Kia EV3 Crowned 2025 World Car of the Year: A Milestone for Kia and EV Innovation

Kia has done it again. The all-new Kia EV3 has just been awarded the title of 2025 World Car of the Year, cementing its place as one of the most exciting and forward-thinking electric vehicles on the market today.

It’s a major milestone for Kia, and great news for anyone considering the switch to electric, especially as the EV3 is now available right here at Miles Kia in Christchurch.

2025 World Car winner Kia EV3

What are the World Car Awards?

The World Car Awards are among the most respected honours in the global automotive industry. Judged by a panel of nearly 100 automotive journalists from around the world, these awards recognise excellence across performance, innovation, design, and sustainability.

To win World Car of the Year, a vehicle must stand out in every way, and the EV3 has done just that.

Blue Kia EV3 driving

A winning streak for Kia

This is the second consecutive World Car of the Year win for Kia and third World Car of the Year win overall. The Kia EV9 won last year’s top honour while the Kia Telluride won the title in 2020. Today’s win brings the total number of awards won by Kia to six in World Car’s 21-year history.

“It is an immense honour for everyone at Kia that the EV3 has been awarded the 2025 World Car of the Year title. This award highlights Kia’s global leadership in providing design-led, technologically advanced, sustainable mobility solutions and how the EV3’s class-leading attributes redefine the user experience for customers worldwide,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia.

Previous World Car Awards titles won by Kia

  • Kia EV9 – 2024 World Car of the Year
  • Kia EV9 – 2024 World Electric Vehicle
  • Kia EV6 GT – 2023 World Performance Car
  • Kia Telluride – 2020 World Car of the Year
  • Kia Soul EV – 2020 World Urban Car

Why the Kia EV3 stands out

The EV3 is a compact electric SUV that blends advanced technology with standout styling and practical, everyday usability. It’s designed for drivers who want a more sustainable lifestyle without compromising on comfort or capability.

Some of the key features include:

  • Impressive range: Up to 600km (WLTP) on a single charge
  • Eco-conscious interior: Crafted using sustainable and recycled materials
  • Smart tech: A sleek 30-inch widescreen display and advanced driver-assist features
  • Accessible pricing: Estimated to start from around $55,520 NZD (at time of writing), bringing premium EV tech to more New Zealanders
Kia EV3 Interior

What this means for Kia and our drivers

This win signals more than just industry recognition. It reflects Kia’s growing leadership in the global automotive industry and its ongoing commitment to delivering vehicles that are as enjoyable to drive as they are innovative.

For drivers, it means more choice, more advanced features, and more confidence in making the switch to electric.

Available now at Miles Kia

We’re proud to offer the award-winning Kia EV3 right here at Miles Kia. Whether you’re already driving electric or exploring your options, the EV3 is well worth a test drive. It’s a vehicle that delivers on every front, from sustainability and performance to design and value.

Ready to see what all the excitement is about? Visit Miles Kia in Christchurch and take the Kia EV3 for a drive. Discover for yourself why it’s been named the 2025 World Car of the Year and why it could be the perfect next step in your driving journey.

Please note:

*Claimed 605 km range and 31-minute charging time apply to the 81.4 kWh version of the EV3 and are based on the standardised WLTP assessment.

Two new Kia Seltos SUVs
Dan Lasto and his Kia Tasman

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