Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 named German “New Energy” car of the year

South Korean automaker Hyundai has driven away with yet another accolade for its Ioniq 5 full-electric midsize compact SUV, this time a German Car of the Year award in the “New Energy” category.

The award means the Ioniq 5 will automatically take part in the final round of the awards against the winners of the “Compact”, “Premium”, “Luxury” and “Performance” categories, with the overall German Car of the Year award to be announced on November 25.

The Ioniq 5’s growing trophy cabinet of awards includes those from Auto Express, which named the Ioniq 5 its “Car of the Year”, along with awards in the “Mid-Size Company Car”, “Premium Electric Car” and “Design Award” categories.

The Ioniq 5 was also named “Best Company Car” and “Best Family Electric Car” at the 2022 Carbuyer Best Car Awards, and the Ioniq 5 also won at the 2021 News UK Motor Awards, being awarded “Best Designed Car of the Year” and “Motoring Innovation of the Year”.

But its “New Energy” award from the 2022 German Car of the Year awards might be the most important yet, given it is decided by an international jury of 20 motoring journalists, and the awards pride themselves on independence and transparency and have no affiliation with any publishing house, car show, or carmaker.

“IONIQ 5 is the start of the new Hyundai era, as it rediscovers our roots by reinterpreting the DNA of the first Hyundai – the Pony – to project our brand into the future,” said Luc Donckerwolke, the chief creative officer at Hyundai Motor Group.

“It is the first car designed from inside-out, made possible by the innovative flat floor offered by our new dedicated Electric Global Modular Platform. IONIQ 5’s ‘New Energy’ award proves that Hyundai is producing models that care for customers through all the phases of their electric journey.”

Hyundai also pointed out that, in addition to being a favourite of the judges – outcompeting other competitors such as the BMW iX and the Mercedes-Benz EQS – the Ioniq 5 is also growing in popularity with customers.

In Australia in October, the first round of Ioniq 5 EVs to go on sale on Australian shores sold out within hours of online orders opening. Though there were only 240 Ioniq 5s allocated to the Australian market, they were sold out within two hours.

Available with two battery sizes – 58kWh and 72.6kWh – and all-wheel and rear-wheel drive, the Ioniq 5 at its max configuration achieves power output of 225kW and offers a maximum driving range of up to 481-kilometres (WLTP) on a single charge.

Hyundai also boasts that its battery EV range can charge from 10% to 80% within 18 minutes at ultra-fast charging stations. The Ioniq 5 also offers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functions ensuring customers can freely use or charge any electrical equipment such as notebooks or e-scooters, and household appliances if needed.