Hyundai Motor Group has continued to capture global attention by topping major international automotive awards and new car safety assessments in 2025. The company’s entire electrified and future mobility lineup-including electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, and purpose-built vehicles (PBVs)-has been recognized for product quality, safety, and technological innovation all at once.
First, the Kia Sportage earned the highest five-star (★★★★★) rating from Latin NCAP, demonstrating outstanding performance in structural rigidity, active safety systems, and adult and child occupant protection-areas emphasized by the Latin American evaluation protocol. This marks Kia’s fourth five-star achievement following the K3, K4, and EV4, highlighting the ongoing evolution of region-specific safety design. The Hyundai The All-New Nexo also received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP, proving the excellence of its passenger compartment integrity during collisions and the completeness of its advanced safety assistance systems. The fact that the first-generation Nexo became the world’s first hydrogen vehicle to earn five stars in 2018, and that the second generation has now achieved the same top rating, symbolizes that the group’s hydrogen safety design technology has reached the highest level among mass-produced vehicles.
Notably, the Kia PV5’s win as the ‘2026 International Van of the Year’ is unprecedented-not only as the first for a Korean brand and the first for an Asian electric light commercial vehicle, but also because all 26 judges reached a unanimous decision. The model demonstrated a clear competitive edge over rivals in every category, including technological innovation, efficiency, safety, environmental performance, and sustainability.
Industry experts attribute this series of awards to Chairman Chung Euisun’s ‘customer-centric philosophy’ as a driving force behind the group’s management success. Chairman Chung has personally reviewed customer-oriented scenarios from the vehicle development stage and has applied a focus on enhancing the ‘quality of mobility experience’ across the entire product lineup.
A Hyundai Motor Group official stated, “The group’s philosophy of expanding the value of customers’ daily lives and ensuring the freedom of mobility with safety is producing tangible results in the global market,” adding, “We will continue to strengthen our trust assets by building on innovative experiences.”
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