Industry leaders, visionaries, and automotive enthusiasts gathered to honor the achievements that are redefining the future of mobility.
The NDTV Auto Awards 2025 brought together the most esteemed names in the automotive world for a grand celebration of innovation, performance, and excellence. Industry leaders, visionaries, and automobile enthusiasts convened to recognize achievements that are shaping the future of mobility.
Held in New Delhi on 28th February, the event commenced with a keynote address by Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs. Emphasizing India’s rising prominence in the global automotive sector, he stated, “India will be a major hub for the automobile industry.” He also highlighted the transformative potential of electric vehicles, asserting that “EVs are the future.”
The jury for the awards, comprising some of the most respected names in the automotive industry—including journalists, experts, and influencers—meticulously evaluated the nominations, selecting the best among both timeless classics and groundbreaking new entrants. The panel included:
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, Asian Zone Rally Champion, Founder Drivetecindia
· Rachit Hirani, Founder – Motor Octane, India’s largest Auto YouTube Channel
· Bertrand Dsouza, Ex-Editor, Overdrive, Founder, Speedway Events and Production
· Rakesh Srivastava, Former Managing Director of Nissan Motor India, Director of JSW Energy, Director of Hyundai Motor India & Vice President of Maruti Suzuki.
· Nikhil Chawla, New-Age Media Consultant; Founder, Unbiased Blog; Tech & Auto Journalist
Bike Jury
· Simranjeet Singh, Pro Superbike racer, Record Holder 𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐍 in the 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝐂𝐂 segment at 𝐁𝐈𝐂
· Kalyani Potekar, Professional Motorcyclist, Champion Racer, Represented India in the FIM Asia Cup of Road Racing
· Deepak Gupta, Experienced Motorcyclist with over 4 decades of riding covering over a million kilometre
· Dr Arun Thareja, ENT Surgeon; Motorcyclist
· Abhinav Bhatt, Veteran Journalist with 18 years of experience; Adventure Biker
· Kingshuk Dutta, Sr Associate Editor, NDTV Auto
Bringing together the best in the industry, the inaugural edition set the stage for a highly competitive arena. Esteemed manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra Auto, Mercedes-Benz, Hero MotoCorp, and Royal Enfield competed across the car and two-wheeler categories, with key representatives from these brands attending, further cementing the awards’ stature as a premier platform that celebrated innovation and performance.
The event honored the best in automobiles launched in 2024, focusing on their performance and tech advancements, underscoring the remarkable achievements of manufacturers and industry leaders. From cutting-edge electric vehicles to advancements in sustainable technology, this year’s awards reflected the industry’s relentless pursuit of progress.
Mandeep Singh, Revenue Head-TV, NDTV, emphasized the impact 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, Auto, NDTV, remarked on the significance of the event, stating, “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 spotlighted the brands and leaders driving the industry forward with groundbreaking innovation and unmatched performance. The awards recognized not only the finest vehicles and brands but also 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