It’s not even sold in America yet. But it still took home a major award when it showed up in America.
The New York Auto Show saw the Kia EV3 take home the prestigious 2025 World Car of the Year award. The jury was composed of 96 journalists from around the world, including Alessandro Lago, director of Motor1 Italia and InsideEVs Italia, and also awarded prizes to the following categories: World Electric Vehicle, World Luxury Car, World Performance Car, World Urban Car and World Car Design.
Here are all the winners, category by category.
World Car of the Year 2025
The Korean automaker’s new electric compact crossover took the top step of the podium ahead of the BMW X3 and Hyundai Inster. Once again, an electric Kia triumphs; in 2024 the award went to the EV9.
At 4.3 meters long, the EV3 can be chosen with two different battery sizes, 58 or 81 kWh, with a 204-hp motor and a range of 414 or 605 km. The EV3 is expected to finally go on sale in the U.S. in 2026. It is currently produced in South Korea, although where the U.S. model will be built remains an open question.
The Kia EV3 is 4.3 meters long and has a range of up to 605 km
World Electric Vehicle 2025
As for the purely electric car category, the winner of the 2025 award was the Hyundai Inster, which succeeds the Kia EV9. The list of finalists also included Kia EV3 and Porsche Macan. The Korean small car has a price of less than 25,000 euros and a claimed maximum range close to 250 miles (400 km) on Europe’s WLTP cycle.
Photo by: Hyundai
The Hyundai Inster claims a maximum range of about 400 km.
World Luxury Car 2025
Here’s another award where an EV took home the big prize.
The Volvo EX90 has been named World Luxury Car 2025, beating Porsche Macan and Porsche Panamera in the finals. The Swedish electric SUV is a newcomer to the space with a promising 373 miles (600 km) of claimed range.
Photo by: Volvo
The Volvo EX90 is the company’s largest electric and claims 600 km range
World Performance Car 2025
In the sports car category, the winner was the new Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, the first in history to mount a hybrid powertrain totaling 541 hp. The German coupe left behind the BMW M5 and the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, the most powerful Porsche in history.
Photo by: Porsche
The new Porsche 911 GTS is the first to feature a hybrid powertrain
World Urban Car 2025
The award also recognized small cars, with the BYD Seagull able to beat out the Inster and electric Mini Cooper. The Chinese city car is now ready to land in Europe with 75 hp and a claimed maximum range of about 185 miles (300 km.)
The BYD Seagull will arrive in Europe by the end of 2025
World Car Design 2025
Last but not least, the design award went to the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, the electric heir to the iconic Microbus. The other finalists were Kia EV3 and Toyota Land Cruiser.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz has won the World Car Design 2025 award.
World Car Person of the Year 2025
The 102 jurors also elected the World Car Person of the Year 2025, an award previously announced in January. It was presented in person at to Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD.
Photo by: BYD
The presentation ceremony at the New York Auto Show
