Kia and Hyundai continue to impress with their electric vehicles, securing two prestigious awards at the 2025 Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards. Both brands have been earning accolades for years, but their recent wins highlight the continued excellence of their EV offerings.
Kia EV3 Takes Home Two Major Awards
Kia’s EV3 electric car made a significant impact, winning both the Car of the Year and Best Mainstream Electric Car awards at the 2025 Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards. This marks another major achievement for the Kia EV3, which was recently named World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show.
The Drivers’ Choice Awards are unique in that winners are determined by feedback from over 225,000 car owners in the UK. These owners rate their vehicles across 16 categories, including performance, reliability, design, and running costs.
According to Kia, the EV3 stood out for its remarkable value, smart design, and impressive refinement. It was praised for offering a premium driving experience at a mainstream price. One owner shared their enthusiasm, saying, “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 really easy to drive.”
Erin Baker, Editorial Director of Autotrader, added, “The EV3 has earned top marks for its quality features, sleek design, and outstanding driving experience. It has made a massive impact on its owners.”
This win is a repeat of the Kia EV6‘s victory in last year’s Car of the Year category, solidifying Kia’s growing reputation in the electric car market.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 Recognized as Best Car for City Drivers
Hyundai also celebrated success with its IONIQ 5, which took home the title of Best Car for City Drivers. The IONIQ 5 impressed owners with its smooth ride, excellent visibility, and practicality, making it a top choice for urban environments.
Erin Baker highlighted the IONIQ 5’s appeal to city drivers, stating, “Its unique design, combined with great ride comfort and performance, makes it ideal for navigating busy streets. One owner praised the car for its acceleration, handling, and comfort, calling it a ‘pleasure to drive’ around town.”
Although the IONIQ 5 didn’t compete with the heavily favored EV3 for the Car of the Year title, its win in the Best Car for City Drivers category was a significant achievement.
Korean Automakers Continue to Dominate the EV Market
Kia and Hyundai’s success at the 2025 Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards is further evidence of the companies’ commitment to producing outstanding electric vehicles. With the EV3 and IONIQ 5 receiving widespread acclaim, these Korean automakers are setting the standard for electric mobility, and it seems they will continue to dominate the market for years to come.
