Electric car wins overall What Car? title for first time

What Car? has named the Kia e-Niro electric vehicle (EV) as its 2019 Car of the Year, marking a significant step forward for electric vehicles. The car beat 23 other category winners to take the overall title.

InstaVolt’s Tim Payne said: “This is another fantastic milestone for the electric car industry. We hope it’ll help to raise the profile of EVs and prompt drivers to consider the switch to a pure electric vehicle earlier than they might otherwise have considered it.”

What Car? editor Steve Huntingford said: “The demand for electric cars has grown exponentially in recent years, and 2019 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet.

“Most of the leading manufacturers have plans for new EVs, and the fact that the Kia e-Niro was able to beat all its petrol and diesel rivals to win the 2019 What Car? Car of the Year Award shows how far this technology has developed.

“The e-Niro stood out because it addresses the key issues of cost and range that have traditionally prevented many motorists from taking the plunge into EV ownership. Here is a spacious and practical family SUV that demands very few compromises.”

Paul Philpott, president and CEO of Kia Motors UK, said: “Everyone at Kia Motors (UK) Limited and Kia Motors Corporation is honoured and delighted that the e-Niro is the first Korean car to win the What Car? Car of the Year Award.

“This marks an important milestone in the Awards as we approach the tipping point where every motorist will be seriously considering buying an electric car as their next car.

“The market for all kinds of electrified cars is growing dramatically and What Car? recognising the e-Niro shows that the pure EV is now entering the mainstream. The future is definitely electric and with this decision What Car? is pushing even harder on an opening door.”