World Car of the Year 2023: Winners Announced, Hyundai Ioniq 6 Wins 3 Awards

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 was named the year's best car at the 2023 World Car of the Year Awards, winning first place in three categories. As a result, the company has now won three awards in a row for the past two years. At the New York Auto Show, the new electric sedan was named the World Electric Vehicle of the Year, the Best Overall Car of the Year, and the Best Design of 2023. Besides, the EV6 GT, manufactured by Hyundai's sister company Kia, was dubbed the World Performance Car of the Year. A jury of 100 distinguished automotive journalists from 32 countries around the world chose the winners of the 2023 World Car of the Year awards. The trophies awarded to this year's winners were created by Ian Callum's design firm.

Vehicles eligible for the overall World Car of the Year award must be produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units per year, priced below the luxury-car level in their primary markets, and "onsale" in at least two major markets (China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, and the United States) on at least two different continents between January 1, 2022, and March 30, 2023.

Also Read: Hyundai Ioniq 6 | Auto Expo 2023 | First Look | autoX

2023 World Electric Vehicle, Design, and Car of the Year- Hyundai Ioniq 6

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 was picked from an initial entry list of thirty cars from across the world, followed by a concise list of three finalists, as announced on March 7. The BMW X1 / iX1, the Hyundai Ioniq 6, and the Kia Niro were named the top three finalists for the 2023 World Car of the Year. For those unaware, Hyundai Motor showcased the new Ioniq 6 EV in India at the 2023 Auto Expo. 

The Ioniq 6 is the second model in Hyundai's Ioniq all-electric lineup. It makes use of a custom Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) architecture to provide 800-V, ultra-fast charging, and a spacious interior. The Ioniq 6 is one of the most aerodynamic and energy-efficient EVs on the market, with a drag coefficient of just 0.21.

Commenting on the occasion, Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, said, “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. This honour reinforces our commitment to be a global leader in vehicle electrification and will serve to embolden our efforts as a smart mobility solutions provider.”

2023 World Luxury Car: Lucid Air 

The 2023 World Car Awards jury has awarded the Lucid Air electric car the 2023 World Luxury Car Award. To win the coveted award, the electric sedan edged out the BMW 7 Series/i7 and the Genesis G90. With this, the Lucid Air made its award show debut.

2023 World Urban Car: Citroen C3

The Citroen C3 has been named the 2023 World Urban Car of the Year. This is the first time that a vehicle designed and manufactured in India has earned a World Car Award. The ORA Funky Cat / Haomao and the Volkswagen Taigo/Nivus were both outperformed by the C3, which is currently on sale in India.

Also Read: 2023 Hyundai Sonata Breaks Cover Globally; Gets Sportier Design

2023 World Performance Car: Kia EV6 GT 

At the 2023 World Car Awards, the Kia EV6 GT was titled the 2023 World Performance Car winner. The Nissan Z and the Toyota GR Corolla, both of which use conventional engines, were beaten out for the award by the electric vehicle. An initial entry list of eight cars from all over the world led to the selection of the EV6 GT.