French model also won in the city class of the year. Career Prize was attributed to Paulo Pinheiro
The winners of the most prestigious award in the automotive industry in Portugal are already known. The Citroën C3 is the big winner of this year’s edition, succeeding Byd Seal as holder of the direct car of the year/Crystal Trophy.
The city of the French brand brought together most of the jury panel votes. Versatility, design, construction quality, range and competitive price were some of the most mentioned arguments to justify this election.
The Citroën C3 also won in the city’s city class, with the 100% electric version ë-C3 Max.
This year’s edition featured 72 applications, with cars divided by eight classes, with different models and versions, of which 43 were candidates for the title of Direct Insurance Car of the Year/Trophy Crystal Steering Wheel 2025. The classes were as follows: citadino, design, sports/leisure, electric, compact hybrid (includes crossovers) and big Suv.
Eighteen Jurors, representing the main media in the country, have performed, over the past few months, dynamic tests with the different models to contest. Aesthetics, performances, security, reliability, price and environmental sustainability centered the attention of these specialized journalists.
Winners of the Direct Classes Car of the Year/Trophy Crystal Steering Wheel 2025
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Design do Ano – Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic
Sports / Leisure of the Year – Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Electric of the Year-Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic
Familiar from Anno – Laurin Superb Shot & Clement 1.5 TSI PHEV
Híbrido Plug-in do Ano – Renault Rafale E-Tech 4×4 300cv Plug-in Hybrid
Compact SUV year – Kia Ev3 Tech
Grande SUV do Ano – Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 TSI 204CV PHEV
Technology and Innovation Award
The organization again selected a set of innovative devices and
technologically advanced that directly benefit driving and driver. The different applications were appreciated and voted by the jurors simultaneously with the final vote.
This year’s edition winner is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N E-Shift, an innovative functionality that simulates the experience of an eight-speed automatic transmission on electric vehicles. This technology controls engine torque to imitate the sensation of gear changes, providing a driving experience more interactive and similar to that of vehicles as internal combustion engines.
Personality of the year
The Executive Committee of Direct Insurance Car of the Year/Trophy Crystal Steering Wheel 2025, has given the Personality Award of the Year to Paulo Pinheiro.
The passion for cars and speed led Paulo Pinheiro to idealize and undertake the construction of the Algarve International Race Track in Portimão, in 2008, being responsible for the return of Formula 1 and Moto GP to Portugal.
The Algarve circuit has become part of the Moto GP World Championship calendar since 2000, and was also the stage of the return of Formula 1, in 2020 and 2021. But Paulo Pinheiro’s legacy goes far beyond these deeds. With a unique determination, he placed the Algarve International Race Track and the region between competition team preferences and car manufacturers, both for launches and tests. Paulo Pinheiro left us in July 2024. He will always be remembered for his generosity.
The Impresso Group organized the initiative – Direct Insurance Car of the Year/Trophy Crystal Steering wheel 2025 – through SIC Notícias and Expresso.
More information at https://expresso.pt/iniciativaSeproducts/carro-do-ano
Jurors and direct insurance media of the year/trophy crystal steering wheel 2025:
Adriano Oliveira – Jornal de Negócios
António Catarino – TSF
CARLA B. RIBEIRO – PUBLIC
Miguel Dias – Automobile Reason
José Caetano-E-Auto
José Carlos Santos Silva – Radio Renascença
SILVA PIRES – steering wheel
Miguel Rodrigues – Cars
Paulo Santos – Vision
Paul Colware – RTP
Paulo Tavares – Diário de Notícias
Pedro Loving – SIC
Pedro Ramalho – TVI
Rui Cardoso – Expresso
Rui Pedro Reis – SIC Notícias
Rui Pelejão – Record
Sara Figueiredo Santos – Correio da Manhã
Sérgio Magno – Informatics Examination
