The Hyundai IONIQ 5 EV has won the title of 2022 German Car of the Year (GCOTY). The award was presented to Hyundai at its European headquarters in Offenbach am Main. The trophy was accepted by Michael Cole, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor Europe, and Jurgen Keller, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor Germany. Cole commented on the result saying, "The IONIQ 5 winning this award in such a competitive environment shows us that we have a vehicle that clearly stands out from its competitors. This victory shows us also that battery electric vehicles are of relevance for our European customers. The IONIQ 5 is currently the most important model in our electrification strategy and a driver of our vision of zero-emissions mobility." The car has been well received by critics and consumers since its debut some months ago. Interestingly the GCOTY title has been bagged by an EV or electric vehicle ever since its inception four years ago. The Jaguar I-Pace won in 2019, the Porsche Taycan in 2020, and the Honda-e in 2021.
The trophy was accepted by Michael Cole, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor Europe, and Jurgen Keller, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor Germany
The GCOTY award has two rounds of voting, and the IONIQ 5 was already the winner of the New Energy category award earlier this summer. The other finalists were the Kia EV6 (Premium Car category winner), Audi e-tron GT (Luxury Car category winner), Peugeot 308 (Compact Car category winner), and the Porsche 911 GT3 (Performance Car category winner).
The other finalists were the Kia EV6, Audi e-tron GT, Peugeot 308, and the Porsche 911 GT3
There were multiple nominees for each of these sub-categories, driven and judged in the summer. And then in October the GCOTY jury, comprising 20 members, met once more at the ZF headquarters in Friedrichshafen, to assess the finalists. It was the first time that the jury also comprised international journalists including me representing India, Michael Georgiadis (Greece), Guilherme Costa (Portugal), and Yoshi Kimura (USA/Japan).
The GCOTY jury, comprising 20 members, met at the ZF headquarters in Friedrichshafen, to assess the finalists.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 has multiple variants using a 72.6 kWh battery. There are rear-wheel and all-wheel drive variants, with power options ranging from 168 bhp to 300 bhp. Drive range on these variants also has a widespread from 360 - 480 kms. The IONIQ 5 has been spotted testing in India, and I have it extensively. You can read my review here.
The car has the latest gadgets and tech, including a slick dual-screen dash layout comprising two 12.3-inch screens.
It has also been spotted testing in India, and there are plans from Hyundai to launch it in our market as a technology flagship offering. The IONIQ 5 is a winner not just for its prowess on the road, its BEV tech, but also its spacious and well-appointed cabin. The car has the latest gadgets and tech, including a slick dual-screen dash layout comprising two 12.3-inch screens. Its prices in Germany go from 41,900 - 53,500 Euros.
