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.