Kia has added more recognition to its growing electric and hybrid lineup, with two models winning in the 2025 What Car? Electric Car Awards. The Kia EV3 was named Best Electric Small SUV, while the Kia Sportage took the award for Best Used Hybrid Family SUV. These honors follow earlier wins for both vehicles in January’s What Car? Awards, where the EV3 and Sportage were named Best Small Electric SUV and Best Family SUV.
The EV3, which has become Kia’s fastest-selling electric model to date and the UK’s top-selling retail EV in 2025, continues to attract industry recognition. According to What Car? editor Steve Huntingford, the model stands out for its quiet and comfortable ride, elevated driving position, and strong value even with its smaller battery option. The EV3 is also the reigning UK Car of the Year and World Car of the Year, marking the second consecutive year Kia has taken both titles, following the EV9’s wins in 2024.
The Sportage, meanwhile, remains Kia’s best-selling vehicle across the UK, Europe, and globally. It is currently the second most popular car in the UK overall in 2025, reinforcing its long-running position as a family favorite. The fifth-generation Sportage, introduced in 2021, was the first to bring hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains to the model. Huntingford highlighted the plug-in hybrid’s balance of comfort, practicality, and efficiency, noting its 43-mile WLTP electric range and the reassurance of remaining manufacturer warranty coverage when buying used.
This year also brought a mid-cycle refresh to the Sportage, with updated styling inside and out and the integration of technology from Kia’s latest EVs, including the EV3, EV6, and EV9.
The dual recognition underscores Kia’s growing presence in both the fully electric and hybrid markets. With the EV3 proving central to its retail success and the Sportage maintaining its reputation as a dependable hybrid SUV, the brand is strengthening its foothold as competition in the EV and hybrid space accelerates.
