Kia Secures Double Win at 2025 Auto Express Awards

Kia Triumphs with EV3 and Picanto at the 2025 Auto Express Awards

We’re delighted to announce that Kia has achieved an impressive double victory at the 2025 Auto Express New Car Awards.

The all-electric Kia EV3 was crowned ‘Small Company Car of the Year’, while the ever-popular Kia Picanto claimed the title of ‘City Car of the Year’. The EV3’s award adds to Kia’s growing list of EV accolades, including its triumph as What Car’s Best Small Electric SUV.

These awards underscore Kia’s strength in delivering vehicles that combine innovation, efficiency, and every practicality across different markets, from company fleets to affordable city cars.

Celebrating success

The Auto Express New Car Awards are widely regarded as a benchmark of excellence in the industry, judged by seasoned automotive experts. They assess each vehicle on price, efficiency, safety, connectivity, reliability and driving experience.

That both the EV3 and Picanto excelled across these measures demonstrates the breadth of Kia’s strengths.

The Kia EV3: Small Company Car of the Year

The Kia EV3 impressed the awards’ judging panel with its combination of progressive design, practical interior space, and class-leading range of up to 375 miles*. Its rapid charging capability, which can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in 31 minutes, ensures minimal downtime. This makes it an ideal choice for high-mileage business users and fleets making the transition to electric mobility.

Following in the footsteps of the EV9, the EV3 blends bold styling with a highly functional cabin with generous load capacity and ergonomic comfort. Advanced driver assistance technologies and Over-the-Air updates help future-proof this all-electric compact SUV, so it can remain at the forefront of performance and safety.

“The EV3 has continued Kia’s impressive record with its electric cars, and looks great, is practical and has the range that means higher-mileage drivers aren’t going to baulk at going electric,” said Auto Express Editor Paul Barker.

Picanto: City Car of the Year

Kia’s smallest model continues to lead its segment by delivering a driving experience that’s both enjoyable and versatile.

Compact in size yet confident on the road, the Picanto offers urban drivers the agility needed for tight city streets and the stability to handle longer journeys. Its recent redesign also brought updated styling, enhanced comfort, and improved technology.

Its enduring appeal lies in the Picanto’s ability to balance affordability with substance, and shows that a city car can deliver more than just convenience.

“The recent revamp of Kia’s smallest model reminded us why we love small cars so much,” Barker said. “The Picanto is fun, but also feels grown up on the open road, so it isn’t a car that has to stay in urban confines.”

Recognition across multiple segments

The EV3 and Picanto's respective awards illustrate Kia’s strategic commitment to delivering vehicles that meet different customer needs. The EV3 serves as a compelling proposition for fleets and company car drivers seeking zero-tailpipe emission capability without sacrificing range or practicality. Meanwhile, the Picanto remains a benchmark for those seeking an economical, manoeuvrable, and dependable compact car.

At a time when many manufacturers are scaling back in the compact segment, Kia continues to invest in smaller models. This ensures that customers have access to a full spectrum of high-quality vehicles, from electric SUVs to proven petrol-powered city cars.

Experience Kia’s award-winning line-up

The award-winning Kia EV3 will play a central role in Kia’s nationwide Electric Experience events across the UK dealer network, which will showcase a rapidly growing EV line-up. It gives customers the opportunity to experience the EV3’s advanced electric powertrains and intelligent features first-hand.

By securing two accolades at the 2025 Auto Express New Car Awards, Kia has reaffirmed its position as a brand capable of delivering innovation, efficiency, and value, from high-mileage SUVs to agile city hatchbacks.

To learn more about the award-winning Kia EV3 and Picanto or arrange a test drive, visit your nearest Kia dealer or book online today.

* The range was determined according to the standardised EU measurement procedure (WLTP) on EV3 Air Grade. The individual driving style and other factors, such as speed, outside temperature, topography and the use of electricity-consuming devices/units, have an influence on the real-life range and can possibly reduce it.

Images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be to full UK specification. Features shown are not standard across the Kia model range and availability will vary dependant on model. For further details please refer to the individual model specification sheets.

Product availability varies by models. To find out which products are available for your vehicle, please contact your Kia dealer.