Kia Picanto and PV5 Models Win Four Awards at 2026 Auto Express New Car Awards
Kia won four major awards at the 2026 Auto Express New Car Awards, including City Car of the Year for the Picanto and Family Car of the Year for the PV5 Passenger.
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What Happened
Kia won four major awards at the 2026 Auto Express New Car Awards. The Picanto retained its title as City Car of the Year for the second consecutive year. The PV5 Passenger was named Family Car of the Year, while the PV5 Cargo won Electric Van of the Year and Small Van of the Year. Additionally, the EV2 and EV3 were highly commended in the Supermini of the Year and Small Company Car of the Year categories respectively.
- Kia Picanto – City Car of the Year (second consecutive year)
- Kia PV5 Passenger – Family Car of the Year
- Kia PV5 Cargo – Electric Van of the Year
- Kia PV5 Cargo – Small Van of the Year
The Kia Picanto has sold over 6,500 units in the UK in 2026, making it the second most popular vehicle in its segment. The city car segment has seen many manufacturers reduce their presence, but the Picanto continues to set the benchmark with compact dimensions, high standard equipment, and strong value.
“There are plenty of new small EVs joining the city car sector, but right now the Kia Picanto is our favourite option. It’s more composed on the road than its rivals, has all the kit you need and really makes the most of its dinky footprint. It also doesn’t feel cheap - unlike its price tag.”
The Kia PV5 Passenger was recognized for its exceptional versatility, generous passenger and luggage space, and suitability for modern family life. It is eligible for the UK Government’s Electric Car Grant (Band 2), providing £1,500 off the purchase price.
The Kia PV5 Cargo secured a double victory, recognized as both Electric Van of the Year and Small Van of the Year. Designed for business users, it combines a purpose-built electric platform with impressive load capacity. The PV5 Cargo initially went on sale in L2/H1 form in late 2025, and at the 2026 Commercial Vehicle Show, new L1/H1 and L2/H2 variants were introduced along with MY27 updates including three-seat standard configuration.
“Kia's brilliant new electric PV5 dominated three categories at the Auto Express New Car Awards 2026. The versatile and fun to drive Passenger version won Family Car of the Year, while the commercial variant won two of our four van trophies: Small Van of the Year and Electric Van of the Year. The awards are a mark of the PV5's all-round excellence.”
Previously from Kia
Kia has been expanding its electric vehicle range and sustainability efforts. In a separate announcement, Kia renewed its electric vehicle fleet for The Ocean Cleanup with two EV3 and two EV4 models and introduced a limited-edition accessory made from 40% recycled ocean plastic.
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Kia's official releases.
Why this matters
The awards, based on expert assessment of price, efficiency, safety, and driving experience, indicate that Kia's models are top recommendations in their categories. The Picanto's repeat win underscores its value in a shrinking city car segment, while the PV5 wins signal Kia's growing presence in electric vans. UK buyers benefit from this recognition when choosing a new vehicle.
Terms in This Story
- PBV
- Purpose-Built Vehicle; a vehicle designed from the ground up for a specific commercial or passenger use.
- Auto Express New Car Awards
- Annual UK automotive awards judged by experts that recommend the best vehicles in various categories.
- Electric Car Grant
- UK government subsidy for eligible electric cars, reducing the purchase price.
- L2/H1
- Vehicle size designations; L2 indicates long wheelbase, H1 indicates standard roof height.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.