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SEOUL/SINGAPORE, January 1, 2024 – Hyundai Motor Company today announced that IONIQ 5 has won the Straits Times Car of the Year* as well as Sgcarmart Car of the Year and Electric SUV of the Year — all for 2023. 

The Straits Times Car of the Year is highly regarded for its objectivity and credibility, as it only recognizes the first generation of a vehicle in all categories. Out of the 40 new cars launched in Singapore between mid-November 2022 and mid-November 2023, IONIQ 5 was one of The Straits Times’ nine finalists. The Straits Times evaluated the finalists in nine categories, including practicality, economy, performance, handling, efficiency, design, ride quality, build quality and X-factor (intangible qualities).

IONIQ 5 performed well in most categories, particularly in practicality, affordability, and design, earning a total score of 399 points. This placed it ahead of the runner-up by 40.5 points . IONIQ 5 becomes the first Hyundai model to win the Straits Times Car of the Year title.  

Lynn Tan, one of the judges for The Straits Times Car of the Year, praised IONIQ 5 as an “all-rounder of a car,” highlighting its “retro-inspired yet futuristic design and surprisingly practical space.” Dr Kong Yongyao, another judge of the award, called the Hyundai “a resounding triumph of imagination, ambition and execution.”

The additional Car of the Year win came from Sgcarmart, Singapore's largest car-selling platform. Of the total of 76 cars in 26 categories, IONIQ 5 became the winner in the Electric SUV category and secured Sgcarmart’s one and only Car of the Year title for 2023. Sgcarmart explains on its website that it evaluates each car manufacturer's efforts and creativity in bringing their cars to a higher level in terms of design, efficiency, versatility, and value for money. 

What is more meaningful about Sgcarmart 2023 Car of the Year is that among the eight criteria of evaluation, consumer voting takes about 65 percent of the total score. 

“The IONIQ 5 absolutely deserves to be crowned Sgcarmart Car of the Year,” said Julian Kho, General Manager of the media team at Sgcarmart. “It’s easy to drive, sensible to use, fairly quick to charge, and this addresses everything a typical family needs. What elevates the IONIQ 5 is its value – considering its price point and positioning, it delivers a level of quality and refinement that exceeds expectations.”

Hyundai Motor expects these honors, coupled with the recent opening of the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS), to enhance its reputation as a leading EV brand in the region.

HMGICS, located in Singapore’s Jurong Innovation District, serves as a test bed for researching and demonstrating human-centered future mobility. It has been operational since early 2023 and can produce up to 30,000 EVs annually, including IONIQ 5 and self-driving robotaxis.

Hyundai Motor views IONIQ 5’s double honors as a testament to its commitment to future mobility production and technological innovation. The company intends to leverage this achievement to solidify its position as a prominent EV brand. 

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*Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Reprinted with permission. 

About Hyundai Motor Company

Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is present in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees dedicated to tackling real-world mobility challenges around the globe. Based on the brand vision ‘Progress for Humanity,’ Hyundai Motor is accelerating its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. The company invests in advanced technologies such as robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to bring about revolutionary mobility solutions, while pursuing open innovation to introduce future mobility services. In pursuit of a sustainable future for the world, Hyundai will continue its efforts to introduce zero-emission vehicles equipped with industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies.

More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at: 

https://www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/ or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai

Contact:

Sooho Jung

Global PR Contents Team / Hyundai Motor Company

sooho.jung@hyundai.com