Kia e-Niro electric vehicle named as What Car? 2019 Car of the Year
Kia e-Niro is What Car?’s Car of the Year 2019
What Car? has named the Kia e-Niro electric vehicle (EV) as its 2019 Car of the Year during its 42nd annual awards ceremony, held in association with Warranty Direct and BNP Paribas Cardif on Tuesday 22 January at Grosvenor House, Park Lane.
The Kia e-Niro beat 23 other category winners to take the overall title, becoming the first electric car to win the prestigious What Car? Car of the Year Award.
Victory for the e-Niro, which has a Real Range of 253 miles, also represents the first time Kia has taken the top prize at the ceremony.
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. Here is a spacious and practical family SUV that demands very few compromises.”
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.
The 2019 What Car? Awards saw the introduction of three new categories, recognising the best models in the Plug-in Hybrid, Sports SUV and Pick-up markets. These awards were won by the Volvo XC90 T8, Cupra Ateca and Volkswagen Amarok respectively.
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.
Reflecting the diverse range of cars available, the Performance and Sports Car category was split for 2019, broadening the range of eligible vehicles. The new Sports Car Award went to the Alpine A110, while the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio was named Performance Car of the Year.
Kia is the 20th car manufacturer to win an overall What Car? Car of the Year Award since its inception in 1978.
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.”
Aside from its overall Car of the Year success, Kia proved victorious in the City Car category, with the Kia Picanto taking the prize for the second year running.
- CITY CAR WINNER – Kia Picanto
- SMALL CAR WINNER – Volkswagen Polo
- FAMILY CAR WINNER – Skoda Octavia
- SMALL SUV – SPONSORED BY CAP HPI WINNER – Seat Arona
- FAMILY SUV – SPONSORED BY NOCO WINNER – Volvo XC40
- LARGE SUV WINNER – Peugeot 5008
- LUXURY SUV WINNER – Audi Q7
- MPV WINNER – Citroën Berlingo
- ESTATE CAR WINNER – Skoda Superb Estate
- HOT HATCH – SPONSORED BY WARRANTY DIRECT AND BNP PARIBAS CARDIFF WINNER – Honda Civic Type R
- CONVERTIBLE WINNER – Mercedes Benz S-Class Cabriolet
- COUPÉ WINNER – Audi A5 Coupe
- SPORTS CAR WINNER – Alpine A110
- PERFORMANCE CAR WINNER – Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
- SPORTS SUV WINNER – Cupra Ateca
- ELECTRIC CAR WINNER – Kia e-Niro
- HYBRID WINNER – Hyundai Ioniq
- PLUG IN HYBRID WINNER – Volvo XC90 T8
- EXECUTIVE CAR WINNER – BMW 3 Series
- PICK UP WINNER – Volkswagen Amarok
- LUXURY CAR WINNER – BMW 5 Series
- READER AWARD – SPONSORED BY ALA GAP INSURANCE WINNER – Honda Urban EV
- SAFETY AWARD – SPONSORED BY THATCHAM RESEARCH WINNER – Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- TECHNOLOGY AWARD WINNER – Hyundai
- CAR OF THE YEAR WINNER – Kia e-Niro
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