MANILA: Kia has won four awards at the EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards 2022, presented by Diesel&EcoCar magazinethe all-new Sportage and Niro receiving two awards each and the EV6 making its first appearance on the list.

The wagon Sportage was hailed as the “best plug-in hybrid” and ranked second in the Top 50 list. Additionally, the Sportage won the “Best Plug-in Hybrid SUV” category and the judges praised it for being fun to drive while being efficient and cost-effective, with top figures of 252 mpg, 25 g/km CO2 and a distance of 43 miles. electric autonomy.

These figures make the Sportage PHEV particularly attractive to company car buyers, as it enjoys only 8% tax on benefits in kind for the next three years.

The EV6 and Niro, ranked 23rd and 34th respectively, join the Sportage in the Top 50. The Niro was named “Best Plug-in Hybrid Compact SUV” and “Best Hybrid Compact SUV”. The judges praised the cars’ technology and practicality, as well as their competitive prices and Kia’s standard seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, which provides customers with added security.

The all-new Niro is now available for pre-order in the UK, featuring the same trio of powertrains as before: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric, plus the latest technologies and equipment that further enhance the Niro range. .

Diesel&EcoCar magazine Editor Ian Robertson said: ‘The Sportage has become a regular sight on Britain’s best-selling car list, and the arrival of a plug-in hybrid with a 43-mile electric range should only expand its audience. Sitting alongside the diesel and petrol hybrid versions, it offers a low band of benefits in kind for company cars and high efficiency figures of up to 252 mpg. It’s fun to drive too, with precise handling for an SUV and a quick 7.9 seconds 0-62mph time, thanks to the combined 261bhp of its 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine and electric motors. , and since it’s a Kia, you can rest assured it’ll be well-equipped and reliable, not to mention it comes with that revolutionary seven-year warranty.

Commenting on the Niro, Robertson added: “Attractive pricing, excellent reliability and a seven-year warranty have helped many buyers looking for their first alternative fuel model make the switch. The interior is surprisingly spacious, and in everyday driving even the hybrid can return around 60 mpg, making it a nice car on the wallet.

For his part, Chairman and CEO of Kia UK Limited, Paul Philpott, said: “It is fantastic to see our products recognized in the Electrified Top 50 list, a clear indication of Kia’s status as a leader in electrification. Kia’s model range includes one of the widest in the industry, ensuring there’s a powertrain to meet every need. We are glad to see Diesel&EcoCar magazine recognize the Sportage, Niro and EV6 for their merits. All of our models are available from our 191 dealer partners across the UK, who are happy to explain electrified technologies to customers and ensure they buy the best vehicle for their needs.

Ahead of this year’s awards, Kia has already participated in the annual event Diesel&EcoCar magazine Top 50 list, with the seven-seat Sorento SUV winning the “Best Large SUV” award last year.

Kia Pictures

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