• by Tanya Gazdik , March 5, 2025

The Hyundai Santa Fe has been named “supreme winner” by a large group of women journalists judging the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year.

The announcement was made to coincide with the week in which International Women’s Day is celebrated.

Prior to casting their votes, the 82 motoring journalists hailing from 55 nations diligently tested numerous car models, thoroughly evaluating every aspect. MediaPost is one of the media organizations represented on the judging panel, and MediaPost Marketing Automotive Editor Tanya Gazdik is one of the lead jurors. 

Among the 81 contenders, one vehicle in each category emerged victorious in the initial voting round. 

The winners in their respective categories were MINI Cooper (Urban Car), Kia EV3 (Compact SUV), Audi A6 e-tron (Large Car), Hyundai Santa Fe (Large SUV), Toyota Land Cruiser (4x4) and Porsche Panamera (Performance Car).

In the subsequent round of voting, these exceptional finalists formed the basis for determining the prestigious title of the World's Best Car for 2025. The voting was very close because all had the qualities to emerge as the top winner.

Choosing the world’s best car is a task of great responsibility, says Marta Garcia, executive president of WWCOTY.

“It must take into account the particularities of each market, the type of driving done, purchasing power and consumer preferences,” she says. “The winning car has to meet all these needs, satisfying drivers around the world.”

After careful analysis and thorough examination, the verdict overwhelmingly favored the Hyundai Santa Fe, a large SUV that can accommodate up to seven passengers. 

One judge relayed a frightening first-person verification of the vehicle’s safety features.

“I love the bold and boxy styling on the Santa Fe -- it’s unique yet practical,” said Petrina Gentile, a judge from Canada. “But even more, I like the safety and technology on it. I was hit by a transport truck while driving the Santa Fe in Italy and the vehicle was so stable -- it didn’t roll over and the vehicle had minimal damage. I was very impressed with how it came out of the accident, and no one was hurt or injured.”

Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year is the only car awards group in the world composed exclusively of women motoring journalists. It was created by New Zealand motoring journalist Sandy Myhre in 2009.

The award aims to recognize the best vehicles of the year and to give a voice to women in the automotive world. The voting criteria are based on the same principles that guide any driver when choosing a car. The jurors do not select a “woman’s car” because cars are not gender-specific. 

Aspects such as safety, quality, price, design, ease of driving, benefits and environmental footprint, among others, are considered when casting the votes.

Beyond choosing the best cars of the year, the group’s goal is also to give visibility to women in the automotive world and to contribute to making women’s voices heard on all continents because mobility for a woman means access to many personal and professional possibilities.