Hyundai Santa Fe Crowned Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year 2025

Marketing SGCD
Mar 13
2 min read

The Hyundai Santa Fe has been named the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) 2025, securing the top honour among 81 contenders. This prestigious title was awarded by a panel of 82 female automotive journalists from 55 countries, including representatives from Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, and China.

The announcement coincided with International Women’s Day (8 March), adding greater significance to the award. The WWCOTY initiative aims to enhance women’s visibility in the automotive industry, ensuring that their perspectives are recognised in discussions about mobility, accessibility, and vehicle innovation.

How the Hyundai Santa Fe Won the Top Spot

The WWCOTY judges evaluated each vehicle based on key automotive factors, including:

Safety & Build Quality, Pricing & Value for Money, Design & Aesthetic Appeal, Driving Experience & Comfort, Environmental Impact, Practicality & Consumer Demand in Global Markets

While female perspectives were a driving force behind the selection, the scoring system remains neutral, ensuring that the best vehicle wins on merit alone.

Category Winners in the 2025 WWCOTY Awards

The competition saw six category winners vying for the ultimate award. These were:

Hyundai Santa Fe – Best Large SUV

Kia EV3 – Best Compact SUV

Toyota Land Cruiser – Best 4x4

Audi A6 e-tron – Best Large Car

Porsche Panamera – Best Performance Car

MINI Cooper – Best Urban Car

After a rigorous evaluation process, the Hyundai Santa Fe emerged as the overall champion, securing Hyundai Motor Group’s second consecutive WWCOTY victory. The Kia EV9 previously claimed the top award in 2024.

Why the Hyundai Santa Fe Stood Out

The judging panel praised the Hyundai Santa Fe for its bold styling, practicality, and premium features, highlighting key strengths such as:

Futuristic and distinctive design
Exceptional comfort, rivaling premium cars
Surprisingly easy drivability despite its size
Impressive fuel efficiency
Spacious and well-utilised interior layout
Cutting-edge technology and high-quality materials
Competitive pricing with excellent value-for-money

With its boxy yet stylish design, advanced tech features, and outstanding efficiency, the Hyundai Santa Fe has firmly positioned itself as the best large SUV of 2025 and a deserving winner of the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year award.