Kia EV2 awarded RAC Car of the Year 2026

The Kia EV2 has been crowned the RAC Car of the Year 2026, beating its rivals to take the top honour in the first-ever RAC New Car Awards.

As well as taking victory in the overall Car of the Year category, the EV2 also claimed the Best Small Electric Car prize, with RAC judges praising its affordable pricing, comfort, technology and range.

The judging process for selecting the overall RAC Car of the Year 2026 involved a team of RAC experts including RAC Patrol of the Year Ross Templeman and RAC Mobile Mechanic of the Year Jack Halstead.

To be eligible for inclusion in the RAC New Car Awards, all vehicles must have been on sale and available in UK showrooms by the time of shortlisting on 30 June. If the RAC wasn't able to test a car in right-hand drive form on UK roads by this time it didn't feature, ensuring the winning models are absolutely fit for purpose for British car buyers.

RAC Drive Editor Dan Powell said: “Quite simply, the Kia EV2 is the best small electric car we've driven to date. Sensibly priced and easy to live with, it’s a car that sets new standards for comfort, refinement and range.

“That premium feel is reflected in the way it drives, while its generous levels of standard equipment make the EV2 outstanding value. Put simply, the EV2 is the benchmark by which all small electric cars are now judged.

“We’d like to congratulate the winners across all our award categories, and hope these help guide drivers to make the most informed decision when it comes to choosing their next vehicle.”

Paul Philpott, President and CEO, Kia UK, said: “To win the RAC Car of the Year 2026 is a major achievement for Kia. Recognition from one of the UK’s most trusted motoring organisations, and from a judging panel with extensive automotive expertise, makes these awards especially meaningful.

"Winning Car of the Year and Best Small Electric Car not only highlights the exceptional qualities of the EV2, but also our commitment to making electric mobility more accessible to a wider audience. It also demonstrates that compact, affordable electric vehicles can deliver the technology, practicality and driving experience that drivers expect.”

BMW collected two trophies at the RAC New Car Awards, with the BMW i7 and iX3 coming out on top in their individual categories. The Nissan Qashqai took the Best Family Car award, while the Fiat Grande Panda claimed the prize for Best Small Car and Hyundai Sante Fe for Best Large SUV.

For more details on the RAC New Car Awards, visit www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/new-car-awards/

The full list of 2026’s winners

Best Family Car

Winner: Nissan Qashqai

Highly Commended: Citroen C5 Aircross and Honda Civic

Best Small Electric Car

Winner: Kia EV2

Highly Commended: MG4 Urban EV and Renault 4 E-Tech

Best Small Car

Winner: Fiat Grande Panda

Highly Commended: Skoda Fabia and Toyota Aygo X

Best Small SUV

Winner: Dacia Duster

Highly Commended: Citroen C3 Aircross and Volkswagen T-Roc

Best Midsize Electric Car

Winner: Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake

Highly Commended: Renault Scenic E-Tech and Skoda Elroq

Best Sports Car

Winner: Porsche 911

Highly Commended: BMW M2 and Mazda MX-5

Best Large SUV

Winner: Hyundai Santa Fe

Highly Commended: Land Rover Defender and Peugeot 5008

Best Large Electric Car

Winner: BMW iX3

Highly Commended: Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer

Best Luxury Car

Winner: BMW i7

Highly Commended: Porsche Panamera and Range Rover

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