EVs rate in What Car? Car of the Year

The Kia e-Niro SUV has become the first Korean car to win the What Car? Car of the Year award.

This historic win caused a bit of a shock as it marks the first time an all-electric car has picked up the top prize – this time from 23 other models, also gaining ‘Electric Car of the Year’ at the awards in London.

The Renault Zoe won the ‘Best Electric Car for less than £30,000’ title for the sixth consecutive year at the January 22 consumer magazine What Car?awards announcement.

The e-Niro with an estimated 450km plus range will be available in the United Kingdom from April 1 this year in single high-specification, feature-rich ‘First Edition’ model.

Kia featured in several non-EV categories too, including the Kia Picanto retaining its ‘City Car of the Year’ award. Both the Ceed and Stinger won in their price categories too.

‘Uncompromised electric car ownership has, so far, been the privilege of those able to afford a Tesla, which is why the e-Niro is such a game-changer,” The What Car? judging panel says

“While the Renault Zoe deserves credit for offering a decent range for less than £20k, and the I-Pace for giving Tesla buyers a better option, we think Kia’s success in making a long-range electric car that’s within the reach of many deserves the most credit.”

Kia Motors (UK) president and chief executive officer Paul Philpott says the e-Niro will be available across its 192-strong dealer network.

“To come away with five awards shows the breadth of our product line up and is a testament to how far the brand has grown since launching in the UK.”

The Renault Zoe has won its award every year since 2014.

“Electric cars are becoming more popular every month and the Renault Zoe has been at the forefront of the market since it was launched in the UK six years ago,” Renault UK managing director Vincent Tourette says.

About 1993 Zoes sold in the UK last year, an increase of 1.25% over 2017, with the car available under either a battery hire scheme or a ‘full purchase’ option.

Renault also offers with it a free 7kW wall box charger fully-installed in the home.

Renault’s popular electric supermini is joined by other electrics the Twizy quadricycle, the Kangoo Z.E. 33 Van and the New Master Z.E. Van.