The automotive world is a battlefield of roaring engines, gleaming bodywork, and egos bigger than a Range Rover on steroids. But while the usual suspects like BMW and Mercedes slug it out with their latest toys, an underdog is quietly seizing the throne. For the fourth year running, the Hyundai Motor Group, with Kia as its shining standard-bearer, has clinched the World Car of the Year award. This time, it’s the Kia EV3, a compact electric crossover that proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to drive big. Let’s dive into this Korean fairytale and find out why this car is turning the world upside down.
The Kia EV3 isn’t a car that leaves you gobsmacked like a Lamborghini Aventador. It doesn’t have gullwing doors, an exhaust that roars like a dragon, or influencers posing with it in Dubai. But what it does have is a kind of no-nonsense brilliance you only appreciate when you live with it. With a starting price of €36,890, it’s more affordable than most electric competitors, and with a range of 605 kilometers, it laughs in the face of range anxiety. This is a car that doesn’t show off—it performs, like an automotive Robin Hood making the riches of technology accessible to the everyman.
Let’s rewind a bit. In 2022, the Hyundai Motor Group kicked off its winning streak with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, a retro-futuristic hatchback that looked like it drove straight out of a sci-fi flick. In 2023, the Ioniq 6 followed, a sleek sedan that seemed to rewrite the laws of aerodynamics. Last year, the Kia EV9 stole the show, a colossal electric SUV proving that big, green, and practical can go hand in hand. And now, in 2025, it’s the EV3’s turn—the EV9’s little brother—to wear the crown. Four years, four wins—that’s not luck anymore, that’s dominance.
What makes the EV3 so special? For starters, it’s compact but doesn’t feel cramped. Slotting into the B-segment, it’s at home in the tight streets of European cities, yet its boot and cabin feel roomier than you’d expect. The design is sharp, with clean lines and a minimalist flair that perfectly embodies Kia’s new design language. Inside, you get an interior that looks like it belongs in a pricier class: high-quality materials, a digital dashboard that could rival a cockpit, and enough gadgets to make a tech nerd drool. Think adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and an infotainment system that responds faster than a barista during the morning rush.
But the real magic is in the balance. The EV3 isn’t just affordable and practical—it drives like a dream. The World Car of the Year jury, a motley crew of journalists who’ve clocked more miles than a Boeing 747, picked the EV3 over heavyweights like the new BMW X3 and the Hyundai Inster. Why? Because it does everything well. It’s not the fastest or the most luxurious, but it blends range, price, and driving fun in a way that’s rare at this price point. Even the Hyundai Inster, which nabbed the World Electric Car of the Year title, couldn’t match the EV3’s all-round charm.
Of course, not everyone’s sold. There are always purists who insist a car without a V8 has no soul, or that EVs are just toys for trendy urbanites. But let’s be real: the world’s changing. Fuel prices are climbing faster than my blood pressure in a traffic jam, and cities are getting stricter with emissions rules. The EV3 isn’t a compromise—it’s a solution. It offers the freedom of a long range, the savings of electric driving, and the convenience of a car that doesn’t chain you to the pump. And for the skeptics: Kia’s seven-year warranty lasts longer than most relationships these days.
The EV3’s victory is also a big middle finger to the old guard. While European brands like Volkswagen and Mercedes stumble through their electric transitions, Kia—once the butt of automotive jokes—has reinvented itself as a pioneer. The Hyundai Motor Group is pouring billions into battery tech, smart manufacturing, and design, and it’s paying off. They’re no longer the cheap cousins from Korea; they’re the cool kids taking over the party.
Still, the EV3 isn’t flawless. Some gripe that a fully loaded version gets pricier than the base price suggests, and in a world where Tesla’s Model Y and Volkswagen’s ID.4 are lurking, the competition is cutthroat. But that’s nitpicking. The EV3 delivers more bang for your buck than an all-you-can-eat buffet, and it does so with a confidence you rarely see in this class.
So, what’s the verdict? The Kia EV3 isn’t just the best car of 2025—it’s a symbol of how far Kia has come. It’s a car that proves you don’t need to break the bank to drive big, and that electric driving is no longer a niche for tree-huggers. It’s practical, affordable, and—dare I say it—a bit cool. The car world has changed, and Kia’s calling the shots.
For those now itching to find a car that keeps both your wallet and your driving spirit happy, check out our marketplace. At Volty, you’ll find a wide range of cars to browse and buy, from electric gems like the EV3 to classic petrol-guzzlers. Head to https://volty.be/nl/buy/cars/overview/ and discover your next ride.
