A near-sweep! Hyundai Motor Group takes 5 out 7 World Car Awards 2023 titles

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 Electrified Streamliner matches its older sibling, the IONIQ 5's, winning ways as it takes the World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle of the Year, and World Car Design of the Year titles at the World Car Awards 2023.

This year’s trophy haul matches what the IONIQ 5 won last year at the World Car Awards.

The WCA’s international jury of 100 automotive journalists from 32 countries voted in favor of the IONIQ 6 for its “unique aerodynamic design and outstanding all-electric range,” according to Hyundai Motor Company. 

“We are thrilled to receive this prestigious honor two years in a row, which recognizes the tremendous talents and unrelenting efforts of everyone at Hyundai Motor Company to bring EVs like IONIQ 6 to market,” said Jaehoon Chang, president, and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company.

“This honor reinforces our commitment to be a global leader in vehicle electrification and will serve to embolden our efforts as a smart mobility solutions provider,” he adds.

The IONIQ 6 beat out the BMW X1 (Specs | News)/ iX1 and the Kia Niro for the overall title; the BMW i7 and the Lucid Air for the World Electric Vehicle of the Year accolade; and the Range Rover and the Lucid Air for the World Car Design of the Year award. 

But wait, there’s more

Hyundai Motor Company’s Executive Vice President, Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design Center, SangYup Lee, was also awarded the World Car Award 2023 Person of the Year Award.

And to add icing to the Hyundai Motor Group's the cake, the Kia EV6 (Specs | News) GT, the IONIQ 5's and 6’s Electric Global Modular Platform-mate, likewise bagged the 2023 World Performance Car trophy.

Its 585 PS proved convincing enough for the judges to bypass the BMW M4 CSL, Nissan Z, Porsche 911 (Specs | News) (992) GT3 RS, and the Toyota GR Corolla. 

The Hyundai Motor Company owns a controlling stake in Kia. They are the two top car manufacturers in South Korea.

Other winners

The Lucid Air EV took home the World Luxury Car of the Year trophy. It outclassed the BMW 7 Series/ i7, the Genesis G90, and the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

The World Urban Car of the Year prize went to the Citroen C3, beating out the ORA Funky Cat EV and the Volkswagen Taigo/Nivus.

Out of the top ten finalists in this year’s World Car of the Year, seven are SUVs, two are sedans and one is a sports car. And out of the six top car awards this year, an electric vehicle took five.

Are EVs the way?

The back-to-back wins by an electric vehicle are a clear indication of the level of acceptance EVs have been enjoying in the past few years. 

While motoring journalists’ choices do not necessarily reflect what the market will buy, the Jaguar I-PACE (Specs | News) did win World Car of the Year in 2019 and has remained under the radar since, the last two years' results show that EVs have reached a level of quality, design and performance that can consistently rival traditional ICE models. 

Now if only both Hyundai and Kia can ramp up their production of reasonably-priced EVs too so more people can afford them and make the switch.