Notching up red dots

Kia’s compact electric SUV, the EV3, has been named “best of the best” at this year’s Red Dot Award: Product Design in the automobiles and vehicles category. 

It follows the EV9’s win in 2024 and EV6’s triumph in 2022, and highlights the company’s “continued leadership in setting new design benchmarks”.

“This award is a reflection of the passion and dedication of Kia design, as well as all our global colleagues, to bring relevant and meaningful mobility solutions to our users,” says Karim Habib, executive vice-president and head of global design.

“Underpinned by our ‘opposites united’ design philosophy, the EV3’s combination of strong architectural graphics, with its faceted and folded surfaces, results in an emotional design derived from logic. Our 10 material solutions ensure that our approach to mobility remains responsible. 

“From the bold, progressive exterior aesthetics to the living-space inspired interior, the EV3 is a thoughtful product that we hope can make the lives of even more customers easier and better.”

The Red Dot Design Award is an internationally recognised design competition that honours excellence in product design, communication and design concepts. The “best of the best” is the highest distinction and is awarded only to the most groundbreaking designs.