The Kia EV6 has won ‘Car of the Year’ at the 2022 What Car? Awards, alongside being named ‘Electric SUV of the Year’. This historic win for Kia’s latest electric vehicle marks only the second time that an EV has won What Car?’s ‘Car of the Year’ crown after the Kia e-Niro in 2019. The Kia Sorento also won the ‘Tow Car Award’.
The judging panel for the What Car? Car of the Year Awards, made up of the magazine’s team of expert road testers, commented: “The EV6 combines a huge real-world range with the ability to charge at speeds that no rival can keep up with, addressing two of the biggest concerns that people still have about electric cars. What’s more, by using bespoke electric underpinnings rather than a set that’s shared by petrol and diesel models, Kia has been able to take advantage of the compact size of electric motors and produce a car that’s hugely spacious and practical.
“Add in effortless performance, outstanding refinement, competitive pricing and one of the best warranties around, and the striking EV6 doesn’t just look like the future – it feels like it too.”
Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK Limited, commented: “It’s a great honour for Kia to win ‘Car of the Year’ at this year’s What Car? Awards, particularly given the high regard with which they are held by customers across the UK. The EV6 is a truly exceptional car and it’s just the beginning of things to come from Kia on our rapid journey to electrification. This is tangible recognition that Kia is fast becoming a true leader in electric vehicles having also won this award with e-Niro in 2019.”
The EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated electric car, and shows the exciting potential of the company’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). The EV6 is available with rear- or all-wheel drive and a 77.4kWh battery as standard across a choice of three model grades: ‘Air’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’. Pricing for the range starts from £40,945, with driving range as high as 328 miles for rear-wheel drive models.
Unveiled at the start of 2021, the EV6 has quickly gained consumer attention, with UK customer deliveries commencing in the final quarter of 2021. Sales momentum for the EV6 is strong and continuing to grow, with more than 1,000 units sold in the UK since deliveries began. A performance-orientated version of the EV6 – the ‘GT’ – is due to join the line-up later in 2022.
Alongside plaudits for the EV6, the Kia Sorento SUV also received the 2022 What Car? ‘Tow Car Award’ in association with the Camping and Caravanning Club. The Sorento 2.2-litre CRDi ‘3’ with eight-speed double-clutch transmission was picked by the jury as the ideal car for those looking to tow caravans or trailers. Its powerful diesel engine enables the Sorento to tow braked loads of up to 2,500 kg, while the SUV also offers seating for up to seven people, generous cargo and cabin space, and technology and convenience features to keep all occupants comfortable and engaged.