Selected By The Korea Automobile Journalists Association
Import Car Of The Year: Renault "Scenic E-Tech"
Utility Vehicle Of The Year: Kia "PV5"
Design Of The Year: Peugeot "All New 3008 Smart Hybrid"
Performance Of The Year: "Mercedes-AMG GT"
The Hyundai Motor Company Ioniq 9 has been named the 2026 Korea Car Of The Year (K-COTY), selected by the Korea Automobile Journalists Association (KAJA).
The Korea Automobile Journalists Association announced on the 26th that, as a result of the final evaluation for the 2026 Korea Car Of The Year (K-COTY) held on the 5th at the Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute (KATRI) of the Korea Transportation Safety Authority in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, the Hyundai Motor Company Ioniq 9 scored an overall satisfaction rating of 82.30 points out of 100 and was selected as the 2026 Car Of The Year. It was followed by the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N (76.21 points), Kia PV5 (75.01 points), Hyundai Palisade (74.97 points), and Kia EV5 (73.67 points).
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 was also selected as the SUV of the Year and the EV of the Year. The Ioniq 9, a flagship electric SUV based on the dedicated EV platform E-GMP, offers the largest interior space in its class and is equipped with a high-capacity 110.3 kWh battery, enabling a maximum driving range of 532 km on a single charge, with all trims securing a driving range of more than 500 km.
In the final evaluation for the 2026 Korea Car Of The Year, 18 models from 10 brands competed, including Kia, Land Rover, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, BMW, Audi, KG Mobility, Peugeot, and Hyundai Motor Company.
For the final evaluation, 10 criteria were applied from the perspectives of vehicle characteristics and consumer purchase intent: exterior design; interior and perceived quality; ease of use of instruments and controls; handling and driving feel; acceleration performance; NVH (noise/vibration/harshness) performance; high-speed stability and braking performance; safety and convenience equipment; fuel efficiency and maintenance; and vehicle price and purchase intent.
The Import Car Of The Year went to Renault Scenic E-Tech 100% Electric, which recorded an overall satisfaction score of 70.07 points out of 100. Based on the dedicated EV AmpR Medium platform, the Scenic E-Tech is equipped with a 160 kW electric motor and an 87 kWh battery, allowing a maximum driving range of 460 km on a single charge. With 130 kW fast charging, it can be charged from 20% to 80% in 34 minutes. Having won the “2024 European Car Of The Year” award at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show, it has proven its competitiveness in the global market.
The Utility Vehicle Of The Year title went to the Kia PV5. With a 71.2 kWh battery, it can travel up to 377 km (Cargo Long Range), and the cargo model offers a maximum loading space of 4,420 liters, providing excellent practicality. It was evaluated as having set a new standard for the PBV electrification market, based on platform competitiveness that allows expansion into camper and special-purpose variants in the future.
The Design Of The Year award went to the Peugeot All New 3008 Smart Hybrid. The All New 3008 Smart Hybrid is a fully redesigned model introduced to the Korean market for the first time in eight years and is the first to adopt the electrified STLA Medium platform. With a 48V mild hybrid system, it delivers a high share of electric driving in urban conditions and a combined fuel efficiency of 14.6 km per liter, achieving strong efficiency. It has been recognized as a model that will lead a new leap forward for the brand, leveraging its sophisticated design and competitive, value-oriented pricing.
The Performance Of The Year award went to the Mercedes-AMG GT. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance is equipped with a P3 hybrid system inspired by Formula 1 technology, delivering a maximum system output of 816 horsepower and a maximum torque of 1,420 Nm, and achieving overwhelming performance by accelerating from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds.
The Innovation Of The Year award went to the Kia PV5 Advanced Solution. Through “Pleaos Fleet,” a vehicle control solution co-developed with 42dot, Kia provides monitoring and remote-control services based on real-time vehicle data without the need for separate terminals, thereby supporting improved operational efficiency and cost reduction. It was evaluated as presenting a new innovation model for the PBV market, thanks to its flexible scalability based on modularization and its optimized space design.
Jung Chiyeon, chair of the Korea Car Of The Year selection committee, said, “We selected the winning vehicles through a thorough process of evaluation and verification, including on-road testing on key test tracks within KATRI such as the high-speed circuit, steering performance track, K-CITY (autonomous driving test city), and special durability track,” adding, “I extend my sincere congratulations to the brands that rose to the top in each category after fierce competition.”
The Korea Automobile Journalists Association is composed of more than 200 journalists from 60 major domestic media outlets, including newspapers, broadcasters, news agencies, online media, and automotive-specialized publications. Each year, it selects and announces the ‘Korea Car Of The Year (K-COTY)’ awards.
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