Ioniq 5 and EV6 Named Finalists for 'Germany Car of the Year'... 1st Place in New Energy and Premium Categories

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Je-hoon] Hyundai Motor Group announced on the 27th that Hyundai Motor's Ioniq 5 and Kia's EV6 were each selected as the 2022 Germany Car of the Year in the New Energy and Premium categories, respectively, making them the final candidates for the overall 'Germany Car of the Year.'

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 received high marks for its futuristic design, reasonable price, and innovative charging technology, surpassing the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQS to be named Car of the Year in the New Energy category.

Kia's EV6 also earned the title of Car of the Year in the Premium category by outperforming the Volkswagen ID.4, Audi Q4 e-tron, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class with its excellent driving range and performance. The EV6 also ranked second in the New Energy category, following the Ioniq 5.

Industry experts note that it is quite significant for two Hyundai Motor Group models, both built on the dedicated electric vehicle platform E-GMP, to take first and second place in Germany?the largest eco-friendly car market in Europe, accounting for over 30% of the European electric vehicle market, and a traditional automotive powerhouse. Last year, the Audi e-tron was selected as Car of the Year in this category.

Since its inception in 2018, the Germany Car of the Year award involves 20 automotive expert judges who thoroughly evaluate newly released cars each year based on practicality, driving performance, innovation, and market suitability, then rank them by category. Awards are given in five categories: Compact (purchase price under 25,000 euros), Premium (under 50,000 euros), Luxury (over 50,000 euros), New Energy (electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, etc.), and Performance (high-performance vehicles). Winners in each category are then reviewed to select the overall 2022 Germany Car of the Year.

Andreas Christoph Hofmann, Vice President of Product and Marketing at Hyundai Motor Europe (HME), said, "The Ioniq 5, a core part of Hyundai's EV strategy, being selected in the New Energy category and advancing to the final round of Germany Car of the Year proves that Hyundai has risen to the forefront of the European automotive market."

Jung Won-jung, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Europe, also stated, "It is fantastic that the EV6 has become a final candidate for the 2022 Germany Car of the Year in the Premium category. This means Kia is setting new standards for electric vehicles in terms of driving range, performance, interior space, and technology."

Meanwhile, praise for the Ioniq 5 and EV6 continues. The UK's automotive review site Best Car Awards named the Ioniq 5 as 'Best Company Car' and 'Best Family Electric Car,' while a German specialist publication praised the EV6, saying, "The vehicle's movement, steering feel, and suspension are perfectly tuned, making it highly enjoyable to drive."