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The Kia EV3 has earned two prestigious titles at the 2025 Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards, including the coveted ‘Car of the Year’ award. This recognition is based on the real-world experiences of UK drivers, highlighting the vehicle’s significant impact on the mainstream electric car market. The EV3’s success in these awards underscores its blend of affordability, quality, and innovative design.
Key Highlights
- The Kia EV3 won ‘Car of the Year’ and ‘Best Mainstream Electric Car’ at the 2025 Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards.
- Winners were determined by an extensive online survey of more than 225,000 UK car owners.
- Owners praised the EV3 for its outstanding value, clever packaging, and impressive refinement.
- The EV3 is currently the best-selling retail electric vehicle in the UK for the year to date.
A Victory Driven by Owners
The Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards stand out because they reflect the opinions of actual vehicle owners. Formerly known as the Autotrader New Car Awards, the program gathers feedback from over 225,000 UK drivers through a comprehensive online survey. Each vehicle is meticulously rated across 16 different criteria, which include everything from reliability and performance to appearance and running costs. Furthermore, owners are asked to rate their overall satisfaction and state how likely they would be to recommend their car to others, making this a true measure of consumer approval.
What Makes the EV3 a Winner
According to voters, the Kia EV3 excels by offering a premium experience at an accessible price point. Erin Baker, Autotrader’s Editorial Director, noted that while the EV3 is Kia’s most affordable current EV, it still “manages to pack a premium punch.” Owners gave the vehicle top marks for the quality of its features, its eye-catching looks, and a great driving experience.
One owner emphasized its appeal, stating, “This was my first ever electric car, and it really stood out among all the other EVs, particularly within my price bracket. It’s quirky, futuristic, packed full of brilliant features, and it’s really easy to drive.”
Reflecting Market Leadership
This award-winning recognition is mirrored in the EV3’s strong sales performance. Paul Philpott, President & CEO of Kia UK Limited, confirmed the EV3 is the best-selling EV in the retail market year to date and a strong contender in other channels. He stated that the positive feedback from real customers provides enhanced momentum for the brand. Kia plans to build on this success with the launch of additional customer-centric EVs, such as the EV4 and EV5, which are expected by the end of the year.
Kia is no stranger to success at these awards, having previously won for the EV6 in 2024 (‘Best Car for Families’) and the Soul EV in 2023 (‘Best Value Electric Car’).
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