Imported Car of the Year is BMW 5 Series
SUV goes to Kia EV9
Hyundai Motor Company's Ioniq 5N has been selected as the '2024 Car of the Year' by the Korea Automobile Journalists Association (KAJA).
The Korea Automobile Journalists Association announced on the 20th that after the final evaluation for the '2024 Car of the Year' was held on the 7th at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority's Automotive Safety Research Institute in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, the Ioniq 5N was chosen with a comprehensive satisfaction score of 80.77 points out of 100.
The BMW 5 Series narrowly took second place with 79.90 points. Following were the Kia EV9 with 79.54 points, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV with 78.79 points, and Genesis GV80 Coupe with 78.76 points.
At the 2024 Car of the Year awards ceremony held on the 20th, the winners in each category are taking a commemorative photo. From the left: Park Jun-woo, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor Company; Cho Sung-kyun, Senior Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company; Han Dong-ryul, Head of BMW Group Korea; Jung Yoo-seok, Head of Hyundai Motor Domestic Business Division; Jung Won-jung, Head of Kia Domestic Business Division; Lee Yong-seop, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor Company; Seo Young-ok, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor Company; Nakahara Toshiyuki, Senior Executive Vice President of Korea Toyota Motor Corporation. [Photo by Korea Automobile Journalists Association]
Meanwhile, the Ioniq 5N was also selected as 'Electric Vehicle (EV) of the Year' and 'Performance of the Year.' The Ioniq 5N is Hyundai's first high-performance electric vehicle under the N brand, marking the execution of Hyundai Motor's core electrification strategy, 'Hyundai Motor Way.' Based on an all-wheel-drive system, it delivers a combined maximum output of 478 kW (650 horsepower, boost mode) and a maximum torque of 770 Nm (78.5 kgf·m, boost mode) from the front and rear motors.
Additionally, it features an 84.0 kWh high-output battery and various high-performance EV-specific N technologies, including a high-performance EV-specialized thermal management control system. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Its strengths include excellent cornering ability, ride comfort, and acceleration.
In the final evaluation, 13 models from 9 brands including Kia, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Chevrolet, Genesis, KG Mobility, Toyota, and Hyundai Motor Company competed fiercely.
The evaluation criteria for the final assessment included 10 categories: ▲exterior design ▲interior and emotional quality ▲instrument operation convenience ▲handling and driving feel ▲acceleration performance ▲NVH (noise/vibration) performance ▲high-speed stability and braking performance ▲safety and convenience equipment ▲fuel efficiency and maintenance ▲vehicle price and purchase intention.
The BMW 5 Series was selected as the 'Imported Car of the Year' with a comprehensive satisfaction score of 79.90 points. Since its debut in 1972, the BMW 5 Series has sold over 8 million units worldwide as BMW's representative premium sedan. The 8th generation full model change was recently launched after 6 years since 2017.
The 'Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) of the Year' award went to the Kia EV9. The EV9 is Kia's second model based on the dedicated electric vehicle platform E-GMP. It secures a maximum driving range of 501 km per single charge under Korean standards, thanks to a large-capacity 99.8 kWh battery and maximized efficiency. It also incorporates numerous new technologies such as wireless (OTA) software updates that allow easy maintenance of the vehicle's various functions in the latest condition.
The 'Utility Vehicle of the Year' was awarded to the Toyota Alphard. The Alphard, pursuing the concept of a 'premium minivan,' was developed with the goal of 'comfortable mobility happiness.' It is equipped with various convenience features that satisfy both drivers and passengers, catering to diverse lifestyles from VIP customers to families enjoying leisure activities together.
The 'Design of the Year' was awarded to the Genesis GV80 Coupe. It is said to inherit the elegance and strength of the GV80 while incorporating the dynamic design unique to a coupe.
Hyundai Ioniq 5N, Winner of the 2024 Car of the Year Award[Photo by Korea Automobile Journalists Association]
The 'Innovation of the Year' honor went to Hyundai Motor Company's Ioniq 5N for its 'N e-Shift' technology. This function provides the shifting feel of an internal combustion engine vehicle through motor control, allowing drivers to experience shift shocks and sensations similar to those of high-performance internal combustion engine vehicles.
Jeong Chi-yeon, chairman of the Car of the Year selection committee, said, "We selected the Car of the Year after a more thorough evaluation and verification process than any other year," and added, "I sincerely congratulate the brands that won through fierce competition."
Meanwhile, the '2024 Car of the Year' awards ceremony held on the second floor convention hall of Sebitseom in Banpo, Seoul, was attended by industry officials including Lee Seung-ryeol, Director of Industrial Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Kang Nam-hoon, Chairman of the Korea Automobile Mobility Industry Association; Jung Yoon-young, Vice Chairman of the Korea Imported Automobile Association; Eom Seong-bok, Director of the Korea Transportation Safety Authority's Automotive Safety Research Institute; Jung Yoo-seok, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company; and Jung Won-jung, Vice President of Kia.
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