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Auto9 Awards 2025 puts India’s electric and performance dreams in pole
MUMBAI: Fast lanes, fresh powertrains and a clear shift in gears. India’s auto story hit top speed at the Auto9 Awards 2025, where electrification, performance and design-led thinking shared the podium at a ceremony hosted by TV9 Network at the Buddh International Circuit on January 18, 2026.
With a jury of industry veterans, mobility experts and senior leaders, the awards set out to separate hype from horsepower. Entries were judged across design, performance, value, innovation, safety, sustainability and consumer relevance criteria that mirror how Indian buyers are evolving, and how manufacturers are responding.
The evening’s biggest headline was electric. The Mahindra XEV 9E was crowned Car of the Year, underlining how EVs have moved from fringe to front row in India’s mobility conversation. In two-wheelers, the TVS Apache RTX 300 swept multiple honours, including Bike of the Year, signalling that performance-led engineering still commands loyalty even as electrification gathers pace.
Opening the ceremony, chief guest Nitin Gadkari framed the larger picture. He noted that the automobile sector remains a cornerstone of India’s economy, contributing the highest GST revenues to both the Centre and states, while also emerging as the country’s biggest export engine.
Beyond individual winners, the awards painted a broader portrait of an industry in transition. Electric SUVs sat comfortably alongside performance hatchbacks, premium sedans and commuter motorcycles. Sustainability, too, had its moment, with Toyota Kirloskar India taking home Green Sustainability Champion of the Year, and Maruti Suzuki India Private Limited being recognised as Road Safety Champion of the Year.
At the manufacturer level, Mahindra & Mahindra was named Manufacturer of the Year, reflecting its aggressive push across EVs, SUVs and global markets. The Automotive Personality of the Year award went to Santosh Iyer, honouring leadership that has helped shape India’s modern automotive ecosystem.
TV9 Network, MD and CEO Barun Das described the awards as a marker of momentum rather than mere celebration. He said the Auto9 platform chronicles a phase where Indian mobility is no longer playing catch-up but setting benchmarks, with consumers increasingly influencing global trends rather than following them.
The winners’ list reinforced that sentiment. From the MG Cyberster claiming Sports Car of the Year, and the Volkswagen Golf GTI taking Performance Hatchback of the Year, to the Tata Sierra being recognised for Design of the Year (4W), the spread reflected diversity in both intent and execution. In EV categories, models such as the Mercedes-Benz G580 and Ultraviolette X-47 Crossover showed how luxury and sustainability are beginning to converge.
Two-wheelers, often the backbone of Indian mobility, had their own moment in the spotlight. Alongside the Apache RTX 300’s dominance, the Honda CB125 Hornet won Commuter Bike of the Year, while the TVS Orbiter and Aprilia SR 175 picked up EV Scooter and ICE Scooter of the Year honours respectively.
By the time the chequered flag fell on Auto9 Awards 2025, one theme was clear. India’s automotive future is not choosing between electric and performance, value and aspiration, or domestic scale and global ambition. It is attempting all of them at once and, judging by this year’s winners, doing so with growing confidence.
Auto9 Awards 2025 – Winners
Four-Wheelers
. Car of the Year: Mahindra XEV 9E
. Sports Car of the Year: MG Cyberster
. SUV of the Year: Hyundai Venue
. EV of the Year: Mahindra XEV 9E
. Family Car of the Year: Kia Carens Clavis
. New Entrant of the Year: VinFast
. Premium Sedan of the Year: Skoda Octavia RS
. Gamechanger of the Year: Skoda Kylaq
. Performance Hatchback of the Year: Volkswagen Golf GTI
. Luxury SUV of the Year: BMW X3
. Luxury EV of the Year: Mercedes-Benz G580
. Design of the Year (4W): Tata Sierra
. Premium SUV of the Year: BYD Sealion 7
. Value for Money Car of the Year: Honda Amaze
. Value for Money Car of the Year (EV): VinFast VF6
. MPV of the Year: MG M9
. Update of the Year: Citroën Basalt X
. Viewer’s Choice Car of the Year: Maruti Suzuki Victoris
Two-Wheelers
. Bike of the Year: TVS Apache RTX 300
. Commuter Bike of the Year: Honda CB125 Hornet
. EV Motorcycle of the Year: Ultraviolette X-47 Crossover
. EV Scooter of the Year: TVS Orbiter
. Scooter of the Year (ICE): Aprilia SR 175
. Premium Bike of the Year: TVS Apache RTX 300
. Design of the Year (2W): Ultraviolette X-47 Crossover
. Value for Money Two-Wheeler: TVS Apache RTX 300
. Update of the Year (2W): Suzuki Access 125
. Manufacturer of the Year (2W): Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India
Mobility Excellence
. Manufacturer of the Year: Mahindra & Mahindra
. Green Sustainability Champion of the Year: Toyota Kirloskar India
. Road Safety Champion of the Year: Maruti Suzuki India Private Limited
. Automotive Personality of the Year: Santosh Iyer
. Campaign of the Year: Skoda Octavia x Rishabh Sharma
. Digital Activation of the Year: Hyundai Creta EV – Test Driven by 100
. Export Champion of the Year: Maruti Suzuki India Limited
. After Sales & Customer Delight Award: Honda Cars India Limited
MUMBAI: Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late Ajit Pawar, will take oath as Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister on Saturday, media reports say, two days after his death in a plane crash.
According to reports, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has summoned a legislature party meeting at 2pm on Saturday, where Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, is expected to be elected as leader. She is then likely to be sworn in as deputy chief minister at around 5pm at Raj Bhavan, as preparations are underway at the governor’s residence.
Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister and a veteran NCP leader, died when a chartered Learjet 45 carrying him and four others crashed near Baramati on 28 January. The aviation regulator confirmed that all on board were killed when the aircraft burst into flames during a second landing attempt.
The sudden loss of one of Maharashtra’s most experienced politicians has prompted swift consultation among NCP leaders. Party figures, including working president Praful Patel, have been involved in talks on succession and organisational continuity. Reports suggest that several senior leaders support Sunetra Pawar’s elevation, viewing it as a unifying choice at a fraught moment.
According to party allies, Sunetra Pawar may also be considered for additional responsibilities within the state government. Some sources indicate that she would oversee portfolios such as excise and sports, while the finance brief could move to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Observers see this as a pragmatic division of duties intended to balance governance and political stability.
The transition unfolds against the backdrop of wider speculation over the future of the NCP, including talks about reconciling rival factions that split in recent years. Close aides of Ajit Pawar had been exploring avenues to bring the party’s different strands back together before his death, and that conversation may now gain fresh impetus.
Ajit Pawar’s demise has left a notable vacuum in Maharashtra politics. As a long-serving deputy chief minister, he had overseen key portfolios, including finance and planning, and played a central role in the state’s coalition government. His unexpected death has triggered intense reflection among allies and critics alike on both his legacy and the path ahead.
As Maharashtra prepares for Sunetra Pawar’s swearing-in, the NCP faces its most urgent test in years: turning tragedy into cohesion and navigating a new chapter in state leadership.
NEW DELHI: According to media reports, Firstpost has appointed senior journalist Binoy Prabhakar as its new chief content officer, bringing seasoned editorial expertise on board as the digital news platform embarks on its next phase of growth.
Prabhakar joins from Hindustan Times, where he spent nearly three years as chief content officer, shaping editorial strategy and guiding content for a rapidly evolving digital audience.
Earlier, he served as editor at Moneycontrol and CNBCTV18.com, and spent over a decade at The Economic Times in senior editorial roles. His career also includes leadership positions at Network18, The Indian Express and The Times of India.
A fellow of the Tow Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism in New York, Prabhakar combines newsroom experience with a keen understanding of digital storytelling.
At Firstpost, he is expected to strengthen editorial depth, sharpen the platform’s voice, and drive content innovation as readers increasingly look for clarity in a crowded news landscape.
NEW DELHI: According to media reports, senior journalist Palki Sharma has stepped down from her role as managing editor of Firstpost and is set to launch her own independent venture.
During her impactful tenure at Network18, Sharma was the primary architect behind Firstpost’s transformation into a global video news powerhouse. Her most notable achievement was the launch of the flagship show, Vantage with Palki Sharma, which became a digital phenomenon, driving the platform to reach 9.2 million YouTube subscribers by early 2026.
Under her leadership, the platform achieved a historic milestone of over 2 billion views in 2025, successfully repositioning the brand to offer a “uniquely Indian lens” on international affairs for a massive global audience.
According to the same reports, Firstpost has also appointed Binoy Prabhakar as its chief content officer. Prabhakar brings over 25 years of editorial experience, having previously worked with media organisations such as Hindustan Times, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, Moneycontrol, and CNBCTV18.com. He will be responsible for guiding Firstpost’s editorial direction as the brand moves into its next phase of growth.
As Firstpost turns the page, the moves signal transition, not disruption. While Palki Sharma charts an independent path after reshaping the platform’s global voice, Binoy Prabhakar steps in to steer its next chapter with seasoned editorial leadership.
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