The Kia EV3 was named World Car of the Year at the annual New York International Auto Show, with Volvo, Porsche, BYD and Volkswagen also nabbing five other awards. As Headlight.News reports, EVs, dominated.
Battery-electric vehicles overwhelmed conventionally powered models when the annual World Car awards were announced at the New York International Auto Show.
Kia took top honors with the little EV3 driving off with the coveted World Car of the Year award determined by a jury consisting of 96 automotive journalists spread out across six continents.
The other five annual awards went to products from a mix of European and Asian brands, including familiar marques like Volvo, Porsche and Volkswagen, as well as Chinese upstart BYD. Here’s more.
World Car of the Year
The original Kia EV3 Concept debuted at the 2023 LA Auto Show.
Kia had a big presence at this year’s New York Auto Show, revealing the all-new EV4 battery-electric vehicle, introducing a new version of its three-row EV9 and bringing to the U.S. a hatchback version of its conventionally powered K4 line.
The capper was winning World Car of the Year honors for the little EV3, one of the newest members of its growing global line-up of battery-electric vehicles.
It is an immense honour for everyone at Kia that the EV3 has been awarded the 2025 World Car of the Year title,” said Ho Sung Song, the automaker’s CEO and president. “This award highlights Kia’s global leadership in providing design-led, technologically advanced, sustainable mobility solutions and how the EV3’s class-leading attributes redefine the user experience for customers worldwide.”
The downside of the win? While an EV3 is on display at Kia’s stand at the 2025 NYIAS, it’s not on sale in the U.S. and there’s no indication whether the automaker eventually might add it to the American line-up.
World Luxury Car
The Volvo EX90.
In this case, the winner is now on sales in the States, the Volvo EX90 being one of two EV-only product lines – along with the little EX30 – the Swedish automaker has launched recently. The EX90 now serves as the brand’s flagship and sets the stage for Volvo’s eventual transition into an EV-only brand.
“We’re pleased to see the EX90 get the recognition it deserves,” said Håkan Samuelsson, who earlier this month returned as chief executive officer of Volvo Cars. “It was up against some tough competition, but this award proves that the EX90 appeals to some of the most demanding customers across the world.”
The EX90 beat out nine other new luxury models from around the world that the World Car jury considered. Notably, that included a number of EVs, underscoring the growing interest in battery power among high-end buyers.
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World Performance Car
The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS hits 60 in 2.6 seconds thanks to a hybrid drivetrain.
That said, internal combustion technology can’t be written off, certainly not yet. And Porsche continued to thrill World Car jurors looking for the best performance vehicle.
That honor went to the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, a blisteringly quick version of the German marque’s flagship sports car. Even here, though, battery power plays a role, the GTS drawing power from a gas-electric driveline punching out 532 hp and 449 lb-ft of torque, enough to launch from 0-60 in 2.6 seconds.
“Performance has been in the DNA of the 911 since it was first introduced in 1963,” said Porsche CEO Oliver Blume. “With each of the eight generations since then, our aim has been to set the bar higher. The 911 Carrera GTS with the innovative, lightweight T-Hybrid system is the latest advancement in that quest. We are thrilled that the World Car jury could experience the power and performance of the car first-hand and are very grateful for the recognition.”
World Electric Vehicle
The Hyundai Inster.
Korean brands have become increasingly strong players when it comes to nabbing automotive awards, and Kia sibling Hyundai showed that in the World Electric Vehicle category, won by its little Inster EV. It’s a futuristic-looking EV with a range of about 220 miles using the global WLTP test standards.
“The Hyundai Inster has been a winner with customers since we introduced it,” said the automaker’s global CEO Jose Munoz. “It’s very gratifying that the experts on the prestigious World Car Awards jury feel the same way.”
As with the Kia EV3, however, the pint-sized Hyundai Inster currently isn’t available in the U.S. market and the company has given no indication it plans to bring it there.
World Urban Car
The new BYD Seagull starts as low as $9,700 in China.
While established brands dominated this year’s World Car awards, jurors were clearly impressed by some of the new players entering the market. That included BYD, the Chinese automaker that has displaced Tesla as the world’s best-selling EV brand.
Its BYD Seagull, also sold as the Dolphin Mini, won World Urban Car honors – though, again, the little EV isn’t offered in the U.S. which has used tariffs to effectively lock out most Chinese-made automobiles. Seagull has become a significant player due to its combination of features, range and a rock-bottom price.
“We are incredibly proud and honored that the BYD Seagull/Dolphin Mini has been recognized as the World Urban Car in the prestigious World Car Awards 2025,” said BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li. “This achievement reflects our commitment to providing sustainable technologies and exceptional service to customers worldwide.”
World Car Design
The final award went to a vehicle that had been decades in the making, the long-awaited replacement for the iconic VW Microbus.
The Volkswagen ID.Buzz is an all-electric van only recently launched in the U.S. in three-row form. It earlier debuted in other markets, such as Europe, in a shorter, two-row package. The German automaker spent years trying to find a suitable way to bring back its “Hippie Van,” only eventually turning to battery power to overcome technical and regulatory challenges.
“We set out to create an electric vehicle that not only pays homage to the iconic Microbus but also propels us into the future of automotive design,” said Kjell Gruner, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “The ID. Buzz was always intended to be more than just transportation; it’s our brand’s electric soul, a halo that radiates fresh energy and excitement. The ID. Buzz is reconnecting us with our roots while boldly stepping into the electric era, and this award is recognition of that vision.”
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