With the EV3’s recognition, Kia has now taken home the WCOTY title three times, including its 2020 victory with the Telluride SUV — the first time a Korean brand received the award. (Image provided by Kia)
SEOUL, April 20 (Korea Bizwire) — Kia has cemented its position as a global automotive powerhouse, with its compact electric SUV, the EV3, winning the coveted title of World Car of the Year (WCOTY) at the 2025 World Car Awards held during the New York International Auto Show.
This marks the second consecutive year Kia has claimed the top honor, following last year’s win by its larger EV9 electric SUV. With the EV3’s recognition, Kia has now taken home the WCOTY title three times, including its 2020 victory with the Telluride SUV — the first time a Korean brand received the award.
Founded in 2004, the World Car Awards are considered one of the “big three” global automotive honors, alongside the North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) and the European Car of the Year (COTY). This year’s winners were selected by a panel of 96 automotive journalists from 30 countries, including Korea, the U.S., China, Japan, and several European and Indian markets.
The EV3, a strategic model designed to accelerate the popularization of electric vehicles, impressed judges with its design and functionality. Based on Kia’s “Opposites United” design philosophy, the vehicle blends utility with refined aesthetics. The long-range variant, equipped with an 81.4 kWh battery, delivers a driving range of 501 km under South Korea’s official standards and 605 km under the European WLTP.
Notably, the EV3 is the first Kia model to feature Hyundai Motor Group’s latest regenerative braking system, i-Pedal 3.0, allowing acceleration, deceleration, and full stops using only the accelerator pedal.
In addition to its WCOTY title, the EV3 has earned a slew of other accolades, including “Car of the Year” honors in the United Kingdom, Finland, Denmark, and from the Women’s World Car of the Year awards in the Compact SUV category. It also took home the Crossover of the Year title at the 2024 Top Gear Awards in the UK.
Domestically, the EV3 swept the 2025 Korea Car of the Year awards organized by the Korea Automobile Journalists Association (KAJA), winning top honors as Car of the Year, Electric Vehicle of the Year, and Innovation of the Year.
“This award confirms that the EV3 delivers best-in-class value and a transformative user experience to customers around the world,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
