Kia EV4 and PV5 awarded at «Red Dot Design 2026» awards together with HMG’s MobED mobile robotic platform

Kia Corporation received top honors in the awards “Red Dot Award: Product Design 2026”. Let’s do EV4 received the most important prize of the competition, “The best of the best”, Let’s do PV5 was recognized with the title «Winner»and the mobile robotic platform MobED of Hyundai Motor Group also received the title of «Winner».

The result strengthens the Kia brand’s position as a global leader in design and reflects the continuing impact of the philosophy “Opposites united” in providing innovative, user-centric and sustainable mobility solutions.

Kia EV4 — “Best of the Best” at Red Dot 2026

The Kia EV4 was recognized for its bold and innovative approach to sedan design, introducing a new typology to the mainstream segment. Developed under the «Opposites United» design philosophy, the EV4 features a fastback silhouette that challenges conventional styling, while the hatchback variant enhances versatility by combining compact, dynamic proportions with practicality tailored to the needs of European customers.

The “Best of the Best” award highlights the design innovation of the Kia brand and adds the EV4 to the list of Kia electric models awarded the Red Dot: EV6 (2022), EV9 (2024), EV3 (2025) and now EV4 (2026).

Kia PV5: Flexible PBV Design, Awarded «Winner» Award

Let’s do PV5winner of the «Winner» award, showcases the brand’s forward-thinking strategy across the platform Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) and its modular design approach.

The model features a common front design, paired with flexible rear modules adaptable to various use cases. The range includes variants for passengers (Passenger), freight (Cargo), WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicle) AND crew – each designed to optimize space, practicality and ease of use, whilst maintaining a cohesive design identity.

Red dot recognition adds further distinction «Gold» recently won at the 2026 iF Design Awards, highlighting flexible, user-centric PBV design.

Hyundai Motor Group’s MobED platform

Developed by Hyundai Motor Group Robotics Laboratory, MobED (mobile eccentric droid) is a robotic mobile platform designed to operate on various terrains and applications. MobED embodies the design philosophy «Refined Edge» — an approach focused on integrating robots into everyday human environments.

The platform integrates its own technology Driving and Lifting (DnL) and a mechanism Eccentric wheelallowing stable movement on uneven surfaces, slopes and curbs. It combines functional design with AI-based control systems for adaptive mobility in different environments.

MobED is a next-generation mobility platform, originally presented as a concept CES2022with the production model introduced in 2025.

Statement from the Kia design team

“It is an honor for Kia to once again receive the Red Dot Design Award, especially as the EV4 has achieved the highest recognition,” he said Karim Habibexecutive vice president and director of Kia Global Design. «These awards reflect the impact of our ‘Opposites United’ philosophy in shaping relevant and meaningful mobility solutions. From the bold reinterpretation of the EV4 sedan to the flexible, user-centric approach of the PV5’s PBV design, both vehicles demonstrate Kia’s commitment to combining emotional appeal with everyday practicality.»

Information about the Red Dot Awards

Founded in 1955the Red Dot Award is organized by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany and is one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world. Judged by an independent jury of international experts, the award recognizes excellence in product design, brand design and communication, based on criteria such as innovation, functionality and quality. “The best of the best” it is the highest prize, awarded only to the most innovative projects.

What does it mean for Romania?

The official distributor Be Roman (www.kia.ro) brings models from the same internationally award-winning design direction to Romania, including electric ones like the EV3 and EV6, and the EV4 represents the next step in the brand’s electrification strategy. The success at the Red Dot confirms that the locally available Kia range is based on products validated by the jury of one of the most respected design competitions in the world.

The Kia EV4, PV5 and MobED platform illustrate how automotive design and robotic mobility are evolving together towards more intuitive, sustainable and user-centric solutions – a direction the brand constantly promotes, from the showroom to the streets of Europe and Romania.