Kia EV3 is 2025 World Car of the Year

Six wins for Kia since 2020

The winners were announced at the 2025 World Car Awards, with the Kia EV3 taking home the biggest prize of all - 2025 World Car of the Year.

The ceremony, which took place during the 2025 New York International Auto Show, saw Kia secure its second consecutive World Car of the Year victory following last year’s win by the EV9 and third overall.

The EV3 was one of three finalists - the others being the BMW X3 and Hyundai Inster - chosen by a panel of 96 international automotive journalists from a list of 52 contenders. Eligible vehicles had to be produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units per year and priced below luxury level cars.

The Kia EV3 had impressed critics with its segment-leading range of up to 375 miles and ability to charge from 10-80% in 31 minutes.

Other Winners

2025 World Electric Vehicle - Hyundai Inster

The Hyundai Inster pipped the Kia EV3 and Porsche Macan Electric to secure the company’s third World Electric Vehicle win. This follows back-to-back wins for the Hyundai IONIQ 6 in 2023 and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 in 2022.

The car also inspired Hyundai’s recently unveiled concept car, the Insteroid.

2025 World Luxury Car - Volvo EX90

Coming out on top ahead of the Porsche Macan and Porsche Panamera was the Volvo EX90, which won the 2025 World Luxury Car award.

The fully electric seven-seat SUV was praised by critics for combining electric performance, user friendly design and day-to-day practicality.

The EX90 was also named the Luxury Family Car of the Year in the 2024 TopGear.com Awards in November of last year.

“We’re pleased to see the EX90 get the recognition it deserves,” said Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive officer of Volvo Cars. “It was up against some tough competition, but this award proves that the EX90 appeals to some of the most demanding customers across the world.”

This is the third World Car Award win for the Volvo Group, with its most notable prize being the 2018 World Car of the Year for the Volvo XC60.

2025 World Performance Car - Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

The 2025 World Performance Car winner was the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, which came out ahead of fellow finalists, the BMW M5 and Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.

Porsche has now won the World Performance Car title eight times, while Porsche AG has now won nine awards in the World Car Awards 21-year history.

“Performance has been in the DNA of the 911 since it was first introduced in 1963,” said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche AG.

2025 World Urban Car - BYD Seagull

The BYD Seagull - set to be called the Dolphin Surf in the UK - will become one of the UK’s cheapest EVs when released here this year. It beat competition from the Hyundai Inster and Mini Cooper Electric to pick up the 2025 World Urban Car award and will cost just under £20,000, with a range of beyond 200 miles.

2025 World Car Design of the Year - Volkswagen ID. Buzz

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz beat fellow finalists, the Kia EV3 and Toyota Land Cruiser, to win the 2025 World Car Design of the Year award.

The Volkswagen Group has now won eight awards to date, including five World Car of the Year titles, across the World Car Awards’ 21-year history.

words: Mike Booth