The Kia EV9 has been selected as the 'World Car of the Year (WCOTY),' the most prestigious automotive award worldwide. Through this achievement, Hyundai Motor Group has once again proven its product quality and technological prowess on the global stage by dominating the World Car of the Year with electric vehicles for three consecutive years.
On the 27th (local time), Hyundai Motor Group announced that Kia's large electrified sport utility vehicle (SUV), the EV9, won both the 'World Car of the Year' and 'World Electric Vehicle of the Year' awards at the 2024 World Car Awards. Additionally, Hyundai Motor's Ioniq 5N was named 'World Performance Car of the Year,' earning Hyundai Motor Group awards in a total of three categories.
With this, Hyundai Motor Group has swept the Car of the Year awards with electric vehicles over the past three years. In 2022, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and in 2023, the Ioniq 6 were named World Car of the Year, and this year, the Kia EV9 also took home the trophy. All three models are significant as they are electric vehicles based on Hyundai Motor Group's dedicated electric vehicle platform, 'E-GMP.' Expanding the scope to include Kia's Telluride award in 2020, Hyundai Motor Group has set a record of winning the World Car of the Year four times in the past five years.
The EV9 was selected as the winner of the World Car of the Year, beating out 38 other candidates including the Volvo EX30 and BYD Seal. The EV9 is regarded as the epitome of Kia's design philosophy, 'Opposites United.' It is Kia's first flagship electric SUV, harmoniously blending futuristic ambiance, luxury, and eco-friendliness. Based on its outstanding product appeal, the EV9 also earned the title of 'World Electric Vehicle of the Year,' making it the best electric vehicle globally alongside the World Car of the Year award.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5N won the World Performance Car award. The Ioniq 5N is Hyundai's first high-performance electric vehicle under the N brand, which maximizes driving performance by integrating Hyundai's advanced electrification technologies. Hyundai applied its accumulated experience from participating in motorsports and the technology of internal combustion engine N high-performance vehicles to the Ioniq 5N.
(Photo from left) Jang Jae-hoon, President of Hyundai Motor Company, and Jose Munoz, Global COO (President) of Hyundai Motor Company, are taking a commemorative photo for winning the World Performance Car of the Year award at the Hyundai Motor Company exhibition hall at the New York Auto Show. Photo by Hyundai Motor Group
The World Car of the Year is considered one of the three major global automotive awards alongside the North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) and the European Car of the Year (COTY). It evaluates vehicles worldwide without focusing on any specific regional market. The award categories include ▲World Car of the Year ▲World Electric Vehicle of the Year ▲World Car Design of the Year ▲World Performance Car of the Year ▲World Luxury Car of the Year ▲World Urban Car of the Year, totaling six categories.
Launched in 2004, the World Car Awards is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The judging panel consists of 100 renowned automotive journalists from 32 countries worldwide, including Korea, the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and India. Winners are selected annually through a secret ballot, ensuring high objectivity and credibility.
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