Kia EV3 Wins Best Compact SUV

Blue Kia EV3 (WWCOTY Best SUV) driving by the sea

International imagery show, New Zealand specifications may differ.

Kia EV3 Wins Best Compact SUV at the 2025 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year Awards

Kia is en route for a trifecta at the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) Awards. In 2023, the Kia Niro took home Best Urban Car as well as Supreme Winner, then in 2024, the Kia EV9 received Best SUV and claimed the Supreme Winner title too. Now, in 2025, the Kia EV3 has been crowned Best Compact SUV, and our fingers are crossed for Kia to continue its reign as Supreme Winner once again.

The EV3 brings the innovation and design excellence that Kia is known for, delivering a perfect balance of sustainability, technology, and everyday practicality. With its distinctive design, spacious interior, and advanced tech—like the panoramic display and next-gen EV drivetrain—the EV3 is redefining what a compact SUV can be. Its combination of efficiency, practicality, and Kia’s signature flair has already set it apart.

EV3 hailed for automotive innovation, performance, and value for money
Six category winners chosen by 82 female automotive journalists from 55 countries
WWCOTY Supreme Winner title, which the Kia EV9 took in 2024, to be revealed on March 6

Keep reading below to discover the press release from Kia New Zealand.

Press Release From Kia Global:

Kia announced today that the Kia EV3 has been named the winner in the Compact SUV category at the prestigious 2025 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) Awards.

A jury of 82 female motoring journalists from 55 countries across five continents evaluated the Kia EV3 on criteria including safety, quality, price, design, ease of driving, performance and environmental footprint against eleven competitor vehicles in the Compact SUV category.

The Kia EV3, which is designed to broaden the appeal of electric mobility to a much broader global customer demographic, stood out for its excellence in terms of driving, technology, comfort and value for money.

The EV3 provides a segment-leading range of up to 605 km (WLTP) and is equipped with 400V fast charging technology, making it possible to charge from 10% to 80% in just 29 minutes*. Up to 202km of range can be added in just 15 minutes, making the EV3 one of the most efficient EVs in its class.

Inspired by Kia´s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, the EV3 blends modernity with nature to deliver a striking yet harmonious exterior and interior design. Its 2.68-meter wheelbase and 4.30-meter length create a spacious, game-changing living-room-inspired interior. The EV3 features a 460-liter boot with a flexible two-tier floor, plus a 25-liter frunk.

The Kia EV3’s recognition in the 2025 WWCOTY Awards demonstrates Kia’s dedication to creating vehicles that appeal to a wide range of perspectives and preferences. This award showcases the EV3’s global appeal and its resonance with women worldwide.

Along with five other category winners, including 4×4 and Pick-Up, Large SUV, Large Car, Performance And Luxury Cars and Urban Model, as the winner of the Compact SUV category, the Kia EV3 now progresses to the final round of judging to determine the overall WWCOTY Award winner. The WWCOTY Supreme Winner, a title which last year went to the Kia EV9, will be announced on March 6, two days before International Women’s Day.

EV3 available at Miles Kia

The Kia EV3 is due to arrive at Miles Kia in Q2 2025. Be sure to register your interest to keep up with the latest updates and be among the first to test drive the award winning electric vehicle.

Explore Kia EV3 Book a test drive

Please note:

* 605 km range applies to the 81.4 kWh version of the EV3. The range is 436 km for the 58.3 kWh version. Consumptions and emissions are determined according to the standardised Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) measurement. The individual driving style and other external factors have an influence on the actual efficiency.