Kia Sorento Wins Two Awards in the UK: Car of the Year and Best Large Family Car

Kia Motors Wins Two Awards This Year Following Last Year's Niro EV 'Best Electric Vehicle' Honor

Kia Motors Sorento was selected as the Car of the Year and Best Large Family Car at the '2021 Carbuyer Awards' hosted by the UK automotive media Carbuyer on the 25th (local time). (Photo by Kia Motors)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Kia Motors announced that the Sorento was selected as the Car of the Year and Best Large Family Car at the ‘2021 Carbuyer Awards’ hosted by the UK online automotive review site Carbuyer on the 25th (local time).

The Carbuyer Awards ceremony was held simultaneously on the Carbuyer website and YouTube channel, which have over 500,000 subscribers. The official Carbuyer website attracts 1.9 million visitors monthly, and its YouTube channel records 4 million views per month, making it a specialized online automotive media outlet. Now in its 10th year, the Carbuyer Awards divide vehicle categories into 19 segments, selecting the best vehicle in each. Ultimately, one Car of the Year is chosen across all categories.

Kia Motors previously won the inaugural Car of the Year award in 2011 with the Sportage, and last year the Niro EV was named Best Electric Vehicle. This year, the Sorento continued the tradition by simultaneously winning two categories: Best Large Family Car and Car of the Year.

Paul Philpott, CEO of Kia Motors UK, said, “The Sorento being named Car of the Year is an award that brings pride and encouragement to Kia’s partners,” adding, “It reflects the elevated brand status since Kia entered the UK market over 30 years ago.”

Richard Ingram, editor of Carbuyer, explained, “The Sorento is a versatile sport utility vehicle (SUV) that offers luxury and spacious interior, rivaling premium competitors,” and added, “It is fully qualified to win Car of the Year in a highly competitive market.”

The fourth-generation Sorento, launched in the UK in September, has received positive responses in the local large SUV market with its innovative design and advanced technology. Recently, it was named Large SUV of the Year at the ‘Golden Steering Wheel 2020’ hosted by German automotive magazine Auto Bild and daily newspaper Bild, and it continues to win awards consecutively in the UK as well.

The fourth-generation Sorento completed its full lineup domestically this year by adding the gasoline 2.5 turbo model this month following diesel and hybrid versions. As of the 25th, 79,972 units (70,653 units of the fourth generation) have been sold domestically, gaining popularity.