IONIQ 5 named Car of the Year 2023 in Singapore

Hyundai Motor Co.'s electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) IONIQ 5 has been selected as the Car of the Year 2023 in Singapore by the nation’s largest daily newspaper Straits Times.

According to the company, this is the first Hyundai to win the coveted title and the second South Korean model since the Kia Stinger received the honors in 2018.

Only all-new models launched by authorized agents in the 12 months between mid-November 2022 and mid-November 2023 were considered. Around 40 cars were rounded up, with nine contenders making the final cut.

The IONIQ 5 performed well in most categories, particularly in practicality, affordability, and design, earning 399 points. This placed it ahead of the runner-up by 40.5 points.

Lynn Tan, one of the judges for The Straits Times Car of the Year, praised the IONIQ 5 as an “all-rounder of a car,” highlighting its “retro-inspired yet futuristic design and surprisingly practical space.” Dr Kong Yongyao, another judge of the award, called the Hyundai “a resounding triumph of imagination, ambition and execution.”

Hyundai Motor expects these honors, coupled with the recent opening of the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS), to enhance its reputation as a leading EV brand in the region.

HMGICS, located in Singapore’s Jurong Innovation District, serves as a test bed for researching and demonstrating human-centered future mobility. It has been operational since early 2023 and can produce up to 30,000 EVs annually, including IONIQ 5 and self-driving robotaxis.

Hyundai Motor views the IONIQ 5’s double honors as a testament to its commitment to future mobility production and technological innovation. The company intends to leverage this achievement to solidify its position as a prominent EV brand.

Write to Il-Gue Kim at black0419@hankyung.com