With three awards at the 2026 “Golden Steering Wheel” competition, Kia has achieved something no non-European brand has ever done before: winning more than one award at the same event.
At the 50th edition of the awards, organized by the German publications AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG, the stars of the show were the EV2, EV5, and K4 Sportswagon. Three models with distinct personalities, each bringing the Korean automaker a victory in highly competitive categories.
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The K4 Sportswagon prevailed in the compact-to-midsize car category, beating out the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo and Cupra Born. In the compact SUV category, the electric EV5 stood out against the Audi Q3 and Cupra Formentor VZ5, while the EV2 was named “Best Car Under 30,000 Euros.”
The selection followed a rigorous process: out of the 90 new models nominated, readers selected 27 finalists. A 23-member judging panel then tested them on the DEKRA-Lausitzring track, evaluating, among other things, handling, comfort, quality, and value for money.
This triple victory is particularly significant for Kia, as it came from both electric and gasoline-powered models. With this year’s additions, the brand has now earned a total of eight “Golden Steering Wheels,” strengthening its presence in one of the most important institutions in the German automotive industry.
