Honda has secured first place in the respected 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, with an impressive overall score of 96.6%.
The Japanese manufacturer toppled MINI to take pole position for the first time in seven years, thanks to strong performances from the latest Civic, HR-V and Jazz.
MINI still did well, thanks to an impressive 99.1% individual score for the MINI Hatch (2014-2024).
Suzuki took third place, bolstered by strong showings from the latest S-Cross and the 2017-2024 Swift, while Toyota moved up from fifth to fourth.
“This is an incredible achievement and one we are extremely proud of at Honda,” said Rebecca Adamson, Head of Automobile at Honda Motor Europe (UK).
“Reliability is a cornerstone of our brand, and this recognition reflects the trust our customers place in us. In 2025 and beyond, we remain committed to delivering vehicles that not only inspire but also stand the test of time.”
Four models shared top spot with a remarkable 100% score for reliability – the Hyundai i10 (2020-present), Hyundai Santa Fe (2018-2024), Kia EV3 (2024-present) and Toyota GR Yaris (2016-present).
Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai & Genesis UK, said: “Reliability is at the heart of what makes a great car, and these results underline the trust our customers place in Hyundai.
“For both the i10 and SANTA FE to achieve perfect scores is a fantastic result and a true reflection of the quality and dependability built into every Hyundai.
“Just as importantly, our aftersales program is designed to make ownership straightforward, ensuring that whether it’s a routine service or any maintenance, customers can rely on Hyundai to get the job done efficiently.”
The 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, which gathered feedback from 32,493 UK car owners covering 227 models and 30 manufacturers.
We road test the Kia EV3 – the latest entrant in the highly competitive electric compact crossover sector…
Kia has come a long way since its UK launch in 1991. It’s now one of the biggest-selling brands in the UK – and it’s been making electric cars for 10 years.
The latest is the EV3, which joins the Niro EV, EV6, and EV9. Put simply, it’s an all-electric compact SUV boasting bold styling.
I’ve clocked up some decent miles in the EV3 already, and there’s no doubt that it’s another winner from the South Korean brand.
Available with two battery options – 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh – it delivers claimed ranges of 270 and 375 miles respectively.
Priced from £32,995, the EV3’s is up against some fierce opposition in this hotly-contested sector – the Jeep Avenger, Volvo EX30, Cupra Born, Skoda Elroq, Mini Aceman, Volkswagen ID.3 and Smart #1, to name but a few.
The EV3 is well equipped. Even the standard Air trim gets the full infotainment setup, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, reversing camera and rear parking sensors.
Upgrade to GT-Line trim (which also brings the bigger battery), and there’s wireless smartphone charging, ambient lighting and tinted rear windows.
The range-topping GT-Line S gets a Harmon Kardon stereo upgrade, a head-up display, 360-degree parking view, heated rear seats and a sunroof.
Looking not unlike a pint-sized EV9, the EV3’s blocky, yet futuristic styling makes it stand out from the crowd.
The wheels are pushed out to each corner, the roofline is long and slopes gently towards the rear, where there’s a wraparound tailgate spoiler.
At the front, the EV3’s headlights are arranged vertically and pushed out to the corners, giving a clean front end.
The rear lights are also slim and upright, while the wheel arches are sharply cut. All these features help to give the car an assertive stance.
Inside, the EV3 is thankfully not as minimalist as some rivals. The dashboard is dominated by a 12.3-inch driver’s display screen, a 12.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen and a 5.3-inch climate control screen.
Like all Kia cars, the whole set-up is intuitive and it’s good to see a few physical controls have survived.
There’s rightly a focus on sustainably sourced and recycled materials and build quality is impressive, though it’s some way off a premium cabin experience.
Space is one area that’s hard to fault. There’s ample room for adults front and back, while the boot is a cavernous 460 litres, expanding to 1,250 litres with the rear seats down.
There are plenty of storage spaces inside the car too, and there’s a small ‘frunk’ under the bonnet – perfect for storing the charging cable.
The EV3 is comfortable and most drivers will approve of the elevated driving position. Personally, I prefer to sit lower in a car where I feel more involved.
I tested the entry-level and flagship versions of the EV3, with 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh batteries respectively, on a mix of roads in the UK and France.
For the record, all models get a 201bhp electric motor, delivering a brisk 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds (Air) and 7.9 seconds (GT-Line and GT-Line S).
Charging speeds are pretty good at 128kW, but not ultra-fast like more expensive Kia EVs. Still, that’s still good for a 10 to 80% recharge in around 30 minutes.
The EV3 drives well with a combination of light steering, good visibility and decent body control, with just a little lean in more challenging corners.
For the most part, it rides well too, though we found the entry-level ‘Air’ (with the smaller battery and 17-inch rims) was slightly more compliant.
And with progressive brakes (not a given with EVs) and a slick regenetive braking system adjusted by paddles on the steering wheel, the EV3 is hard to fault.
Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes are available too, though as ever, Normal offers the best blend of efficiency and performance.
Refinement is also good, with limited road and wind noise, and no electric motor whine.
Crucially, we’d estimate the EV3 has a real-world range of 210-220 miles for the standard range battery, and around 300 miles for the long-ranger.
Finally, as with all Kia cars, the EV3 comes with a generous seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, in addition to an eight-year battery warranty.
Verdict: Kia has done it again with the EV3 – another superbly executed electric vehicle to add to an already impressive line-up. Distinctive, spacious, safe, competitively-priced and easy to drive, the Kia EV3 is one of the best all-round, family-friendly EVs on the market.
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)
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)
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
(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.
This week the little Kia Picanto celebrates 20 years of sales in the UK, having first been introduced in the same year that Shrek 2 was the highest-grossing film.
The car first went on sale in Kia’s home market of South Korea in 2003 as the Kia ‘Morning’, a name it still retains in certain markets today.
The city car was renamed ‘Picanto’ before it hit European streets, injecting a little extra ‘spice’.
Despite being the smallest of Kia’s range of vehicles on sale in the UK, the Picanto has consistently punched above its weight in sales performance, and is Kia’s fourth best-selling model in the UK this year.
In August 2023, the Picanto reached the milestone of 250,000 sales in the UK, making it the second best-selling model in Kia UK’s history, behind only the Sportage.
In its 20th year on sale in the UK the third-generation Picanto has undergone a major mid-life update, further reinforcing Kia’s commitment to the A-segment.
Its striking new appearance borrows many cues from Kia’s larger, more ‘premium’ models – such as the EV9.
Kia sold its 1.5 millionth car in the UK this April, amid a record-breaking month for the South Korean brand.
The landmark sale was a Kia EV6 GT-Line S in Yacht Blue, sold at 9:35am on 16 April at Norton Way GWR Kia in Brentford, London.
The milestone comes 33 years after Kia made its UK debut with the little Pride. The EV6 couldn’t be more different, with its fully electric powertrain and cutting-edge rapid charging capabilities.
Kia reached its first 500,000th sale in June 2013, 22 years after launching in the UK, in 1991. The millionth Kia sold was announced in January 2019, just six years later.
A record April for Kia, sales amounted to 8,044 and a market share of 6%, making Kia the fifth best-selling brand in the month and fourth in the year.
The Sportage was the sixth best-selling car in the April UK market overall, and is the UK’s third best-selling car year-to-date, with 2,192 sales in April and 15,824 this year respectively, while the Niro EV was the ninth best-selling electric car in the month and seventh year-to-date.
Kia’s popular Picanto city car was once again the best-selling vehicle in its class with 1,148 cars sold.
“This landmark achievement has been reached in record time and in yet another record-breaking month of sales, amplifying our continued success,” said Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK.
“This has in no small way been thanks to the continued efforts of our dealer partners and multi award-winning electrified product line-up.”
