Kia EV9 named U.K. Car of the Year 2024

Kia Corp.‘s EV9

Kia Corp.‘s EV9, a large three-row electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), has been named the U.K. Car of the Year 2024, South Korea’s second-biggest automaker said on Sunday.

The U.K. Car of the Year is selected annually by a panel of 30 judges, mainly U.K. automotive journalists from major publications such as Top Gear, Autocar, What Car?, and Autotrader. The judges evaluate and vote on vehicles released within the past year.

The EV9 was named the best car in the large crossover category in the first round of judging for this award.

It beat other category winners, including the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (family car category), Renault Clio (compact car category), Volvo XC30 (small crossover category), Fisker Ocean (midsize crossover category), and BMW i5 (executive car category).

“We are honored that the EV9 received the U.K. Car of the Year award shortly after entering the U.K. market in January,” said a Kia official. “The EV9, with its innovative design, excellent interior space, and efficient charging system, will lead the electrification paradigm in the United Kingdom, which is undergoing a shift towards environmentally friendly vehicles.”

The EV9 also won the Women’s World Car of the Year 2024.

The Women‘s World Car of the Year is selected by an all-female panel of automotive journalists from 52 countries to determine the best model based on safety, comfort, technology, and value for money.