Kia PV5 Named "Family Car of the Year" by Top Gear

Hyundai Casper Electric Named "City Car of the Year"

Kia's "The Kia PV5" has achieved the remarkable feat of winning a series of awards at global ceremonies.

On the 26th (local time), Kia announced that the PV5 Passenger model was named "Family Car of the Year" at the "2026 Top Gear Awards," hosted by the leading UK automotive magazine Top Gear.

This award is particularly meaningful as it follows the PV5's unanimous selection by all 26 judges for the "2026 International Van of the Year," the highest honor in the light commercial vehicle industry.

Furthermore, the Top Gear award, coming after the PV5 became the first Korean brand and the first Asian electric light commercial vehicle to win the International Van of the Year, demonstrates that the PV5 is setting a new standard in the global electric commercial vehicle market from the very beginning of its market entry.

Additionally, it is significant that the PV5 is the first van to be selected as Family Car of the Year at the Top Gear Awards, a category traditionally dominated by SUVs and passenger cars. This is seen as a result of Kia's DNA-emphasizing practicality inherited from the Bongo and space utilization and functionality from the Carnival-being well reflected in the PV5.

Top Gear commented, "The PV5 offers generous space, a futuristic and fresh style, and outstanding efficiency, all while maintaining strong price competitiveness. In addition, its excellent driving performance and the exceptional quietness that surpasses other electric vehicles highlight the thoughtful design and clear direction aimed at family customers."

Top Gear also expressed high expectations for Kia's plan to offer a variety of models to meet customer needs, including the five-seater PV5 Passenger already launched in Europe, as well as upcoming six- and seven-seater versions, and the PV5 WAV designed for mobility-impaired passengers.

The PV5, which was selected as Family Car of the Year, is Kia's first dedicated electrified PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) model. Based on the dedicated electrification platform "E-GMP.S," it is a new-concept vehicle optimized for various personal mobility services and business environments.

Marc Hedrich, President of Kia Europe, stated, "The PV5 Passenger opens a new chapter in practical electrified mobility, with its spacious interior, flexible modular structure, and refined driving experience showing how PBVs can upgrade family life. This Top Gear award is proof of that, and it will serve as a strong driving force for Kia's PBV expansion in Europe."

Hyundai Motor's small electric vehicle, the Casper Electric, was also named "City Car of the Year" at this awards ceremony. The Casper Electric, launched in Europe to accelerate the popularization of electric vehicles, features a robust yet compact SUV style, is well-suited for urban driving, and boasts a maximum range of 229 miles (approximately 369 km), delivering strong performance even on long-distance journeys.

Tom Ford, Deputy Editor of Top Gear, explained the selection by saying, "The Casper Electric is a small but mighty car that combines a fun design, excellent performance, and practicality. It scored highly for its versatility, fast charging speed, driving performance, and the fun of driving."

A Hyundai Motor Group representative commented, "This award is a result of our outstanding technology and product competitiveness being recognized by a world-renowned automotive media outlet. We will continue to strive to develop innovative products that push the boundaries of technology and design to enhance our customers' lives."