January 21, 2022 - The Kia EV6 has won the overall ‘Car of the Year’ award at the UK’s prestigious 2022 What Car? Awards, alongside being named ‘Electric SUV of the Year’. This historic win for Kia’s first dedicated electric vehicle marks only the second time that an EV has won the What Car? ‘Car of the Year’ crown after the Kia e-Niro in 2019.
The latest ‘Car of the Year’ trophy for the Kia EV6 follows a record number of awards and accolades from experts at opinion-leading international media titles in the 10 months since the car was first introduced globally in March last year. These have included winning the ‘Premium’ category in the German Car of the Year Awards and securing Top Gear’s ‘Crossover of the Year’ award. The EV6 has also been shortlisted for Car of the Year 2022, with the winner due to be announced on February 28.
“The EV6 combines a huge real-world range with the ability to charge at speeds that no rival can keep up with, addressing two of the biggest concerns that people still have about electric cars. What’s more, by using bespoke electric underpinnings rather than a set that’s shared by petrol and diesel models, Kia has been able to take advantage of the compact size of electric motors and produce a car that’s hugely spacious and practical,” said Steve Huntingford, Editor of What Car? magazine. “Add in effortless performance, outstanding refinement, competitive pricing and one of the best warranties around, and the striking EV6 doesn’t just look like the future – it feels like it too.”
Jason Jeong, President of Kia Europe, commented: “It’s a great honour for Kia to win ‘Car of the Year’ at this year’s What Car? Awards. The EV6 has been extremely well received by customers and the media across Europe thanks to its impressive real-world driving range, ultra-fast charging capabilities, bold design and state-of-the-art interior. What’s exciting is that the EV6 is just the beginning of things to come from Kia as we continue our journey to electrification - with 11 new BEV models due by 2026.”
The EV6 brings long-range, zero-emissions power, 800V ultra-fast charging and distinctive styling to the crossover SUV market. The EV6 can achieve up to 528 kilometres of driving range from a single charge on the WLTP combined cycle, while advanced 800V charging technology means drivers can charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes.
It is Kia’s first dedicated battery electric vehicle and demonstrates the exciting potential of the company’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), with six further dedicated electric models to follow the EV6 to market by 2026. Kia aims to fully electrify its vehicle line-up in Europe by 2035, with other key markets around the globe following by 2040.
‘Tow Car Award’ for the Kia Sorento
Alongside the recognition for the EV6, the Kia Sorento SUV also received the 2022 What Car? ‘Tow Car Award’ in association with the UK’s Camping and Caravanning Club. The Sorento 2.2-litre CRDi with an eight-speed double-clutch transmission was selected by the jury as the ideal car for those looking to tow caravans or trailers. Its powerful diesel engine enables the Sorento to tow braked loads of up to 2,500 kg, while the SUV also offers seating for up to seven people, generous cargo and cabin space, and technology and convenience features to keep all occupants comfortable and engaged.
The What Car? Car of the Year Awards
Each year, the What Car? Car of the Year Awards names the best new cars across several vehicle categories. To be eligible for the awards, a car has to have been tested back-to-back with its rivals, on roads and at a dedicated test facility, by What Car?’s team of road testers. An overall ‘Car of the Year’ is then selected from the category winners.
