Kia EV9 is UK Car of the Year 2024

The Kia EV9 has been named UK Car of the Year 2024 by 30 of the leading motoring journalists in the country – including HonestJohn.co.uk Editor David Ross.

The Kia EV9 was declared the overall winner after also scooping the Large Crossover category prize.

The Kia EV9 and six other category winners were all in the running for the overall prize – and with almost half the judging panel placing the EV9 top, its victory was a healthy one.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 was second, and the Volvo EX30 was third.

The Kia’s success means electric cars have now won the main UK Car of the Year Awards prize for three years running.

UK Car of the Year Awards director, Alisdair Suttie, says: "The Kia EV9 is simply a superb family car thanks to seven seats as standard and a cabin that's packed with equipment."

"There's no need to look beyond the entry-point model as it's so generous with kit, comfort and, importantly, driving range. It does it all and does it brilliantly," he adds.

"The uberpractical Kia EV9 could be the vehicle that gets more drivers out of their petrol or diesel car than any other model," says UK Car of the Year Awards co-chair John Challen.

"The fact that nearly half of our judging panel chose the Kia as the UK Car of the Year 2024 is a massive vote of confidence in what is a seriously impressive and hugely appealing car."

David Ross was similarly impressed, calling the EV9 "the perfect family electric SUV".

The UK Car of the Year Awards were once again sponsored by heycar UK. CEO Karen Hilton said: "Kia is no stranger to electric cars, but the EV9 ushers in a new dawn for the brand. It's a proper family seven-seater with an impressive range and has caused quite a stir among car buyers."

"Kia continues to go from strength to strength and, while this is the brand's first overall UK Car of the Year win, we doubt it will be its last."

Paul Philpott, president and CEO, Kia UK, said: "It is a huge honour for Kia UK to be awarded a category win as well as the title of UK Car of the Year 2024 at this year’s UK Car of the Year Awards."

The recognition is made all the more significant, having been judged by some of the UK’s most influential and respected journalists from across automotive, business and technology industries.

"This well-respected award also gives our 190-strong UK dealer network a boost, as it continues to support customers on their electrification journey and deliver them the UK’s best car."

As reported last week by Honest John, the other UK Car of the Year Awards 2024 category winners were the Renault Clio in the Small Car category, the Fisker Ocean as Medium Crossover, BMW i5 as Executive Car and Honda Civic Type R as top Performance Car.