Hyundai knocks rivals for six at the Auto Express New Car Awards 2021, taking ‘Car of the Year’ with the all-electric IONIQ 5, plus five further accolades, including best Mid-Size SUV for the Hyundai TUCSON and best Hot Hatchback for the Hyundai i20
- All-electric Hyundai IONIQ 5 named ‘Car of the Year’ in Auto Express New Car Awards 2021
- IONIQ 5 also triumphs in ‘Mid-Size Company Car,’ ‘Premium Electric Car’ and ‘Design’ categories
- Hyundai TUCSON receives best ‘Mid-Size SUV’ accolade
- Hyundai i20N’s triumph in the fiercely contested ‘Hot Hatchback’ sector takes the trophy tally to six
- Auto Express experts describe the Hyundai IONIQ 5 as “A brilliant car” and the TUCSON as “The perfect SUV for our times”
- Hyundai i20N’s “snappy acceleration and secure handling” praised
6 July 2021 – Hyundai Motor UK has dominated the 2021 Auto Express New Car Awards winning six highly coveted trophies, including the Car of the Year Award for the all-electric IONIQ 5. The IONIQ 5 was also named best Mid-Size Company Car and best Premium Electric Car by Auto Express and secured the prestigious Design trophy. In addition, the experts at Auto Express hailed the Hyundai TUCSON as best Mid-Size SUV and the Hyundai i20N best Hot Hatchback.
Every car on sale in the UK is eligible for the annual Auto Express New Car Awards, which were first held in 1993. The awards are judged by Auto Express’ highly experienced panel of road testers, chaired by the editor-in-chief, Steve Fowler.
“When we first saw the Concept 45 that previewed the IONIQ 5, we knew the production car would be something special,” commented Fowler. “The IONIQ 5 delivers on styling, quality, driver appeal and quality. Hyundai has already proven to be a technology leader in the Electric Vehicle space, and the IONIQ 5 takes it one step further. It’s a brilliant car.”
The futuristic-looking Hyundai IONIQ 5 is based upon Hyundai’s breakthrough Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which delivers faster charging, increased driving range, superior handling and more interior space. In addition to revolutionising sustainable mobility, the IONIQ 5 offers an interior that provides a whole new in-car experience – redefining living space and moving space. Environmentally friendly materials, such as eco-processed leather and recycled yarn, are used extensively in the IONIQ 5.
Offered with a range of electric powertrains and two- and four-wheel drive configurations, the IONIQ 5 is able to charge from 10%-80% in just 18 minutes, accelerate from 0-62mph in as little as 5.2 seconds and travel up to 298 miles on a single charge.
As well as IONIQ 5’s victories as overall Car of the Year, Mid-Size Company Car and Premium Electric Car, it was also crowned a winner for its revolutionary design voted for by the readers of Auto Express. The IONIQ 5’s exterior evokes the daring attitude of the Hyundai Pony, the company’s first production car, but modernized with the freedom of a dedicated EV platform, while the interior is characterized as a ‘Living Space’, complete with flat floor and reclining chairs, allowing for levels of comfort and flexibility never before seen in this segment.
Showing strength across the Hyundai range, the TUCSON was presented with the Mid-Size SUV award by the Auto Express team. Steve Fowler said: “The Hyundai TUCSON is the perfect SUV for our times”, with the Auto Express road testers impressed by the TUCSON’s broad choice of efficient powertrains and high-value trims. In addition, they were won over by the SUV’s “attractive, spacious and easy-to-use interior, high quality fixtures and fittings, and all the kit today’s drivers want and need.”
The pure driving appeal of Hyundai’s motorsport-inspired i20N was left in little doubt, following its triumph in the Hot Hatchback category against some incredibly tough opposition. “Hyundai’s N badge is fast becoming the must-have accessory for anyone who loves to drive,” commented Auto Express. “The new i20N is all about fun – this is a hot hatch that will put a smile on your face every time. We love the snappy acceleration and secure handling that gives it an old-school hot hatch feel, but brought bang up to date with Hyundai technology and quality.”
Ashley Andrew, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor UK, said:
“We are absolutely delighted with the six awards bestowed by Auto Express. For the IONIQ 5 to be named Car of the Year alongside 3 other category wins shows just how far Hyundai has come on its pioneering sustainable mobility journey. With the IONIQ 5, we set out to create one of the world’s best electric cars – nothing less. The reaction from our customers, and now from the uncompromising critics at Auto Express, shows we have delivered an industry-beating product.”
“Our i20N has also triumphed over the very best rivals in the business by winning the coveted Auto Express “Hot Hatchback” trophy. And it is especially gratifying to have Auto Express’s road testers praise the i20N’s exceptional fun factor, pure driving feel, advanced technology and exemplary quality, values which form the very essence of Hyundai’s performance N brand.”
“Hyundai’s TUCSON SUV collects yet another major award today, and Auto Express’ description of it as ‘the perfect SUV for our times’ is high praise indeed.”
Priced from £28,710, the ground-breaking Hyundai TUCSON SUV is offered to customers with a choice of three powertrains, Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and Petrol with Mild Hybrid. The TUCSON’S styling is sophisticated yet rugged, performance is consummately blended with efficiency, and the engaging driving experience is backed up by best-in-class safety. Every TUCSON is equipped with advanced safety features such as Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) Car, Pedestrian and Cycle and Multi Collision Braking (MCA) as standard.
Like every elite, driver-focussed Hyundai N Line model, the i20N was Born at Namyang, Hyundai Motorsport’s Global Research & Development Centre in South Korea, and honed on the Nürburgring Nordschleife race circuit in Germany. Featuring a potent 204PS turbocharged petrol engine and a mechanical limited-slip differential, the i20N delivers stunning performance and ultra-agile handling on road and track. Pioneering connected and safety technologies enhance every journey. Like every Hyundai model sold in the UK, the i20N provides a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, five annual vehicle health checks and roadside assistance. Pricing begins at £24,995
Images courtesy of Hyundai