• IONIQ 5 has been judged carsales Car of the Year (COTY) for 2021, marking Hyundai's first victory in the prestigious award's history
• In securing the coveted award, IONIQ 5 elevated itself above formidable luxury segment EV finalists the Polestar 2 and Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
• Judges said IONIQ 5 is the "coolest Hyundai ever" from "one of the industry's most exciting brands" attracting "more top votes than any model in the history of the award"
• carsales COTY victory continues the game-changing IONIQ 5's award-winning streak

SYDNEY, Nov. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- IONIQ 5 has been judged 2021 carsales Car of the Year (COTY), marking Hyundai's first victory in the prestigious award's history.

The 2021 carsales COTY field was no less than 20 percent Hyundai, with six of the brand's models among the 30 contenders.

A gruelling test program saw IONIQ 5 rise, along with Tucson and Genesis GV70, to be top 10 finalists.

In securing the coveted award, IONIQ 5 elevated itself above formidable luxury segment EV finalists the Polestar 2 and Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.

IONIQ 5's outstanding COTY success follows on from Kona's carsales Best Small SUV award and Tucson's carsales Best Medium SUV earlier this year.

"Hyundai is thrilled to accept the 2021 carsales Car of the Year award for the game-changing IONIQ 5 EV," Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer, Jun Heo said.

"It is immensely satisfying to secure the coveted carsales COTY award for a model that represents Hyundai's progressive design direction and underlines our leadership in eco-friendly powertrains," he said.

The carsales judging panel said IONIQ 5 was the unequivocal winner, securing more top votes than any model in the history of the award.

"The IONIQ 5 is not only the first mainstream mid-size electric SUV to arrive in Australia, but the coolest Hyundai ever produced," the panel opined.

"Our judges loved the way the IONIQ 5 drives, the way it looks, its space, tech and amenity, and the fact it says so much about what's to come from one of the auto industry's most exciting brands.

"After attracting more top votes from judges than any other model in the history of Australia's premier automotive consumer award, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 easily claimed its title of 2021 carsales Car of the Year," the judges concluded.

2021 carsales COTY considered 30 contenders, which included every new or substantially upgraded production model on sale in Australia and available for testing by October 31, with at least one variant priced below $250,000, and with AEB and a reversing camera standard across the range.

A panel comprising 10 of carsales' most experienced road testers put 10 finalists and a pair of wildcards through exhaustive on-road and spreadsheet-based analysis, with final results based on a combination of judges' scores and RedBook cost of ownership data.

Each model was assessed against the key carsales COTY categories of safety, technology, design, innovation, dynamics, comfort, practicality, quality and presentation.

The judges' evaluations, and the ownership cost and affordability calculations are based on the price, packaging and equipment of each model's top-selling private-buyer variant.

Cost-to-run factors over three years and 60,000km include fuel, tyres, insurance and servicing, and cost-to-own data comprises financing, warranty coverage, depreciation, retail price and value for money compared with key segment rivals.

IONIQ 5's carsales COTY victory continues the model's award-winning streak, following on from its recent prestigious, Auto Express Car of the Year for 2021, Green Car Journal 'Green SUV of the Year™' award and 2022 German Car of the Year award in the 'New Energy' category.

IONIQ 5 Image Download Link: IONIQ 5 Aust Press Kit Images - Oct 2021^[1]

About Hyundai Motor Company

Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company offers a range of world-class vehicles and mobility services in more than 200 countries. Hyundai Motor sold more than 4.4 million vehicles globally in 2019, and currently employs some 120,000 personnel worldwide. The company is enhancing its product line-up with vehicles designed to help usher in a more sustainable future, while offering innovative solutions to real-world mobility challenges. Through the process Hyundai aims to facilitate 'Progress for Humanity' with smart mobility solutions that vitalise connections between people and provide quality time to its customers. More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at: http://worldwide.hyundai.com^[2]

Hyundai Motor Company Australia Pty Ltd (HMCA) was established on December 1st, 2003 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company. The award-winning range of Hyundai vehicles continues to set segment and industry benchmarks in value, quality and safety, including Australia's first five-year warranty with unlimited kilometres. For more information visit: www.hyundai.com.au^[3]

References

1. ^{^} IONIQ 5 Aust Press Kit Images - Oct 2021 (spaces.hightail.com)
2. ^{^} http://worldwide.hyundai.com (worldwide.hyundai.com)
3. ^{^} www.hyundai.com.au (www.hyundai.com.au)