KIA TAKES TWO AT THE ANNUAL WHAT CAR? ELECTRIC CAR AWARDS
Kia UK Limited has picked up two category wins at the annual What Car? Electric Car Awards, with an award each for the Kia EV6 and the e-Niro.
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The EV6 has won the ‘Readers’ choice’ award, a category in which the EV6 was voted the most exciting and highly anticipated upcoming EV by readers of What Car? magazine. The e-Niro earned the title of ‘Best electric small SUV’ for the second year running.
The What Car? Electric Car Awards were launched in 2020 to celebrate fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids capable of at least 20 miles of zero-emissions motoring between charges. The awards demonstrate the changing landscape of the UK car market and recognise the best EVs on sale today.
The Kia EV6 was unveiled in March this year, boasting a range of up to 528 kilometres (WLTP combined; around 328 miles). It is also the first car to exhibit Kia’s new design philosophy, ‘Opposites United’. The upcoming EV6 has been designed with driver and passenger comfort and convenience at its core, with innovative ‘relaxation’ seats and the ability to recharge its batteries from 10-to-80 per cent in just 18 minutes. An exhilarating ‘GT’ model is also due to be added to the line-up in 2022, capable of sprinting from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 161mph.
The EV6 caught the eye of the public, with the What Car? judges saying: “This strikingly styled new model has captured the imagination of What Car? readers. It beat seven other contenders to win our online poll looking for the upcoming electric car that people are most excited about.” The judges also praised the flagship EV for its abundance of standard equipment, incredible charging capability, and customisable, personal interior.
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e-Niro also takes home ‘Best electric small SUV’ award for second year in succession
Kia’s established front-running EV, the e-Niro, has been no stranger to award wins since its launch in 2016. As well as picking up the same award for the second year running, the e-Niro remains the only fully electric car to ever win the coveted What Car? Car of the Year award in 2019.
With an official range of 282 miles, whilst still qualifying for the UK Government’s £2,500 electric Plug-in Car Grant, the recently introduced e-Niro ‘2 Long Range’ with a 64kWh battery is the model of choice for the What Car? judges. The e-Niro was decorated for its incredible practicality, range, performance that rivals some hot hatchbacks, and its convenient and driver-friendly cabin - all for under £35,000. The judges commented: “Since its launch, no other EV has moved the goalposts in the way the e-Niro did. It may be one of the older models in its category, but it’s still one of the best.”
Commenting on the double award win, Paul Philpott, President & CEO at Kia UK Limited said: “To once again continue our award-winning form with the e-Niro, and to win an award for the EV6 before its UK launch, is a great honour. The EV6 is currently part way through a national dealer roadshow in the UK, giving customers an opportunity to see our next generation EV for themselves, it’s encouraging to see it making a positive impression with What Car? readers too. We are thrilled to be launching the EV6 in the UK later this year, and have no doubt it can follow in the footsteps of our continuously impressive EVs that are already available.”
Both the EV6 and e-Niro come with Kia’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty as standard. The first customer deliveries of the EV6 will commence in October this year.
