We’re not too surprised that the Kia EV9 is getting so much attention. Even during our week-long test, we noticed that it causes more commotion than some sports car or luxury limousine. At the same time, it is “just” an electric SUV, but unusually large, extravagant and full of modern technologies.
Apparently, even a hundred jurors appreciated that WCOTYthat is World Car of the Year. It was the Kia EV9 that received the most votes from journalists around the world. In the absolute final, she left behind two other electric cars – Volvo EX30 and BYD Seal. It’s the first time a Chinese product has made it this far in the poll, and it’s a kind of raised finger for traditional brands.
Electric and electrified cars also did well in other categories. In addition to the overall victory, the Kia EV9 also won the title of World Electric Car of the Year, the Volvo EX30 is again the World City Car, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the World Performance Car. The title in the luxury category was won by the BMW 5 Series, while the design award goes to the Toyota Prius. The seasoned Red Bull F1 team engineer Adrian Newey became the Person of the Year.
Photo: Lukáš Kukla, Garáž.cz
The jury also praised the new design direction of the Prius.
The WCOTY poll, the winner of which we found out during the ongoing New York Auto Show, has fairly strict rules. To qualify, the car must be produced in at least 10,000 units per year, the price tag must not attack the luxury car segment, and the model must be sold in at least two major markets.
The Korean “nine” continues the tradition of electric winners, which began already in 2021. The year before, coincidentally, a robust SUV Kia also won, but it was a Telluride combustion model. This was followed by the victory of the VW ID.4 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and last year the Ioniq 6.
