• Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 awarded AA DRIVEN NZ Car of the Year 2021 award in “Luxury” category
• Hyundai IONIQ 5 prevails against other luxury competitors
• Recognised as one of three finalists in contention for the AA DRIVEN NZ Car of the Year 2021 title

10 December 2021 – While it’s been racking up the awards globally, IONIQ 5 has earned its first award locally. Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 has won the AA DRIVEN NZ Car of the Year 2021 award in the “Luxury” category.

A partnership between the AA motoring body and DRIVEN, the awards focus on the best new cars on sale, not just from the past 12 months. The country’s best motoring judges assess a full range of criteria, from price and value, to safety, equipment, features, technology, and driving dynamics in road, performance and unsealed surfaces and scenarios.

“The team at Hyundai New Zealand are thrilled to accept the AA DRIVEN Car of the Year 2021 award for a model that represents Hyundai’s progressive design and advanced technology. This model is a reflection of the premium product we have in our range now and represents the new era of electric vehicles for our brand,” says Chris Blair, General Manager - Passenger Cars at Hyundai New Zealand.

IONIQ 5’s overall package did not only convince the AA DRIVEN NZ Car of the Year jury, where it prevailed against other luxury competitors. It is also very popular with customers having leaped to third place in total battery electric (BEV) sales for the month of November.

“Hyundai and luxury may not immediately spring to mind, but the IONIQ 5 reinforces the association, with a premium and futuristic feel both inside and outside, and a combination of advanced technology, and simply being fun and feel-good to drive, that elevates the model and brand significantly,” says DRIVEN editor and judge Dean Evans.

“IONIQ 5 securing a win in the ‘Luxury’ category reinforces the premium product Hyundai produces. As a Kiwi-owned distributor, we pride ourselves in bringing vehicles to New Zealand that meet customer needs and wants. The higher specification vehicles resonate well with Kiwis, and are a more affordable luxury option than the traditional luxury brands in the New Zealand car market,” adds Mr Blair.

The IONIQ 5 was also recognised as one of three finalists in contention for the overall AA DRIVEN NZ Car of the Year 2021 title.

Globally, the IONIQ 5 has won many awards in design, technology, and electric categories since it launched globally earlier this year. Last month the IONIQ 5 elevated itself above formidable luxury segment EV finalists to win carsales Car of the Year 2021. Judges said IONIQ 5 is the “coolest Hyundai ever” from “one of the industry’s most exciting brands” attracting “more top votes than any model in the history of the award.”

Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 is also one of ten finalists in the NZ Motoring Writers’ Guild Car of the Year award which will be announced in February 2022.

IONIQ 5: a new era of electric mobility

IONIQ 5 is the first model of Hyundai’s new IONIQ brand dedicated to EVs. It is based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) developed by Hyundai Motor Group specifically for battery-electric vehicles. E-GMP enables IONIQ 5 to have unique proportions on an elongated wheelbase.

Strong pure-electric performance and world-first patented ultra-fast 400V and 800V charging make IONIQ 5 a uniquely appealing EV proposition, while a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function gives customers essentially a powerful mobile charger on wheels.

The IONIQ 5 range in New Zealand is available with six models, comes in both 2WD and AWD options, and gives the choice between a 58kWh or 72.6kWh battery size.

AA DRIVEN COTY award joins other accolades for IONIQ 5 globally

IONIQ 5’s AA DRIVEN Luxury Car of the Year award follows a host of other accolades globally.

This month, the IONIQ 5 Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability was awarded a 2021 Popular Science Best of What’s New Award in the Automotive Category.

In November, the IONIQ 5 earned the prestigious honour of Green SUV of the Year™ by Green Car Journal, and was judged carsales Car of the Year (COTY) for 2021, marking Hyundai’s first victory in the prestigious award’s history.

Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 awarded 2022 German Car of the Year award in “New Energy” category

Auto Express named the model its “Car of the Year”, stating: “IONIQ 5 delivers on styling, quality [and] driver appeal”. The UK publication also awarded the midsize SUV with prizes in the “Mid-Size Company Car”, “Premium Electric Car” and “Design Award” categories.

Meanwhile, IONIQ 5 was named “Best Company Car” and “Best Family Electric Car” at the 2022 Carbuyer Best Car Awards. On top of this, at the 2021 News UK Motor Awards, IONIQ 5 also won titles of “Best Designed Car of the Year” and “Motoring Innovation of the Year”.

The IONIQ 5, Hyundai’s first car on an all-new dedicated EV platform, won Best Design at the TopGear Electric Awards.

Learn more about IONIQ 5