BOISE – BOISE – (April 23, 2025) – As new vehicle owners navigate the challenges of selecting the right car for their needs, many are considering the potential benefits of electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). This year’s AAA Car Guide rates the top EVs and PHEVs to help with the purchase decision.
This year, the top award goes to the 2024 BMW iX xDrive50, a midsize SUV. Researchers also added new scoring criteria and brought back the minivan category, which was awarded to the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV Pinnacle.
“Each of the winning vehicles feature multiple advanced driving assistance systems, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and reverse automatic emergency braking,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “The research team also rated other important factors such as fuel efficiency, comfort, noise, cargo capacity, and overall handling and maneuverability.”
Vehicles were tested both at AAA’s Southern California test track and in real-world driving conditions.
| Category | Vehicle |
| Overall | BMW iX xDrive50 (EV) |
| Small Car | Honda Civic Hybrid Sport Touring (Hybrid) |
| Midsize Car | BMW i5 M60 (EV) |
| Large Car | BMW i7 M70 (EV) |
| Pickup | Ford F-150 Hybrid XLT (Hybrid) |
| Minivan | Chrysler Pacifica PHEV Pinnacle (PHEV) |
| Small SUV | Genesis GV60 Performance (EV) |
| Midsize SUV | BMW iX xDrive50 (EV) |
| Large SUV | Kia EV9 GT-Line (EV) |
As the automotive marketplace evolves, the AAA Car Guide can help prospective vehicle owners understand the latest technologies and make informed choices.
Additional AAA resources
- Your Driving Costs calculator: Consumers can quickly estimate the cost of owning a vehicle based on financing, operating, and trading it in at the end of five years.
- EV Research: AAA’s in-house experts research consumer sentiment around EVs and their functionality.
- Mobile EV charging pilot program in select areas.
- DC Fast charging capability at the AAA Boise Service Center and several AAA locations in Oregon.
- Locations of EV charging stations and gas stations, listed in the AAA mobile app.
“Many families are opting for the ‘hybrid garage,’ with one gas or diesel-powered vehicle and either a hybrid or electric,” Conde said. “After people experience the fuel efficiency of an EV or PHEV, they may discover that it can be used effectively in a wider range of settings than they realized.”
