• Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 took out AA DRIVEN NZ Car of the Year 2021 award in the “Luxury” category
• Hyundai IONIQ 5 prevails against other luxury competitors
• Recognised as one of three finalists in contention for the AA DRIVEN NZ Car of the Year 2021 title

While it’s been racking up the awards globally, the IONIQ 5 has earned its first award locally. Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 has won the AA DRIVEN NZ Car of the Year 2021 award in the “Luxury” category. 

A partnership between AA Motoring and DRIVEN, the awards focus on the best new cars on sale, not just from the past 12-months, but this year also included new vehicles currently on sale, allowing past winners the chance to regain their title. The country’s best motoring judges assessed a full range of criteria, from price and value, to safety, equipment, features, technology, and driving dynamics in road, performance and unsealed surfaces and scenarios.

“The team at Hyundai New Zealand are thrilled to accept the AA DRIVEN Car of the Year 2021 award for a model that represents Hyundai’s progressive design and advanced technology. This model is a reflection of the premium product we have in our range now and represents the new era of electric vehicles for our brand,” says Chris Blair, General Manager - Passenger Cars at Hyundai New Zealand.

IONIQ 5’s overall package did not only convince the AA DRIVEN NZ Car of the Year judging panel, where it prevailed against other luxury competitors. It is also very popular with customers having leaped to third place in total battery electric (BEV) sales for the month of November 2021.

“Hyundai and luxury may not immediately spring to mind, but the IONIQ 5 reinforces the association, with a premium and futuristic feel both inside and outside, and a combination of advanced technology, and simply being fun and feel-good to drive, that elevates the model and brand significantly,” says DRIVEN editor and COTY judge Dean Evans.

Chris Blair, of Hyundai New Zealand, adds, “IONIQ 5 securing a win in the ‘Luxury’ category reinforces the premium product Hyundai produces. As a Kiwi-owned distributor, we pride ourselves in bringing vehicles to New Zealand that meet customer needs and wants. The higher specification vehicles resonate well with Kiwis, and are a more affordable luxury option than the traditional luxury brands in the New Zealand car market.” 

The IONIQ 5 was also recognised as one of three finalists in contention for the overall AA DRIVEN NZ Car of the Year 2021 title.

Globally, the IONIQ 5 has won many awards in design, technology, and electric categories since it launched globally earlier this year. Last month the IONIQ 5 elevated itself above formidable luxury segment BEV finalists to win car sales Car of the Year 2021. 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.”

IONIQ 5: A new era of electric mobility

IONIQ 5 is the first model of Hyundai’s new IONIQ brand dedicated to EVs. It is based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) developed by Hyundai Motor Group specifically for battery-electric vehicles. E-GMP enables IONIQ 5 to have unique proportions on an elongated wheelbase.

Strong pure-electric performance and world-first patented ultra-fast 400V and 800V charging make IONIQ 5 a uniquely appealing EV proposition, while a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function gives customers essentially a powerful mobile charger on wheels.

The IONIQ 5 range in New Zealand is available with six models, comes in both 2WD and AWD options, and gives the choice between a 58kWh or 72.6kWh battery size.

HYUNDAI IONIQ 5

ENGINE: 58-72.6kWh lithium battery with single or dual electric motors

POWER: 125kW/350Nm (58kWh RWD), 160kW/350Nm (72.6kWh RWD) or 225kW/605Nm (72.6kWh AWD)

GEARBOX: Single-speed automatic, RWD or AWD

0-100KM/H: From 8.5sec (58kWh RWD) to 5.2sec (72.6kWh AWD)

POWER CONSUMPTION: 16.7kWh/100km (58kWh RWD, range 384km), 16.8kWh/100km (72.6kWh RWD, range 481km) or 17.7kWh/100km (72.6kWh AWD, range 460km)

PRICE RANGE: $79,990-$112,900

Click here for our full review