On February 6, 2025, Cars.com Inc. (NYSE: CARS), a leading technology company in the automotive sector, announced the winners of its highly anticipated annual Best Of Awards. Among the standout vehicles, the Hyundai Santa Fe has garnered the prestigious title of Best Car of 2025, a testament to its excellence in the competitive mid-size SUV market.

1. A Closer Look at the Hyundai Santa Fe

Cars.com senior road test editor Mike Hanley praised the Hyundai Santa Fe for its remarkable features and value. "In today's competitive and rapidly evolving automotive landscape, the Hyundai Santa Fe stands out in the mid-size SUV class," Hanley remarked. With a starting price of less than $36,000, the Santa Fe combines spaciousness with innovative features.

The vehicle offers standard three-row seating, making it an ideal choice for families, as well as an expansive cargo area for added versatility. Unique features like an ultraviolet-light sanitizing compartment, a rear-facing center console drawer, and dual wireless phone chargers cater to the demands of modern drivers, adding to its appeal.

Key Features and Powertrain Options

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is available with both gas and gas-electric hybrid powertrains, providing consumers with options that suit their driving preferences. Following a radical redesign in 2024, the Santa Fe has elevated its offerings, making it a standout choice for those in the market for a mid-size SUV.

2. Other Notable Winners of the Best Of Awards

Cars.com also highlighted several other vehicles in various categories during the 2025 Best Of Awards. The winners include:

Best Family Car: 2025 Hyundai Palisade

This six-year favorite excels in safety and space, offering standard features such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. With a starting price under $40,000, it’s a top choice for families.

Best Electric Vehicle: 2025 Kia EV9

Known for its range and comfort, the EV9 combines efficiency with an intuitive user experience. Its family-friendly features and fast-charging capabilities make it a strong contender in the electric vehicle market.

Best SUV: 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

A reimagined classic, the Land Cruiser delivers a balance of on-road comfort and off-road capability, redefining what consumers can expect from an SUV.

Best Pickup Truck: 2025 Ram 1500

With a new twin-turbo inline-six engine replacing the traditional Hemi V-8, the 2025 Ram 1500 offers smoother performance and exceptional interior quality, making it a standout in the pickup segment.

Best Luxury Car: 2025 Genesis Electrified GV70

This vehicle combines luxury with performance, featuring high-quality materials and a powerful 429 horsepower engine. Its Road Preview adaptive suspension further enhances the driving experience.

3. Award Methodology

The selection process for the Cars.com Best of 2025 award winners involved a rigorous evaluation by a team of seven editors. Each vehicle was meticulously driven and assessed throughout the year, with the voting process designed to ensure that only the best vehicles in each category were recognized.

4. Conclusion

Cars.com continues to play a pivotal role in guiding consumers in the automotive marketplace. The recognition of the Hyundai Santa Fe as Best Car of 2025 underscores the importance of quality, innovation, and value in today’s automotive industry. For more information on the award winners and to explore the features of the Hyundai Santa Fe, visit Cars.com/Awards.

About Cars.com

Cars.com is the leading automotive marketplace in the United States, attracting nearly 30 million in-market consumers monthly. Since its inception in 1998, the company has empowered car shoppers with essential resources and digital tools to facilitate informed buying decisions. For more details, visit www.carscommerce.inc.

Original press release