Historic success: Volkswagen is the first manufacturer to receive 'Golden Steering Wheel' award for four models
This year, Volkswagen has achieved exceptional success and is the first manufacturer in the 49-year history of the Golden Steering Wheel to win in as many as four categories. The Golf GTI EDITION 50 prevails in the compact class against two electrically powered competitors, while the ID.7 GTX Tourer wins in the upper mid-size class against two models from German premium manufacturers. The new Tayron wins as the best family car against two SUVs from the Czech Republic and Sweden, and the new T-Roc receives the editorial prize as ‘Best car under 40,000 euros, at the ‘Goldene Lenkrad’ (The Golden Steering Wheel) awards.
Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, said: “Four Golden Steering Wheels at once – we are the first brand to achieve this. I am incredibly proud of the entire Volkswagen team. These awards are an important sign that we are on the right track with our Volkswagen BOOST 2030 strategy. Our goal is clear: we want to become the leading volume manufacturer for technology. Next year, we’ll be launching six new models – one fantastic car after the other. With strong design, top quality, premium technologies and the right name – 100 per cent Volkswagen!”
AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG have awarded the Golden Steering Wheel each year since 1976, and it is considered one of Europe’s most prestigious automotive awards. A total of 72 new models were available for selection for the Golden Steering Wheel 2025. The readers of AUTO BILD, its European partner magazines and the BILD am SONNTAG newspaper were able to determine the best vehicles of the year in a preliminary poll. The top three vehicles in each category were then tested by a jury at the Lausitzring circuit (Germany). In addition to trade journalists from the BILD Group, this included racing drivers and celebrity car enthusiasts. Ratings were awarded in 17 categories in the areas of drive, chassis, design, quality, sustainability, price-performance ratio, safety and consumption.
Overview of the four winning models:
- Volkswagen is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the GTI next year and is launching the most powerful production model in the history of the GTI in time for the anniversary year: the Golf GTI EDITION 50. The exclusive model with 239 kW (325 PS) and a torque of 420 Nm offers outstanding driving dynamics and numerous design highlights
- The highly dynamic ID.7 GTX Tourer has enriched the product range since summer 2024 and is the first fully electric estate car from Volkswagen – with generous space, high travel comfort and a 250 kW (340 PS) dual-motor all-wheel drive
- The new Tayron is a spacious all-round SUV that is positioned between the Tiguan and the Touareg. The Tayron combines comfort, versatility and modern technologies. It is optionally available with seven seats and offers a towing capacity of up to 2.5 tonnes
- The new T-Roc is high-quality and innovative, and has been improved in all areas compared to the predecessor model: with a sporty, elegant design, more space and comfort, innovative hybrid technology and assistance systems from higher classes
To find out more about any of the models featured, contact our sales team on 01202 713000 (option 1)
1 Golf GTI EDITION 50 – Combined energy consumption: 7.9–7.6 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 179–173 g/km; CO₂ class: G-F
2 ID.7 GTX Tourer – Combined energy consumption 18.8–16.6 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions 0 g/km; CO₂ class A