At the New York International Auto Show, the 2025 World Car Awards winners were announced, with the Kia EV3 winning the 2025 World Car of the Year title. The compact electric SUV stood out for its blend of design, technology, and affordability. A panel of 96 journalists from 30 countries judged the World Car of the Year. Moreover, after the Kia Telluride won the 2020 WCOTY and the EV9 won the 2024 WCOTY, the EV3 is the third vehicle from the South Korean manufacturer to receive the top honour.
The Kia EV3 boasts a bold, progressive exterior and an innovative, practical interior that maximises space, functionality, and comfort. The automaker states that it has a range of 600 kms and can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 31 minutes with a fast charger. The vehicle’s innovative interior design optimises space, comfort, and accessibility. At the same time, Kia’s AI Assistant, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and Over-the-Air (OTA) updates enhance the ownership experience with cutting-edge technology.
“It is an immense honour for everyone at Kia that the EV3 has been awarded the 2025 World Car of 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.
Vehicles eligible for the WCOTY award had to be produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units per year, priced below the luxury-car level in their primary markets, and on sale in at least two major car markets (China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, and the US) on at least two separate continents between January 1, 2024, and March 30, 2025.
