Ars Technica’s top 10 vehicles driven in 2025

Ars Technica picked its 10 best vehicles driven and reviewed in 2025, a year the outlet describes as turbulent for the car industry as some makers slowed EV plans while charging infrastructure continued to improve. 10th — Lotus Emira V6: A traditional, Norfolk-built Lotus with a Toyota V6, manual gearbox and electrohydraulic steering that preserves the brand’s driving feel amid broader company changes.

9th — Volvo V60 Cross Country: A comfortable, capable station wagon with a ride tuned for rough roads that translates well to everyday driving, earning praise for its charm and usability. 8th — Volkswagen Golf GTI: The refreshed eighth-generation GTI remains a fun, practical hot hatch.

The manual is gone, but the return of a traditional button-rich steering wheel is a welcome change. 7th — BMW i4 xDrive40: An electric Gran Coupe that looks familiar but hides EV hardware; the AWD xDrive40 balances efficiency and everyday practicality with strong infotainment and a useful rear hatch.

6th — Hyundai Ioniq 5: A perennial favorite that received a refresh in 2025, now shipping in the U.S. with a Tesla-style NACS port plus adapters for CCS and J1772, very fast charging capability, and an off-road XRT variant. 5th — Mercedes‑Benz CLA: An entry-level, software-defined EV with a new electronics architecture and an 85 kWh pack offering about 374 miles of range.

Key Topics

AI, Tech, Automotive, Ev, Hybrids, Sports Cars, Reviews