Kia's new flagship SUV, the all-electric EV9 may need a bigger trophy case! It recently won not just one, but two World Car of the Year awards.
The EV9 was awarded World Car of the Year along with World Electric Vehicle at the New York International Auto Show last week. The KIA EV9 took top World Car honors from an initial entry list of thirty-eight vehicles from all over the world. The other two finalists for World Car of the Year were the BYD Seal and Volvo EX30.
The World Car Awards are selected by a jury of 100 automotive journalists representing 29 countries. Kia says the awards recognize the EV9’s innovative design, spacious seven-seat interior, and competitive price point. Based on the E-GMP platform, the EV9 is the first Kia to feature fourth-generation battery technology for improved performance.
"We are hugely honored that the 2024 EV9 has been named the World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle. This triumph is a testament to our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and design excellence. The Kia EV9's continued success will drive us to keep delivering exceptional vehicles that redefine the driving experience for customers around the world," Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia said.
The awards are certainly adding up for the three-row SUV which was also named 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year.
"EV9 is a clear representation of Kia's vision, and further evidence of our dedication to quality. This award cements Kia's standing as the frontrunner in sustainable mobility solutions that go beyond conventional automobiles. We share this honor with our global teams who contributed their utmost efforts to drive EV9's success," said Seungkyu (Sean) Yoon, President and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America.
The World Car Awards were established in 2003. This year marks the 4th and 5th wins for the automaker. In 2020, the Kia Telluride won World Car of the Year and the Soul EV as World Urban Car. In 2023, the Kia EV6 GT took home World Performance Car of the Year.
You can see a complete list of the World Car winners here.
Photo Credit: Kia.