The all-new Hyundai Grandeur has been chosen as the 2023 Car of the Year by the Korea Automotive Journalists Association.
According to the results of the final judging held on February 8 at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority’s automobile safety research institute in Hwaseong, the Hyundai Grandeur achieved a comprehensive satisfaction score of 80.75 points out of 100, securing its place as the Car of the Year 2023. The BMW New 7 Series closely followed with a score of 80.43 points, showcasing a tight competition. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 followed behind with 77.83 points, the Kia EV6 GT scored 77.22 points, and the Mercedes-Benz The New EQE received 75.73 points.
The Hyundai Grandeur received high scores in the NVH (Noise/Vibration) category with 9.33 points out of 10, and achieved 9.18 points in user-friendliness of instrument controls, 8.90 points in handling and driving feel, and 8.47 points in acceleration performance. It consistently performed well across all evaluation categories.
The Grandeur, as Hyundai’s flagship model, has evolved into a new dimension of sedan by combining advanced new technologies, safety specifications, and convenience, built on the brand’s reputation accumulated over the past 36 years.
In the final judging for the 2023 Car of the Year, 18 vehicles from 13 brands, including Kia, Land Rover, Renault Korea, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volvo, Ssangyong, Audi, Genesis, Ford, Porsche, Polestar, and Hyundai, fiercely competed.
The final assessment utilized ten evaluation indicators from the perspectives of vehicle characteristics and consumer purchase intentions, including ▲exterior design ▲interior and emotional quality ▲convenience of instrument controls ▲handling and driving feel ▲acceleration performance ▲NVH (noise/vibration) performance ▲high-speed stability and braking performance ▲safety and convenience equipment ▲fuel efficiency and maintenance ▲vehicle price and purchase intention.
This year’s imported car award went to the BMW New 7 Series, which secured a comprehensive satisfaction score of 80.43 points. The New 7 Series received 9.95 points in the NVH (noise/vibration) category, 9.76 points in handling and driving feel, and 9.61 points in acceleration performance. As a seventh-generation complete redesign model, it emphasizes overwhelming presence and luxurious feel, receiving high praise for its quietness, acceleration, handling, and overall driving experience.
This year’s SUV award was won by the Land Rover All-New Range Rover. The All-New Range Rover, a fifth-generation model of the Range Rover which first premiered in 1970, has exemplified the modern luxury SUV. It is equipped with a latest 530 horsepower twin-turbo V8 gasoline engine, capable of accelerating to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, demonstrating exceptional driving capabilities. With its electronic air suspension, it is praised for its comfortable driving experience.
The Utility award this year went to the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake. The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake inherits the exterior design of the luxury sports sedan G70 while enhancing practicality with a significantly expanded trunk storage space and a dynamic driving feel. It has received acclaim for meeting the needs of customers enjoying various lifestyles as well as daily commuting.
This year’s EV award was claimed by the BMW New i7. The New i7, featuring the fifth-generation eDrive system, combines the luxury ride comfort of the BMW New 7 Series with the unique quiet driving experience of an all-electric model, setting a new standard for luxury electric driving. The BMW New i7 xDrive60 boasts 544 horsepower from two electric motors and is equipped with a high-capacity 105.7kWh high-voltage battery, achieving a range of 438 km on a single charge.
This year’s Performance award went to the Kia EV6 GT. Operated as a single trim with all-wheel drive, the EV6 GT combines front and rear motors to deliver a peak output of 430 kW (585 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 740 Nm (75.5 kgf·m). It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds and demonstrates dynamic driving performance with a top speed of 260 km/h, earning high praise for its explosive acceleration capabilities.
The Innovation award went to the theater screen technology applied in the BMW New 7 Series. Every model of the New 7 Series comes standard with a rear seat BMW theater screen. The theater screen, which unfolds from the ceiling, is the world’s first vehicle entertainment system featuring a 32:9 ratio 31.3-inch panoramic display. It has built-in access to OTT platforms like Netflix and YouTube, allowing direct operation without additional device connections, and supports up to 8K resolution. Additionally, it can also play content from external devices via HDMI connection, transforming it into a mobile conference room.
Lee Seung-yong, the president of the Korea Automotive Journalists Association, stated, “On the 8th, we conducted thorough evaluations and verifications for the Car of the Year at major testing grounds, including the high-speed circuit, steering performance road, K-CITY (autonomous driving experimental city), and special durability road.” He extended his sincere congratulations to the award-winning brands, emphasizing the rigorous competition.
On the evening of the 22nd, the 2023 Car of the Year awards ceremony took place at the convention hall on the second floor of the Sebit Island in Banpo, Seoul. The ceremony was attended by various government officials, including Ju Young-jun, Director General of the Office of Industry Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy; Kim Joo-hong, Head of the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association; Jung Yun-young, Vice President of the Korea Imported Car Association; and Um Sung-bok, Head of the Automobile Safety Research Institute at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, as well as executives from the automotive industry, media personnel, and association members, celebrating its success.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr