2025 AAA Car Guide

BMW introduced its first all-electric SUV, the midsize iX, in 2022. It was our top-rated vehicle in the 2023 AAA Car Guide—and it reprises that role in 2025. In 2023, we said the iX — delivers dramatic styling, performance, comfort, and technological sophistication in spades. We stand by that assessment. Powered by dual electric motors (516 hp total), the iX boasts impressive power and acceleration; a solid range of 307 miles ensures that extended trips will be range anxiety-free. In addition, the iX drives and handles well: The steering provides ample feedback, and the suspension balances a comfortable ride with responsive, sporty handling. AWD is standard. Inside, the iX offers a roomy, luxurious, tech-focused cabin with standard features such as quad-zone climate control, a curved display with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch infotainment touch screen, and a panoramic, electronically controlled sunroof. A full set of standard advanced safety features is on tap, and more-sophisticated driver-assist features—such as automatic lane changing and limited hands-free driving—were included in our test car’s optional Driving Assistance Pro package.

In the 2024 AAA Car Guide, the BMW i7 xDrive60 EV was our top-rated large car and the No. 3 ranked vehicle overall. In 2024, BMW one-upped that stellar vehicle with a high-performance variant, the M70. Designed for quicker acceleration and sharper handling, the M70 is the xDrive60 on steroids. Power from its dual electric motors jumps from 536hp to 650hp; BMW claims that its 0-to-60 time drops by 1 second, to 3.5 seconds; and the base price soars nearly $45,000, to $168,500. The i7 M70 is indeed a study in superlatives. It’s blazingly fast, with power distributed well throughout its range. AWD is standard. And it’s a luxury cruiser as well: Its air suspension pampers occupants with a supremely comfortable ride, soaking up bumps and imperfections in the tarmac. And finding a vehicle with a more spacious, luxurious interior would be a thankless challenge. Comfort and convenience features on our test i7 included a panoramic sunroof; 14.9-inch infotainment touch screen; reclining rear seat and footrest; 31-inch rear-seat entertainment screen that drops down from the headliner; and heated, ventilated, and massaging front and rear seats. In sum, the i7 M70 succeeds fabulously on virtually every front. It’s the ultimate—or close to it—in performance, comfort, and luxury.

BMW’s iconic 5 Series midsize sedan was completely redesigned for 2024, including the addition of the all-electric i5. It’s available as the single-motor eDrive40 and as the performance-oriented, dual-motor M60 xDrive we tested. Arguably the M60’s greatest strength is its high levels of performance in nearly every important area. It’s boldly handsome but, unlike other BMW EVs, it sports a modestly sized grille. Fit and finish are excellent inside and out. Its cabin is spacious, it’s quiet at all speeds, and the interior is appropriately luxurious. The M60’s dual motors (593 hp) provide abundant, instant power. The steering, which can be adjusted to different driving styles, provides good feedback. Handling is responsive and composed, and the adaptive M suspension delivers a comfortable ride. Our test car also came with upgraded M Sport brakes. A full suite of advanced safety features and AWD are standard. Comfort and convenience features on our test M60 included a power glass moonroof, heated power front seats, Bowers & Wilkins sound system, 14.9-inch infotainment touch screen, navigation system, wireless device charger, head-up display, and the Active Driving Assistant Pro feature, which enables hands-free steering capability at low speeds on select highways.

The EV9 is Kia’s 3-row electric SUV. Introduced as a new model in 2024, it has a relatively low price ($54,900) for the base trim. We tested the top-of-the-line dual-motor GT-Line trim. The EV9 is stylish in a bulky, rugged-looking sort of way. It’s spacious inside, with a 12.3-inch touch-screen-based infotainment system, a third row that’s usable by adults, and plenty of room for cargo. Kia optimizes space usage with interior cubbies and a deep, retractable storage console between the front seats. At 80 MPGe, the EV9’s fuel economy is commendable. The EPA estimated our test vehicle’s range at 270 miles. Our staff was divided on the EV9’s ride quality, however. Some felt it was balanced and comfortable, with decent handling and steering; others felt the steering was a bit unrefined and the ride quality was nothing special. The EV9 also has 350-kW fast charging, which Kia claims will charge the battery from 10% to 80% in 24 minutes. A full set of advanced safety systems is standard, including sophisticated features such as rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist.

The sharp-looking GV60 small electric crossover, which debuted in 2023, is available in 3 trim levels: Standard, Advanced, and Performance. New for 2024, the Standard trim has a single, 225-hp electric motor at the rear axle; the Advanced and Performance trims have dual-motor, AWD setups. We tested the top-level Performance trim. The GV60’s drivetrain produces plenty of power—429 hp, with a 10-second boost mode for the Performance trim that bumps the power to 483 hp. The GV60 is engaging to drive, with quick acceleration, sporty handling, and a smooth ride over even pavement—rough patches of road can send small jolts into the cabin, however. The GV60’s spacious interior is modern and luxurious. Standard equipment includes adjoining 12.3-inch instrument and infotainment screens, a navigation system, head-up display, a comprehensive set of ADAS features, and 350-kW fast charging, which can charge the GV60’s battery from 10% to 80% in less than 18 minutes. Our test vehicle had some additional desirable features included with the Performance trim: 21-inch wheels, upgraded brakes, a limited-slip differential for increased traction, premium leather upholstery, additional adjustments and a massage function for the driver’s seat, and a digital key, which lets you use your smartphone for a key.

The Ioniq 6, introduced in 2023, creates a strong first impression with its sleek, swoopy profile and curvy body panels. It shares many components with the retro-looking Ioniq 5 and is available in 4 trim levels. We tested the top-level Limited trim, with dual motors (320 hp), AWD, a 77.4-kWh battery, and up to 270 miles of range. The Ioniq 6 checks all the important boxes. Its efficient drivetrain provides peppy acceleration and gets an EPA-estimated 103 MPGe in combined city/highway driving. Ride quality is smooth and comfortable. A standard 350-kW onboard charger promises a recharge of up to 68 miles in 5 minutes. The cabin offers plenty of legroom for all passengers, but the 6’s sloping roofline compromises rear headroom and makes back-seat entry and exit a bit awkward. Plenty of comfort and convenience features are standard on all trim levels, including 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touch-screen display, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated side mirrors and front seats, LED headlights and taillights, USB Type-C outlets, auto high beams, and a full complement of advanced safety features. Negatives for the 6 are few: a complex, nonintuitive infotainment system; trunk space that’s limited by rear wheel wells; and some cheap-looking materials and hard plastic on the door side panels and center console.

The Chrysler Pacifica minivan was introduced in 2017 and hasn’t been fully redesigned since. It’s available in both gasoline-powered and plug-in hybrid versions—the only minivan with a plug-in option. We tested the PHEV in its top-shelf Pinnacle trim. The Pacifica PHEV is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine and dual electric motors that generate 260 horsepower; the estimated electric range is 32 miles. As an EV, the Pacifica Hybrid is fuel efficient, getting an estimated 82 MPGe; as a hybrid, it gets a commendable 30 mpg. The plug-in hybrid version of the Pacifica comes with FWD only. The Pacifica’s interior is spacious, with plenty of room for cargo and lots of cubbies and bins for small items. The upscale interior is attractive—especially, in the case of our test vehicle, its tan quilted leather seats. The instrument panel and controls are logically laid out and easy to use. In Pinnacle trim, the Pacifica comes fully equipped, with standard features that include 20-inch alloy wheels, heated and ventilated front seats, second-row captain’s chairs (which, unfortunately, can’t be folded down), an onboard vacuum cleaner, a dual-pane sunroof, a 20-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and a rear-seat entertainment system. A full set of advanced safety features is standard.

For 2025, the Honda Civic gets a refreshed grille and front-end styling, updated infotainment software, and—wait for it—a hybrid powertrain, the first Civic hybrid in the U.S. in a decade. Spoiler alert: It’s a pretty cool addition to the Civic lineup. Apart from the high-performance Si and Type R, Civics are available in 4 trim levels, the top 2 of which are hybrids. We tested the high-end Sport Touring trim. The Civic Hybrid drivetrain consists of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and 2 electric motors (200 hp), which deliver quick acceleration off the line and good power overall. The Civic Hybrid has a comfortable ride as well, with decent steering feedback and tight handling around corners—it’s a fun, easy-to-drive car. Fit and finish are excellent inside and out. And let’s not forget the icing on the cake: an EPA-estimated 49 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The Civic Hybrid’s interior is spacious, with standard heated front seats and easy-to-use controls. And, thankfully, Honda doesn’t make you add stand-alone options and packages to get the features you want—you just move to the next higher trim level. Our fully loaded test car came with standard leather upholstery, sunroof, 9-inch infotainment touch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, power-adjustable front seats, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, and more—a great value at just under $33,000.

As truck aficionados know, Ford’s iconic F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for more than 4 decades straight. We tested the midlevel XLT trim with a 3.5-liter V6 hybrid powertrain. Its 430 hp provides plenty of power and torque and gets better gas mileage (23 mpg combined) than a standard V6 (19 mpg). The F-150’s performance highlights include predictable handling, a relatively comfortable ride, and a tight turning radius, which improves maneuverability. The F-150’s spacious interior is easy to get in and out of and is sensibly laid out, with hard knobs for the climate control and infotainment systems. Our test truck came standard with basic ADAS features, such as automatic emergency braking. But others—adaptive cruise control, for example—are standard only on higher trim levels. Our F-150 was also equipped with Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, standard on the XLT trim, which makes backing up a trailer easier and safer. And a newly standard 12-inch center touch screen with a rearview image makes it much easier to see surroundings when backing up.