Kia Sweeps Three Golden Steering Wheel Categories
Kia became the first non-European brand to sweep three categories simultaneously at a prestigious awards ceremony hosted by leading German media outlets.Kia said that on Nov. 10 local time, it won three awards at the "2026 Golden Steering Wheel Awards," jointly organized by German automotive publica
Kia achieved a historic milestone by sweeping three prestigious categories at the 2026 Golden Steering Wheel Awards, a prestigious German automotive event. The awards, launched in 1976 and known for their rigorous judging process, were recently decided through a combination of reader votes and expert evaluations. Kia's EV5 emerged victorious in the Compact Sport Utility Vehicle category, outperforming influential European competitors like the Audi Q3 and Cupra Formentor VZ5.
The K4 Sportwagon claimed top honors in the Compact Class, surpassing the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo. Additionally, the small electric vehicle EV2 claimed the Best Car Under €30,000 title, showcasing Kia's affordability and product competitiveness. The judging panel consisted of 23 experts, including journalists and racing drivers, who rigorously assessed handling, ride comfort, and ease of use.
Robin Hornig, editor of Auto Bild, praised Kia for its exceptional performance across a wide range of categories, encompassing both electric and gasoline models. Genesis also made a strong showing, with its GV60 Magma securing first place in the Upper Midsize Class thanks to its agility and acceleration. Genesis' managing director, Peter Kronschnabl, highlighted the recognition of the brand's high-performance philosophy that balances precision and comfort.
Kia's CEO, Song Ho-sung, expressed pride in becoming the first non-European brand to claim three awards within a single year, underscoring the awards' 50-year legacy. EV2, one of the multiple award-winning models, has also been nominated for the 2027 European Car of the Year, to be revealed at the upcoming Brussels Motor Show in Belgium.
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