TechLekh Awards: Best Cars of 2025 in Nepal Winners!

Electric vehicles continue to dominate Nepal’s market in 2025, and Chinese manufacturers still lead the charge. However, the focus this year has shifted.

In 2024, it felt overwhelming to keep track of the sheer number of brands entering the EV space. But in 2025, the industry has finally settled to a degree.

The conversation is no longer just about who entered the market, but how these brands have evolved. Some introduced new models, some expanded their lineups, some remained unchanged, and some disappeared altogether. As automotive journalists, it’s our responsibility to recognize these shifts, understand their significance, and communicate them clearly.

Among the cars launched in Nepal in 2025, we have handpicked the ones that genuinely stood out. Here is the 2025 Edition of the TechLekh Awards for the Best Cars in Nepal!

TechLekh Awards: Best Cars of 2025 in Nepal

So how did we hand out the TechLekh Awards?

We followed a process that was a mix of objective evaluation, i.e., price, performance, features, comfort, etc., with abstract judgement, i.e., design appeal, segment identity, brand perception, etc. But at the core, we asked whether these cars could truly represent the story of 2025 within their respective segments.

It is also important to understand that these awards do more than celebrate category winners. They reflect the spirit of Nepal’s fast-evolving EV landscape, where innovation and value are finally beginning to align.

Now, let’s jump into the award categories for the cars. They are as follows:

1. Best Family Car
2. Best Value Car
3. Best SUV
4. Best Premium SUV
5. Best City Car
6. Best Debut

TechLekh Awards: Best Cars of 2025 Winners

Now, let’s get the list going! Starting with the…

#1. Best Family Car: 2025 BYD Dolphin 

The BYD Dolphin continues to prove why it’s a Family favorite in Nepal. With over 3,000 units on the road, its appeal shows no signs of slowing down. The 2025 model builds on that trust, refining what already worked and solving what didn’t.

The previous Dolphin struggled with low ground clearance, especially on rough Nepali roads. BYD addressed this by slightly stiffening the suspension, giving it better composure without sacrificing too much comfort. The new model also replaces its old lead-acid low-voltage battery with a more durable LFP unit, adds brighter headlights, and brings in thoughtful features like a Mobile NFC key, Bluetooth key, and passenger door switch, all while keeping the same price tag of Rs. 41.15 lakhs.

Under the hood, the 70 kW motor paired with a 44.9 kWh battery delivers a realistic range of around 300 km. It’s not about raw power but reliable, efficient performance that fits family life perfectly. The spacious cabin, supportive seats, and practical 345-liter boot make it an easy daily companion.

When it comes to safety, the Dolphin earns confidence with its sturdy chassis, Blade Battery technology, six airbags, and ADAS features. And, it is backed by BYD’s strong reputation and market appeal, as highlighted by its sales numbers and its sheer presence on the roads anywhere you go. To sweeten the deal even further, BYD Nepal backs its vehicle with a 10-year warranty on battery and motor, which can go a long way from a family buyer’s perspective.

#2. Best Value Car: Dongfeng Nammi Vigo (E2+)

Like big brother, like little brother. After the Nammi 01 won this title last year, the new Nammi Vigo’s E2+ variant carries the legacy forward by claiming Best Value Car of 2025.

Starting with the most important factor, its price. The E2+ variant of the Vigo is priced at 42 lakhs, and at this price, we automatically tend to adjust our expectations of what we would get. But the Vigo doesn’t let you down! You get a ferocious amount of features, a driving range of WLTP-certified 350 km, and fast charging up to 167 kW (rare for this price bracket), making it a well-rounded choice from a value perspective. Moreover, its 99 kW motor paired with a light body (around 1.5 tons) gives it a lively performance as well.

The Vigo’s youthful SUV styling, combined with ample practicality, which includes a 70-liter frunk and 500-liter boot, premium touches like ventilated and heated front seats, and an ADAS suite, makes it feel a class above. With Nammi already celebrating over 1000 units of the 01 on Nepali roads, the Vigo strengthens the brand’s growing reputation for delivering affordable yet premium EVs.

The overall packaging of likeable design, performance, range, features (some of them class-above), and the brand’s own philosophy of bang-for-bucks makes it the Best Value Car of 2025.

#3. Best SUV: MG S5 EV (Luxury)

The MG S5 EV takes home our Best SUV of 2025 award, specifically its top-end Luxury variant. Calling the SUV category competitive feels like an understatement. It is a brutally contested space where every brand tries to outshine the other. Choosing one winner felt almost impossible, but after long discussions and careful scoring across all our criteria, the MG S5 EV stood out.

Price played a big role. The S5 EV Luxury variant comes in at Rs. 55 Lakhs, and considering everything it brings to the table, the value feels almost surprising. It checks all the boxes of what a modern SUV should represent: presence, comfort, performance, and genuine everyday purpose.

MG built it on a dedicated EV platform and paired it with a 99 kW motor, a rear-wheel-drive layout, and what it claims to be one of the thinnest battery packs in the world. This combination gives the S5 EV a refined and confident character. Its 62.2 kWh battery delivers up to 430 km of WLTP range and supports fast charging at around 150 kW. On the features front, it leaves very little to complain about.

Beyond the spec sheet, its real impact comes from what it achieved in the market. The buzz it created, the sales numbers it managed to pull, and the excitement it sparked among EV buyers all speak for themselves. It delivered what MG fans had been hoping for, raised expectations for what an electric SUV should offer, and brought new energy to the segment. And that is ultimately why it wins.

#4. Best Premium SUV: MG IM6

“Premium” is a word that gets overused, but the MG IM6 gives it real meaning. It entered Nepal quietly, almost overshadowed by louder EV launches, yet the moment we experienced it, the blend of refinement, smart tech, and polished driving made its intentions clear. That’s why it earned our Best Premium SUV of 2025 award.

Its performance credentials are genuinely impressive. The sleek, aerodynamic body pairs with a 109 kW motor and rear-wheel-drive setup, delivering thrilling acceleration and a top speed of over 200 km/h. For daily use, the 75 kWh battery offers a solid 450 km WLTP range, and the high-voltage system supports 153 kW DC charging, taking it from 30% to 80% in just 20 minutes.

But the true premium feel lies inside. Soft-touch materials, precise finishing, and generously padded seats set the tone. Triple screens, a 20-speaker audio setup, and a well-tuned suspension elevate the cabin even further, making you double-check the price. Practicality is another strength. You get 24 storage compartments, a 32-liter frunk, and a 665-liter boot. While there’s no official crash rating yet, the IM6 packs 7 airbags, ADAS features, driver monitoring, corner brake control, and a 360-degree camera, covering all major safety expectations.

It’s not flawless. The 175 mm ground clearance is acceptable but may be tested on harsher roads. The car is also large, stretching nearly five meters in length and two meters in width. Thankfully, four-wheel steering makes it surprisingly manageable in tight spaces.

At Rs. 75 Lakhs, the IM6 feels exceptionally well-valued and stands out for all the right reasons. The last thing this brand needs to do is to connect with the consumers. While its distribution has been taken up by Paramount Motors (same as MG), the market still seems largely unknown about a capable car like this.

#5. Best City Car: BYD Atto 1 (Premium)

City cars usually come across as small, boxy runabouts that focus more on squeezing through city lanes than offering any real excitement. And to be fair, that reputation exists for a reason. These cars often prioritize cost and compactness above everything else. Still, Nepal has embraced them, mostly because they are easy to live with, reasonably practical, and affordable as a second car. But the BYD Atto 1, specifically the Premium variant, feels like something that can shift this narrative.

Let’s address the obvious first. The Atto 1 Premium sits at 33 lakhs, which is nowhere near “budget-friendly” for this segment. But its price isn’t baseless. BYD built the Atto 1 on the same e-Platform 3.0 as the Atto 3 and Atto 2, which immediately gives it a stronger foundation than its rivals. Its powertrain also reflects that. The 45 kW motor won’t thrill enthusiasts, but it performs better than the typical city EV and offers a WLTP range of 300 km along with 40 kW fast charging. For buyers who want a small EV that doesn’t feel compromised from day one, this matters.

The interior continues this premium approach. You get synthetic leatherette seats, adjustable seating and steering, a 10.1-inch infotainment system, a 7-inch instrument cluster, and a decent four-speaker setup. It feels more grown-up than most cars in this class. However, its biggest strength is safety. Mini EVs rarely focus on it, but BYD does. The Atto 1 packs six airbags, an electronic parking brake, a tire pressure monitoring system, a rear camera with sensors, hill assist, and even a Vehicle to Load function. You do not usually see this level of equipment in a compact EV.

Practicality holds up well too. You get 230 liters of storage that expands to 930 liters with the seats folded. Nothing extraordinary, but completely adequate. What really works in its favor is the BYD badge, which holds a lot of weight in Nepal. Even buyers who remain skeptical about small EVs tend to trust BYD more than other brands in this segment.

So while the Atto 1 Premium is expensive for its size, it brings enough substance to justify its position. It feels like the most well-rounded city EV you can buy in 2025. Hence, it earns the title for Best City Car of 2025.

#6. Best Debut: Deepal S05

The Deepal S05 wins 2025’s Best Debut because it is truly a complete and well-executed package. While several models debuted with strong credentials, the S05 strikes the perfect balance of design, engineering, and real-world usability. It carries the design confidence and cabin familiarity of the S07 but places a sharper focus on the EV fundamentals that matter most, i.e., battery safety, charging performance, and everyday efficiency.

Deepal’s strategy for Nepal has been clear from the start, which is to deliver tech-forward products that will turn heads and spark interest, and the S05 embodies that approach as well. Its 99 kW motor may seem modest, but the rear-wheel-drive layout gives it a composed, confident driving feel. The real highlight, however, is the Golden Shield LFP battery, currently one of the most advanced and safety-oriented battery systems in Nepal. The real-world range of around 375 kms, while modest compared to some competitors, is balanced out by efficiency and everyday usability.

The S05 derives its interior from the S07, which was already revered in the Nepali market for its premiumness, smart tech features, and overall refinement. Yet pricing remains grounded, starting at Rs. 50 Lakhs to Rs. 57 Lakhs, which might not sound very affordable, but when you compare it with alternatives, it makes a strong case in terms of value proposition. It stands as the entry-level vehicle from Deepal in Nepal, but doesn’t compromise in any of the important aspects, and for the standard it has created in the price bracket, it is the Best Debut of 2025.

TechLekh Awards: Best Cars of 2025 Winners List

Here’s the summary list of the titles and their respective winners of the TechLekh Awards for the Best Cars of 2025:

So these are our picks for the Best Cars of 2025 in various categories. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments!