The Kia EV4 took the crown, and honestly, it’s a bit of a plot twist. Not because it’s bad—far from it—but because a Korean hatchback just bullied the Germans and the British into submission. (Sorry, Oxford, your Mini is still cute, but it’s not this cute.)
The judges called it “the people’s car for a new decade.” I call it the car that makes your neighbor with the diesel SUV suddenly feel very, very old. It’s the first time an electric vehicle has won this specific UK award by unanimous decision, which is like getting a standing ovation at a funeral.
The cheeky details that matter
First, the price. It starts at under £28,000, which in 2026 currency is basically the cost of a decent used sofa. You get a 320-mile range and a wireless phone charger that actually works—miracles do happen.
But the real party trick? The dashboard folds away. I’m not joking. You press a button, and the infotainment screen slinks into the dash like a nervous cat. Suddenly, you’re just sitting in a quiet, minimalist cave, listening to the rain.
It also has a “Puppy Mode” for the climate control. Why? Because a reporter complained her dog got too hot during a test drive. Kia actually added it. (If you’re a cat person, don’t worry—they just call it “Spoiled Rotten Mode.”)
