UK Car of the Year Awards Editor and Managing Director John Challen, left, and Hyundai Motor UK Managing Director Ashley Andrew pose in front of the award-winning IONIQ 5, Tuesday. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group

By Kim Hyun-bin

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 has added to its growing list of accolades by emerging as the overall champion of the 2022 UK Car of the Year Awards.

"The Hyundai IONIQ 5 feels like the future of motoring, only it's here today. The design, performance and practicality make it a fantastic proposition for those looking for an EV ― and also a very worthy winner of the title UK Car of the Year 2022," said John Challen, editor and managing director of the UK Car of the Year Awards.

Claiming the top honor in the UK Car of the Year Awards came after the IONIQ 5 was also awarded in the Best Family Car category for making "going electric easy" and being "innovative, desirable, practical, and brilliantly designed."

"The IONIQ 5 has really captured the attention of U.K. consumers, offering a stylish, premium, full EV experience that appeals to almost every type of new car buyer," Hyundai Motor UK Managing Director Ashley Andrew said. "Its innovative layout means it's spacious enough for large families, its efficient zero-emissions powertrain is perfect for company car buyers and its luxurious eco-friendly interior elevates Hyundai into a genuine premium product. It is a huge endorsement to receive the title of UK Car of the Year."

The Hyundai i20N was also recognized, beating a host of established sports cars to lift the Best Performance Car title. The vehicle can go from a standstill to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and comes fitted with an efficient 204PS 1.6 T-GDi petrol engine. The judges were impressed, hailing it as "quite the performer at an affordable price."