Kia EV3 wins Car of the Year at 2025 Autotrader Awards

• EV3 wins ‘Car of the Year’ at Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards 2025
• ‘Best Mainstream Electric Car’ award also goes to EV3
• Winners based on real-world opinions of more than 225,000 UK car owners

Kia Corporation (Kia) announced today that the Kia EV3 has won two major honors at the 2025 Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards, securing the coveted titles of ‘Car of the Year’ and ‘Best Mainstream Electric Car’.

Formerly known as the Autotrader New Car Awards, the Drivers’ Choice Awards recognizes 25 categories of vehicles, with finalists and winners determined by the real-world feedback from over 225,000 UK car owners through an online survey. Each vehicle is rated across 16 different criteria – ranging from reliability and performance to appearance and running costs. Owners were also asked about their overall satisfaction and how likely they would be to recommend their car to others.

The EV3 impressed drivers across the UK with its outstanding value, clever packaging and impressive refinement. Owners praised it for representing the best of the best in the ‘mainstream’ market segment — and the best car overall of 2025.

“It may be Kia’s most affordable current EV on sale, but the EV3 still manages to pack a premium punch. It scored top marks for the quality of its features which, combined with eye-catching looks and a great driving experience, has made the EV3 a massive hit with its owners,” said Erin Baker, Autotrader’s Editorial Director.

“One told us: ‘This was my first ever electric car, and it really stood out among all the other EVs, particularly within my price bracket. It’s quirky, futuristic, packed full of brilliant features, and it’s really easy to drive. Plus, I can get the whole family in it with room to spare. We absolutely love it.’ Congratulations Kia on a very well-deserved win.”

Paul Philpott, President & CEO of Kia UK Limited, commented, “The EV3 has received a glowing introduction since launch. Having already won UK and World Car of the Year for 2025, it’s even more encouraging to see real customers voting it their Car of the Year via Auto Trader. This opinion is demonstrated in the EV3’s current UK sales performance, being the best-selling EV in the retail market year to date and a strong contender across other channels. This positive recognition gives us and our dealer partners enhanced momentum as we continue to launch yet more customer centric EVs, such as the EV4 and EV5 coming by year end.”

Kia has previously been recognized at the Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards, with the EV6 named ‘Best Car for Families’ and ‘Best Car for Dog Owners’ in 2024. In 2023, the Soul EV received the ‘Best Value Electric Car’ award, and the EV6 was selected as ‘New Car of the Year’.