Kia continues to solidify its reputation as a leading force in the electric vehicle market, with the Kia EV3 claiming the prestigious ‘Small Crossover’ title at the UK Car of the Year (UKCOTY) Awards 2025. This accolade not only highlights the EV3’s excellence in the highly competitive crossover segment but also secures its place in the final round for the overall ‘UK Car of the Year 2025’ award, set to be announced on 6 March.
A Respected Recognition
Since its inception in 2014, the UKCOTY Awards have been instrumental in guiding the nation’s car-buying public towards the best new models available. Judged by a panel of esteemed motoring journalists representing various regions of the UK, these awards are among the most credible in the industry. The Kia EV3’s triumph in the ‘Small Crossover’ category underscores its suitability for British consumers and reinforces its growing list of high-profile accolades.
The Kia EV3: A Game-Changer in Its Class
The EV3 is Kia’s latest electric vehicle to hit UK roads and represents the brand’s most affordable EV offering to date. Designed with a balance of practicality and innovation, the model boasts:
- An impressive range of up to 375 miles (WLTP) on a single charge¹
- A spacious interior inspired by a modern living room, enhancing comfort for families
- Cutting-edge driving technologies that position it as one of the most efficient models in its class
True to small crossover aesthetics, the EV3 combines a compact yet robust exterior with generous passenger and cargo space, making it an appealing choice for urban and suburban drivers alike.
Acclaimed by Experts
The UKCOTY judges were highly impressed with the EV3, praising its versatility, practicality, and design. Juror Gareth Herincx commented:
“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.”
Similarly, Alex Grant, another UKCOTY juror, remarked:
“The EV3 takes all of the best bits of the EV9 and distils 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.”
Continuing Kia’s Winning Streak
The Kia EV3’s success at the UKCOTY Awards follows the impressive performance of its larger sibling, the Kia EV9. Last year, the EV9 not only won the ‘Large Crossover’ category but also claimed the coveted overall title of ‘UK Car of the Year 2024.’ With the EV3 now vying for the same honour, Kia’s dominance in the EV sector continues to grow.
As the anticipation builds for the final announcement on 6 March 2025, all eyes are on the Kia EV3 to see if it will follow in the footsteps of the EV9 and be crowned the UK’s best car of the year. Regardless of the outcome, this latest accolade reinforces Kia’s commitment to delivering innovative, high-quality, and consumer-friendly electric vehicles to the UK market.
¹Range figures are based on WLTP test conditions and may vary in real-world driving scenarios.
