Kia has done the double by winning the UK Car of the Year Awards two years in a row with the EV3’s victory for 2025.

L-R: Paul Philpott of Kia UK with John Challen, co-chairman, UK Car of the Year Awards

The accolade follows the EV9’s triumph in 2024 and also marks the fourth year in succession that the top prize has gone to an electric vehicle.

The EV3 won its Small Crossover category and then beat the winners of the six other categories. There was stiff competition from the Suzuki Swift in Small Car, the Škoda Superb that won Family Car, and the Medium Crossover pick with the Mini Countryman. In the Large Crossover segment, the Hyundai Santa Fe won, with the Polestar 4 taking Executive Car, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N lifted the Performance Car title.

John Challen, Fleet World editor and co-chairman, UK Car of the Year Awards, said: “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.”

Paul Philpott, president and CEO, Kia UK, received the winner’s trophy and commented: “We’re delighted to once again be victorious winning the outright UK Car of the Year Award with EV3. This follows our success in 2024 with 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 EV3 will continue being a popular and accessible choice for the growing number of people switching to electric,” added Philpott.

The Kia EV3 won the UK Car of the Year Awards 2025 by a clear margin and was praised by many of the judges, who represent the whole spectrum of the automotive world.

EV expert and Fleet World editor at large Alex Grant noted: “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.”

Full list of UK Car of the Year Awards 2025 category winners:

Small Car – Suzuki Swift

Family Car – Škoda Superb

Small Crossover – Kia EV3

Medium Crossover – Mini Countryman

Large Crossover – Hyundai Santa Fe

Executive Car – Polestar 4

Performance Car – Hyundai Ioniq 5 N