Kia wins three top awards at Germany’s Golden Steering Wheel

Kia won three classes at Germany’s 2026 Golden Steering Wheel Awards, becoming the first non-European brand to do so in the awards’ 50-year history.

The winning models were the fully electric EV2 and EV5, and the gas-powered K4 Sportswagon.

The EV2 took the award for the best car under €30,000, while the EV5 won the compact SUV class and the K4 Sportswagon won the compact class.

The awards are organized by AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG, with readers selecting finalists from 90 nominated models before a panel judged them.

The judges considered factors including handling, comfort, practicality, sustainability and value.

The result marks a rare sweep for a Korean automaker at a major German car awards event.

Kia has no plans to sell the EV2 or EV5 in the United States, while its EV3 is available there.