Mahindra Thar Roxx Wins The Coveted ICOTY 2025. Here Are The Other Category Winners!

Quick Highlights

• ICOTY 2025 Indian Car of the Year goes to Mahindra Thar Roxx

• ICOTY 2025 Green Car of the Year goes to the MG Windsor

• ICOTY 2025 Premium Car of the Year goes to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The prestigious Indian Car Of The Year (ICOTY) 2025 awards have been announced, and the spotlight this year shines on the Mahindra Thar Roxx, which takes home the coveted title. In addition to this, ICOTY also revealed winners in two other categories: the 2025 Green Car Of The Year and the 2025 Premium Car Of The Year

Here’s a closer look at the winners and contenders in their respective categories:

Indian Car Of The Year: ICOTY 2025

This year, we witnessed an array of car launches across diverse segments, each aiming to raise the bar in terms of design, features, powertrains, and driving experience.

And amongst all of the contenders, the winner is…. 

The Mahindra Thar Roxx stood out for its rugged off-roading capabilities, modern features, and the perfect blend of comfort and adventure. It continues to captivate the Indian audience with its distinctive design, making it the go-to vehicle for thrill-seekers and enthusiasts alike. Its capability to conquer tough terrains while offering a thrilling driving experience makes it the crowned winner of the Indian Car of the Year 2025 (ICOTY 2025) champion.

Maruti Suzuki came in with entries with both Dzire & Swift as runners-up. The Maruti Suzuki Dzire lost to the Thar Roxx by a margin of only 2 points! It is now, the closest win or loss in 20 years of ICOTY. Tough luck!

ICOTY 2025: Green Car Of The Year

With the growing push towards sustainability, the Green Car category saw an exciting mix of electric and hybrid vehicles. Among the contenders, the MG Windsor emerged victorious, earning the Green Car Of The Year award against the tussle with contenders like:

The MG Windsor EV with its combination of technology, practicality, and the latest innovation, i.e. BaaS - Battery as a Service, has redefined the EV ownership technique. It offers a good range, value-for-money pricing, and a feature-rich cabin that doesn’t compromise on luxury.

With increasing awareness of climate change and sustainability, the MG Windsor addresses the need for a greener tomorrow without compromising on performance or style, cementing its position as the ICOTY 2025 Green Car Of The Year.

The runners-up in this category were the BYD Seal & the BMW i5.

ICOTY 2025 Premium Car Of The Year

The premium segment continued to surprise with new luxury offerings. After a careful evaluation, the jury picked the Mercedes-Benz E-Class as the winner of the Premium Car Of The Year amongst the list of contenders:

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class continues to be the epitome of luxury, comfort, and innovation. A longstanding favourite in the premium sedan segment, the E-Class is back in a new generation avatar and has once again proven its superiority with its unmatched build quality, state-of-the-art technology, and exceptional driving experience. The advanced MBUX infotainment system, the plush interiors, and the ultra-smooth driving dynamics make the E-Class a true leader in the luxury car segment.

But it’s not just about comfort and tech – the E-Class also takes driving pleasure to the next level with its performance, offering powerful engine options while still delivering fuel efficiency. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has managed to retain its iconic stature in an ever-competitive market, earning it the ICOTY 2025 Premium Car Of The Year title.

The runner-up here were the BMW 5-series and the Kia Carnival.

The Selection Process

​​The ICOTY awards celebrate the finest new cars, with winners carefully chosen by a distinguished panel of automotive journalists and editors from leading Indian automotive publications. This year’s esteemed jury included industry experts including our own Ameya Dandekar, editor of ZigWheels. 

Each vehicle is meticulously evaluated across several critical criteria, including Design and Styling, Performance and Handling, Comfort and Safety, Fuel Efficiency and Sustainability, Value for Money, and Suitability for Indian Driving Conditions. This thorough evaluation process guarantees that only the most outstanding vehicles are crowned victorious in their respective categories, reflecting the highest standards of excellence in the automotive industry.

What do you think about the ICOTY 2025 winners? Let us know in the comments!