Kia EV3 crowned Car of the Year by Autotrader

In a decisive verdict delivered not by critics but by the public, the Kia EV3 has been named the 2025 Car of the Year at the Autotrader Driver's Choice Awards. The result was determined by a survey of more than 225,000 car owners in the United Kingdom, and it is the sixth consecutive year that an electric vehicle has claimed the top honor.

The Autotrader awards differ from many industry competitions because they are rooted in the real-world experiences of motorists. The huge consumer vote provides a unique snapshot of satisfaction, covering everything from performance and reliability to daily usability. This year's event, hosted in Central London, saw electric cars dominate the winner's list, capturing ten of the 25 available category awards.

The Kia EV3 took the spotlight, but other electric cars also received high praise for their specific strengths. The BMW i4 was voted the Best Car for Families, recognized for its blend of practicality and premium feel. Surprisingly, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 was named the Best Car for City Drivers, despite it not really being small and maneuverable. Even dog owners had their say, choosing the spacious and practical Skoda Enyaq as the Best Car for Dog Owners.

The awards also celebrated vehicles that excel in other key areas. China's Omoda 5 made a big impact by winning Best Value New Car, thanks to its competitive pricing and feature set. The all-electric Porsche Macan was crowned the Most Fun to Drive, and the Renault Scenic E-Tech took home the award for Best Car for Long Distances. A long-range version of the Scenic E-Tech has an 87 kWh battery, delivering up to 387 miles on a single charge.

Not every winner was a pure EV - the Toyota RAV4 was named the Best Plug-in Hybrid, offering a bridge for those not ready to go fully electric. In a nod to tradition, the Volkswagen Golf was selected as the Best Car for New Drivers, and the iconic Land Rover Defender 110 was named the Most Loved Car. Brand-level awards recognized Lexus for its legendary reliability, Dacia for its exceptional value, and Tesla for having the Best Tech. But, in a shocking decision, Chinese automaker BYD was named the Most Loved Brand - true vindication of its rapid growth and positive reception among owners.

Beyond the public vote, two special awards are chosen by Autotrader's editorial directors. Editorial Director Erin Baker gave her Editor's Choice award to the retro-chic Renault 5, and in a celebration of internal combustion, YouTube Director Rory Reid selected the magnificent Ferrari 12Cilindri, a grand tourer powered by a V12 engine.

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