What Car has named the upcoming Kia e-Niro as its 2019 Car of the Year.

The fully electric model, which has a range of 253 miles, was honoured at the magazine’s 42nd annual awards ceremony at Grosvenor House, London.

The e-Niro beat 23 other category winners to take the overall title, becoming the first electric car to win the What Car Car of the Year Award.

What Car editor Steve Huntingford said: “The demand for electric cars has grown exponentially in recent years, and 2019 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet.

“Most of the leading manufacturers have plans for new EVs, and the fact that the Kia e-Niro was able to beat all its petrol and diesel rivals to win the 2019 What Car Car of the Year Award shows how far this technology has developed.

“The e-Niro stood out because it addresses the key issues of cost and range that have traditionally prevented many motorists from taking the plunge into EV ownership. Here is a spacious and practical family SUV that demands very few compromises.”

As well as taking home the main accolade, the Kia e-Niro was also named Electric Car of the Year.

Hyundai joined Kia in being recognised for its work with alternative fuels, being named winner of the Technology Award for its progress with electric and fuel cell technology.

The Volvo XC90 T8 was named Best Plug-in Hybrid and the VW Amarok took the Best Pick-Up award.

Last year’s overall winner, the Volvo XC40, returned to be named Family SUV of the Year for a second year running, while the Skoda Octavia continued its run of success in the Family car category.

The Peugeot 5008 was named Best Large SUV. 

2019 What Car Award winners

City Car - Kia Picanto

Small car - Volkswagen Polo

Family car - Skoda Octavia

Small SUV - Seat Arona

Family SUV - Volvo XC40

Large SUV - Peugeot 5008

Luxury SUV - Audi Q7

MPV - Citroën Berlingo

Estate car - Skoda Superb Estate

Hot hatch - Honda Civic Type R

Convertible - Mercedes Benz S-Class Cabriolet

Coupe - Audi A5 Coupe

Sports car - Alpine A110

Performance car - Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Sports SUV – Cupra Ateca

Electric car - Kia e-Niro

Hybrid - Hyundai Ioniq

Plug-in hybrid - Volvo XC90 T8

Executive car - BMW 3 Series

Pick-up - Volkswagen Amarok

Luxury car - BMW 5 Series

Reader award - Honda Urban EV

Safety award - Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Technology award - Hyundai

 

Car of the year - Kia e-Niro

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