Kia EV9 has been named the winner of the 2024 World Car of the Year award. The victory announcement was made at the ongoing New York International Motor Show. The other two finalists who were beaten by the EV9 for the top spot were the Volvo EX30 and the BYD Seal. Bear in mind the Kia EV9 has also recently won the 2024 World’s Women Car of the Year award.
The EV9 also secured the World Electric Car of the Year award beating the BMW i5 and, again, the EX30. There was success for Volvo, though, with the EX30 winning the World Urban Car of the Year award. Other winners included a surprise win for the Toyota Prius, named World Car Design of the Year ahead of the Ferrari Purosangue and Ford Bronco, and the BMW 5 Series was named World Luxury Car of the Year.
Kia’s sister brand Hyundai grabbed the World Performance Car of the Year trophy for the Ioniq 5 N, following the Ioniq 5’s overall World Car of the Year win in 2022. And before the New York Event, Red Bull Racing’s Adrian Newey was named World Car Person of the Year. Speaking of Kia’s World Car Award win, President and CEO of Kia UK, Paul Philpott, said:
“This is fantastic recognition for such an important vehicle in our ever-evolving line-up. It’s made all the more important due to recognition from such esteemed journalists from the UK and around the world. I’m very proud of the Kia team for bringing such a sensational vehicle to market – we’re fast becoming a true leader in electric vehicles.”
The World Car Awards are voted for by an international panel of expert judges, including Auto Express editor-in-chief Steve Fowler. The EV9 is the 21st winner of the World Car of the Year trophy, completing a hat-trick by South Korean brands with the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 5 winning in 2023 and 2022. The Kia Telluride was named World Car of the Year in 2020.
Previous World Car of the Year winners
- 2023: Hyundai Ioniq 6
- 2022: Hyundai Ioniq 5
- 2021: Volkswagen ID.4
- 2020: Kia Telluride
- 2019: Jaguar I-Pace
- 2018: Volvo XC60
- 2017: Jaguar F-Pace
- 2016: Mazda MX-5
- 2015: Mercedes C-Class
- 2014: Audi A3
- 2013: Volkswagen Golf
- 2012: Volkswagen up!
- 2011: Nissan Leaf
Responsible for delivering local & international automotive news.