For the fifth consecutive year, Grupo Premia, made up of specialized journalists from the automotive industry, chose the Car of the Year 2025 in Argentina and the award went to the Renault Kardian, the compact consumer champion.
This model with an SUV and crossover feel was launched in the local market during 2024. It arrives from Brazil, becoming the first imported vehicle to win the award.
In this way, the Kardian put an end to the reign of pickups, since in the last two editions two Ford trucks had been chosen: Maverick (2023) and Ranger (2024).
The Renault model prevailed with 56 unitsbeating six other vehicles. In second place was the Peugeot 2008, with 54 points, while the Hyundai HB20 completed the podium with 35. The other finalists were Fiat Fastback and Ram Rampage, both with 22; Ford Bronco, with 20, and Honda HR-V, with 16.
Other models that were in the race but did not reach the final stage were the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Audi Q5 Sportback, the Baic BJ40 and EU5 (electric), the BMW Series and X2, the Citroën C3 Aircross, the Ford Mustang, the Honda Civic and CR-V, the Hyundai Tucson, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, CLE and GLC Coupé, the Renault Megane E-Tech, the Toyota Crown and the Volvo EX30, among others.
How to choose the best car in the country
The vehicles that competed for the most important award in the national automotive market were those who debuted in the country between January 1 and December 31, 2024. They had to be 100% new models, that is, they did not include redesigns or updates of vehicles already present on the market.
He jury It is composed of Matías Antico (TN Autos), Augusto Brugo Marcó (Parabrisas Magazine), Gabriel Silveira (Clarín), Martín Simacourbe (Argentina Autoweb), Eduardo Smok (Auto al Día), Gabriel Tomich (MotorDigital) and Guido Tonelli (Autotest Magazine ), and José Luis Denari (Telefe) and Walter Togneri (Revista Parabrisas) were invited for this edition.
The Kardian is the first imported model to take the winner. The voting system gives each of the juries 25 points to distribute among the seven candidates, with the only requirement of not scoring more than 10 units for any of these. And all finalists must receive at least one point.
Features of the winning model
The new Renault Kardian was presented in Argentina and Brazil as the one that begins a new stage for the French brand in South America. It was the model chosen to debut in the region. modular platform that will allow the development of seven global vehicles which will be produced in four regions where the French group has a presence: Latin America, Türkiye, Morocco and India.
At 4.12 meters long (1.75 wide and 1.54 high), the Renault Kardian is a versatile compact that can also be enjoyed off-road, especially due to its approach and departure angles of 20° and 36°, respectively.
The generous wheelbase of 2,60 metros (the largest in the category) – also allows for maximizing internal space, mainly benefiting the occupants of the rear seats.
Inside. The general quality and the fittings are very good. For its part, the trunk has a loading capacity of 410 literswhile in Brazil it was announced with 17-inch wheels.
The mechanical proposal is absolutely modern in much of the range. Although it retains the well-known 1.6 115 horsepower engine with a 5-speed manual transmission, the novelty is the incorporation of a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder, turbocharged engine that produces 120 horsepower. It is combined with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and together they give all kinds of tremendous results.
Its equipment highlights its wireless connectivity with the telephone, its security elements and all its driving assistance systems, elements more common in cars of higher categories. It is a good path chosen to begin the journey that seeks to recover the image of a highly valued brand in Argentina.
