World Car of the Year 2022

Another Korean car – Hyundai Ioniq 5 – was adjudged the World Car of the Year for 2022, the second in three years for the Asian carmaker to be in the international limelight. 

Hyundai Ioniq5 beat the Audi EV6 and the Ford Mustang Mach-e in the all-electric car finals en route to being crowned the champion this year among cars that were produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units/year, must be priced below the luxury-car level in their primary markets, and must be “on-sale” in at least two major markets (China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, USA) on at least two separate continents at some time within the period January 1, 2021 and March 30, 2022. The announcement was held middle of last month during the New York International Auto Show. 

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 was chosen from an initial entry list of 28 vehicles from all over the world, which was then shortlisted to the three finalists last March 15, 2022. 

In order to show its domination, it also ruled two of the four major awards to make a big triple for the South Korean car. Hyundai Ioniq5 beat the Mercedes-Benz EQS and the Audi e-tron GT in the finals of World Electric Vehicle of the Year and it also ruled the World Car Design of the Year by thumping the Audi e-tron GT and the Kia EV6. 

“We are truly honored to receive these prestigious awards, which recognize the talent and hard work of all our people and business partners at Hyundai Motor Company. Our vision is to enable Progress for Humanity, and this endorsement of our approach will serve to embolden our commitment to make this vision a reality,” said Jaehoon Chang, President & CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. 

The new all-electric compact crossover with advanced technology, futuristic styling, and a versatile interior has been receiving accolades and rave reviews from all over world since it was introduced to the market. 

The Ioniq 5 has an electric-only powertrain that’s available in multiple potencies. The standard-range battery paired with a single, rear-mounted electric motor generates 168 horsepower. With the longer-range battery, the rear-drive configuration generates 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which Hyundai says will propel the 5 from zero to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The all-wheel-drive version is much more powerful, with 320 horses and a substantial 446 pound-feet, and quicker, too. It’s said to catapult to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. 

A jury of 102 distinguished international automotive journalists from 33 countries selected the finalists by secret ballot based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their professional work. The votes were tabulated by KPMG. 

The Road to the World Car Awards is an annual journey that follows more than 100+ of our international jurors as they test-drive, and vote on, the eligible vehicles for the 2022 awards. The jurors’ road-test journey is captured virtually on World Car TV. The jurors provide viewers with reviews and commentary on the awards’ eligible vehicles in six award categories (World Urban Car, World Luxury Car, World Performance Car, World Electric Vehicle of the Year, World Car Design of the Year as well as the overall World Car of the Year. 

2022 marks the 17th year of the World Car Awards partnership with the New York International Auto Show. 

Now on its 18th year, the annual World Car Awards are the No. 1 awards program in the world for the ninth consecutive year in terms of media reach and analysis of 25 top global markets in Cision Insight’s 2021 media report. 

The awards were inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January 2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace. The awards are intended to complement, not compete, with existing national and regional Car of the Year programs. 

For his part, New York Auto Show president Mark Schienberg said: “We are proud to be part of the most important automotive awards program on the planet. We are pleased to have everyone back at the Auto Show today for the winners’ live announcement. While the last two years have been challenging for everyone, car buyers are ready to come out and experience all the amazing new vehicles and technologies the industry has to offer. Congratulations and best of luck to all the finalists!”