The 10 best vehicles Ars Technica drove in 2025 were led by the third-generation Nissan Leaf, followed by the Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Volkswagen Golf GTI, BMW i4 xDrive40, Volvo V60 Cross Country, an unconfirmed ninth entry, and Lotus Emira V6. Ars framed the list as editorial, not laboratory comparison.
Ars Technica published the selection on December 30, 2025, as a look back at the cars its staff drove during the year. The result is more useful as a map of different kinds of automotive excellence than as a claim that one vehicle objectively beats every other vehicle in acceleration, efficiency, price, or practicality.
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Key takeaways
- Ars Technica’s overall pick was the third-generation Nissan Leaf, praised for improved packaging, more than 300 miles of range in one version, and a 2025-context price below $35,000.
- The Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid ranked second because its electric assistance sharpens response without removing the flat-six character, conventional gears, or familiar 911 sound.
- The list is an editorial selection of memorable vehicles Ars Technica drove in 2025, not a standardized laboratory comparison with identical tests, routes, or weather.
- The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 combined a native NACS port with a CCS adapter and could charge from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 20 minutes on the specified 800V/350-kW equipment.
- The BMW i4 xDrive40’s EPA range depended on wheel size: Ars Technica reported 269 miles for its tested 19-inch-wheel car and 287 miles for an 18-inch-wheel configuration.
What were Ars Technica’s best cars of 2025?
Ars Technica chose the Nissan Leaf as its best vehicle of 2025, with the Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid as runner-up. The remaining confirmed entries show how deliberately varied the list was: it includes an efficient hybrid sedan, several EVs, a hot hatch, a station wagon, and a traditional V6 sports car.
Ars Technica published the year-end selection on December 30, 2025, after a turbulent automotive year in which EV optimism collided with an industry pullback while charging infrastructure continued to improve. The ranking came from vehicles the publication’s staff actually drove and reviewed during the year, so the list rewards memorable driving experiences and useful engineering rather than a single scorecard. Read Ars Technica’s original 2025 ranking for the source editorial context.
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Why is the ninth vehicle not named here?
The available indexed text does not reliably expose the separate No. 9 model name, and extracted versions conflict around the final three positions. The evidence supports Volvo V60 Cross Country at No. 8 and Lotus Emira V6 at No. 10, but it does not support inventing the penultimate entry. The rendered Ars Technica article should be checked before publishing a definitive No. 9 name.
That limitation does not change the central verdict: the Nissan Leaf was Ars Technica’s overall winner. It does mean that the table below distinguishes confirmed names from the unresolved ninth entry instead of presenting a guess as fact.
| Rank | Vehicle | Powertrain or format | Why it stood out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nissan Leaf | Battery-electric hatchback/crossover | Smaller exterior, roomier interior, improved design, more than 300 miles of range in one version, and a 2025-context price below $35,000. |
| 2 | Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid | Hybrid-assisted flat-six sports car | Immediate electric-assisted response while retaining the 911’s engine character, gears, and sound. |
| 3 | Honda Civic Hybrid | Hybrid compact sedan/hatchback family | Ars reported 200 hp and 50 mpg while preserving physical controls and a low driving position. |
| 4 | Mercedes-Benz CLA | Entry-level battery-electric sedan | Software-defined architecture, four-computer electronics, an 85-kWh battery, and approximately 374 miles of claimed range in the article’s context. |
| 5 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Battery-electric crossover | The 2025 refresh added native NACS charging for U.S.-built examples, a CCS adapter, USB-C ports, and a rear windshield wiper. |
| 6 | Volkswagen Golf GTI | Gasoline hot hatch | Everyday hatchback practicality with stronger suspension, a more powerful engine, sticky tires, and restrained styling. |
| 7 | BMW i4 xDrive40 | All-wheel-drive electric Gran Coupe | Gasoline 4 Series-like styling, EV smoothness, a useful rear hatch, and strong infotainment. |
| 8 | Volvo V60 Cross Country | All-road station wagon | Comfort, composure, agility, and useful clearance for rough pavement without becoming an oversized SUV. |
| 9 | Not reliably exposed in the available source text | Not confirmed | Do not infer a model name from conflicting search extractions. |
| 10 | Lotus Emira V6 | V6 sports car with manual gearbox | Toyota V6, three pedals, electrohydraulic steering, modern infotainment, and a traditional lightweight-sports-car character. |
Why did Ars Technica pick the Nissan Leaf?
Ars Technica picked the Nissan Leaf because the third-generation EV addressed everyday compromises without abandoning an accessible mission. The new Leaf was smaller outside but roomier inside, replaced the old air-cooled battery, and received a more modern design.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchIn the ranking’s 2025 context, Ars Technica said one version could travel more than 300 miles and that the car cost less than $35,000. Those are article-era claims, not a promise that every trim or market received that range or price. Actual EV range depends on conditions, equipment, and driving behavior.
Current Nissan information is a separate model-year reference. According to Nissan (2026), the current Leaf S+ is listed at a $29,990 starting MSRP and up to 303 EPA-estimated miles. Nissan’s current 2026 Leaf specifications should therefore be used for present-day shopping, while Ars Technica’s under-$35,000 description remains tied to its 2025 article context.
The Leaf wins this particular list because it offers the most convincing combination of practicality, range, design, and relative affordability. The Leaf is not the list’s performance champion, luxury statement, or most traditional driver’s car; the Leaf is the vehicle that makes the broadest everyday case.
Is the Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid still a real 911?
Yes. Ars Technica considered the Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid a real 911 because electrification improved the car’s response without erasing its flat-six engine character, gears, and sound.
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The T-Hybrid system’s value is not simply a bigger headline power figure. Porsche’s current U.S. page explains that an electric exhaust turbocharger helps the engine build boost faster. According to Porsche’s 2026 U.S. Carrera GTS specifications, the car produces 532 hp, makes 449 lb-ft of torque, reaches a 194-mph top track speed, and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds with Sport Chrono. Porsche’s current 911 Carrera GTS specifications are current verification data, not a claim that every 2025 test configuration had identical equipment.
Rank #2
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The 911’s appeal on this list is therefore about preservation as much as performance. The hybrid system adds immediacy, while the engine, transmission, sound, and familiar rear-engine sports-car identity remain central to the experience.
Why was the Honda Civic Hybrid selected?
The Honda Civic Hybrid was selected because it pairs strong efficiency with the kind of responsive, low-slung driving experience that makes a compact car enjoyable rather than merely economical.
According to Ars Technica’s 2025 ranking, the Civic Hybrid makes 200 hp and achieves 50 mpg. The article also praised its physical controls and relatively low driving position, two details that matter to drivers who dislike touch-screen-heavy cabins and tall crossover seating.
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The Civic Hybrid represents a different answer to electrification than the Leaf or the 911. The Civic does not require the driver to plan around charging, yet the hybrid system still supports efficient daily driving. Its strengths are usable performance, familiar refueling, compact dimensions, and controls that remain straightforward.
What made the Mercedes-Benz CLA noteworthy?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA stood out as an entry-level EV built around software-defined electronics rather than simply an electric version of an older gasoline car.
Ars Technica described a four-computer electronics system, an 85-kWh battery, and approximately 374 miles of claimed range in the article’s 2025 context. The article also said rear-drive and twin-motor versions were expected below $50,000. That price was an article-era expectation, not a current transaction price or a guarantee of availability.
The CLA is important in the ranking because it shows electrification reaching a premium compact sedan format. The Mercedes is less about old-fashioned engine character and more about how software, battery capacity, drivetrain layout, and claimed range can redefine an entry-level luxury vehicle.
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Does the Hyundai Ioniq 5 use NACS?
Yes. U.S.-built examples of the refreshed 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 have a native NACS port, and Hyundai includes a CCS adapter for charging on compatible CCS networks.
Rank #3
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Hyundai’s official 2025 information says the Ioniq 5 can add up to 178 miles of range in 15 minutes under the stated conditions. According to Hyundai (2025), charging from 10 to 80 percent can take as little as 20 minutes when the vehicle uses an 800V/350-kW DC fast charger. Hyundai’s 2025 Ioniq 5 specifications and charging information also make clear why connector type and charger capability need to be considered together.
The 2025 refresh added more than a connector. Ars Technica highlighted USB-C ports and a rear windshield wiper, practical changes that improve daily usability. The Ioniq 5 is consequently one of the strongest all-round EV entries here: distinctive design, useful space, fast documented charging, and broader network access through the included adapter.
Why does the Volkswagen Golf GTI remain compelling without a manual?
The Volkswagen Golf GTI remains compelling because it turns an ordinary-sized hatchback into a practical performance car through stronger suspension, a more powerful engine, and sticky tires rather than excessive size or styling.
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The refresh did restore conventional buttons on the multifunction steering wheel, addressing a usability complaint about the previous control arrangement. The GTI’s place on this list comes from balance: it can carry people and cargo like an everyday hatchback while remaining entertaining on a winding road.
How does the BMW i4 xDrive40 compare with a gas 4 Series?
The BMW i4 xDrive40 combines the familiar shape of a gasoline 4 Series Gran Coupe with electric smoothness, all-wheel drive, a useful rear hatch, and strong infotainment.
According to Ars Technica’s 2025 BMW i4 xDrive40 review, the car produces 395 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque from an 84-kWh battery-pack-equipped electric drivetrain. Ars Technica’s BMW i4 xDrive40 road test reports an EPA range of 269 miles for the tested car with 19-inch wheels and 287 miles for an 18-inch-wheel configuration.
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Why choose the Volvo V60 Cross Country?
The Volvo V60 Cross Country is the choice for drivers who want a comfortable, normal-sized station wagon instead of a large SUV.
Rank #4
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Ars Technica’s praise centers on the wagon’s composure and practicality. The V60 Cross Country is designed to handle rough Swedish forest roads, so its ride quality translates well to poorly maintained American pavement. The Volvo is agile and useful without relying on outright speed as its main appeal.
The V60’s advantage is a rare combination of a manageable footprint, wagon cargo access, comfortable ride, and all-road character. Buyers who value calm long-distance travel and easy loading may find the Volvo more appealing than a quicker but less practical sports car.
What makes the Lotus Emira V6 different?
The Lotus Emira V6 is different because it preserves the traditional sports-car ingredients that many modern vehicles have replaced with weight, software, and automatic-only convenience.
Ars Technica described a Norfolk-built Lotus with a Toyota V6, manual gearbox, three pedals, modern infotainment, and electrohydraulic steering. The Emira is not presented as the fastest or most practical vehicle here; its appeal is the directness of its controls and the sense that the driver remains central to the experience.
The Emira serves as the list’s counterpoint to the CLA, Leaf, Ioniq 5, and i4. Those vehicles demonstrate how electronics can improve efficiency, speed, or usability. The Emira demonstrates why some drivers still value a manual transmission, combustion-engine sound, and steering feedback even as the broader market changes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which vehicle fits which kind of driver?
The best vehicle depends on the kind of excellence a driver wants, not on a single fastest or most efficient ranking.
| Primary need | Best fit from the confirmed entries | Why | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accessible everyday EV | Nissan Leaf | Smaller exterior, roomier interior, more than 300 miles in one 2025-context version, and comparatively accessible pricing. | Charging and real-world range still depend on conditions and infrastructure. |
| Fast response with traditional sports-car character | Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid | Electric assistance improves response while the flat-six, gears, and sound remain part of the experience. | Sports-car practicality and purchase cost are not the Leaf’s strengths. |
| Efficient daily driving without charging stops | Honda Civic Hybrid | Ars reported 200 hp and 50 mpg, with physical controls and a low driving position. | It does not provide the quiet, instant EV response of the electric entries. |
| Fast public DC charging | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Native NACS, a CCS adapter, and as little as 20 minutes from 10 to 80 percent on specified 800V/350-kW equipment. | Charging results vary with charger capability, conditions, and battery state. |
| Practical performance hatchback | Volkswagen Golf GTI | Hatchback utility, stronger suspension, more power, and sticky tires in a compact body. | The manual transmission was unavailable in the relevant market context. |
| EV with familiar BMW proportions | BMW i4 xDrive40 | All-wheel drive, 395 hp, a useful rear hatch, and a 269-mile EPA rating on the tested 19-inch-wheel car. | Range falls relative to the 18-inch-wheel configuration, which was rated at 287 miles. |
| Comfortable wagon practicality | Volvo V60 Cross Country | Normal-sized wagon utility, rough-road ride quality, composure, and agility. | Its appeal is refinement and practicality rather than outright speed. |
| Traditional driver involvement | Lotus Emira V6 | Toyota V6, manual gearbox, three pedals, and electrohydraulic steering. | Traditional sports-car priorities leave it less practical than the hatchbacks and wagon. |
Which 2025 EV has the best charging setup?
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 has the strongest documented charging case among the confirmed EV entries in this research because it combines native NACS hardware, a CCS adapter, and a stated 10-to-80-percent time of as little as 20 minutes on suitable 800V/350-kW equipment.
Connector access is only one part of EV ownership. A native NACS port can simplify access to compatible fast-charging sites, while the included CCS adapter can extend access to other networks. Charging speed still depends on the vehicle’s limits, the charger generation, battery temperature, battery state of charge, and site load.
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The Nissan Leaf, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and BMW i4 should not be compared using headline range alone. Nissan’s official owner’s manual warns that actual driving range varies with factors including speed, vehicle load, accessory electrical load, traffic and road conditions, usage, driving style, and battery age. Nissan’s 2026 Leaf owner’s manual provides the model’s formal range caveat. Weather, temperature, terrain, and payload can also materially change an EV trip, so route planning and charging access matter as much as the laboratory estimate.
How should buyers interpret the prices and specifications?
Buyers should keep Ars Technica’s 2025 article-era claims separate from current manufacturer data because trim, model year, destination charges, incentives, and regional availability can change.
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|---|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf below $35,000 and more than 300 miles in one version | Ars Technica’s 2025 ranking | Explains why the Leaf won the editorial comparison; it is not a current quote for every trim. |
| $29,990 starting MSRP and up to 303 EPA-estimated miles | Nissan, 2026 | Use for current Leaf shopping and compare the exact trim and equipment. |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA versions expected below $50,000 | Ars Technica’s 2025 article context | Treat as an expectation at publication, not a verified current price or availability statement. |
| 532 hp, 194 mph, and 2.9-second 0–60 mph with Sport Chrono | Porsche, 2026 U.S. Carrera GTS page | Use as current manufacturer verification for the specified GTS configuration, not as a standardized comparison result for every car on the list. |
The same rule applies to range and fuel-economy figures. Official estimates are useful for comparing configurations, but an EPA estimate, a manufacturer claim, and a road-test impression are not interchangeable measurements.
What does an OBD2 scanner do for these vehicles?
An OBD2 scanner can retrieve diagnostic trouble codes and inspect supported vehicle data, making it a potentially useful ownership tool for conventional and hybrid vehicles such as the Civic Hybrid, Golf GTI, or other gasoline-powered cars in this group.
A scanner is not universal dealer-level diagnostic equipment. Compatibility varies by vehicle, model year, software, and control module; electric vehicles can expose different data and may restrict access to high-voltage systems. A reader considering an OBD2 scanner should verify connector compatibility, supported protocols, and the tool’s ability to read the systems that matter before buying. An OBD2 tool can help identify a warning code, but safe repair still requires proper diagnosis and, for high-voltage EV work, qualified service.
The accessory fits this ranking because the vehicles span gasoline, hybrid, and electric powertrains, but its usefulness is greatest for basic checks on supported conventional vehicle systems. The tool should supplement—not replace—the owner’s manual, service information, or professional diagnosis.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Ars Technica’s best vehicle of 2025 was the Nissan Leaf because it delivered the broadest mix of practicality, range, design, and relative affordability. The Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid was the more emotionally compelling runner-up, while the Ioniq 5, Civic Hybrid, Golf GTI, BMW i4, Volvo V60 Cross Country, and Lotus Emira V6 each won on a different definition of excellence.
The ranking is an editorial selection, not an objective industry-wide top ten. The exact No. 9 model is not reliably exposed in the available indexed source text, so that name should be confirmed from Ars Technica’s rendered article rather than guessed.
Quick Recap
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