Electric vehicle takes top award
An electric car has been named Car of the Year at the What Car? awards for the first time.
The Kia e-Niro electric vehicle (EV) has been named as 2019 Car of the Year during the 42nd annual awards ceremony, held in association with Warranty Direct and BNP Paribas Cardif last night.
The Kia e-Niro, with a range of 253 miles, beat 23 other category winners to take the overall title.
The success for an electric car comes at the beginning of a big year for the EV market, with several major manufacturers, including Audi, Honda and Mercedes-Benz, all planning to launch new electric models in 2019.
What Car? editor Steve Huntingford said, ‘The demand for electric cars has grown exponentially in recent years, and 2019 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet. Most of the leading manufacturers have plans for new EVs, and the fact that the Kia e-Niro was able to beat all its petrol and diesel rivals to win the 2019 What Car? Car of the Year Award shows how far this technology has developed.
‘The e-Niro stood out because it addresses the key issues of cost and range that have traditionally prevented many motorists from taking the plunge into EV ownership.’
As well as taking home the main accolade at the 2019 What Car? Car of the Year Awards, the Kia e-Niro was named Electric Car of the Year.
Hyundai joined Kia in being recognised for its work with alternative fuels, being named winner of the Technology Award for its progress with electric and fuel cell technology.
Last year’s overall winner, the Volvo XC40, returned to be named Family SUV of the Year for a second year running, while the Skoda Octavia continued its run of success in the Family car category, and the Peugeot 5008 reclaimed the crown for the best Large SUV.
Paul Philpott, president and CEO of Kia Motors UK, said, ‘Everyone at Kia Motors (UK) Limited and Kia Motors Corporation is honoured and delighted that the e-Niro is the first Korean car to win the What Car? Car of the Year Award. This marks an important milestone in the Awards as we approach the tipping point where every motorist will be seriously considering buying an electric car as their next car.
‘The market for all kinds of electrified cars is growing dramatically and What Car? recognising the e-Niro shows that the pure EV is now entering the mainstream. The future is definitely electric and with this decision What Car? is pushing even harder on an opening door.’
