January 19, 2024 – Kia has won four awards at the 2024 What Car? Car of the Year awards, including major category wins for the Kia Sportage and Kia EV6. David Hilbert, Marketing Director Kia Europe, commented: “Winning four 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 voted again for the EV6 and for the recently introduced EV9 is impressive. This year is set to be another exciting one on our journey to becoming a leading global sustainable mobility solutions provider.”
Kia Sportage: ‘Best Family SUV’
For the second consecutive year, the Kia Sportage was awarded the ‘Best Family SUV’ award. The judges rated it ahead of all other rivals in one of the most popular and hotly contested classes.
The judging panel, made up of the magazine’s team of expert road testers, commented: “The Kia Sportage has a more comfortable ride than key rivals, yet it inspires confidence on winding roads, thanks to strong grip and accurate steering. You also get a smart-looking and user-friendly interior that offers a properly elevated driving position. And no matter where in the car you're sitting, there's plenty of head and leg room, and the Sportage feels pleasingly airy.”
The fifth-generation Kia Sportage was introduced early in 2022 and won What Car?’s ‘Best Family SUV’ award in 2023. Last year, the all-new Kia Sportage was the best-selling model line in Europe with 165,354 units sold.
Kia EV6: ‘Best Family Electric SUV’
Two years on from winning What Car?’s overall ‘Car of the Year’ award, the Kia EV6 is still seen by many as setting the standard for EVs in its class. The car has won the 2024 ‘Best Family Electric SUV’ award, ahead of several newcomers in an increasingly competitive segment.
The judges commented: “Two years after it was named What Car? Car of the Year, the Kia EV6 continues to blend a great battery range, fast charging, a fine ride and handling balance and generous equipment levels for a competitive price better than any rival. Plus, despite its sleek looks, it's a practical choice, offering loads of space in both the front and the rear, and a good-sized boot.”
The EV6 offers a driving range of up to 528 m according to the WLTP ‘combined’ test cycle*. Drivers can choose between rear- or all-wheel drive models, as well as a high-performance EV6 GT model, which can accelerate from 0-to-62mph in just 3.5 seconds. The EV6 is a high performer in the Europeans growing EV sector, with more than 36,000 units sold in 2023.
Kia EV9: ‘Best Electric 7-Seater’
The Kia EV9 was also awarded the ‘Best Electric 7-Seater’ prize. A sub-category of the ‘Best 7-Seater’ award, the EV9 was praised by the judges for its capabilities and value compared to rivals: “Most seven-seat electric SUVs are either ludicrously expensive or not as practical as you might expect, but the Kia EV9 is different, offering comfortable seating for seven adults in a package that – while far from cheap – is well priced next to rivals. And with a generous official range, the EV9 can tackle long trips without you having to worry about where the next charge is coming from.”
The EV9 is now available to order in Europe, offering a comprehensive range of equipment, a bold and modern design, and the latest EV technology. The rear-wheel drive EV9 is capable of travelling up to 563 km on a single charge* (WLTP ‘combined’ cycle), while all-wheel drive ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ models can travel up to 505 km on a single charge. Its 800-volt charging capability means the EV9 can harness high DC power to recharge its battery from 10 to 80 per cent in only 24 minutes.
Kia wins ‘Tow Car Award’ for its wide choice of towing-capable cars
Kia’s fourth trophy is the ‘Tow Car Award’, normally reserved for an individual vehicle, but this year recognising Kia’s wide range of towing-capable cars.
The judges commented: “What Car? and the experts at The Camping and Caravanning Club team up every year to find the best tow cars. However, instead of singling out an individual model, this year the judges felt that Kia as a brand was most deserving of the award for the way it consistently builds brilliant tow cars, whether you want a diesel, a hybrid or even a fully electric car.”
Several of Kia’s cars offer a high towing capacity, including the popular Sportage, Sorento, EV6, and – now – the EV9, the latter offering a braked towing capacity of up to 2,500kg in all-wheel drive, dual-motor format.
