Hyundai Motor Group has seen a significant recognition as numerous models were selected as top performers in the ‘2023 Editor’s Choice Awards’ announced by the renowned automotive publication ‘Car and Driver’.
A total of 23 vehicle models were acknowledged in the awards, with Hyundai contributing 8 models, Kia 9 models, and Genesis 6 models. This marks Hyundai Motor Group’s highest recognition ever in the history of the awards.
Founded in 1955, Car and Driver is an influential automotive magazine in the US and worldwide, where expert editors test and evaluate sedans and SUVs sold in the US market annually to declare award-winning models across vehicle categories. This year’s awards evaluated over 400 vehicles.
From Hyundai, the award-winning models include ▲ Kona (Subcompact SUV) ▲ Tucson (Compact SUV) ▲ Palisade (Mid-size SUV) ▲ Santa Fe (Mid-size SUV) ▲ Santa Cruz (Compact Pickup Truck) ▲ Ioniq 5 (Electric SUV) ▲ Elantra N (Sport Compact Car) ▲ Sonata (Family Sedan), totaling 8 models.
Kia claimed glory with ▲ Soul (Subcompact SUV) ▲ Sportage (Compact SUV) ▲ Sorento (Mid-size SUV) ▲ Telluride (Mid-size SUV) ▲ EV6 (Electric SUV) ▲ Carnival (Minivan) ▲ Rio (Subcompact Car) ▲ Niro Hybrid (Subcompact SUV) ▲ K5 (Family Sedan), gathering 9 awards.
Genesis included the models ▲ GV60 (Electric Luxury SUV) ▲ GV70 (Compact Luxury SUV) ▲ GV80 (Mid-size Luxury SUV) ▲ G70 (Entry-Luxury Car) ▲ G80 (Mid-size Luxury Car) ▲ G90 (Full-size Luxury Car), winning a total of 6 awards.
Earlier in January, Hyundai Motor Group also achieved significant recognition at the Car and Driver Best 10 Trucks & SUVs with the selections of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Kia Telluride, and Genesis GV70, marking a significant number of selections within the automotive group and demonstrating sustained competitiveness in the competitive North American market.
The major models selected are continuing a global award-winning streak based on their excellent product competitiveness.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has already won the title of ‘World Car of the Year’ at the ‘2022 World Car Awards,’ in addition to being named ‘2022 German Car of the Year’, ‘2022 UK Car of the Year’, and importantly, it is the first vehicle in Korean automotive history to be recognized as ‘Japan’s Car of the Year.’
The Kia EV6 has received numerous accolades, including ‘2023 North American Car of the Year’ and ‘2022 European Car of the Year’, making it a two-time winner among the world’s top three car awards, along with titles like ‘2022 India Car of the Year Green Car Category’, ‘2022 Ireland Car of the Year’, and ‘2022 What Car? Awards Car of the Year’, sweeping prestigious automotive awards globally.
The Telluride made history as the first Korean brand to win the ‘World Car of the Year’ at the ‘2020 World Car Awards’, and also became Kia’s first vehicle recognized as the ‘North American Car of the Year’ in the same year.
Genesis GV70 has garnered global acclaim, receiving awards such as the ‘2023 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award in the Compact Luxury Category’, ‘2022 MotorTrend SUV of the Year’, and ‘2021 Good Design Award in Transportation Design’.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group sold 1,474,224 units in the US market last year and recorded a 14.7% increase in January of this year with 107,889 units sold compared to the same month last year.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr