KAJA Selects Volkswagen Atlas as Car of the Month for June

The Korea Automobile Journalists Association (KAJA) announced on June 5 that it has selected the Volkswagen New Atlas as the Car of the Month for June 2025.

The Car of the Year Selection Committee, under the KAJA, reviews new and facelifted models released from the 1st to the end of each month and announces the Car of the Month. The evaluation consists of five categories: interior and exterior design and perceived quality; safety and convenience features; driving performance; energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions; and marketability and purchase intent.

Volkswagen New Atlas. Provided by Volkswagen Korea

Among the new vehicles introduced last month, the Land Rover All New Defender OCTA, Mercedes-Benz The New Mercedes-AMG GT 55 4MATIC+, and Volkswagen New Atlas (in alphabetical order by brand) were nominated for Car of the Month for June. After fierce competition, the Volkswagen New Atlas was ultimately chosen as the Car of the Month, scoring 32 out of a possible 50 points.

The Volkswagen New Atlas received 7 out of 10 points in the interior and exterior design and perceived quality category, 6.7 points in the marketability and purchase intent category, and 6.3 points in the driving performance category.

Jung Chiyeon, Chairperson of the Car of the Year Selection Committee, stated, "The New Atlas, developed as a large SUV for the U.S. market, is a model that combines German engineering with the spaciousness and practicality tailored for American consumers. As the first large SUV introduced by Volkswagen Korea in the domestic market, it offers the largest body size in its class, ample interior space, powerful driving performance, and advanced equipment."

Since 2019, the KAJA has been selecting and announcing a Car of the Month. Last month, the Cadillac The New Escalade was chosen as the Car of the Month. Vehicles selected as Car of the Month receive the privilege of advancing directly to the first round of the final judging for Car of the Year, bypassing the preliminary reviews for the first and second halves of the year.

Founded in 2010, the KAJA consists of 59 member media outlets, including major daily newspapers, broadcasters, news agencies, online platforms, and automotive magazines in Korea. More than 200 journalists from these member companies are active participants. Each year, the association announces the "Korea Car of the Year (K-COTY)" award for the best automobile in the country.