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Hyundai and Kia have been producing a few of the greatest electrical vehicles in the marketplace for the previous decade, and their latest choices preserve the pattern going by enhancing in effectivity, options, and client alternative but once more. As the tip of the 12 months rolls round, so do automobile awards, however Hyundai and Kia are actually racking up the trophies.
A Fatherly Household Pleasant Award
As a father of two little ladies myself, I believed I’d begin with the enjoyable information that Fatherly (“a number one on-line hub tailor-made for at the moment’s dads, providing sensible recommendation, participating content material, and worthwhile assets” that I’m certain I’ve by no means visited) named the Hyundai IONIQ 6 one of many prime 10 household vehicles of 2023. I’ve to confess that I used to be a bit shocked with this one since I believed the IONIQ 6 was a bit small for this sort of award. Apparently, it’s thought-about sufficiently big. Volkswagen writes, “The all-electric automobile acquired reward from the publication for its Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security TOP SAFETY PICK+ score, spectacular EPA-estimated vary of as much as 361 miles[i], outstanding driving efficiency, spacious rear seat room, unbelievable worth, and family-friendly nature. Fatherly’s ‘Prime 10 Household Automobiles of the Yr’ awards presents a complete information to the very best autos for households. The publication’s choice standards focuses on security, area, visibility, effectivity, and general family-friendliness.”
Prime Gear Thrilled By IONIQ 5 N
The IONIQ 6’s spunky youthful sibling, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, gained a giant award all to itself. The sporty model of the extra mass-market IONIQ 5 gained Prime Gear‘s 2023 Automotive of the Yr award. I’m not going to lie — after I noticed the IONIQ 5 N, I believed it was a little bit of a bizarre, funky-in-a-not-great-way tackle the traditional IONIQ 5. Then once more, I’m not a card-carrying member of the automobile racing scene or sporty automobile membership. Apparently, this mannequin checks quite a lot of containers and comes out cooler than my first impressions communicated to me. And I’ll say — I do love the blue coloration of the automobile (however not the purple highlights). Anyway, sufficient about my shock — let’s see what Hyundai has to say about it.
The IONIQ 5 N was revealed earlier this 12 months at July’s Goodwood Competition of Pace, the place it acquired common acclaim as an exhilarating new choice for driving lovers trying to electrify their ardour on each highway and observe, and as a pioneering technological blueprint for the Hyundai N division’s EV future.
The high-performance mannequin combines the Electrified-World Modular Platform (E-GMP) of the usual IONIQ 5 – the 2022 World Automotive of the Yr – with N’s motorsport-bred applied sciences and experience to take driving enjoyable to a brand new degree. And it’s this loyal deal with delivering most enjoyment and pleasure behind the wheel that persuaded TopGear’s professional group of judges to call the automobile the very best of the previous 12 months.
There you go.
Paul Horrell, a Prime Gear author and a juror for the Automotive of the Yr award, bought somewhat extra poetic and somewhat extra technical together with his reward whereas additionally offering a touch of context on the automobile’s growth. “Hyundai’s engineers got down to make the IONIQ 5 N really feel like a lairy petrol automobile, however turned converts to what electrification might do. They took benefit of an EV’s digital domains to present an unlimited additional set of adjustable parameters. In consequence, on highway and observe it does what you’d by no means anticipate of a giant EV… overdelivers to a staggering extent. Overlook any ‘for an EV’ qualifiers — it’s enormous enjoyable full cease. It turns a web page for electrical vehicles, which implies a brand new web page for vehicles.”
Hyundai additionally offered loads of technical particulars on the automobile right here.
Kia Wins Totally different “Household Automotive of the Yr” Award
Fatherly could have put the IONIQ 6 on its prime tier of family-friendly vehicles, however its distant cousin, the Kia EV9, gained the award outright from one other publication. We’re coming proper again to Prime Gear for this one. Prime Gear named the EV9 the Household Automotive of the Yr.
Clearly, the EV9 has much more area inside than the IONIQ 6. However it’s not nearly area, vary, and the newest infotainment tech. It’s additionally about imaginative and prescient, really feel, additional consolation, and cubbies. “We just like the EV9’s relaxed perspective and breezy, surfin’ USA manner,” mentioned Ollie Kew, Deputy Editor of Prime Gear. “We just like the nothing-to-prove reverse snobbery of its badge and that it’s much less irritating to function than a VW ID.Buzz, and travels considerably additional on a cost. We like its Bentayga-esque massaging, heated, ventilated seats, its multitude of stowage cubbies, the simplicity of its automated seat folding, and the way it appears to be like a bit like Iron Man’s head. It’s certainly one of 2023’s most fascinating vehicles not due to what it might probably do, however due to what it represents. Twinning going inexperienced and upmarket isn’t simple, however the EV9 pulls it off with model.” Additionally they spotlight the automobile’s ultrafast 800V charging, permitting one to cost from 10% to 80% in 24 minutes if the charging station is highly effective sufficient.
One of many Biggest Improvements of the Yr
Well-liked Science was additionally enthralled by the Kia EV9. A lot in order that it named the automobile one of many 50 best improvements of the 12 months!
“The EV9 SUV is accelerating the EV revolution via a holistic dedication to innovation, together with our ’10 Should-Have Gadgets’ that set up a brand new paradigm in coloration, materials, and end,” mentioned Steven Middle, COO and EVP, Kia America. “With a beginning value beneath $55,000, ultra-fast charging functionality and room for as much as seven passengers, the EV9 represents the head of our lineup of award-winning autos. This accolade from Well-liked Science boldly underscores what a sport changer the EV9 actually is.” And notice that Kia has by no means earlier than had a automobile make this listing.
“Inside and outside, the EV9 exemplifies the Kia design philosophy of ‘Opposites United,’ which masters the inventive pressure generated by the divergent values of nature and modernity to create a harmonious complete,” Kia writes. “In line with the tenets of Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ ethos, the inside of the EV9 infuses cues from nature via inventive distinction, revolutionary use of supplies, and the interaction between people and their surroundings. This post-industrial method introduces a brand new degree of refinement of craft to Kia.” I’m undecided if that fluffy language is basically what did the trick, however the general intentions and daring steps ahead infused the Kia with sufficient pizzazz to win it this particular award.
Automotive of the Yr
With the awards above, it’s not shocking that the EV9 additionally gained a automobile of the 12 months award. DrivingElectric named it each “Greatest Premium Electrical Automotive” and general “Automotive of the Yr.”
“The Kia EV9 alters the electrical panorama, providing enormous area and a premium really feel – all at a sub-premium value. No EV provides this sort of practicality for the cash,” the panel of judges famous.
“The EV9 was already one of the anticipated vehicles of 2023, and our UK seller community has acquired extra curiosity on this automobile forward of launch than virtually every other Kia automobile up to now,” Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK, added. “Our new flagship EV takes Kia into a brand new section and places us up towards some very eager competitors. However our established repute as an electrification chief makes this a wholly pure — and hotly awaited — subsequent step for the model, and we’re delighted to see the automobile recognised already by DrivingElectric for what it provides prospects.”
Prime Security Score for EV9
The EV9 was additionally not too long ago awarded the best attainable security score in Europe, a 5-star Euro NCAP score. “Outcomes embrace an 84 per cent rating for grownup occupant safety and 88 per cent for baby occupant safety,” Kia notes. “Excessive-strength Electrical-World Modular Platform and clever security options mix for excellent general security credentials.”
“Euro NCAP praised the EV9’s passenger compartment for remaining steady within the frontal impression take a look at and offering good safety of the knees and femur of all occupants – no matter their measurement and sitting positions. Exams revealed that the EV9 can be a reasonably benign impression associate in a frontal collision. Within the aspect barrier take a look at the EV9 scored most factors, offering robust safety of all essential physique areas of driver and passengers. The SUV was additionally praised for its superior eCall system which alerts the emergency providers within the occasion of a crash.”
Efficiency Automotive of the Yr
There’s yet one more mannequin that deserves a win, although. Over in Scotland, the Kia EV6 GT gained the “Efficiency Automotive of the Yr” award.
“We had been greatly surprised by the excessive efficiency and dealing with prowess of the EV6 GT, but additionally its plentiful high quality and all-round ease of use,” the Affiliation of Scottish Motoring Writers jurors wrote. “It’s a strong automobile you could realistically use on daily basis. This potent mixture makes the EV6 GT an apparent winner of the ‘Efficiency Automotive of the Yr’ award.”
Congratulations to Hyundai and Kia for gathering a slew of awards this vacation season.
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