Since the magazine became independently owned, Elliott and Jamie were adamant about ramming far more feature cars into the magazine than during the previous ownership. That’s all well and good, but it does mean choosing our 2025 Car of the Year shortlist was far harder. To give you an idea how hard, last year we managed to wangle our shortlist down to 22 cars, whereas for 2025 we could only manage 32. A nightmare for us, but far better for you guys. Well, sort of. We guess now the buck is passed over to you guys – to choose your car of the year – that does mean you have more cars to consider!
1. Jan ’25 – Gavin Dunbavin – Mk1 Caddy RWD TYP3 (UK)
Body-dropped over an air-cooled pan with a rear-mounted motor visible through a custom bed. It’s safe to say, Gavin’s Caddy is one of a kind. It graced our cover back in January and our stand at Ultimate Dubs in March. Can it take our Car of the Year honours, too?
2. Jan ’25 – Marquis Anderson – Audi RS3 Stage 3 (USA)
Back in the day, it was only Formula 1 cars or Group B rally weapons that could boast 700hp. Not any more. Marquis Anderson’s RS3 packs that same kind punch, but it also has a full-on luxurious interior, air suspension and a custom boot build! Madness..
3. Jan ’25 – Luke Doughty – Mk5 Golf R32T (UK)
Luke’s Mk5 is a proper track weapon and with over 700bhp from a forged R32 turbo, it’s no wonder it’s capable of 0-62mph in just 3.2 secs and 10-second quarters. The car also features a 7-speed RS3 DQ500 conversion, plus water-meth set-up.
4. JAN 25 – NIKITA KRAVCHENKO – Mk2 JETTA 1.8T BAM (PL)
On first impressions, Nikita’s Mk2 Jetta dreams OEM+, but the closer you look, the more custom parts you spot. The active rear spoiler (with manual and auto adjustment). However, its the engine and bay that is the real party piece – what a creation!
5. FEB 25 – CHARLES SANVILLE – Mk7.5 R 2.5T SPEKTRUM (USA)
Spektrum Golf Rs are pretty rare but Charles ‘The Humble Mechanic’ Sanville’s Ginster is a one of a kind and not because of the colour. Not only does it feature an OEM-look 2.5T DAZA swap, but also a Oettinger TCR Street Design wide body kit.
6. FEB 25 – DAVE ROWE – AUDI GROUP S RS001 (UK)
If you though the Audi Short Sport Quattro was, er, short (and rare) then the RS001 is on another level. Dave Rowe set out to build a recreation of this mental Audi Sport creation (13” shorter than a Sport) using a scale model as a template. What a car, what a guy!
7. FEB 25 – LAZAR IIIC´ – Mk6 GOLF GTI 3.2 VR6 AWD (CA)
Mk6 GTIs don’t come much wilder than Lazar’s AWD-converted car. But why does it need an AWD set-up? Probably to try and keep the HPA-tuned 3.2-litre VR6 in check. A full wide-body kit with super-sized BBS LMs on each corner.
8. FEB 25 – RYAN LEBLANC – Mk3 JETTA 3.6 VR6 AWD COUPE (US)
Other than the body-coloured Abt wheels, Ryan’s Jetta is about as subtle as they come, until you realise it’s been converted into a three-door coupe. And that’s just the start of the mods which centre around a 3.6 motor in a shave day with a full Haldex set-up, too.
9. MAR 25 – ALEX FRASER – CORRADO 3.2 VR6 (UK)
Alex’s Corrado is another subtle build that keeps on giving the more you look. Porsche Perez Green paint kicks things off along with three-piece converted Alfa 75 Speedlines. The car features a 3.2 VR6 swap, rear pop-outs and a trimmed fuel tank plus much more.
10. MAR 25 – JUSTIN BAYLISS – Mk1 GOLF HONDA K24T (USA)
So, yeah, Justin’s rampant Time Attack Rabbit is about as mad as they come. Semi-space frame, carbon fibre wide body and panels with crazy aero, 11×15 wheels and a rear-wheel-drive swap. Oh, and it’s powered by a turbocharged Honda K24 motor. Madness!
11. APR 25 – STEVEN NADASKAI – Mk6 GOLF GTI 2.5T (USA)
A 2.5T-swapped Mk6 is still quite a rare thing, but Steve’s blown five-pot GTI is a total one-off. This is largely due to the custom wide-bodykit – designed and created by Steve – and crazy mods. Think custom roll cage, custom wheels, custom interior. The list of custom goes on…
12. APR 25 – JEROEN RASKE – SKODA SUPERB 2.5T (NL)
Wait, a Skoda in our Car of the Year short list? You betcha! Jeroen’s superb Superb graced our pages back in April. Okay, so the 750hp 2.5T drew us in, but the custom Sonoma Green colour, gold Motec wheels and subtle styling had us sold!
13. APR 25 – MICHAL WEJEROWSKI – Mk1 GOLF 16v (PL)
Michal’s Viper Green Mk1 killed it visually and that’s before he popped the hood. The car features a 2.0 16v running a self-built ITB system using E39 M3 bodies, plus a home-made air suspension set up complemented by staggered SSR Formula Mesh splitties.
14. MAY 25 – JAMIE BRIGGS – Mk1 GOLF BMW 2.5 RWD (UK)
The Mk1 Madness continued in May when Jamie’s bonkers rear-wheel-drive drift car stole cover. Things kick off with a semi-space frame chassis which contains a BMW 2.5 straight-six motor featuring a whopping Pulsar turbo and around 400hp!
15. MAY 25 – STEFAN WILKOMM – Mk1 POLO 16v (DE)
Stefan’s stunning Mk1 Polo is super subtle externally with just BBS RS and Audi door handles being the only hints at what lies inside. The pièce de résistance being a polished 1.4 AFH 16v. In fact, most of the parts underneath this car are polished or chromed.
16. MAY 25 – DAN WATTS – CADDY HIGHLINE R (UK)
Dan’s Caddy catches your eye straight away due to the amazing Porsche Chromaflair paint and choice of two styles of CSW wheels. But despite the custom interior it’s the 424bhp MK7.5 Golf R engine housed in a smooth bay that steals the show.
17. MAY 25 – DANE BYRON – Mk1 CADDY 3.2 24v (CA)
It was only after viewing the build shots of Dane’s Caddy that we appreciated quite how far he’d gone with the rebuild. Porsche Arena paint, air suspension, Epsilon splits, a stunning peanut butter style trim and 3.2 24v VR6 swap. Wow!
18. JUN 25 – MARIUS WEHMEIER – Mk2 GOLF 3.0 VR6T (DE)
The 1048hp cover line was a bit of a mic drop moment, but there’s far more to Marius’ Mk2 than power. The VR6 turbo itself is a visual work of art that still powers the front-wheels only! Carbon roof, custom cage, prototype H&R suspension. The list goes on.
19. JUL 25 – ERIK MARRIER – Mk1 CADDY 2.5 07K (USA)
We featured two of Erik’s Caddy pick-ups but it was his Toffee Brown truck that won us over with its 2.5-litre five-pot motor housed in a smooth bay, contrasting custom red leather interior and dreamy 16” Autostradt Mk8 splits.
20. AUG 25 – CABILIS PERFORMANCE – Mk1 GOLF 16S (GR)
This isn’t the first time a Cabilis car has stole our cover and rightly so. The Greek tuner’s Oettinger 16v powered hill climb Mk1 Golf was about as hardcore as motorsport builds come. If money were no object, then this is the type of car we would create!
21. AUG 25 – AARON GOODLAD – Mk7 GOLF R (UK)
We’ve featured some sweet Mk7s over the years but Aaron’s Golf R is about as comprehensive as they come. Carbon coated engine visible through a custom cut-out bonnet, carbon Recaros, rear roll cage, air ride, custom split rims and so much more.
22. AUG 25 – SWEN KNAPPE – Mk1 POLO G40 (DE)
Another Mk1 Polo in our Car of the Year short list. Swen’s car features a full-fat Polo G40 swap and it doesn’t really try the hide the fact thanks to the G-Lader poking out of the modified grille and huge front-mount intercooler hanging below the bumper. Bonkers!
23. AUG 25 – WINSTON JULIUS – Mk2 JETTA 1.8T AWD (UK)
We love a Mk2 Jetta Coupe and Winston’s was about as good as they get. Westy front, pop out rear windows and zero lip BBS are all subtle. You’d never guess it runs a BAM 1.8T in clean bay and Audi TT AWD system. Such an understated build. That’s why we love it.
24. SEPT 25 – DUSTIN SHAW – Mk1 SCIROCCO 1.8T (USA)
Sadly, we don’t feature too many Sciroccos but when we caught a load of Dustin’s Mk1 we knew what we had to do! Subtle styling, stunning Altermann AM302 split rims, red leather interior and a 1.8T mounted in a cleaned bay.
25. SEPT 25 – JORDAN HENRY – Mk6 GOLF E35 (UK)
Edition 35s are pretty special cars as standard. Jordan’s Mk6 is far from standard, but despite the engine tune, the custom paint and open bonnet, the air suspension, roll cage and custom trim, he’s still kept many of the unique E35 touches.
26. OCT 25 – GARY FRENCH – Mk1 16vT (UK)
Gary French of GDF Fab has been around the scene for almost as long as we have. So, in fact, has his epic more-door MK1 16v turbo. We love the subtle Jetta front, custom Fuch splits and poppy red interior, but it’s the motor set-up that really does it for us.
27. NOV 25 – ANDY RILEY – T5 4.2TT V8 (UK)
What’s pink (okay, it’s technically Rubystone Red), has a twin-turbo RS4 V8 and can fit the whole family in (including the grand parents)? You guessed it, Andi Riley’s 800+bhp T5 Transporter. We don’t feature many buses on cover but we had no choice with this beast!
28. NOV 25 – GETHIN EVANS – Mk6 GOLF R (NI)
Dubshed co-founder, Ethan Evans is a man of few words, but boy does he know how to build a sweet VW. His Mk3 VR6T build is the thing of legend, and his latest 434bhp APR-tuned Mk6 creation is heading that way. OEM+ and then some.
29. NOV 25 – DAN MASSON – Mk5 GOLF E30 (UK)
The Edition 30 is a really special car in standard trim. Dan’s example takes things to the next level with a big turbo, big brakes and big attitude. Despite running air ride, Dan drives the car hard and low. Effectively, Dan’s built his version of an E30 Clubsport…
30. NOV 25 – RYAN CHAPPLE – POLO G40T (UK)
It’s nice to see so many Polos in are COTY running this year. Ryan’s G40 is visibly quite subtle until you start looking more closely. A motorsport-themed interior, stripped rear seats and water meth tank all hint at the turbocharged G40 motor that lives under the hood.
31. DEC 25 – RICARDO KRUIJF’S – Mk1 GOLF 2.5T (NL)
We don’t see many 1000+bhp Golf and especially not Mk1s, but Dutchman Richardo has gone full-monty with his 2.5-litre, five cylinder turbo example. This has got to be arguably the most hardcore Mk1 to ever grace these pages. Say no more…
32. DEC 25 – BRAD PAJAK – Mk2 SCIROCCO 16v (UK)
Brad is proudly flying the flag for Mk2 Scirocco owners and rightly so with his carb-fed 16v example. We love the base-spec body which lets that beautiful Scirocco design shine through. Bagged over 17” BBS RS. The minimal engine bay is where the magic happens, though.
