“CCA 2025: Top 5 Contenders According to Insiders”

Here’s an overview of the September 9th broadcast of the show ‘Trên Ghế 168’ on HTV9.

The Car Choice Awards 2025 has officially kicked off and the nominees for each category have been announced.

Today, expert Doan Anh Dung will share his top 5 picks for the categories of ‘Gen Z Car of the Year’, ‘Service Car of the Year’, and ‘Hybrid Car of the Year’.

First, what are your top 5 picks for the ‘Gen Z Car of the Year’ category?

I believe that the nominees for this category should be youthful and trendy.

VinFast VF 6: Greenification is a major trend these days, and the VF 6 strikes a balance between many factors. Its price is reasonable, making it accessible to young people under 35 with limited finances.

Lynk & Co 06: This car has been quite popular among young people lately. It has an eye-catching, charismatic design and, in my opinion, offers great value for money.

Mazda3: Although it’s an older model, I consider the Mazda3 to be a ‘people’s car’. It’s a safe choice for those who are a bit nostalgic and want something stable. The design is decent, and it’s affordable to maintain.

Honda City: I believe that young people working in the government sector would prefer a car that conveys maturity and sophistication without being too old, like the Toyota Vios.

Mitsubishi Xforce: This is an affordable, high-clearance car with a spacious interior, making it a good choice for young families. The Xforce is also popular in the provinces for its imposing, modern design.

Next, let’s move on to a very specific category: Service Car of the Year. What are your choices?

VinFast VF 5: This is an obvious choice. The VF 5 is everywhere on the roads these days, and it’s reshaping the service car segment in Vietnam. Companies are opting for this model to optimize costs, as it has low maintenance fees due to its almost wear-free mechanical parts, and extremely low operating costs thanks to VinFast’s free charging offer. Positioned as a size A CUV, the VF 5 offers ample space, making it suitable for long-distance trips to the countryside or provinces.

Mitsubishi Xpander: This 7-seater MPV has a high clearance and an affordable price tag, making it a popular choice.

Kia Carnival: My perspective on this may differ from other members of the Car Choice Awards professional judging council. I believe this model defines the high-end service car segment.

I know of several passenger transport companies in the northern region that use the Carnival for long-distance trips. With improved road infrastructure and the availability of highways, the Carnival has become a preferred choice over sleeper buses. A single Carnival is typically handled by 2-3 drivers and operates non-stop. Some of these cars rack up 100,000-150,000km in just a year.

The Carnival has low maintenance costs, and its spacious interior provides comfort for all passengers.

Toyota Vios and Hyundai Accent: Both of these sedans offer manual and automatic transmission versions with similar price tags. This makes them suitable for both service and personal use, especially in provinces far from major cities like Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Ca Mau, and Can Tho, where users need a car with an extensive network of authorized dealers for convenient maintenance.

Additionally, these B-segment sedans can be rented out as wedding cars, as people with limited financial means often opt for more affordable choices.

Last year, hybrid cars gained significant traction in the Vietnamese market. Thus, the Car Choice Awards 2025 organizers decided to introduce the ‘Hybrid Car of the Year’ category. What are your top 5 picks?

The top 5 ‘Hybrid Car of the Year’ should excel in performance and offer better environmental protection than other models.

Toyota Camry: There are many hybrid cars on the market, but I find the Camry to be the most stable. Toyota’s hybrid engines aren’t too loud. Moreover, the hybrid system in the Camry performs well and delivers a pleasant driving experience.

Honda CR-V: The CR-V e:HEV’s electric motor is designed to prioritize speed. Its electric motor complements the gasoline engine, providing extra power. However, this also makes the CR-V a bit noisy.

BYD Sealion 6: I find this Chinese model fun to drive. However, the overall driving experience feels disjointed. While it has a good chassis, engine, and a usable steering wheel, these components don’t seem to work together harmoniously.

Kia Carnival: This model pioneered the use of hybrid technology in the mid-size MPV segment in Vietnam. I’m excluding the Toyota Alphard and Lexus LM from consideration due to their high prices.

Suzuki Ertiga: This is the most affordable hybrid car on the market. It has 7 seats and, according to service providers, is very fuel-efficient, consuming only about 4 liters per 100km.

Thank you very much, Mr. Dung.