Kia EV3 named 2025 World Car of the Year; Hyundai Inster wins EV award

NEW YORK – Hyundai Motor Group, the world’s third-largest automaker, snagged top trophies for its low-cost electric vehicles at the 2025 New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, proving the South Korean manufacturer’s competitiveness in the clean car sector.

The EV3, a budget electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) of the group’s smaller carmaker Kia Corp., won the 2025 World Car of the Year, beating the BMW X3 and the Inster, the electric version of Hyundai Motor Co.'s smallest crossover SUV Casper.

“This award highlights Kia’s global leadership in providing design-led, technologically advanced, sustainable mobility solutions and how the EV3’s class-leading attributes redefine the user experience for customers worldwide,” said Kia President and CEO Song Ho Sung.

The Inster was named the 2025 World Electric Vehicle.

The 2025 World Car Awards were judged by a panel of 96 international automotive journalists from 30 countries, Kia said.

FREQUENT WINNER

The EV3's victory brings Kia’s total of wins at the World Car Awards to six since 2020, according to the automaker.

In 2024, the EV9, its flagship all-electric SUV, won the World Car of the Year and the World Electric Vehicle titles.

Hyundai Motor Co., Kia’s affiliate, secured the World Car of the Year in 2022 and 2023 with the mid-size electric crossover utility vehicle (CUV) IONIQ 5 and the company’s first fully electric sedan IONIQ 6, respectively.

The World Car of the Year is one of the most prestigious international automotive awards, along with the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year and the Car of the Year awards.

Write to Jung-Eun Shin at newyearis@hankyung.com
 
Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.