The Kia EV3 has been named the 2025 World Car of the Year. The announcement was made as part of the World Car Awards at the New York International Auto Show. This marks Kia’s second consecutive win and third overall in the top category, following the Kia EV9 in 2024 and the Kia Telluride in 2020.
The EV3 was selected by a jury of 96 international automotive journalists from 30 countries, who evaluated an initial list of 52 eligible vehicles before narrowing it down to three finalists: the BMW X3, the Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric, and the Kia EV3. Vehicles eligible for the award must be produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units per year, be priced below the luxury level in their primary markets, and be on sale in at least two major global regions by March 30, 2025.
Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia, responded to the win by saying, “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.”
With this recognition, Kia now holds six total World Car Awards across multiple categories. The award win coincides with the 20th year of the World Car Awards’ partnership with the New York International Auto Show, which is also celebrating its 125th anniversary.
The World Car Awards are determined through a process that includes test drives, reviews, and votes by the jury members. The voting is audited by KPMG to ensure accuracy. The award is considered one of the most prestigious recognitions in the automotive industry.
