Hyundai Motor's Ioniq 6 takes home 3 titles at 2023 World Car Awards

Hyundai Motor’s all-electric Ioniq 6 won big at the 2023 World Car Awards held in New York on Wednesday.

Hyundai Motor Vice President Lee Sang-yup, left, and President Jose Munoz, hold up the trophies after winning the World Car of the Year award in New York on Wednesday. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Hyundai Motor’s all-electric Ioniq 6 won big at the 2023 World Car Awards held in New York on Wednesday.

The sedan won the World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle of the Year and World Design of the Year awards, snatching half of the six awards presented at the event.

Created in 2004, World Car of the Year is considered one of the three big car awards along with the North American Car and Truck of the Year, also known as the Nactoy, and the Europe Car of the Year.

Kia’s EV6 won the North American Car of the Year, which was announced in January.

Ionia 6 won the World Car of the Year award, World Electric Vehicle of the Year and World Design of the Year award at the 2023 World Car Awards. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

For the World Car of the Year award, the Ioniq 6 beat BMW’s X1, iX1 and Kia’s Niro. It’s the second consecutive year a Hyundai Motor vehicle earned the award, as Ioniq 5 won it last year.

Ioniq 6 beat BMW's i7 and Lucid Air to win the World Electric Vehicle of the Year, and beat Land Rover's Range Rover and Lucid Air to win World Design of the Year.

The candidates were evaluated by a jury of 102 auto journalists from 33 countries around the world.

Kia’s EV6 GT was crowned the World Performance Car, beating Nissan Z and Toyota GR Corolla. It made Hyundai Motor Group win four out of six awards present at the event.

Kia’s EV6 GT was crowned the World Performance Car [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

“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 to bring EVs like Ioniq 6 to market,” said Chang Jae-hoon, CEO of Hyundai Motor.

“This honor reinforces our commitment to being a global leader in vehicle electrification and will serve to embolden our efforts as a smart mobility solutions provider.”

The World Car Awards jury also named Lee Sang-yup, head of Hyundai Design Center, as the 2023 World Car Person of the Year for his vital contribution to making the most stunning and innovative concept and production cars unveiled in 2022, including the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and new Kona and the N Vision 74 rolling lab.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]