Mumbai: The NDTV Auto Awards 2025 took place on February 28th in New Delhi, bringing together some of the most esteemed names in the automotive world for a grand celebration of innovation, performance, and excellence. The event honored the achievements that are shaping the future of mobility, highlighting the groundbreaking contributions made by manufacturers, brands, and leaders in the industry.
The event kicked off with a keynote address by Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, who highlighted India’s growing influence in the global automotive sector. He stated, “India will be a major hub for the automobile industry,” and emphasized the transformative potential of electric vehicles, asserting, “EVs are the future.”
The awards ceremony was shaped by a jury comprising some of the most respected names in the automotive industry, including journalists, experts, and influencers. The panel meticulously evaluated the nominations, recognizing the best in both timeless classics and groundbreaking new entrants.
Car Jury
Mugdha Mishra, Editor, NDTV Auto
Renuka Kirpalani, Contributing Editor, Automotive, Mashable; Juror, World Car of the Year
Hari Singh, 5-time Indian Rally Champion, Founder of Drivetecindia
Rachit Hirani, Founder, Motor Octane
Bertrand Dsouza, Ex-Editor, Overdrive; Founder, Speedway Events and Production
Rakesh Srivastava, Former Managing Director of Nissan Motor India
Nikhil Chawla, New-Age Media Consultant; Founder, Unbiased Blog
Bike Jury
Simranjeet Singh, Pro Superbike Racer, Record Holder in the 1000cc segment
Kalyani Potekar, Professional Motorcyclist, Champion Racer
Deepak Gupta, Experienced Motorcyclist with over 4 decades of riding
Dr. Arun Thareja, ENT Surgeon; Motorcyclist
Abhinav Bhatt, Veteran Journalist; Adventure Biker
Kingshuk Dutta, Sr. Associate Editor, NDTV Auto
The inaugural edition of the NDTV Auto Awards set the stage for a highly competitive arena, with esteemed manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra Auto, Mercedes-Benz, Hero MotoCorp, and Royal Enfield competing across car and two-wheeler categories. Key representatives from these brands were present at the event, further cementing the awards’ stature as a premier platform for recognizing innovation and performance in the automotive world.
This year’s awards celebrated the best vehicles launched in 2024, with a focus on their performance, technological advancements, and sustainability. The awards underscored the industry’s relentless pursuit of progress, with a particular spotlight on the rise of electric vehicles and sustainable automotive technology.
Mandeep Singh, Revenue Head-TV, NDTV, emphasized the significance of the awards, stating, “The NDTV Auto Awards 2025 mark a new milestone in our automotive journey, bringing brands, innovation, and excellence together on a platform that not only celebrates the industry’s best but also drives real business impact. As a platform, it continues to create value by connecting brands with the right audience in a space that’s constantly evolving.”
Mugdha Mishra, Editor, NDTV Auto, remarked on the importance of the event, saying, “The NDTV Auto Awards have consistently highlighted the industry’s drive for excellence. This year, we have witnessed groundbreaking innovations that are reshaping mobility, from next-generation electric vehicles to revolutionary advancements in automotive technology. These awards not only recognize the best in the industry but also inspire the next wave of automotive evolution.”
Reaffirming its position as the ultimate stage for automotive excellence, the NDTV Auto Awards 2025 celebrated the brands, visionaries, and leaders who are driving the automotive industry forward with unmatched innovation and performance. The awards not only honored the finest vehicles and brands but also acknowledged the visionaries shaping the future of mobility in India.
Here is the list of winners: –
- Car of the Year – Mahindra Thar Roxx
- Compact Car of the Year – Maruti Suzuki Dzire
- Subcompact SUV of the Year – Tata Punch EV
- SUV of the Year – Mahindra Thar Roxx
- Sedan of the Year – Toyota Camry
- MPV of the Year – Kia Carnival
- Electric Car of the Year – MG Windsor EV
- Luxury Sedan of the Year – Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Luxury SUV of the Year – Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
- Luxury EV of the Year – BMW i5
- Luxury Car of the Year – Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Performance Car of the Year – Mercedes-AMG G 63
- Car Manufacturer of the Year – Mercedes-Benz
- Design of the Year – Citroen Basalt
- Motorcycle of the Year – Aprilia RS 457
- Scooter of the Year – TVS Jupiter 110
- Performance Motorcycle of the Year – Aprilia RS 457
- Adventure Motorcycle of the Year – Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE
- Modern Classic Motorcycle of the Year – Royal Enfield Bear 650
- Electric Two-Wheeler of the Year – Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2
- Two-Wheeler Design of the Year – Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350
- Two-Wheeler Manufacturer of the Year – Royal Enfield
- Automotive Personality of the Year – Vikram Pahwa
- Business Leader – Automotive Sector – Tarun Garg
- Global Lifetime Achievement Award – Late Ratan Tata
- Global Lifetime Achievement Award – Late Osamu Suzuki
- Viewer’s Choice Car of the Year – Honda Amaze
- Viewer’s Choice Motorcycle of the Year – Hero Xtreme 125R
- Viewer’s Choice Innovation of the Year – MG Windsor EV (BaaS)
- Dealership in the Fast Lane – URS KAR
