edmunds. This three-row electric SUV has luxury-level accommodations while undercutting competitors like the Rivian R1S by nearly $20,000.

File:Kia EV9 GT IAA 2025 DSC 2082.jpgAlexander-93, Wikimedia Commons

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Kia EV9 (Cont.)

"The EV9 wowed us last year, and it continues to stand alone as the most well-rounded electric SUV you can get, especially if you need family space," explains Edmunds testing director Jonathan Elfalan. Value-conscious families will appreciate that even the base model includes ventilated front seats and comprehensive safety technology.

File:(SGP-Singapore) Showcar Kia EV9 No-plate 2025-01-11.jpgS5A-0043, Wikimedia Commons

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Ford Ranger

Versatility defines the 2025 Ford Ranger. Whether tackling job sites, navigating city streets, or embarking on weekend adventures, this midsize pickup offers capabilities typically associated with much larger trucks in a more manageable footprint. It comes with a standard turbocharged 270-horsepower four-cylinder engine.

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Ford Ranger (Cont.)

This part impressed Edmunds' testers with its superb performance and 7,500-pound maximum towing capacity. Inside, the Ranger offers unexpected refinement, with high-quality materials and intuitive controls that enhance daily driving. 

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Rivian R1T

Extensive updates for 2025 turned the already impressive Rivian R1T into another Top-Rated Electric Truck. The dual-motor, Max battery configuration achieved a superb 357 miles in Edmunds' range testing, establishing it as one of the longest-range electric trucks available.

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Rivian R1T (Cont.)

Beyond its exceptional range, the R1T combines sports-car-like handling with genuine off-road capability in a package that's equally adept at family duties. Rivian addressed previous criticisms by revamping the interior interface, making it more intuitive while maintaining distinctive styling. 

File:Newly Open Rivian Showroom Brickell, Miami Florida Sept 2025 - blue pickup front.jpgPhillip Pessar, Wikimedia Commons

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Porsche 911

Few vehicles maintain excellence across an entire model range like the Porsche 911. Edmunds testers were particularly taken aback by how the "base" Carrera Cabriolet delivered an extraordinary driving experience without requiring expensive upgrades. However, performance variants from GT3 to the new T-Hybrid certainly don't disappoint.

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Porsche 911 (Cont.)

Decades of evolutionary refinement have created an icon that continues setting benchmarks for driving enjoyment. Edmunds' evaluations highlighted the 911's exceptional steering feedback, balanced handling, and daily usability. Whether cruising coastal highways or attacking mountain switchbacks, Porsche's meticulous engineering creates an exceptional driving experience.

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BMW X3

BMW completely redesigned the X3 for 2025, and Edmunds praised the results, citing the compact luxury SUV's exceptional all-around competence. Rather than chasing flashy styling or gimmicks, the brand focused on fundamentals. They created a vehicle that excels in nearly every measurable category.

File:BMW iX3 NA5 IAA 2025 DSC 1684.jpgAlexander-93, Wikimedia Commons

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BMW X3 (Cont.)

The X3's balanced approach has refined powertrains, composed handling, and high-quality interior materials. It also offers a choice of engines, including a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 with a mild-hybrid system, producing 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

File:2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive - 01.jpgOleg Yunakov, Wikimedia Commons

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Edmunds describes the 2025 E-Class's ride quality as "magic carpet-like”. Talk about high praise that reflects Mercedes-Benz's focus on comfort and refinement in its midsize luxury sedan. The optional air suspension and adaptive dampers build an exceptionally smooth experience.

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class (Cont.)

While the standard digital instrument cluster and 14.4-inch touchscreen display abundant information, Mercedes' voice controls rank among the industry's best—allowing interaction without distraction. The cabin is spacious and opulent, equipped with advanced MBUX infotainment with natural-language voice control.

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Genesis GV70

The 2025 Genesis GV70 is a luxury midsize SUV offering strong performance, sophisticated styling, and a well-equipped interior. It displays two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-4 producing 300 hp and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque.

File:Genesis Electrified GV70 JK1 PE EV Ceres Blue Matte (6).jpgDamian B Oh, Wikimedia Commons

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Genesis GV70 (Cont.)

This automobile impressed Edmunds with its refined driving experience and thoughtful technology integration. Dimension-wise, the GV70 measures about 185.6 inches in length, 75.2 inches wide, and 64.2 inches tall, with a wheelbase of 113.2 inches. 

File:2025 Genesis Electrified GV70 IAA 2025 DSC 2482.jpgAlexander Migl, Wikimedia Commons

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Chevrolet Equinox EV

Affordability and range generally involve significant compromise in the electric vehicle market, but the Chevrolet Equinox EV defies this convention. Edmunds' range testing highlighted 356 miles on a single charge—the longest distance they've measured from any EV at this price point. 

File:2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV, front right 4.26.25.jpgKevauto, Wikimedia Commons

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Chevrolet Equinox EV (Cont.)

Chevrolet's innovative packaging extends beyond efficiency, delivering comfortable seating, intuitive technology, and sleek design without charging a premium. The Equinox EV's competitive positioning makes electric vehicles accessible to mainstream buyers without sacrificing capability or features. 

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Volkswagen ID Buzz

The standard ID Buzz has a single rear permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor producing 282 hp and 413 lb-ft torque, with an 86 kWh lithium-ion battery. Besides, the AWD variant adds a front induction motor (107 hp, 99 lb-ft) combined with the rear motor for a total of 335 hp.

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Volkswagen ID Buzz (Cont.)

Underneath, the van uses a comfortable suspension setup of control arms and multilink design, providing composed handling and ride comfort befitting a family or lifestyle vehicle. Its towing capacity ranges from 2,600 to 3,500 pounds, depending on the drivetrain configuration.

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