Foreign media reported that Kia has become the first non-European brand to win three awards at the '2026 Golden Steering Wheel Awards', Germany's most prestigious car awards.
According to a report on the 11th (local time) by Electrek, a US electric vehicle outlet, Kia took first place in three categories with the EV2, the K4 Sportswagon and the EV5. The outlet said, "It is the first time in the 50-year history of this prestigious award that a non-European brand has won three Golden Steering Wheels in a single year."
The awards are organized by Auto Bild and Bild am Sonntag. This year, 90 new models were nominated. Readers voted to select three finalists in each of nine categories, 27 finalist models in all. A jury of celebrities and automotive experts tested the vehicles at the Dekra Lausitzring circuit. The outlet said the jury assessed handling, ride comfort, ease of use, quality, everyday practicality, sustainability and value.
Kia's entry-level electric SUV, the EV2, won the "Best car under 30,000 euros" category. The EV2 is a compact EV developed for the European market. It is only 4.06 meters long. Yet it offers up to 403 liters of cargo space. Its range is up to 453 km (281 miles) on the WLTP cycle, among the longest in its class, the outlet said.
The EV5 beat the Audi Q3 and the Cupra Formentor VZ5 in the compact SUV category. Launched in December, the EV5 is similar in size to the Sportage. It comes in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions with a range of more than 550 km (341 miles). Depending on the specification, it can tow up to 1,800 kg (about 4,000 pounds). The K4 Sportswagon, launched in May, edged out the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo and the Cupra Born in the compact category, the outlet said.
The outlet said Kia has an EV lineup in Europe ranging from the EV2 to the EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, the three-row EV9 and the PV5 van. However, Kia has no plans to sell the EV2 and EV5 in the US. The EV3 is sold in the US. The EV3 was named "Best car under 40,000 euros" at the awards in 2024. The 2027 EV3 starts at $29,890 in the US. It comes in five trims with two batteries. The base Light trim has a 58.3 kWh battery and a range of up to 221 miles. The other trims have an 81.4 kWh battery and run up to 321 miles, the outlet said.
※ This article was written based on a report by Electrek of the US on November 11 (local time).