AUTO

The $35K Kia EV3 Just Beat Everyone to World Car of the Year

April 18, 2025

The Kia EV3 won 2025 World Car of the Year.
96 Top auto journalists from 30 countries picked the EV3 as the best overall car.
This win marks Kia’s third World Car of the Year title and brings the company’s total World Car Awards to six since 2020.

Can a compact SUV really be the best car in the world? The Kia EV3 just did something most people didn’t expect. It took home the 2025 World Car of the Year title. Let that sink in. Not “best electric car.” Not “best budget car.” Just… the best car. Period.

Announced during a live ceremony at the New York International Auto Show, the award comes from a panel of 96 top automotive journalists from 30 different countries. That’s not a small crowd of bloggers. These are seasoned industry experts. And they chose the EV3. Again, not just as a good electric option, but as the best overall vehicle on the road right now.

So, what’s the big deal? Why did this car rise above the rest? Let’s start with performance. The EV3 delivers up to 605 kilometers of range, which is about 376 miles, on a single charge, which immediately throws out the old complaint that EVs can’t go the distance.

Charging is handled too, thanks to its 81.4 kWh battery, it goes from 10 to 80 percent in just 31 minutes. That’s barely enough time to grab a coffee and doomscroll your feed.

But the real story comes down to what it feels like behind the wheel. The EV3 includes something most drivers have likely never used before, a built-in AI Assistant. And this is not your typical voice system that misunderstands everything. This one actually pays attention. You can actually talk to it, like, “Hey Kia, turn up the heat,” or “Find me tacos near here.” It understands context and actually helps.

Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia, said it best, “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.” And yeah, he’s got a point.

The tech keeps going. The EV3 can update itself right from your driveway thanks to Over-the-Air updates. You do not need to visit the dealership or wait around for someone to plug it in. The latest features, fixes, and improvements just show up wirelessly. Think of it like your phone getting smarter overnight, except this time, it’s your car.

Inside, the EV3 is what happens when practical design and comfort meet. There’s a 12-inch instrument cluster, a 5-inch climate control display, and a 12-inch infotainment screen, all laid out so nothing feels cluttered.

Kia even lined the cabin with recycled materials, so you can feel good about your eco-friendly choices. There’s no need to give up your oat milk latte or swap out your favorite coffee spot. You’re doing your part just by sitting in traffic.

Let’s talk safety, because yes, cars still need to look out for us when we’re not exactly paying attention. The Kia EV3 comes with built-in systems like lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. These are the features that quietly kick in when you’re too busy skipping tracks or trying not to yell at the guy who just cut you off. They’re not flashy. But they matter. A lot.

And here’s something that might catch the competition off guard. The Kia EV3 is expected to start around $35,000 in the U.S., and that’s before any tax credits or state rebates kick in. That kind of pricing puts it within reach for everyday people, and when you factor in that EV drivers save over $10,000 on average in maintenance over the life of the vehicle, the long-term value becomes even harder to ignore.

Families, commuters, and first-time EV shoppers don’t need to win the lottery to get behind the wheel. No jaw-dropping six-figure sticker. Just a well-equipped electric SUV that actually makes sense for real life.

It’s not the flashiest car on the lot. It’s not trying to look like a spaceship. But maybe that’s the point. While everyone else tries to stand out with gimmicks, the EV3 just quietly wins. And that’s something everyone should know.

And if you’re curious to see Kia’s full electric lineup up close, they will be exhibiting at the upcoming Electrify Expo in Los Angeles, happening June 21-22 at the Port of LA in Alameda, California. They’ll be there alongside other well-known EV automakers, giving people a chance to see, and drive, their latest models up close.