Kia has cemented its dominance in the electric vehicle (EV) market, securing back-to-back victories at the UK Car of the Year Awards. Following the EV9’s triumph in 2024, the all-new Kia EV3 has been crowned the UK Car of the Year 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year an electric vehicle has taken the top honour.
The EV3: A Standout Performer
The EV3 first won the Small Crossover category before going head-to-head with the winners of six other segments, ultimately emerging as the overall champion. The competition was fierce, with the Suzuki Swift taking top honours in Small Car, the Skoda Superb in Family Car, and the MINI Countryman in Medium Crossover. The Hyundai Santa Fe won Large Crossover, while the Polestar 4 claimed Executive Car, and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N secured the Performance Car title.
Speaking on Kia’s achievement, John Challen, co-chairman of the UK Car of the Year Awards, praised the EV3’s all-round appeal:
“Securing back-to-back successes in this competition has only been achieved once before, which shows the outstanding attributes and appeal of the Kia EV3. Kia has successfully grown its EV portfolio, and the specification, driving range, and distinctive styling are all EV3 elements that impressed our panel of experts.”
Industry Praise for Kia’s Latest EV Champion
Upon receiving the UK Car of the Year 2025 trophy, Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK, expressed his delight at the company’s continued success:
“We’re delighted to once again be victorious, winning the outright UK Car of the Year Award with the EV3. This follows our success in 2024 with the EV9. These consecutive awards clearly demonstrate Kia’s strong leadership in electrification, the genuine demand from UK customers, and the quality of our product line-up.
With this outstanding recognition and our increasing order bank, we and our dealer partners are confident that the EV3 will continue to be a popular and accessible choice for the growing number of people switching to electric.”
Industry experts have echoed these sentiments, with David Ross, senior editor at heycar, highlighting the EV3’s impressive balance of affordability, technology, and quality:
“The Kia EV3 is a great-looking car with a long warranty, impressive technology, and a premium interior feel, yet it still offers excellent value for money. We’re sure it will prove to be a big hit with heycar buyers, and congratulations are due to Kia for winning this prestigious award.”
A Winning Formula for the Electric Future
The EV3’s victory was decisive, with judges across the automotive industry praising its blend of innovation and practicality. Matt de Prez of Fleet News noted:
“While it competes with small crossovers on price, the EV3 is as big as models in the segment above. Combined with its long range and decent spec, it’s a great all-rounder.”
Gareth Herincx, automotive journalist for Yahoo and Hello, called the EV3 one of the best family-friendly EVs available:
“Distinctive, spacious, safe, competitively priced, and easy to drive, the Kia EV3 is one of the best all-round, family-friendly EVs on the market – and it comes with a seven-year warranty.”
Meanwhile, EV expert Alex Grant highlighted the EV3’s thoughtful design and long-range capability:
“The EV3 takes all of the best bits of the EV9 and distills them into a product targeting one of the UK’s biggest-volume segments. It’s futuristic to look at but intuitive to use, rides and handles UK roads brilliantly, and offers a usefully long range of almost 400 miles. A very easy way for families to go electric.”
A Benchmark for the EV Crossover Market
Kia’s latest triumph further solidifies its reputation as a frontrunner in the EV space. The EV3’s combination of cutting-edge design, competitive pricing, and outstanding range makes it a compelling choice for UK buyers. With the demand for electric vehicles continuing to rise, Kia’s commitment to innovation ensures it remains a dominant force in the automotive landscape.
For more information on the UK Car of the Year Awards 2025, visit ukcoty.co.uk or follow @ukcaroftheyear on Instagram and @UKCOTY on Twitter.
