The journalists judging the Women’s World Car of the Year have chosen the Kia Niro as the World’s Best Car for 2023.

The announcement of the winner coincides with International Women’s Day, a very special date not only because it gives women a voice but also because of the link in many countries between the automobile and personal autonomy.

Before casting their votes, the 63 motoring journalists from 43 countries tested dozens of models and evaluated every detail. In the first round of voting, the best cars in each category were chosen from a total of 59 candidates.

The winners were: Kia Niro (Best Urban Car), Jeep Avenger (Best Family SUV), Citroën C5 X (Best Large Car), Nissan X-Trail (Best Large SUV), Audi RS 3 (Best Performance Car) and Ford Ranger (Best 4×4)

In the second round, these finalists were used as the basis for the selection of the World’s Best Car 2023.

“This year’s election was particularly difficult due to the excellent level of all the candidates. Each of the finalists had sufficient merit to win the trophy,” says Marta Garcia, executive president of WWCOTY. 

In the end, and after much scrutiny, the scales tipped heavily in favour of the Kia Niro. Here’s what some of our judges have to say:

“The Kia Niro delivers a complete package that is clearly worthy of this award. Its numerous powertrain options, stylish design, easy-to-use technology, comfortable seating and budget-friendly packaging make it stand out among a field of fierce competition,” Elana Scherr, USA.

“Kia continues to impress me… After the EV 6 and Sportage models, the Kia Niro offers a flexible vehicle, an attractive design, quality/luxury and a range of engines where all drivers can match their mobility needs. I especially appreciate the comfortable space and the technology. A car that has everything to please…”, Sabrina Parant, Belgium.

All voting was verified by Grant Thornton, from their office in Auckland, New Zealand. This auditor has certified the results of the WWCOTY since its inception in 2009.