The women have spoken: Kia Niro named 2023 Best Vehicle in WWCOTY

The Kia Niro has been selected as the World's Best Vehicle for 2023 by the journalists judging the Women's World Car of the Year. The winner was revealed on International Women's Day, a day that is particularly significant because it not only provides women a voice but also because in many nations, personal autonomy and the vehicle are closely related.

The 63 automotive journalists from 43 different nations tested hundreds of cars and scrutinized every aspect before casting their votes. Out of a total of 59 applicants, the best cars in each category were selected in the first round of voting.

WWCOTY 2023 Winners

The WWCOTY 2023 winners included:

• Kia Niro (Best Urban Car).
• Jeep Avenger (Best Family SUV).
• Citroën C5 X (Best Large Car).
• Nissan X-Trail (Best Large SUV).
• Audi RS 3 (Best Performance Car).
• Ford Ranger (Best 4x4).

These finalists served as the foundation for choosing the World's Best Car 2023 in the second round.

"This year's election was particularly difficult due to the excellent level of all the candidates. Each of the finalists had sufficient merit to win the trophy," said Marta Garcia, Executive President of WWCOTY.

After careful consideration, the Kia Niro ultimately won out by a wide margin. What some of the 2023 WWCOTY judges had to say is as follows.

WWCOTY 2023 Judges’ Comments on the Kia Niro

“The Kia Niro delivers a complete package that is clearly worthy of this award. Its numerous powertrain options, stylish design, easy-to-use technology, comfortable seating and budget-friendly packaging make it stand out among a field of fierce competition," Elana Scherr, USA.

“Kia continues to impress me... After the EV 6 and Sportage models, the Kia Niro offers a flexible vehicle, an attractive design, quality/luxury and a range of engines where all drivers can match their mobility needs. I especially appreciate the comfortable space and the technology. A car that has everything to please...”, Sabrina Parant, Belgium.

"The Kia Niro offers a functional interior, good driving performance, and different powertrains, along with an attractive price that makes it an excellent choice for everyday driving,” Jil McIntosh, Canada.

"The new Kia Niro largely follows the same successful recipe as the old Niro with a choice of both a combustion engine (from hybrid to plug-in-hybrid) and fully electric car. Until its last year of production, the first Niro was an unprecedented success in the Netherlands. No model sold better. We were eagerly awaiting the new upgraded model which did not disappoint. It is smarter, more stylish, more modern, more efficient and slightly roomier," Odiel Mennink, Netherlands.

"Kia Niro a practical little city car that gives you everything you need in an affordable package," Renuka Kirpalani, India.

"The Kia Niro is a spacious, stylish, efficient and practical car that is right on trend with its size, design and drive” Petra Mühr, Austria.

"One of the best hybrid vehicles with the best performance and dynamics”, Giovanna Alvarado, Peru.

"Spacious, practical, available with several eco-friendly powertrains (HEV, PHEV and BEV) with low consumption”, Solveig Grewe, Germany.

"A vehicle I would highly recommend to any man, woman or family due to its endless array of safety features, long warranty and spacious interior packed with modern technology. What mother or father wouldn't feel safe driving their children around in a Kia Niro”, Alix Capper-Murdoch, Republic of Cyprus and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

PH Journalist Joins WWCOTY 2023 Jury

Genevieve Tiu, a Filipina motoring journalist, was part of the Women's World Car of the Year jury. Thanks to Tiu, the Philippines was represented on the esteemed jury for the first time ever.

About WWCOTY

The only auto awards organization in the world made up only of female automotive journalists is Women's World Vehicle of the Year. It was established by New Zealand motoring writer Sandy Myhre in 2009. While Marta Garca is the executive president, she serves as the honorary president.

Via this special award, women in the automobile industry will have a voice and the best cars of the year will be recognized. The criteria for voting are based on the same ideas that any driver should consider when selecting a vehicle. Due to the fact that cars are not gender specific, the jury does not choose a "woman's car". Voting is done after taking into account a variety of factors, including benefits, pricing, design, simplicity of use, and environmental impact.

Kia Niro

The Kia Niro eases the shift to sustainable mobility by offering a variety of low- and zero-emission powertrain options, including hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and BEV. Kia's Smartstream 1.6-liter GDI gasoline engine is used in the HEV and PHEV variants. The Niro combines environmental and practical benefits with a 463-kilometer electric-only range.

Based on Kia's third-generation "K" platform, the EV measures 4,420 millimeters long, 1,825mm wide, and up to 1,570mm high. The 2,720mm wheelbase and improved cabin design proportions provide best-in-class interior space and storage capacity.

Striking and dynamic design that is based on Kia’s famed “Opposites United” design philosophy, particularly the design pillar “Joy for Reason,” highlights the 2023 Kia Niro EV. The treatment is inspired by nature, and the colors, materials, and finishes were chosen to achieve the perfect mix of an environmentally responsible approach to mobility and a forward-thinking passenger car vision.

The vehicle’s side profile features clean character lines and a very unique design. The aforementioned Aero C-Pillar aids airflow underneath, hence improving overall efficiency levels. The all-new Niro has achieved a remarkable drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.29, thanks to these improvements. The rear reflector, rugged skid plate, and lower bumper were designed to match the vehicle’s front-end styling.

Inside, recycled materials with a premium effect surrounding the cabin, enhancing the interior space and emphasizing Niro's environmental credentials. To offer a distraction-free yet straightforward user experience, the dashboard and driver controls have limited clutter and clean lines. A head-up display (HUD) system improves safety and convenience while driving, and a suite of innovative safety features gives this family-friendly crossover the most up-to-date protection.

Safety has been a primary focus in the development of the all-new Niro. A multi-load front impact structure is included in the vehicle’s high-strength lightweight body to ensure that occupants are highly protected in case of a front-end collision.

Kia’s DriveWise intelligent advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which are meant to avoid potential risks and boost confidence and convenience behind the wheel, are available on the second-generation Niro. Among these features are forward collision-avoidance assist (FCA), junction turning and junction crossing, intelligent speed limit assist (ISLA), safe exit assist (SEA), remote smart parking assist (RSPA), lane keeping assist (LKA), blind-spot collision-avoidance assist (BCA), driver attention warning (DAW), high beam assist (HBA), navigation-based smart cruise control (NSCC), lane following assist (LFA), highway driving assist (HAD), rear view monitor (RVM), rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist (RCCA), reverse parking collision-avoidance assist (PCA-R), and front/rear parking distance warning (PDW-F/R).

Photos from Kia, Women's World Car of the Year