Paul Philpott (right), president and CEO, Kia UK, is presented with the UK Car of the Year 2024 trophy by John Challen (left), director, UK Car of the Year Awards (Picture credit: Charlie Kent)
The Kia EV9 has been declared UK Car of the Year 2024, recognising the EV’s practicality and quality. The seven-seat SUV ensures that electric vehicles have won the main prize at the UK Car of the Year Awards for three years running.
The runner-up spot went to Kia’s stablemate, Hyundai, with its IONIQ 6, while the final podium place was occupied by another EV crossover, Volvo’s EX30. However, the Kia EV9 was a clear winner when nearly half of the 30-strong jury chose it as their UK Car of the Year for 2024.
“The uberpractical Kia EV9 could be the vehicle that gets more drivers out of their petrol or diesel car than any other model. Seven seats, loaded with technology, premium quality and enough miles from the battery to cure almost every case of range anxiety – plus it’s fantastic to drive, too,” said John Challen, co-chairman, UK Car of the Year Awards. “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.”
Fellow UK Car of the Year Awards director, Alisdair Suttie, continued: “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.”
Taking delivery of the winner’s trophy, 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. We’re delighted that the judges agree just how impressive the EV9 is. 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. We are grateful to the judges for their hard work appraising this year’s contenders.
“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,” added Philpott.
Karen Hilton, CEO of heycar UK – sponsor of the UK Car of the Year Awards – said: “Congratulations to the Kia EV9 – a very well-deserved winner of UK Car of the Year 2024! 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.”
There were plenty of admirers within the 30-strong UK Car of the Year Awards jury of the Kia EV9. “The EV9 just does exactly what it is supposed to do; offer all-electric transport for large families in great comfort and with impressive efficiency. What’s more, it looks amazing,” said FleetandLeasing.com’s Tristan Young.
Natisha Chatten, from Auto Social UK, joined the judging panel for this year and she was one of the many judges won over by the new crossover: “Kia never misses with its electric cars – and the EV9 is no exception. It’s proof that a seven-seat EV doesn’t have to come with compromises.”
Andrew Clews, host of The Motoring Podcast added: “Kia has stolen a march on the mainstream makers by coming out with a practical, large SUV.”
Echoing Clews’ verdict, heycar’s David Ross commented: “The EV9 is the perfect family electric SUV.”
Paul Philpott (centre), president and CEO, Kia UK, receives the UK Car of the Year 2024 trophy from John Challen (left), director, UK Car of the Year Awards and Karen Hilton (right), CEO of heycar UK (Picture credit: Charlie Kent)
UK Car of the Year Awards 2024 category winners
Small Car – Renault Clio
Family Car – Hyundai IONIQ 6
Small Crossover – Volvo EX30
Medium Crossover – Fisker Ocean
Large Crossover – Kia EV9
Executive Car – BMW i5
Performance Car – Honda Civic Type R
Previous UK Car of the Year winners
2014 – BMW i3
2015 – BMW i8
2016 – Mazda MX-5
2017 – Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2018 – Volvo XC60
2019 – Jaguar I-PACE
2020 – Tesla Model 3
2021 – Toyota GR Yaris
2022 – Hyundai IONIQ 5
2023 – MG4