Volkswagen Group Claims Six Golden Steering Wheel Awards, Marking a Historic Win for the Brand in Prestigious European Competition

Volkswagen Group Claims Six Golden Steering Wheel Awards, Marking a Historic Win for the Brand in Prestigious European Competition

(IN BRIEF) The Volkswagen Group celebrated a historic victory at the 2025 Golden Steering Wheel awards, winning six of the twelve total trophies, including an unprecedented four wins for the Volkswagen brand alone. These awards, given by AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG, honor the best-performing new vehicles across Europe based on reader input and expert testing. The winning models highlight the Group’s technological diversity, ranging from performance-driven vehicles like the Volkswagen Golf GTI EDITION 500 and Porsche 911 GT3 to electric models like the Volkswagen ID.7 GTX Tourer. CUPRA also secured a prize with its Terramar VZ 1.5 e-Hybrid, while the Volkswagen Tayron and T-Roc captured awards in the family and value segments, respectively. Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume welcomed the results as confirmation of their product strategy’s success and reiterated their ambition to lead automotive innovation on a global scale.

(PRESS RELEASE) WOLFSBURG, 18-Nov-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The Volkswagen Group has achieved a landmark victory at the 49th “Golden Steering Wheel” awards, with six of its models taking home top honors—half of all prizes awarded. The Volkswagen brand itself secured an unprecedented four wins in a single year, more than any other brand in the history of the competition. CUPRA and Porsche also each claimed a victory, reinforcing the Group’s leadership across various automotive segments.

The Volkswagen Group is the most successful manufacturer at the 49th edition of the Golden Steering Wheel. Copyright: Volkswagen AG

The annual “Golden Steering Wheel” awards, organized by AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG, are recognized as among the most prestigious in Europe, combining reader votes and expert jury evaluations that test the best new vehicles in real-life driving conditions. This year, 72 models competed across various categories, including design, sustainability, performance, and safety.

In the compact class, Volkswagen’s Golf GTI EDITION 50—launching in celebration of the GTI’s 50th anniversary—secured the win with its 239 kW (325 PS) power and advanced design features. CUPRA’s Terramar VZ 1.5 e-Hybrid was honored in the mid-size category for its versatile plug-in hybrid capability and dynamic styling. The all-electric ID.7 GTX Tourer was chosen as the best upper mid-size vehicle, while Porsche’s cutting-edge 911 GT3 was selected as the top sports car. Volkswagen’s Tayron SUV excelled in the family car category thanks to its space, versatility, and seven-seat option. Meanwhile, the Volkswagen T-Roc earned the editorial award for “Best car under €40,000,” recognized for its premium upgrades, hybrid technology, and enhanced safety.

Six Golden Steering Wheels for the Volkswagen Group – a strong signal of the successful product offensive. Copyright: Volkswagen AG

Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume praised the results, calling them a validation of the company’s product strategy:
“The Golden Steering Wheel is one of the most prestigious automotive awards in Europe and therefore extremely important to us – especially because of the unique combination of reader votes and jury decision. The result shows that our product offensive is working, our new models are very well received, with innovations and iconic design. The Volkswagen Group is delivering and is back! With new energy, a clear direction, and an explicit ambition: we want to be the global automotive tech driver.”

This year’s recognitions underline the Volkswagen Group’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, as well as its ability to deliver design icons that resonate with both experts and customers across Europe.

Media Contacts:

Christoph Oemisch
Corporate Communications
Spokesperson Finance and Sales
+49 (0) 152 0936 4626
christoph.oemisch@volkswagen.de

SOURCE: Volkswagen AG