The Kia Niro has won the 2023 Women’s World Car of the Year award. The winner was announced on International Women’s Day and was voted by 63 female motoring journalists from 43 countries. To reach the winner, the jurors, including Autocar India’s Renuka Kirpalani, carefully tested and evaluated 59 cars. Six vehicles reached the final, each winning in their own category, all of them worthy contenders for the award.
Speaking on the winning car, Renuka Kiripalani, said, “Kia Niro is a practical little city car that gives you everything you need in an affordable package.”
The Kia Niro also won in the Best Urban Car category while the India-bound Nissan X-Trail won in the Best Large SUV category. On the other hand, the Ford Ranger won in the best 4X4 category. Here's a look at all the category winners.
| 2023 Women's World Car of the Year winners | |
|---|---|
| Model | Category |
| Kia Niro | Best Urban Car |
| Jeep Avenger | Best Family SUV |
| Citroen C5X | Best Large Car |
| Nissan X Trail | Best Large SUV |
| Audi RS3 | Best Performance Car |
| Ford Ranger | Best 4X4 |
2023 Women’s World Car of the Year: Kia Niro details
The second-generation Kia Niro crossover made its global debut at the 2021 Seoul motor show. The inspiration behind Niro’s quirky styling comes from the HabaNiro concept showcased two years prior at the New York motor show. The Niro gets a striking two-tone paint, rugged design cues like blacked-out wheel arches and a uniquely styled C-pillar, which also houses the boomerang-shaped tail-lamp clusters.
The Niro is offered with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric powertrains. With the EV powertrain, the Niro offers a claimed range of 463km, while the plug-in hybrid provides 65km of claimed pure EV range.
2023 Women’s World Car of the Year: how was the winner selected?
In its official statement, WWCOTY group states that the cars were tested on various parameters, such as safety, driving, comfort, technology, design, efficiency, impact on the environment and value for money. The group says that these are the same key traits that a car buyer looks for when making a purchase. All the models taken into consideration were launched in the calendar year 2022.
The voting was verified by Grant Thornton, from its office in Auckland, New Zealand. The firm has been certifying the results of the Women's World Car of the Year since its inception in 2009. Women’s World Car of the Year is unique as it is the only awards group in the world which is composed exclusively of women motoring journalists. It was created in 2009 by New Zealand-based motoring journalist Sandy Myhre, and Marta Gracia is the executive president.
Kia in India
Kia made its India entry in 2019 with the Seltos midsize SUV. Today, the Korean carmaker has a strong five-car portfolio that includes Sonet and Seltos SUVs, Carens and Carnival MPVs and the all-electric EV6.
Kia is investing Rs 2,000 crore in developing EVs for India, and in 2025, the carmaker will be launching an all-electric MPV in our market. Kia is also working on a new compact SUV codenamed AY which will also be launched in 2025.
In the near future, Kia is bringing the much-awaited Seltos facelift by mid-2023. You can read more about it here.
Do you think Kia should bring the Niro to India? Let us know in the comments below.