Kia EV3 crowned UK Car of the Year 2025

Gareth Herincx

53 mins ago
Auto News

Kia EV3

Kia has pulled off the double by winning the UK Car of the Year Awards two years in a row.

Following on from the Kia EV9’s triumph in 2024, the EV3 has been named overall victor in 2025. It’s also the fourth year in succession that the top prize has gone to an electric vehicle.

The EV3 won its Small Crossover category and then beat the winners of the six other categories.

As a member of the UKCOTY jury, I played a small part in picking Britain’s best cars of 2025, and I’d like to congratulate all the winners.

Paul Philpott of Kia UK (left) with UKCOTY's John Challen
Paul Philpott of Kia UK (left) with UKCOTY’s John Challen

“Securing back-to-back successes in this competition has only been achieved once before, which shows the outstanding attributes and appeal of the Kia EV3,” said John Challen, co-chairman, UK Car of the Year Awards.

“Kia has successfully grown its EV portfolio and the specification, driving range, and distinctive styling are all EV3 elements that impressed our panel of experts.”

Receiving the winner’s trophy, Paul Philpott, president and CEO, Kia UK, said: “We’re delighted to once again be victorious winning the outright UK Car of the Year Award with EV3. This follows our success in 2024 with EV9.

“These consecutive awards clearly demonstrate Kia’s strong leadership in electrification, the genuine demand from UK customers, and the quality of our product line up.”

UK Car of the Year Awards 2025 category winners:

  • Small Car – Suzuki Swift
  • Family Car – Skoda Superb
  • Small Crossover – Kia EV3
  • Medium Crossover – MINI Countryman
  • Large Crossover – Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Executive Car – Polestar 4
  • Performance Car – Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

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Peugeot E-5008 review

Peugeot E-5008 review

We road test the stylish Peugeot E-5008 electric seven-seater…

If you’re looking for a big SUV that’s capable of carrying seven people in reasonable comfort, there’s already a pretty good choice.

Petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric – there’s something for everybody.

At the more affordable end of the list there’s the Mazda CX-80, Skoda Kodiaq, Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan X-Trail, SEAT Tarraco and Kia EV9, for instance.

Peugeot E-5008 review

The Peugeot 5008 should also be on that shortlist. Originally launched in 2009 as a dowdy MPV, the 5008 hasn’t looked back since 2017 when it was re-invented as a family SUV.

Now the third generation, introduced in 2024, is even better, blending kerb appeal with practicality and a premium feel.

Peugeot’s hedging its bets with the 5008 because it’s available as a full hybrid, plug-in hybrid and 100% electric.

Right now I’m focusing on the EV version (badged E-5008), which comes with either a 73kWh or 97kWh battery back.

Peugeot E-5008 review

Priced from £48,650, my test car had the smaller battery (paired with a 207bhp electric motor), which in theory is capable of a range of up to 310 miles. For the record, the 97kWh can travel up to 414 miles, and soon a four-wheel drive variant will be offered (73kWh, 310 miles).

Effectively a stretched version of the E-3008, the E-5008 is one of the sharpest-looking electric seven-seaters on the market.

The well-proportioned E-5008 has serious road presence, thanks to its bold front end featuring slim LED headlamps integrated into the frameless grille. Naturally, Peugeot’s trademark light signatures are present too – ‘lion’s claw’ LED daytime running lights up front and ‘three-claw’ at the rear.

Inside, there’s the wow factor of Peugeot’s new ‘Panoramic i-Cockpit’, complete with a floating, curved 21-inch HD screen that combines the driver’s display with the central touchscreen.

Peugeot E-5008 review

I’ve had my issues with the i-Cockpit design before, because the dinky, low-set steering wheel and higher dashboard results in a slightly awkward driving position for taller drivers (ie the steering wheel is almost in your lap, otherwise it blocks the dashboard).

Thankfully, this situation is much-improved in the E-5008, though it’s still a quirk.

The main takeaway is that the infotainment screen and instrument cluster are a huge-step up from the previous model. The graphics are still not-class-leading, but it’s a big improvement and works well.

There are no physical buttons, but the touch keys are great and the ability to create shortcuts boosts usability. There’s also a handy ‘OK Peugeot’ voice assistant and integrated ChatGPT.

Peugeot E-5008 review

The E-5008 also ticks the sustainability box. Peugeot claims that more than 500kg of green materials are used in each car. For instance, recycled plastic is used in bumpers, storage bins and carpets.

The E-5008 is available in two trim levels – entry-level Allure, and range-topping GT.

All models come with a reversing camera, wireless charger, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, ambient lighting, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane keep assist, to name but a few goodies.

GT specs cars gain features such as adaptive headlights, two-tone paint, heated steering wheel, powered tailgate and adaptive cruise control.

Peugeot E-5008 review

Inside, the Peugeot E-5008 is light and spacious, while the overall finish and build quality is getting close to premium rivals. Visibility is good, which helps with manoeuvres, along with light steering and the reversing camera, which offers two angles – rear view or bird’s eye.

Like a lot of seven-seaters, there’s just enough space for adults in the third row, but only for short distances. Children and small people will be fine.

Access is helped by the wide-opening rear doors and the second-row seats which slide and tilt.

With five seats in play you get an impressive 916 litres of boot space. This drops to 348 litres in the seven-seater. Fold down both rear rows and you get a massive 2,232 litres of load space.

Peugeot E-5008 review

Naturally, the E-5008 feels substantial on the road, but it’s more agile than you might think, managing to stay remarkably flat in more challenging corners. However, it’s at its best as a refined cruiser.

Additionally, the suspension soaks up bumps nicely, delivering a comfortable ride, and it generally feels nicely planted. Overall, I think it handles better than the E-3008.

It’s not savagely fast like some competitors, but 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds is more than enough to hold its own, and the instant torque off the mark makes it seem quicker. Just a shame that there’s a fair amount of travel in the brake pedal before anything happens and then it’s on the grabby side.

Three drives modes (Eco, Normal and Sport) are available, but as ever, Eco dulls the driving experience, Sport is fine for short bursts, but Normal offers the best blend of performance and efficiency.

Peugeot E-5008 review

There’s paddle-mounted brake regeneration with three different settings to ‘claw’ back some of that energy otherwise lost when slowing down. However, there is no one-pedal option, liked by many EV drivers (not me).

Talking of charging, the E-5008 can do so at speeds of up to 160kW, meaning a top-up from 10 to 80% will take you around 30 minutes, though most owners will probably charge overnight at home.

We’d need to drive the E-5008 for a week or so to give a proper estimate of real-world range. Based on our test drive on mixed roads, where we achieved a creditable average efficiency of 3.8 miles per kWh, I’d say the entry-level 73kWh model is capable of as much as 240-250 miles, though colder weather and driving style will knock it down.

Verdict: Sharply styled, spacious, safe and easy to drive, the Peugeot E-5008 is a welcome addition to the growing seven-seater SUV category.

Peugeot UK

Mazda CX-80 review

Mazda CX-80 review

We get to grips with the classy CX-80 seven-seater SUV – Mazda’s new flagship…

If you need a big SUV that’s capable of carrying seven people in reasonable comfort, there’s already a pretty good choice.

The new Mazda CX-80 is a welcome addition to the more affordable end of the list, which includes the Skoda Kodiaq, Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan X-Trail, SEAT Tarraco, Peugeot e-5008 and Kia EV9.

Mazda CX-80 review

Priced from £49,670, it looks familiar because it’s essentially a stretched version of the smaller CX-60 SUV.

At nearly five metres long, the CX-80 is no shrinking violet. From the front, it’s easily mistaken for a CX-60, but that profile with its huge 3,120mm wheelbase (longer than a Kia EV9 and BMW X7) is something else, and it’s 26mm taller.

The good news is that these dimensions result in a third row of seats and there’s a choice of layouts, so the middle row can either have two “captain’s chairs” (six seats in all) or a three/two-seat bench. Both bench and individual seats fold and slide backwards and forwards (by 120mm) for added practicality.

Mazda CX-80 review

As always, I tried the third row for size, and as a 5’11” adult I can confirm that there is space as long as the middle row is pushed forward a little. The important takeaway is that it is just possible for passengers my height to sit behind each other

There’s plenty of load space in the CX-80 too, with a reasonable 258 litres with all the seats up, 566 litres with the third row down and 1,971 litres with all the seats flat.

Powered by the same engines as the Mazda CX-60, there’s a choice of plug-in hybrid or diesel, and all-wheel drive (rear-biased) is standard.

Mazda CX-80 review

The 2.5-litre petrol engine and plug-in hybrid set-up produces 323bhp (369lb ft of torque) for a 0–62mph of 6.8 seconds, while the 17.8kWh battery is good for an official 38 miles of electric-only range and CO2 emissions are just 35g/km.

If you prefer diesel, the 3.3-litre six-cylinder paired with a 48V mild hybrid system, pumps out 251bhp (406lb ft), is good for an 8.4-second 0–62mph dash and can manage a claimed 49.6mpg (CO2 emissions 148g/km).

Both engines are rated at 2,500kg for towing, but naturally, the diesel makes more sense when it comes to grunt and long-range economy. Incidentally, there’s a clever drive mode available which improves stability and driving performance when towing. Additionally, a “Trailer Hitch View” rear-facing camera makes it easier to align the car and a “See-Through View” helps when manoeuvring in tight car parks and city streets.

Mazda CX-80 review

The CX-80 is packed with the latest safety and driver assistance technology and achieved a maximum five stars in Euro NCAP tests. In fact, it was named Best in Class in the Large SUV category, narrowly beating the Audi Q6 e-tron.

All in all, the CX-80 has a premium look and feel throughout the cabin. And Mazda does things differently, so there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch central display, but the latter is not a touchscreen. Control is via a rotary dial in the centre console, or Amazon’s virtual assistant Alexa, which is built-in and can control music, air-conditioning, navigation and third-party apps such as Spotify. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.

On the road, the Mazda CX-80 doesn’t feel any more substantial than the CX-60, while visibility is decent and where it’s more challenging (the far-off rear when manoeuvring), the 360-degree camera helps out.

Mazda CX-80 review

For me, the seating position at its lowest setting is still too high for me, but then that’s not unusual.

The ride is on the firm side, which is not helped by the big 20-inch wheels on the higher grade models, so probably best to stick with the 18-inch wheels on the entry-level Exclusive-Line if comfort is your priority.

It handles well for such a big SUV and feels planted, while body lean is minimal in faster corners. The steering is well weighted and responsive, while good grip gives you the confidence to push on.

Mazda CX-80 review

Ultimately, your CX-80 experience is likely to be determined by your choice of powertrain.

The big turbodiesel is a joy. While it’s not quite up there with an equivalent six-cylinder BMW unit, it’s smooth, sounds the part, and is blessed with plenty of low-down grunt.

I averaged around 42mpg with a high of 46mpg, during my test, which isn’t bad for a car this size. With a little restraint, the claimed 49.6mpg on a steady run may well be achievable.

Mazda CX-80 review

The plug-in hybrid is a mixed bag. You’ll have to take it very easy to get close to 38 miles of pure EV range (which in itself is modest compared to a Kodiaq’s 62 miles, for instance).

Then once you’ve run out of juice (or you put your foot down) the petrol engine kicks in. The transition isn’t always the smoothest and the four-cylinder unit is on the harsh side when pushed.

That said, it’s powerful enough, but economy will drop below 40mpg when the battery is drained, which isn’t ideal on a longer journey. On shorter runs, closer to 100mpg is possible (as high as 176.6mpg) in theory.

Mazda CX-80 review

Weirdly the PHEV feels lighter and more agile, even though it’s heavier than the diesel, while the slick eight-speed automatic on both models is just the job.

A Sport drive mode, which boosts throttle response and handling, s available with both engines, but default Normal offers the best balance of performance and economy.

As ever, with a big SUV, it’s at its best cruising, soaking up the miles in comfort.

Verdict: The big Mazda CX-80 is a welcome addition to the seven-seater SUV category. Distinctive, safe, spacious and engaging to drive, it’s a premium car at a reasonable price.

Mazda UK

Mazda CX-80 review

Oh la la! Celebrating 10 years of electric motoring with Kia

Kia EV6 Lille

We mark the zero emissions milestone by driving two EVs from the big-selling Kia stable to the Christmas market in Lille – and back…

The automotive world has changed massively since 2014. Since then, Kia has been leading the charge to a more planet-friendly future.

It’s amazing to think that Kia’s first step into the electric car market was just 10 years ago with the first-generation Soul EV.

Kia Soul EV 2014
(Kia Soul EV)

With a battery of just 27kWh and a claimed range of 132 miles, the Soul EV was a solid, if quirky, debut electric car.

A decade later, and the brand is now one of the big players in the zero emissions market, currently offering four models – the Niro EV, EV3, EV6 and EV9.

And that’s just the start of the journey. By 2027 Kia is planning to offer nine EVs.

To mark the occasion, I joined a team of other motoring journalists and members of the Kia UK PR team on a celebratory trip to Lille – in the heart of French Flanders. A chance to sample two acclaimed Kia electric vehicles for extended periods – the EV3 and EV6 – and to experience driving and charging in France.

Our adventure started at Biggin Hill in Kent for an early morning rendezvous, followed by a 60-mile drive down to Folkestone to catch the Le Shuttle.

Kia EV6
(Kia EV6)

Our wheels for the first leg of the journey were the recently facelifted Kia EV6, which was crowned European Car of the Year in 2022.

When it was launched in 2021, it was Kia first’s electric-only vehicle with a 300-mile plus range. The futuristic fastback is now a common sight on our roads, and early in 2024 it was treated to a mini makeover.

The latest version can travel further and charge faster, thanks to a new battery pack. Styling tweaks and technology updates complete the refresh.

The new battery (up from 77.4kWh to 84.0kWh) increased the EV6’s maximum WLTP range from 328 to 361 miles.

Outside, it gets a more dynamic front end. Inside, it still comes with dual 12.3-inch displays, but the updated model gets Kia’s latest software and graphics, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is now wireless.

The centre console also features a fingerprint authentication system, which allows users to start the car without a smart key or digital key. Elsewhere, there’s a slightly squared-off steering wheel and the cockpit as a whole has a classier look and feel. It also now boasts the latest safety and drive assist features.

Kia EV6 Eurotunnel

Our EV6 (an all-wheel-drive GT-Line S) was in its element cruising down the 60 miles to the Eurotunnel and then meandering up to Lille from Calais. The scenic 77-mile route made little impact on the range and we arrived with more than 50% charge left.

Powerful, comfortable, whisper-quiet and as smooth as ever, the EV6’s 480-litre boot swallowed up our luggage. Had we have been carrying passengers, two adults would have been perfectly content in the back.

Kia EV6 Lille city driving

The weather was cold and damp in Lille, but will didn’t let it dampen our spirits – and we had plenty of time to investigate.

The centre of Lille is fairly compact and packed with independent shops, big brands, restaurants, bars and cafes, so there no shortage of things to do.

Lille Christmas market

And, of course, at this time of the year it’s worth strolling over to the Christmas Market (also known as the Village de Noël de Lille) at Place Rihour, where you’ll find gift ideas, Christmas decorations, plus festive food and drink.

Around the corner in the Grand Place, you can go for a ride on the giant Ferris wheel before checking out the Christmas grotto.

Kia EV3 Lille
(Kia EV3)

We were back on the road the following morning – this time in the recently launched Kia EV3.

Looking not unlike a pint-sized EV9, the EV3 is a distinctive and impressive 100% electric compact SUV, which is sure to be top of many wish-lists in 2025.

Kia EV3 France

Spacious, easy to drive and rammed with the latest tech, it comes with two battery options – 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh – delivering claimed ranges of 270 and 375 miles respectively.

Our Long Range was an effortless joy to drive back from Lille. Our route down included a stop-off at a hypermarket at Hazebrouck for Christmas treats, plus a quick charge at an Ionity station just off the A25 near Steenvoorde.

For the record, a 10-80% charge takes 31 minutes (at 150kWh). We only needed to get back up to 60% for our drive back to Biggin Hill, so 15 minutes was enough.

Interestingly, the cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour (kWh) at Ionity was €0.59 (less than 50p), compared to 74p in the UK.

Kia Ionity charging
(L to R: Kia EV6, EV3, EV9)

The EV3’s big 460-litre boot, complete with adjustable floor (the area below is ideal for crushable items such as bread and pastries), easily managed our cabin luggage-sized cases, plus boxes and bags full of festive booze and gifts.

Less than a week after my brief first drive in the EV3, it was a great opportunity to spend some quality time behind the wheel, and it didn’t disappoint.

We arrived back at Biggin Hill with more than 30% charge left, and if nothing else, it reinforced my belief that the EV3 is going to be the go-to electric vehicle for many families.

The entry-level Standard Range is competitively priced from £32,995, while longer range versions start at £35,995. The revised EV6 range starts at £45,575, and it’s better than.

Whether you choose an EV3 or EV6 – or a Niro EV or EV9 for that matter – you won’t be disappointed. And remember, all Kia cars come with a generous seven-year warranty, so there’s peace of mind too.

Joyeux Noël

Kia EV9 crowned ‘UK Car of the Year 2024’

Gareth Herincx

1 hour ago
Auto News

Kia EV9 review

Kia’s flagship EV9 SUV has triumphed at the UK Car of the Year Awards, winning the overall title and the ‘Large Crossover’ category.

Celebrating the best new vehicles available to UK customers today across eight categories, the UK Car of the Year jury is made up of 30 journalists working across the UK on automotive, business and tech publications. Eligible cars for the awards must have been launched within the past 12 months.

Judges praised the EV9 for several factors, including its innate practicality, modern design, and long electric driving range.

“The uberpractical Kia EV9 could be the vehicle that gets more drivers out of their petrol or diesel car than any other model,” said John Challen, co-chairman of the UK Car of the Year Awards.

“Seven seats, loaded with technology, premium quality and enough miles from the battery to cure almost every case of range anxiety – plus it’s fantastic to drive, too.

“The fact that nearly half of our judging panel chose the Kia as the UK Car of the Year 2024 is a massive vote of confidence in what is a seriously impressive and hugely appealing car.”

The streamlined Hyundai Ioniq 6 took the runner-up spot, while the final podium place went to Volvo’s EX30.

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