- After the winners of the 2025 World Car Awards were revealed at this year’s New York International Auto Show, it’s clear that electric cars continue to dominate in such awards ceremonies.
- The most prestigious ‘World Car of the Year’ award went to Kia’s fully-electric EV3 small SUV, and marks the fourth consecutive year that this specific award has been granted to a fully-electric car.
- Other EVs taking home awards included the Hyundai Inster, BYD Seagull, Volkswagen ID. BUZZ, and Volvo EX90.
EVs come out tops at World Car Awards
The Kia EV3 took the crown for the most significant World Car of the Year award, which was selected from 96 automotive journalist spanning 30 countries. With its high battery range, rapid charging speed, and accessible entry price, the EV3 took the crown from other nominees in this category, such as the BMW X3 and Hyundai Inster. While being the fourth year in the row this award has gone to an EV, it’s also the second year in a row that it’s been awarded to a Kia: with the Kia EV9 taking the crown, in last year’s awards.
Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia, commented on the award:
“It is an immense honor 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.”
Meanwhile, the award specifically reserved for EVs, the ‘World Electric Vehicle’, went to the Hyundai Inster. The two other finalists were the Porsche Macan Electric, and the Kia EV3. When it came to the ‘World Luxury Car’, that award went to Volvo’s fully-electric premium seven-seater, the EX90.
In a win for BYD, the ‘World Urban Car’ went to the BYD Dolphin. This ultra-affordable EV has already sold strongly in China and South America, but now also has a European launch on its horizon. When it came to ‘World Car Design of the Year’, that award also went to an EV, in the form of the retro-meets-future Volkswagen ID. BUZZ.
Of the five main award categories, an impressive four were awarded to fully-electric vehicles – with only the ‘World Peformance Car’ awarded to the ICE-powered Porsche 911 Carrera GTS. An all-electric finalist still made it to this category, however, in the form of the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.
