The Hyundai Ioniq 5 (pictured above) has claimed the title of UK Car of the Year 2022. The win means that in three out of the past four years, battery power has triumphed over the internal combustion engine.
The overall best car award went to Hyundai’s latest electric vehicle, the Ioniq 5, which was also the winner in the Best Family Car category. Second place for Car Of The Year went to another EV: Skoda’s Enyaq. Two more EVs tied for third place: BMW’s iX and Porsche’s Taycan.
The judges – motoring journalists and industry experts – noted the Ioniq 5′s design and interior space in their praise, but crucially also highlighted the car’s electric driving range. ‘Range anxiety’ has dogged EVs in recent years, potentially hampering broader take-up amongst consumers. As battery technology improves, bringing with it the reassurance of EVs reliably covering greater distances, these fears are dissipating.
The 29-strong judging panel were fulsome in their praise of the Ioniq 5. Top Gear’s Tom Ford said: “The Ioniq 5 does a decent impression of a mobile lounge, soothing away commutes and longer journeys. Big space for all occupants and 800V fast charging helps there, too. Plus, it looks fantastic.”
Freelance motoring journalist Guy Bird added: “The Hyundai Ioniq 5 blazes an EV trail. It’s right up there with the best of the volume carmakers and could steal sales from premium players, too. Innovative, desirable, practical and brilliantly designed to make full use of its electric-only platform.”
Fellow motoring journalist Alex Robbins hailed the car as “one of the best EVs out there”, while Company Car Today’s Paul Barker commented that it “makes going electric easy”.
John Challen, director of the UK Car of the Year Awards, said, “The Ioniq 5 feels like the future of motoring, only it’s here today. The design, performance and practicality make it a fantastic proposition for those looking for an EV – and also a very worthy winner of the title ‘UK Car of the Year 2022’”.
Receiving the winner’s trophy, Ashley Andrew, managing director, Hyundai UK, was naturally delighted: “The Ioniq 5 has really captured the attention of UK consumers, offering a stylish, premium full EV experience that appeals to almost every type of new car buyer. Its innovative layout means its spacious enough for large families, its efficient zero-emissions powertrain is perfect for company car buyers and its luxurious eco-friendly interior elevates Hyundai into a genuine premium product”.
Mat Moakes, CEO of heycar UK – sponsor of the UK Car of the Year Awards – added: “Hyundai’s success highlights the strengths of this exciting car and we were particularly impressed by Ioniq 5’s charging speed – 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 18 minutes is quite something!
“Despite fierce competition, Hyundai is leading the way in the electric car market with cutting-edge design and class-leading technology. Hyundai has presented to the world the future of electric vehicles, and thanks to the Ioniq 5, this future is looking very bright.”
The full list of UK Car of the Year Awards 2022 category winners:
- Best City Car: Fiat 500-e
- Best Supermini: Škoda Fabia
- Best Small Hatch: Kia Ceed
- Best Family: Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Best Estate: Genesis G70 Shooting Brake
- Best Small Crossover: Toyota Yaris Cross
- Best Medium Crossover: Škoda Enyaq
- Best Large Crossover: BMW iX
- Best Luxury: Porsche Taycan
- Best Performance: Hyundai i20N
Source: E&T
