Hyundai is celebrating another prestigious honour for its IONIQ 6, with the pioneering EV crowned Car of the Year at the 2023 Scottish Car of the Year Awards.
The awards, organised by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers (ASMW), were handed out at a ceremony at Edinburgh’s Dalmahoy Hotel, and it proved to be a successful evening for Hyundai, with the IONIQ 6 also named Best Large EV, and the All-New Kona among the winners, too, as Best Small SUV.
The ASMW awards are decided by Scotland’s most experienced motoring journalists and road testers, and after an exhaustive judging process they had no hesitation in recognising the IONIQ 6 as the best new car of the past year.
ASMW president Alisdair Suttie said: “2023 has been the most closely contested year ever for Scottish Car of the Year honours, but one car stood out above all others – the Hyundai IONIQ 6. From the sleek looks to the stylish cabin, affordable running costs to rapid performance, everything about the IONIQ 6 is in perfect harmony to make it the perfect car for our times. It’s a thoroughly deserving winner and one we are sure will stand the test of time, like all the greats.”
Since its launch earlier this year, the IONIQ 6 has been universally lauded for its innovative streamliner design and advanced electric powertrain, with the car picking up a number of high-profile awards, including World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle and World Car Design of the Year.
Prices start at £47,040, and customers have a choice of either a rear-wheel drive powertrain offering 228PS and 350Nm or an all-wheel drive powertrain with 325PS and 605Nm. All models feature the long range 77.4 kWh battery, with the Electrified-Global Modular Platform’s standard 800v charging system providing 350kW ultra-fast charger compatibility, and generously equipped Premium and Ultimate trim lines on offer.
This comprehensive package also saw the ASMW judges name the IONIQ 6 as Best Large EV.
ASMW president Alisdair Suttie said: “The Large EV category was one of the most hotly contested, yet the Hyundai IONIQ 6 emerged as a clear winner. The IONIQ 6 is great to drive and mixes sports car pace with superb comfort. It’s also full of driver-friendly technology and has very low running costs, which all made it a clear winner for the judges.”
There was recognition, too, for the All-New KONA Electric as Best Small/Mid-size EV. Also launched this year, it is available to order from £34,995, and has earned widespread praise for its dynamic design, roomy interior and cutting-edge technology. The All-New KONA range offers an array of powertrain options, with internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid electric (HEV) versions also offered alongside the full electric (EV).
ASMW president Alisdair Suttie continued: “The KONA Electric gives Hyundai a double whammy of superb EV winners. Here’s a compact SUV that is superb value, looks fabulous, and is great to drive wherever you take it. Inside, it’s practical and displays faultless build quality. The KONA is proof you can have it all in a compact SUV.”
Despite having been on sale for only a matter of months, the All-New KONA has already picked up a number of awards, having been named Car of the Year by Auto Express and Best Small Car by Carbuyer.
Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai & Genesis UK, said: “This award from the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers marks the addition of yet another major title this year for the Hyundai range of vehicles. With the Hyundai IONIQ 6 as Car of the Year and Best Large EV, and the All-New Hyundai KONA Electric as Best Small/Mid-size EV, there’s a clear appreciation for our innovative & technologically advanced product range. These two models are a testament to our determination to offer a range of expertly designed and engineered electrified cars to consumers.”
