• Home
• Cars

Kia has achieved a remarkable milestone in the European automotive sector by securing three titles at the 2026 Golden Steering Wheel Awards. This makes it the first non-European brand to win three awards in a single edition, coinciding with the prestigious event's Golden Jubilee celebrating 50 years since its inception.

Three Models Lead the Competition

Kia’s diverse lineup triumphed across three major categories. The Kia EV2 was named Best Car Under €30,000 following a rigorous evaluation of its base price, standard and optional equipment, warranties, and driving experience. In the Compact Car category, the Kia K4 Sportswagon outperformed prominent rivals such as the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo and Cupra Born, while the Kia EV5 clinched the Compact SUV title, surpassing the Audi Q3 and Cupra Formentor VZ5.

Strict Evaluation Criteria and an International Jury

The winning vehicles underwent a stringent selection process that began with the editorial boards of Auto Bild and Bild am Sonntag nominating 90 new models, from which readers selected 27 finalists. These finalists were put through field tests at the DEKRA Lausitzring circuit by a 23-member jury of experts and notable figures—including nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier, Isolde Holderied, David Schumacher, Boris Becker, and Jan Hofer. Evaluations were based on performance, comfort, quality, everyday usability, sustainability, and value for money. Full detailed results are scheduled to be published in Issue 46 (2026) of both newspapers.

Leadership Praise for Kia’s Integrated Vision

Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia, expressed pride in this historic achievement as the first non-European brand to claim three awards in one year, affirming that the European market remains a core pillar of Kia’s future. Similarly, Chang Soo Hang, President and CEO of Kia Europe, noted that winning with both all-electric and petrol models demonstrates the flexibility of the company’s portfolio, offering special praise for the EV2, which was developed, engineered, and manufactured entirely in Europe. Robin Hornig, Editor-in-Chief of Auto Bild, added that this triple victory proves Kia's ability to deliver a well-rounded, standout package across various price segments.

An Impressive Track Record Rises to Eight Awards

With this latest hat-trick, Kia has raised its all-time tally at the Golden Steering Wheel Awards to eight trophies. This continues a winning streak that includes the XCeed (2019), Sorento (2020), Niro EV (2022), EV9 (2023), and EV3 (2024), further cementing its position as a leading brand combining modern design with practical technologies tailored to diverse European customers.