The UK Car of the Year Awards 2026 have recognised two standout electric vehicles at opposite ends of the market, with the Hyundai IONIQ 9 crowned Large Crossover of the Year and the Kia EV4 winning the Family Car category. The dual success underlines the continued strength of Korean manufacturers in shaping the future of electric mobility for UK drivers.
Established in 2014, the UK Car of the Year Awards celebrate the best new vehicles available to British motorists. Winners are selected by a panel of 30 highly respected automotive journalists from print and online media, all of whom collectively test every new car launched in the UK over the past year. Category winners now progress to the final stage, where the overall UK Car of the Year 2026 will be announced at the end of February.
Hyundai IONIQ 9 Wins Large Crossover of the Year
The Hyundai IONIQ 9 has been named Large Crossover of the Year at the UK Car of the Year Awards 2026, reinforcing Hyundai’s reputation for innovation, quality, and forward-thinking electric vehicle design.
Judges praised the IONIQ 9 for combining practicality, performance, and road presence, supported by a spacious and high-quality interior. The all-electric SUV is available with six- or seven-seat layouts, making it a compelling choice for families and long-distance drivers alike.
John Challen, Managing Director of the UK Car of the Year Awards, commented:
“Practicality, performance and presence – the IONIQ 9 has it all. A fantastic interior makes for a thoroughly enjoyable driving experience, with the added choice of a six- or seven-seat layout.”
Built on Hyundai’s advanced E-GMP electric platform, the IONIQ 9 features a 110.3 kWh battery, delivering up to 385 miles (WLTP) of range. Aerodynamic optimisation helps achieve a drag coefficient as low as 0.259 when fitted with digital side mirrors, contributing to efficiency and refinement.
Inside, the cabin focuses on technology and comfort, offering a flat floor, up to 1,323 litres of luggage space with the seats folded, and a premium feature set that includes a panoramic widescreen digital cockpit, Hyundai AI Assistant with natural voice control, Active Noise Control, acoustic glazing, and the full SmartSense safety suite.
Keith Jones, UK Car of the Year Awards judge, highlighted Hyundai’s design achievement, stating that the IONIQ family will be remembered for creating distinct yet clearly related models that stand apart in the 2020s EV landscape.
The IONIQ 9’s UK Car of the Year category win adds to an impressive list of accolades, including Large Car of the Year at the 2026 Company Car & Van of the Year Awards, Comfortable Cruiser of the Year at the Carwow Car of the Year Awards 2026, Best Seven-Seater at the 2026 Parkers New Car Awards, and Best Seven-Seat EV at the TopGear.com Electric Awards.
Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai & Genesis UK, said the award is a strong endorsement of Hyundai’s electric ambition, highlighting the brand’s commitment to pushing boundaries in space, design, and technology.
Kia EV4 Crowned Family Car of the Year
Alongside Hyundai’s success, the Kia EV4 has been named Family Car of the Year at the UK Car of the Year Awards 2026, securing its place as one of the most important new electric cars for UK households. The category win also puts the EV4 in contention for the overall UK Car of the Year title, to be announced on 26 February.
The EV4’s victory builds on previous accolades, including Electric Car of the Year at the News UK Motor Awards and Best Medium Car of the Year at The Car Expert Awards 2026.
UK Car of the Year Editor John Challen praised the EV4 as a refreshing alternative to electric SUVs, noting that combining the best elements of Kia’s existing EV range in hatchback and fastback form has proven highly effective.
As Kia’s first fully electric family hatchback and saloon, the EV4 sits at the heart of the brand’s expanding EV line-up, alongside the EV3, EV5, EV6 and EV9. The hatchback is built at Kia’s Žilina factory in Slovakia and is offered in Air, GT-Line, and GT-Line S trims, all generously equipped as standard.
Two battery options are available: 58.3 kWh or 81.4 kWh, with the long-range version offering up to 388 miles (WLTP) in its most efficient configuration. Rapid charging capability allows a 10–80% charge in just 29 minutes using a 150 kW DC fast charger.
Designed with families in mind, the EV4 offers a spacious cabin and a 435-litre boot in the hatchback, increasing to 490 litres in the EV4 Fastback. Safety is another key strength, with the EV4 achieving the maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating, scoring highly for both adult and child occupant protection.
Priced from £34,745 on the road, the Kia EV4 is also one of the brand’s first models eligible for the £1,500 UK Electric Car Grant, further strengthening its value proposition for UK buyers.
UK Car of the Year Recognition for Electric Excellence
The 2026 UK Car of the Year Awards highlight the growing maturity of the electric car market, with the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and Kia EV4 demonstrating how EVs can cater to very different customer needs without compromise. From large, luxury-focused electric crossovers to practical, affordable family hatchbacks, both models showcase how Korean brands continue to set benchmarks in design, technology, safety, and real-world usability.
