The 2025 World Car Awards drew a record thirty-one pure-electric contenders, yet only three models topped the judges’ score-sheets in the World Electric Vehicle of the Year category: Hyundai’s pocket-sized Inster took the crown, followed by the family-orientated Kia EV3 and the performance-focused Porsche Macan Electric. Below you will find a detailed British-English road-test style review of all three, including real-world range, charging speeds, pricing and day-to-day impressions.
What the judges were looking for
Jurors from 29 countries scored cars on innovation, value, safety, environmental impact and driver appeal. Hyundai’s Inster/Casper Electric emerged as the outright winner, with the Kia EV3 and Porsche Macan Electric listed as the other two “Top Three in the World” finalists. worldcarawards.com
1. Hyundai Inster — Winner
Key numbers
- Segment: City crossover (3.82 m long)
- Battery choices: 42 kWh Standard Range, 49 kWh Long Range
- WLTP range: 203–229 mi (Long Range) Hyundai News
- Rapid charge: 10–80 % in ≈30 min at 120 kW DC Hyundai News
- Indicative UK price: from ~£23,500 OTR Hyundai News
First impressions
Hyundai has squeezed big-car technology into a footprint barely longer than a Fiat 500, giving urban drivers genuine 200-mile capability without busting the budget. Autocar praises its “fantastic interior versatility”, courtesy of sliding rear seats and four fold-flat chairs, while noting that entry plastics feel honest rather than plush. Autocar
On the road
Even the 96 bhp version feels nippy to 30 mph because of instant electric torque. The car’s tall stance invites a bit of body-roll, but the steering is light and visibility excellent—ideal for tight London streets or multi-storey car parks. Above 60 mph wind noise grows, reminding you this is a city car first and foremost.
Charging and running costs
With an 11 kW on-board charger, a typical 7 kW home wall-box tops the battery in seven hours, while the heat-pump comes standard to protect winter range. Hyundai quotes energy efficiency of 4.2 mi/kWh, so an 8 p/kWh overnight tariff could deliver 2 p per mile running costs—cheaper than most bus fares. Hyundai News
Room for improvement
- Cabin plastics feel utilitarian next to a Fiat 600e.
- Only single-motor, front-wheel-drive versions are offered.
- Motorway refinement is adequate rather than whisper-quiet.
Verdict
A compelling first EV for commuters or city-based households, the Inster proves you no longer need a giant budget—or a giant car—to go electric in 2025.
2. Kia EV3 — Runner-up
Key numbers
- Segment: Compact family SUV (4.30 m)
- Battery choices: 58 kWh, 81 kWh (Long Range)
- WLTP range: 267–375 mi (Long Range on 17-inch wheels) Source: Kia
- Rapid charge: 10–80 % in 31 min at 175 kW (800-V architecture) Source: Kia
- UK price: £32,940–£42,995 depending on trim Source: Kia
Interior and tech
Kia lifts the twin-screen dash and relaxation seats from its EV9 flagship, yet packages them into a footprint similar to a Volkswagen T-Roc. Up to 460 ℓ of boot space (1,250 ℓ seats-down) plus a low 0.263 Cd drag coefficient show the EV3 is optimised for families and efficiency alike.
Driving dynamics
On the standard 17-inch wheels the EV3 feels supple, helped by multi-link rear suspension on Long Range grades; torsion-beam entry trims thump a little on broken B-roads. A single 150 kW motor (201 bhp) drives the front wheels for a 0–62 mph time of about 7.5 s—brisk, if not hot-hatch quick. Reviewers achieved 3.3 mi/kWh during a cold snap, equating to a real-world 270 mile winter range, and over 320 mi in summer. Source: Auto Express
Ownership costs
With Kia’s seven-year/100 k mile warranty and service intervals at two years, total cost of ownership rivals petrol crossovers within four years. Insurance sits in Group 29 for Air spec—roughly the same as a Nissan Qashqai e-POWER.
Good and not so good
Pros: 800-V rapid charging, longest range per pound in class, generous standard kit.
Cons: Price breaches £40 k in GT-Line S, base suspension less sophisticated, no dual-motor option (yet).
Verdict
If you need a single family car that nails commuting, school runs and weekend getaways, the EV3’s 375-mile potential and lightning-fast charging make it stand out in a fiercely competitive segment.
3. Porsche Macan Electric — Third place
Key numbers
- Segment: Premium midsize SUV (4.78 m)
- Battery: 95 kWh usable (100 kWh gross)
- WLTP range: up to 399 mi (Macan 4) Source: Porsche Configurator
- Rapid charge: 10–80 % in ≈21 min at 270 kW (800 V PPE platform) souce: Auto Express
- UK price: £68,500 (Macan 4) to £96,955 (Turbo) source: Auto Express
Design and cabin
Porsche has retained the Macan’s 911-inspired bonnet and muscular haunches while integrating airflow-optimised side blades and an active rear spoiler for a 0.25 Cd figure. Inside, the blend of physical switches and a curved 12.6-inch driver display keeps the Taycan’s tech but restores some classic tactility. Boot space grows to 540 ℓ plus a 84 ℓ frunk for charging cables.
Performance and handling
The entry Macan 4 produces 300 kW (402 bhp) and 650 Nm, hitting 62 mph in 5.2 s, while the Turbo’s 470 kW catapults it to 62 mph in 3.3 s. Air suspension with Porsche Active Ride plus rear-wheel steering delivers uncanny agility for a two-tonne SUV, though Autocar’s testers felt the chassis electronics mask some natural feedback and the ride turns firm on optional 21-inch wheels.Source: Autocar
Efficiency and charging
A “bank charging” system splits the battery into two 400-V halves on legacy chargers, maintaining quick top-ups even when 800-V hubs are scarce. At a 7 kW home wall-box, expect a 14-hour full charge; real-world consumption of 3.0 mi/kWh means around 285 miles between overnight plugs for the Macan 4.
Pros and cons
Pros: Porsche dynamics, 270 kW charging, generous space, up-to-399 mi range.
Cons: Premium price, firm ride on large wheels, insurance Group 50, real-world efficiency lags luxury rivals such as the BMW iX.
Verdict
For drivers who want sports-car responses in a practical package, the Macan Electric delivers—but you will pay dearly both up-front and at renewal time.
Comparative buying advice
| Area | Hyundai Inster | Kia EV3 | Porsche Macan Electric |
| Best for | Budget commuting | One-car family duty | Luxury performance |
| WLTP range (mi) | 203–229 | 267–375 | up to 399 |
| 0–62 mph (s) | 10.6 (49 kWh) | 7.5 (81 kWh) | 5.2 (Macan 4) / 3.3 (Turbo) |
| Rapid-charge time | 30 min (120 kW) | 31 min (175 kW) | 21 min (270 kW) |
| Indicative price | £23 k–£28 k | £32.9 k–£42.9 k | £68.5 k–£96.9 k |
In plain terms: choose the Hyundai if price and parking spaces are tight, the Kia if you need maximum range per pound, and the Porsche if you refuse to sacrifice driving thrills on the road to electrification.
Final thoughts
The 2025 awards highlight how far electric vehicles have progressed in every class. From a sub-£25 k city runabout to a £70 k sports SUV, each of these three cars proves that electrification can now serve very different British buyers without compromise. Test-drive all three if you can; your perfect EV may be waiting at a very different price point than you expect.
