Major wins for Hyundai i20 N and SANTA FE at 2023 What Car? Awards

One is hailed as ‘Hot Hatch of the Year’ the other, ‘Seven-seater of the Year’ and ‘Best Plug-in Hybrid for Big Families’.

Who are they? The Hyundai i20 N and the SANTA FE, respectively.

A total of three glorious awards for one award-winning brand, Hyundai.

These are the very latest awards bestowed upon Hyundai at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2023.

First off, the i20 N. When judges hailed it ‘Hot Hatch of the Year’, they weren’t joking. Born on the track, the blistering performance of the i20 N is powered by a 204ps 1.6 T-GDi turbocharged engine and has attracted a string of rave reviews since its introduction in 2021, thanks to its compelling blend of thrilling performance and pin-sharp handling.

Steve Huntingford, What Car? Editor, sums up the i20 N as follows: - “The Hyundai i20 N harks back to the days when hot hatches were all about keeping costs low and enjoyment high. On a winding road, you can take full advantage of its brilliant body control and grip, thanks to precise, well-weighted steering that allows you to place the car exactly where you want it. On the way out of corners, the limited-slip differential allows you to deploy maximum power with minimal scrabble.”

The SANTE FE also needs no introduction, being hailed as ‘Seven-seater of the Year’ and ‘Best Plug-in Hybrid for Big Families’ is all part of its make up as it continues to be one of the UK’s most popular seven-seater cars. Its elegant styling, spacious interior and generous, high-tech equipment giving it the edge over every other contender. Customers are offered the choice of powerful electrified Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid versions as well as an efficient diesel.

Steve Huntingford praised the SANTA FE, saying: “In a lot of seven-seaters, the third row is strictly for emergencies, but the Hyundai SANTA FE has room for seven adults. Crucially, though, this practicality doesn’t come at the expense of an upmarket feel, while the comfortable ride and generous standard equipment add further to the car’s appeal. The 1.6 T-GDi Plug-in Hybrid variant will save company car drivers a lot of money, while the non-plug-in 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid is similarly appealing as a private buy.”

Ashley Andrew, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor UK, commented: - “The awards from What Car? are particularly pleasing as they illustrate the depth of Hyundai’s current range of vehicles. Our N cars have created a massive impact in a short space of time and the i20 N is a fantastic example of an exciting performance model that can be comfortably driven on a daily basis, while the SANTA FE offers a fantastic blend of practicality, comfort and electrification for SUV customers.”

The start of 2023 has certainly been exciting for Hyundai as it continues to showcase its award-winning understanding of delivering exactly what drivers want to, well, drive.

The IONIQ 5 has already been named Large Electric Car of the Year by SME fleet specialist Company Car & Van, while the European New Car Assessment Programme recognised the IONOQ 6’s safety credentials by awarding it ‘Best in Class’ in the ‘Large Family Car’ category. Additionally, the release in early January of the UK’s latest car registration figures by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed that Hyundai had recorded its largest ever market share of 5.0% in 2022.