Kia EV3, Selected as '2025 Korea Car of the Year' by Auto Journalists Association

Awards Ceremony for Car of the Year Held on the 20th
Fierce Competition Among 15 Models from 12 Brands

Kia's EV3 was selected as the 2025 Korea Car of the Year (K-COTY·Korea Car Of The Year) by the Korea Automobile Journalists Association.

The Korea Automobile Journalists Association announced on the 20th that the Kia EV3 scored 75.53 points out of 100 in the overall satisfaction score and was named the 2025 Car of the Year following the final judging held on the 6th at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority Automobile Safety Research Institute in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.

Following the EV3, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class scored 74.94 points, the BMW 5 Series (530e) 74.27 points, the Renault Grand Koleos 73.17 points, and the BMW New X3 70.78 points.

Kia EV3. Provided by Kia

The Kia EV3, which won the 2025 Car of the Year, also earned the honor of being named the EV of the Year. Introduced by Kia to lead the popularization of electric vehicles, the EV3 is equipped with the dedicated electric vehicle platform E-GMP and a 4th generation battery. The long-range model, featuring an 81.4 kWh capacity battery, can travel 501 km on a single charge. The EV3’s design, based on Kia’s design philosophy Opposite United, combines dynamism and practicality, while the interior is praised for actively considering space utilization and convenience.

The final judging for the 2025 Korea Car of the Year saw fierce competition among 15 models from 12 brands including Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, MINI, Cadillac, Porsche, Polestar, Toyota, and Hyundai Motor Company.

The final evaluation used 10 assessment criteria from the perspectives of vehicle characteristics and consumer purchase intent: ▲exterior design ▲interior and emotional quality ▲instrument operation convenience ▲handling and driving feel ▲acceleration performance ▲NVH (noise/vibration) performance ▲high-speed stability and braking performance ▲safety and convenience equipment ▲fuel efficiency and maintenance ▲vehicle price and purchase intention.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Provided by Mercedes-Benz Korea

The Import Car of the Year was awarded to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which scored 74.94 points out of 100 in overall satisfaction. The 11th generation E-Class, a completely redesigned model released after 8 years, offers a design that harmoniously connects tradition and modernity and features the 3rd generation MBUX infotainment system, providing a new level of digital experience. It attracted attention for applying electrification technology across all models and equipping advanced safety and convenience features.

Renault Grand Koleos. Provided by Renault Korea

The SUV of the Year was awarded to the Renault Grand Koleos. The Grand Koleos, suitable as a family car, measures 4,780 mm in length and has the largest wheelbase in its class at 2,820 mm, providing ample second-row space and 320 mm of knee room. The powertrain offers a powerful and efficient E-Tech hybrid and a 2.0L gasoline turbo engine. It also features up to 31 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and newly applied 'openR panorama screen,' which drew attention.

Lexus LM 500h. Provided by Lexus

The Utility Vehicle of the Year was claimed by the Lexus LM 500h. The LM 500h is the second-generation model and Lexus’s flagship multipurpose vehicle (MPV) developed to provide a luxury mobility space. The LM 500h is Lexus’s representative model, equipped with a design and various convenience features considering passengers, based on comfortable quietness and pleasant ride quality. It was evaluated as suitable for various lifestyles, from work to relaxation.

Mini Countryman. Provided by Mini Korea

The Design of the Year was awarded to the MINI Countryman. The MINI Countryman was introduced as a completely redesigned model after 7 years, with a larger body and enhanced advanced features. The Countryman’s exterior inherits its unique angular headlights and design heritage, while adding a modern touch with a thin-lined octagonal grille emphasizing contours and vertical rear lights. Inside, it was praised for implementing a fresh image by applying a new circular display.

Porsche Taycan. Provided by Porsche Korea

The Performance of the Year honor went to the Porsche Taycan. The new Taycan was praised for presenting a new paradigm of electric sports cars with powerful driving performance, long driving range, and fast charging speed. The Taycan and Taycan Turbo S accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and 2.4 seconds, respectively, while the Taycan 4S and Taycan Turbo take 3.7 seconds and 2.7 seconds, respectively. The Taycan Turbo S delivers an additional 140 kW of power with launch control, reaching a total system output of 952 horsepower.

The Innovation of the Year was awarded to the advanced electrification technology applied to the Kia EV3. The EV3 features i-Pedal 3.0, developed based on Hyundai Motor Group’s world-class regenerative braking technology. i-Pedal 3.0 allows acceleration, deceleration, and stopping using only the accelerator pedal and can operate the i-Pedal function at all regenerative braking levels. Unlike the previous version, where i-Pedal operated only at the strongest regenerative braking level, drivers can now use the i-Pedal function at their preferred deceleration level, enabling a more comfortable and convenient driving experience.

Jung Chi-yeon, chairman of the Car of the Year selection committee, said, "The Korea Car of the Year was selected through a thorough judging and verification process, including real vehicle evaluations using major test roads within the Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute (KATRI)." He added, "I sincerely congratulate the brands that have risen to the top in each category after fierce competition." On the day, Chairman Jung unveiled the newly designed Korea Car of the Year (K-COTY) logo.

2025 Korea Car of the Year (K-COTY) logo. Provided by Korea Automobile Journalists Association

Meanwhile, the 2025 Korea Car of the Year awards ceremony was held in the convention hall on the 2nd floor of Sebitseom in Banpo, Seoul, that evening. Attendees included Park Dong-il, Director of Manufacturing Industry Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Kang Nam-hoon, Chairman of the Korea Automobile Mobility Industry Association; Jung Yoon-young, Vice Chairman of the Korea Imported Automobile Association; Eom Seong-bok, Director of the Korea Transportation Safety Authority Automobile Safety Research Institute; Ha Seong-yong, Chairman of the Korea Automobile Mobility Safety Society; as well as Matthias Busse, CEO of Porsche Korea; Jung Won-jung, Vice President of Kia; and Kilian Tellen, Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Korea.

On the day, Vice Chairman Jung Yoon-young said, "On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Korea Imported Automobile Association, I sincerely thank the Korea Automobile Journalists Association for supporting the growth of the Korean imported car market," and presented a plaque of appreciation to Chairman Choi Dae-yeol on behalf of the Korea Automobile Journalists Association.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.