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By David Lewis | 22 January 2026
Kia has secured four major category wins at the 2026 What Car? Car of the Year Awards, with Sportage, EV3 and PV5 Passenger all recognised.
The annual awards, judged by What Car?’s team of expert road testers, highlight the best new cars on sale in the UK following extensive real-world testing.
The Kia Sportage was named Family SUV of the Year for the fourth consecutive year, reinforcing its position as one of the UK’s most popular family cars.
The all-electric Kia EV3 picked up Small Electric SUV of the Year, while the new Kia PV5 Passenger was awarded MPV of the Year. The Kia EV9 was also praised, receiving Best electric seven-seat SUV within its category.
The Sportage continues its strong track record after a major update in 2025, which introduced refreshed styling, new technology and a simplified trim structure.
What Car? judges praised its balance of comfort and handling, practical interior and competitive pricing, describing it as a strong all-round choice for families.
In 2025, the Sportage was Kia’s best-selling model in the UK, with 47,788 registrations, making it the country’s best-selling SUV overall.
The Kia EV3 repeated its win as Small Electric SUV of the Year, standing out in a competitive segment for its interior space, driving position and ride comfort.
Judges noted that the EV3 remains a benchmark choice despite increased competition, offering excellent range even in entry-level versions.
The larger Kia EV9 was recognised as the Best electric seven-seat SUV, praised for its ability to carry seven adults comfortably while still delivering strong real-world electric range.
The Kia PV5 Passenger collected the MPV of the Year award following its first customer deliveries in late 2025, adding to a growing list of early accolades.
Built on Kia’s dedicated Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service, the PV5 Passenger offers flexible interior space, practical storage solutions and the option of vehicle-to-load charging.
A seven-seat version of the Kia PV5 Passenger is set to join the range in 2026.
Kia recorded 113,436 new car sales in the UK during 2025, achieving a market share of 5.6% and becoming the country’s fourth best-selling brand.
The brand launched nine new models last year, including the updated Sportage and the PV5, marking Kia’s first entry into the UK electric commercial and MPV markets.
For drivers across Leicester, Hinckley, Loughborough and Coventry, the awards reflect the growing choice of Kia models available locally, covering family SUVs, electric cars and practical people carriers.
Models such as the Kia Sportage and Kia EV3 are available to view and test drive through TMS Kia, with specialist support for Kia’s expanding electric range.
