The Kia EV6 electric crossover takes the gong ahead of an almost all-EV final shortlist.
What’s the best car in the world? For 2022 at least, that’ll be the Kia EV6, according to the judges at the European Car of the Year awards.
The electric premium crossover scored a total of 279 points, fending off a shortlist that was almost entirely comprised of pure EVs, a clear indication of the direction the automotive industry is trending towards. This is the first time that Kia, or any other South Korean car manufactuer, has won the prestigious title, and the third time for an EV.
Quotes from the judges on the EV6’s winning performance included:
“Sportier driving, firmer suspension, high range and excellent quick charging, because of 800-volt system, huge space, good package (frunk), nice details in the interior like the double-mode switches for navigation and climate control, no leather trim anymore, V2X-charging possible”
and
“The best electric car of all the finalists. It has the same virtues as the Ioniq 5, but it is an even more balanced car, more refined in the set-up, more attractive in design, with higher quality finishes… And knocking on our emotions we have the 585 hp of the GT developed with Rimac”
The other finalists in this year’s ECotY were, in descending order: the Renault Megane E-Tech (265 points); the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (261 points); the Peugeot 308, the only non-EV in the running (191 points); the Skoda Enyaq iV (185 points); the Ford Mustang Mach-E (150 points); and the Cupra Born (144 points).
The EV6 is Kia’s first purpose-built EV, sharing its platform and major components with the Hyundai Ioniq 5. There are five powertrain options available, mixing 2WD and 4WD capability, as well as short and long range battery options. Power figures range from 168hp in the 2WD Short Range model, all the way to a Porsche-rivalling 577hp in the high-performance GT version (which, by the way, also makes it the most powerful Korean production car ever).
Unfortunately, there’s still no word yet on when this striking EV will be making its way to Singapore.
about ECotY:
European Car of the Year is arguably the most prestigious of all the various Car of the Year awards worldwide. It’s an annual competition to find “a single, decisive winner” regardless of class or category, and organised by prominent car magazines from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom.
The jury, which is comprised of up to 65 automotive journalists from 23 European countries, judge the nominees based on: general design, comfort, safety, economy, handling and general roadworthiness, performance, functionality, general environmental requirements, driver satisfaction and price. Technical innovation and value for money are major factors. Each jury member then has up to 25 points to award to the seven finalists of any given year. No more than 10 points may be awarded to a single car, and the points must be spread across at least 5 cars.
The award was first held in 1964. Since then, notable winners have included the NSU Ro80 (first car with a Wankel rotary engine), the W116 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the quirky Citroen CX executive saloon, the Porsche 928 (only sports car to win), the Mk3 VW Golf, the K11 Nissan March from the ‘90s, the Renault Megane Scenic (first-ever mini-MPV), the original Ford Focus, the 2nd-gen Toyota Prius, the original Nissan Leaf, the Mk7 VW Golf, and the Jaguar I-Pace.
Enjoyed reading this article? Check out more car reviews and news in our Rides section!
