READERS of two of Britain's top national newspapers have voted the new Kia Sportage as the UK's best car of 2022 - and the Korean brand dominated the latest News UK motoring awards driving away with no fewer than five titles.

In fact, Kia was the only mainstream manufacturer to win more than one title and was voted as Manufacturer of the Year by a panel of judges made up of some of the nation's leading automotive journalists.

The awards, now in their fifth year, are organized by the company which publishes the Sunday Times and the Sun as well as a number of digital and radio channels. For the first time, they included a public vote as well as awards handed out by the company's journalists.

And the Kia Sportage came out tops amongst readers, winning the Reader's Choice award ahead of five other contenders with a third of all votes cast. The Sportage was also voted Family Car of the Year by the judging panel while the Kia Niro was voted Small SUV/Crossover of the Year and Sun Car of the Year.

According to Sun motors editor, Rob Gill: "Kia has gone to every length possible to make the Niro as good as it can be for every type of person, all wrapped up with sensible pricing and low-rate finance, underpinned by that seven-year warranty. The Niro is an exceptional car, punching way ahead of the rest, and for that reason it is the obvious choice as The Sun's 2022 Car of the Year, as well as our Small SUV/Crossover of the Year.

"With Kia UK selling more cars than ever it was a no-brainer that they should also be rewarded with Manufacturer of the Year, making it an unprecedented five category wins in the Motor Awards 2022."

The Mercedes EQE was named asSunday Times Car of the Year and other winners included the Toyota Aygo X (City/Small Car of the Year), Dacia Jogger (Value Car), Volkswagen ID Buzz (Best Designed Car), Skoda Octavia (Used Car), Lotus Emira (Sports Car), Range Rover (Large SUV), BMW i4 (Company Car), Audi RS3 (Hot Hatch) and Land Rover Defender (Adventure Car).