Kia Named ‘Best Manufacturer’ at 2026 Top Gear EV Awards: What This Means for EV Buyers

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Kia said April 1 that Top Gear, the U.K.’s leading automotive publication, named it Manufacturer of the Year at the 2026 Top Gear EV Awards.

Now in its seventh year, the Top Gear EV Awards — launched in 2020 to single out the best electric vehicles — added the Manufacturer of the Year category this year to recognize automakers driving the transition to electrification.

Last year, Kia’s purpose-built mobility (PBV) PV5, introduced in 2025, earned Top Gear’s Family Car of the Year and the light-commercial sector’s top honor, the 2026 World Van of the Year.

Ollie Q, deputy editor at Top Gear, said, “From the EV3 to the full-size EV9 SUV, the sleek EV6 and the boxy PV5, Kia’s electric models consistently demonstrate a high level of refinement. Backed by dependable range, accessible performance and a satisfying ride, the brand has confidently assembled an EV lineup that spans entry-level models such as the EV2 up to high-performance SUVs like the EV9 GT.”

Kia’s EV3 won Best Crossover EV at last year’s Top Gear EV Awards, and the Manufacturer of the Year honor further acknowledges the company’s strong product and technology position in the global EV market.

A Kia spokesperson said, “Over the past few years, Kia has introduced a wide range of electric vehicles across Europe. We will use this award as motivation to continue delivering the best possible experience for our customers.”