The Kia EV9 has been named the winner in the “Luxury” category of the German Car of the Year 2024 (GCOTY) Awards. The vehicle surpassed eight other contenders in its category, gaining favor from a jury of 27 trade journalists. The prestigious accolade recognizes vehicles with a starting price exceeding 70,000 Euro.
Why It Matters
This win is particularly significant for Kia as the EV9 is the brand’s second entry into their dedicated battery-electric vehicle (BEV) lineup, following the highly successful EV6, which secured the European Car of the Year award in 2022. This latest accolade reinforces Kia’s strong position in the electric vehicle market and signals approval from German automotive experts even before the EV9’s commercial launch.
Key Points
- The EV9 follows in the footsteps of Kia’s first dedicated BEV, the EV6.
- Orders for the Kia EV9 have been open in Europe since July, with initial units set for delivery later this year.
- The GCOTY Awards, now in its sixth edition, is an annual event where a panel of trade journalists evaluates 48 new models across five different categories: ‘Compact,’ ‘Premium,’ ‘Luxury,’ ‘New Energy,’ and ‘Performance.’
Bottom Line
Won-Jeong Jeong, President of Kia Europe, stated that the EV9 is vital to Kia’s transformation into a leading electric vehicle provider. The SUV features cutting-edge technology including ultra-fast 800-volt charging capabilities and customizable seating arrangements. With an impressive all-electric range and a plethora of advanced features, the Kia EV9 is poised to set new standards in the luxury electric SUV segment.
