Kia EV3 wins NZ Car of the Year title

The fully electric Kia EV3 has been awarded the 2025 New Zealand Car of the Year title, topping the 10-strong field of finalist nominees and becoming the first Kia to win the accolade in the process.

The EV3 is the sixth electric vehicle to be crowned NZCOTY in the last seven years. Introduced to Kia’s line-up last March, it acts as the Korean marque’s most affordable dedicated plug-in.

The victory is just the latest for the EV3. The nameplate won the overall World Car of the Year title last year, and has also collected silverware from the likes of the UK’s What Car? and Red Dot.

Kia’s pint-sized EV edged the nine other finalists, being the Audi A5, Cadillac Lyriq, Geely Starray EM-i, Mercedes-Benz G 580, MG QS, Mini Aceman, Nissan Ariya, Subaru Forester, and the Volkswagen ID.Buzz. 

Kia New Zealand managing director Todd McDonald [pictured left in lead image] credited the award to the efforts of the brand’s engineers, and their ongoing commitment to low-emission vehicles.

“This award is recognition of the amazing work Kia and its team all around the world are doing to shape the future of sustainable personal mobility, at the same time helping to make the planet a better place through innovative, clean and thought-provoking transport solutions,” said McDonald.

The NZCOTY is judged upon by the New Zealand Motoring Writer’s Guild, and has been awarded annually since 1988. The Guild consists of motoring journalists from across the country, each judging each award nominee across numerous criteria including styling, value, and performance.

CarExpert NZ editor Matthew Hansen [pictured right in lead image], who is also President of the Motoring Writers Guild, acknowledged the Kia EV3’s global achievements. 

“The New Zealand trophy follows on from the EV3 winning World Car of the Year honours for 2025. But our award is the most relevant for New Zealanders, as an assessment of the EV3 from motoring writers from all across the country, who have assessed the vehicle on our local conditions,” said Hansen.

“To win a Car of the Year crown, a vehicle must impress the Guild’s motoring experts for multiple reasons. In the case of the EV3, those reasons include its striking exterior design, a spacious and well-finished interior, leading edge technology, polished on-road manners, top safety rating, excellent range, and rapid charging capability.

“The EV3 builds on Kia’s strong electric vehicle foundations, established over several years with models like 2024 New Zealand Car of the Year nominee, the EV9. We recognise and congratulate Kia on the way it continues to sharpen and strengthen its line-up.”