Auto9 Awards 2025 puts India’s electric and performance dreams in pole

MUMBAI: Fast lanes, fresh powertrains and a clear shift in gears. India’s auto story hit top speed at the Auto9 Awards 2025, where electrification, performance and design-led thinking shared the podium at a ceremony hosted by TV9 Network at the Buddh International Circuit on January 18, 2026.

With a jury of industry veterans, mobility experts and senior leaders, the awards set out to separate hype from horsepower. Entries were judged across design, performance, value, innovation, safety, sustainability and consumer relevance criteria that mirror how Indian buyers are evolving, and how manufacturers are responding.

The evening’s biggest headline was electric. The Mahindra XEV 9E was crowned Car of the Year, underlining how EVs have moved from fringe to front row in India’s mobility conversation. In two-wheelers, the TVS Apache RTX 300 swept multiple honours, including Bike of the Year, signalling that performance-led engineering still commands loyalty even as electrification gathers pace.

Opening the ceremony, chief guest Nitin Gadkari framed the larger picture. He noted that the automobile sector remains a cornerstone of India’s economy, contributing the highest GST revenues to both the Centre and states, while also emerging as the country’s biggest export engine.

Beyond individual winners, the awards painted a broader portrait of an industry in transition. Electric SUVs sat comfortably alongside performance hatchbacks, premium sedans and commuter motorcycles. Sustainability, too, had its moment, with Toyota Kirloskar India taking home Green Sustainability Champion of the Year, and Maruti Suzuki India Private Limited being recognised as Road Safety Champion of the Year.

At the manufacturer level, Mahindra & Mahindra was named Manufacturer of the Year, reflecting its aggressive push across EVs, SUVs and global markets. The Automotive Personality of the Year award went to Santosh Iyer, honouring leadership that has helped shape India’s modern automotive ecosystem.

TV9 Network, MD and CEO Barun Das described the awards as a marker of momentum rather than mere celebration. He said the Auto9 platform chronicles a phase where Indian mobility is no longer playing catch-up but setting benchmarks, with consumers increasingly influencing global trends rather than following them.

The winners’ list reinforced that sentiment. From the MG Cyberster claiming Sports Car of the Year, and the Volkswagen Golf GTI taking Performance Hatchback of the Year, to the Tata Sierra being recognised for Design of the Year (4W), the spread reflected diversity in both intent and execution. In EV categories, models such as the Mercedes-Benz G580 and Ultraviolette X-47 Crossover showed how luxury and sustainability are beginning to converge.

Two-wheelers, often the backbone of Indian mobility, had their own moment in the spotlight. Alongside the Apache RTX 300’s dominance, the Honda CB125 Hornet won Commuter Bike of the Year, while the TVS Orbiter and Aprilia SR 175 picked up EV Scooter and ICE Scooter of the Year honours respectively.

By the time the chequered flag fell on Auto9 Awards 2025, one theme was clear. India’s automotive future is not choosing between electric and performance, value and aspiration, or domestic scale and global ambition. It is attempting all of them at once and, judging by this year’s winners, doing so with growing confidence.

Auto9 Awards 2025 – Winners

Four-Wheelers

. Car of the Year: Mahindra XEV 9E
. Sports Car of the Year: MG Cyberster
. SUV of the Year: Hyundai Venue
. EV of the Year: Mahindra XEV 9E
. Family Car of the Year: Kia Carens Clavis
. New Entrant of the Year: VinFast
. Premium Sedan of the Year: Skoda Octavia RS
. Gamechanger of the Year: Skoda Kylaq
. Performance Hatchback of the Year: Volkswagen Golf GTI
. Luxury SUV of the Year: BMW X3
. Luxury EV of the Year: Mercedes-Benz G580
. Design of the Year (4W): Tata Sierra
. Premium SUV of the Year: BYD Sealion 7
. Value for Money Car of the Year: Honda Amaze
. Value for Money Car of the Year (EV): VinFast VF6
. MPV of the Year: MG M9
. Update of the Year: Citroën Basalt X
. Viewer’s Choice Car of the Year: Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Two-Wheelers

. Bike of the Year: TVS Apache RTX 300
. Commuter Bike of the Year: Honda CB125 Hornet
. EV Motorcycle of the Year: Ultraviolette X-47 Crossover
. EV Scooter of the Year: TVS Orbiter
. Scooter of the Year (ICE): Aprilia SR 175
. Premium Bike of the Year: TVS Apache RTX 300
. Design of the Year (2W): Ultraviolette X-47 Crossover
. Value for Money Two-Wheeler: TVS Apache RTX 300
. Update of the Year (2W): Suzuki Access 125
. Manufacturer of the Year (2W): Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India

Mobility Excellence

. Manufacturer of the Year: Mahindra & Mahindra
. Green Sustainability Champion of the Year: Toyota Kirloskar India
. Road Safety Champion of the Year: Maruti Suzuki India Private Limited
. Automotive Personality of the Year: Santosh Iyer
. Campaign of the Year: Skoda Octavia x Rishabh Sharma
. Digital Activation of the Year: Hyundai Creta EV – Test Driven by 100
. Export Champion of the Year: Maruti Suzuki India Limited
. After Sales & Customer Delight Award: Honda Cars India Limited