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Hyundai and Kia have been producing among the finest electrical automobiles in the marketplace for the previous decade, and their latest choices hold the pattern going by bettering in effectivity, options, and shopper alternative but once more. As the top of the 12 months rolls round, so do car 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 assumed I’d begin with the enjoyable information that Fatherly (“a number one on-line hub tailor-made for at present’s dads, providing sensible recommendation, partaking content material, and worthwhile assets” that I’m positive I’ve by no means visited) named the Hyundai IONIQ 6 one of many high 10 household automobiles of 2023. I’ve to confess that I used to be a bit stunned with this one since I assumed the IONIQ 6 was a bit small for this type of award. Apparently, it’s thought of sufficiently big. Volkswagen writes, “The all-electric car acquired reward from the publication for its Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security TOP SAFETY PICK+ ranking, spectacular EPA-estimated vary of as much as 361 miles[i], outstanding driving efficiency, spacious rear seat room, unimaginable worth, and family-friendly nature. Fatherly’s ‘Prime 10 Household Automobiles of the Yr’ awards presents a complete information to the very best automobiles for households. The publication’s choice standards focuses on security, house, 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 Automobile of the Yr award. I’m not going to lie — after I noticed the IONIQ 5 N, I assumed 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 automotive racing scene or sporty automotive membership. Apparently, this mannequin checks a number of packing containers and comes out cooler than my first impressions communicated to me. And I’ll say — I do love the blue colour of the automotive (however not the pink 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 fanatics seeking to electrify their ardour on each street 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 Automobile 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 give attention to delivering most enjoyment and pleasure behind the wheel that persuaded TopGear’s knowledgeable group of judges to call the automotive the very best of the previous 12 months.
There you go.
Paul Horrell, a Prime Gear author and a juror for the Automobile of the Yr award, acquired a little bit extra poetic and a little bit extra technical along with his reward whereas additionally offering a touch of context on the automotive’s growth. “Hyundai’s engineers got down to make the IONIQ 5 N really feel like a lairy petrol automotive, however turned converts to what electrification might do. They took benefit of an EV’s digital domains to present an enormous further set of adjustable parameters. Consequently, on street and observe it does what you’d by no means anticipate of a giant EV… overdelivers to a staggering extent. Neglect any ‘for an EV’ qualifiers — it’s big enjoyable full cease. It turns a web page for electrical automobiles, which suggests a brand new web page for automobiles.”
Hyundai additionally supplied loads of technical particulars on the automotive right here.
Kia Wins Completely different “Household Automobile of the Yr” Award
Fatherly could have put the IONIQ 6 on its high tier of family-friendly automobiles, 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 Automobile of the Yr.
Clearly, the EV9 has much more house inside than the IONIQ 6. However it’s not nearly house, vary, and the newest infotainment tech. It’s additionally about imaginative and prescient, really feel, further 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 seems a bit like Iron Man’s head. It’s considered one of 2023’s most attention-grabbing automobiles not due to what it will possibly do, however due to what it represents. Twinning going inexperienced and upmarket isn’t simple, however the EV9 pulls it off with fashion.” Additionally they spotlight the automotive’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
Fashionable Science was additionally enthralled by the Kia EV9. A lot in order that it named the car 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 Objects’ that set up a brand new paradigm in colour, materials, and end,” mentioned Steven Middle, COO and EVP, Kia America. “With a beginning value below $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 automobiles. This accolade from Fashionable Science boldly underscores what a recreation changer the EV9 actually is.” And word that Kia has by no means earlier than had a car make this checklist.
“In and out, the EV9 exemplifies the Kia design philosophy of ‘Opposites United,’ which masters the artistic rigidity generated by the divergent values of nature and modernity to create a harmonious entire,” Kia writes. “In step with the tenets of Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ ethos, the inside of the EV9 infuses cues from nature via artistic 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 admittedly what did the trick, however the general intentions and daring steps ahead infused the Kia with sufficient pizzazz to win it this particular award.
Automobile of the Yr
With the awards above, it’s not shocking that the EV9 additionally gained a automotive of the 12 months award. DrivingElectric named it each “Greatest Premium Electrical Automobile” and general “Automobile of the Yr.”
“The Kia EV9 alters the electrical panorama, providing big house and a premium really feel – all at a sub-premium value. No EV gives this type of practicality for the cash,” the panel of judges famous.
“The EV9 was already one of the vital anticipated automobiles of 2023, and our UK seller community has acquired extra curiosity on this automotive forward of launch than virtually some other Kia car so far,” 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 fame as an electrification chief makes this a wholly pure — and hotly awaited — subsequent step for the model, and we’re delighted to see the automotive recognised already by DrivingElectric for what it gives prospects.”
Prime Security Ranking for EV9
The EV9 was additionally just lately awarded the highest doable security ranking in Europe, a 5-star Euro NCAP ranking. “Outcomes embody an 84 per cent rating for grownup occupant safety and 88 per cent for youngster 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 secure within the frontal impression check and offering good safety of the knees and femur of all occupants – no matter their dimension and sitting positions. Assessments revealed that the EV9 can be a reasonably benign impression accomplice in a frontal collision. Within the facet barrier check the EV9 scored most factors, offering sturdy 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 Automobile of the Yr
There’s another mannequin that deserves a win, although. Over in Scotland, the Kia EV6 GT gained the “Efficiency Automobile of the Yr” award.
“We have been shocked by the excessive efficiency and dealing with prowess of the EV6 GT, but additionally its ample high quality and all-round ease of use,” the Affiliation of Scottish Motoring Writers jurors wrote. “It’s a robust automotive which you can realistically use daily. This potent mixture makes the EV6 GT an apparent winner of the ‘Efficiency Automobile of the Yr’ award.”
Congratulations to Hyundai and Kia for gathering a slew of awards this vacation season.
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