January 20, 2022 – Kia has triumphed in the UK’s prestigious What Car? Awards, with category wins for the Kia Sportage and upcoming all-electric Kia EV9 SUV. The What Car? judging panel named the Kia Sportage ‘Family SUV of the Year’, highlighting a range of features that make it stand out in one the most hotly contested segments in the UK. What Car?’s team of road testers evaluated a wide range of models back-to-back on UK roads and at a dedicated test facility.
Available with electrified powertrains, including mild hybrid (MHEV), hybrid electric (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options, the Sportage has quickly become one of the most popular SUVs across Europe. A total of 136,293 Sportages were sold up to the end of December 2022 across the region.
The upcoming Kia EV9 also claimed a category win, securing the publication’s ‘Reader Award’. The trophy was voted for by What Car? readers, who named the EV9 as their most highly anticipated new car of 2023. The EV9, Kia´s large electric SUV, is the next battery electric vehicle to be launched under Kia’s ‘Plan S’ strategy for electrification leadership. It follows the Kia EV6 (named 2022 Car of the Year) and all-new Kia Niro EV as one of nine Kia EVs due to launch between 2021 and 2027.
David Hilbert, Marketing Director, Kia Europe commented: “Winning two prestigious What Car? Awards is an achievement we can feel truly proud of. While the Kia Sportage SUV is leading its class with its stand-out design, efficient powertrains and impressive practicality, the fact that readers are already voting for the incoming EV9 ahead of its reveal highlights the strong anticipation people have for our future products. This year is set to be another exciting one on our journey to becoming a leading global sustainable mobility solutions provider.”
The new Kia Niro, Finland´s ‘2023 Car of the Year’
These victories in the UK follow additional recognition in other European markets, with the Niro compact crossover being crowned ‘2023 Car of the Year’ in Finland late last year. Each year, the Association of Auto and Transport Providers selects the most important new car that has entered the Finnish market, considering value-for-money, technology, safety, and driveability. Available with a choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric powertrains, the Niro is designed to suit every requirement, helping more consumers make a smooth transition to sustainable mobility.
