The Kia EV6 has reached the pinnacle of the automotive market in North America, recognized as an industry leader.

Kia announced on the 11th (local time) that the EV6 was awarded the title of ‘North American Car of the Year’ in the utility category (SUV category) at the ‘2023 North American Car of the Year’ ceremony held at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan.

This marks a significant achievement for Kia, as it is the first time in three years that the brand has won this prestigious recognition since the Telluride was named ‘2020 North American Car of the Year’ in the SUV category.

Following its win as the 2022 European Car of the Year, the EV6 has now claimed the title of 2023 North American Car of the Year, becoming the second vehicle to win two out of the world’s three major Car of the Year awards.

The finalists in the 2023 North American Car of the Year SUV category included the Kia EV6, Genesis GV60, and Cadillac Lyriq. After a fierce competition, the EV6 emerged as the ultimate winner.

The judging panel praised the EV6 for its “attractive design, impressive performance showcased by the GT model, reasonable pricing, and overwhelming range on a single charge,” noting that “Kia, as a regular brand, offers designs and amenities typically expected from luxury brands.”

The EV6’s recognition as the 2023 North American Car of the Year marks the fourth time in five years that a South Korean automotive brand has been honored. This is the seventh time a South Korean vehicle has received this accolade in the North American market: in 2009 with the Hyundai Genesis Sedan (BH), 2012 with the Hyundai Elantra, 2019 with the Genesis G70, Hyundai Kona, 2020 with the Kia Telluride and 2021 with the Hyundai Elantra.

This result demonstrates that the three automotive brands representing South Korea (Kia, Hyundai, Genesis) have all reached the pinnacle of recognition in the competitive North American automotive market.

The EV6 incorporates a dedicated electric vehicle platform (E-GMP), providing a distinctive design, spacious cabin with a 2,900mm wheelbase, the Vehicle to Load (V2L) function that allows the vehicle to supply power (220V) outside, and a rapid charging system that can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, showcasing high-level marketability that has received positive feedback in North America.

Since its launch in February last year, over 19,000 units of the EV6 have been sold in the U.S. alone. Prior to being named North American Car of the Year, it also achieved prestigious automobile awards across the globe, including ▲2022 European Car of the Year ▲2022 Irish Car of the Year ▲2022 What Car? Awards.

A Kia representative stated, “The refined technologies of the EV6, ranging from the standard to the GT models, have attracted significant attention from North American customers. This recognition as North American Car of the Year signifies that the EV6 is not only the best SUV but also has been acknowledged as a benchmark for electric vehicles. We expect this award will boost sales in the U.S. automotive market and allow us to continue our strong performance in the global market.”

Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr