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Close cousin Kia scooped up the biggest award of the week, 2025 World Car of the Year, but Hyundai collected a major one today as well at the 2025 New York International Auto Show and the 2025 World Car Awards. The Hyundai INSTER won the 2025 World Electric Vehicle award.
How does an EV win the World Car of the Year award but not the EV of the Year award? I don’t really understand it. But both are deserving winners nonetheless.
2025 World Electric Vehicle — Hyundai INSTER
Again, the jury was composed of 96 automotive journalists from 30 countries, and in this case they chose the sub-compact Hyundai INSTER as the 2025 World Electric Vehicle.
“The Hyundai INSTER has been a winner with customers since we introduced it. It’s very gratifying that the experts on the prestigious World Car Awards jurors feel the same way. The combination of compelling design, range, enjoyable driving characteristics, intuitive infotainment and technology that customers appreciate is emblematic of Hyundai’s approach of delivering exceptional value to our customers. The fact that our global portfolio is successful both commercially and critically speaks to the hard-working people throughout the Hyundai value chain who are delivering some of the best vehicles on the road today. Thank you to all the jurors for your service to this great industry,” said José Muñoz, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company.
It is a cute little EV, isn’t it?
I wouldn’t mind sticking one in my tiny little garage. Oh, my bad, I live in the United States — it’s not for sale here.
Luckily, the US market isn’t particularly important for the World Electric Vehicle category, since the Chinese and European markets are far, far bigger for EVs. Additionally, markets in South America, elsewhere in Asia, Australia, and Africa are quickly rising and leaving the US in the dust. The INSTER should be popular in several of those.
Here’s the automaker’s explanation for why it thinks the INSTER came away with this prestigious award this year:
“INSTER recognized for design, innovation and value
“The 2025 World Electric Vehicle award recognizes INSTER’s extraordinary value in the EV segment and underscores Hyundai Motor’s dedication to advancing EV technology and sustainability.
“INSTER’s award-worthy product features
“As a sub-compact EV, INSTER leads its segment with a distinctive design, impressive driving range and cutting-edge technology. INSTER’s rapid charging capability enables a 10-to-80-percent charge in around 30 minutes, with the 49-kWh long-range model providing a range of up to 370 km.”
That’s 230 miles for any Americans here. Plenty. Given its size and lower cost, this model is all about doing good enough at an affordable price. And, my goodness is it cute, right?
Hyundai is on a roll, noting that the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N was named the 2024 World Performance Car in this awards competition, and both the IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 5 won a “hat trick” of awards in the previous two years (2023 and 2022). Clearly, Hyundai comes to play. What Hyundai model will be scooping up awards next year? We’ll see, but hopefully the INSTER is going strong by then.
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