Join day by day information updates from CleanTechnica on e mail. Or observe us on Google Information!

Hyundai and Kia have been producing among the greatest electrical automobiles in the marketplace for the previous decade, and their latest choices maintain the pattern going by enhancing in effectivity, options, and client selection 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 women myself, I assumed I’d begin with the enjoyable information that Fatherly (“a number one on-line hub tailor-made for right this moment’s dads, providing sensible recommendation, partaking content material, and helpful sources” that I’m certain I’ve by no means visited) named the Hyundai IONIQ 6 one of many prime 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-about large enough. Volkswagen writes, “The all-electric car obtained 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, unimaginable worth, and family-friendly nature. Fatherly’s ‘Prime 10 Household Vehicles of the 12 months’ 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, received a giant award all to itself. The sporty model of the extra mass-market IONIQ 5 received Prime Gear‘s 2023 Automobile of the 12 months 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 conventional 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 numerous containers and comes out cooler than my first impressions communicated to me. And I’ll say — I do love the blue colour 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 obtained common acclaim as an exhilarating new possibility for driving fans 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-International Modular Platform (E-GMP) of the usual IONIQ 5 – the 2022 World Automobile of the 12 months – with N’s motorsport-bred applied sciences and experience to take driving enjoyable to a brand new stage. And it’s this dependable deal with delivering most enjoyment and pleasure behind the wheel that persuaded TopGear’s professional staff 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 Automobile of the 12 months award, obtained a bit extra poetic and a bit extra technical together with his reward whereas additionally offering a touch of context on the automobile’s improvement. “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 provide an enormous additional set of adjustable parameters. Consequently, 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 big enjoyable full cease. It turns a web page for electrical automobiles, which suggests a brand new web page for automobiles.”

Hyundai additionally offered loads of technical particulars on the automobile right here.

Kia Wins Totally different “Household Automobile of the 12 months” Award

Fatherly might have put the IONIQ 6 on its prime tier of family-friendly automobiles, however its distant cousin, the Kia EV9, received 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 12 months.

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, 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 seems to be a bit like Iron Man’s head. It’s considered one of 2023’s most attention-grabbing automobiles not due to what it may well 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 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 12 months

Common 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 by means of 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 Heart, COO and EVP, Kia America. “With a beginning worth underneath $55,000, ultra-fast charging functionality and room for as much as seven passengers, the EV9 represents the top of our lineup of award-winning automobiles. This accolade from Common Science boldly underscores what a sport changer the EV9 actually is.” And be aware that Kia has by no means earlier than had a car make this record.

“In and out, the EV9 exemplifies the Kia design philosophy of ‘Opposites United,’ which masters the artistic pressure generated by the divergent values of nature and modernity to create a harmonious complete,” Kia writes. “Consistent with the tenets of Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ ethos, the inside of the EV9 infuses cues from nature by means of artistic distinction, progressive use of supplies, and the interaction between people and their atmosphere. This post-industrial method introduces a brand new stage of refinement of craft to Kia.” I’m unsure 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.

Automobile of the 12 months

With the awards above, it’s not stunning that the EV9 additionally received a automobile of the 12 months award. DrivingElectric named it each “Finest Premium Electrical Automobile” and general “Automobile of the 12 months.”

“The Kia EV9 alters the electrical panorama, providing big house and a premium really feel – all at a sub-premium worth. No EV provides this type of practicality for the cash,” the panel of judges famous.

“The EV9 was already one of the anticipated automobiles of 2023, and our UK seller community has obtained extra curiosity on this automobile 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 phase and places us up towards some very eager competitors. However our established status 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 clients.”

Prime Security Score for EV9

The EV9 was additionally lately awarded the highest potential security score in Europe, a 5-star Euro NCAP score. “Outcomes embody an 84 per cent rating for grownup occupant safety and 88 per cent for little one occupant safety,” Kia notes. “Excessive-strength Electrical-International 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 influence 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 could be a reasonably benign influence companion in a frontal collision. Within the aspect barrier check 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 Automobile of the 12 months

There’s yet another mannequin that deserves a win, although. Over in Scotland, the Kia EV6 GT received the “Efficiency Automobile of the 12 months” award.

“We have been greatly surprised by the excessive efficiency and dealing with prowess of the EV6 GT, but additionally its considerable high quality and all-round ease of use,” the Affiliation of Scottish Motoring Writers jurors wrote. “It’s a robust automobile that you could realistically use every single day. This potent mixture makes the EV6 GT an apparent winner of the ‘Efficiency Automobile of the 12 months’ award.”

Congratulations to Hyundai and Kia for amassing a slew of awards this vacation season.