Big wins for TUCSON, KONA Electric, IONIQ 5 N and i10 as Hyundai dominates 2024 Auto Express New Car Awards

The widespread appeal of Hyundai’s exciting range of cars has been demonstrated in emphatic fashion as four models picked up top prizes at the 2024 Auto Express New Car Awards.

The awards were handed out at a ceremony held at Dartmouth House in London’s Mayfair, with the big-selling Hyundai TUCSON leading the way as Auto Express’s Best Mid-Size SUV. It was joined by the Hyundai i10 (Best City Car), while Hyundai’s leadership in electrification was underlined by awards for the Hyundai KONA Electric (Best Small Company Car) and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, which continued its amazing run of success by being crowned Best Performance Car.

Auto Express is one of the UK’s leading car news and reviews titles both in print and online, and its New Car Awards are long established, having been launched in 1993. The awards are judged by an experienced team of road testers and seek to identify the best cars on the market across 25 sectors, focusing on the real-world requirements and priorities of buyers.

This year’s award for the TUCSON was the fourth year in a row it has been acclaimed Best Mid-Sized SUV by Auto Express, following triumphs in 2021, 2022 and 2023, with its excellent all-round appeal proving popular with the judges. Starting prices for the TUCSON are from £32,000.

Another winner from last year which repeated its success was the i10, which continues to attract buyers in the city car class thanks to its blend of smart styling, generous specification and sensible pricing. It is available from £16,030.

The KONA Electric’s Best Small Company Car honour followed up its overall Auto Express Car of the Year award in 2023, with judges continuing to be impressed by its sharp design and affordability. It is priced from £34,995.

The IONIQ 5 N’s accolade is the latest recognition for the groundbreaking EV, which was created to deliver maximum driving enjoyment by integrating the motorsport-bred technologies and expertise of Hyundai’s N division. Already it has been named 2024 World Performance Car in the World Car Awards, 2023 Car of the Year by TopGear.com and Best Performance Car of 2024 by Autocar. In May, it was also hailed as the world’s best electric performance car by CAR following a definitive seven-car test. The IONIQ 5 N can be ordered from £65,000.

Paul Barker, Auto Express Editor, said: “With Hyundai, the variety impresses as much as the quality – to be top of the list in so many different areas of the market illustrates the breadth of ability across the company’s line-up.

“The TUCSON offers an unbeatable combination of distinctive design, excellent space and tech and a great blend of powertrain options, while the i10 shows it is still possible to have a fun, affordable and well equipped small car. The KONA Electric blends space, style and low running costs to excellent effect, and the incredible IONIQ 5 N has set a new bar by some distance in terms of what is possible in the world of electric performance cars.”

Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai & Genesis UK, said: “Winning four major awards from a title as respected as Auto Express underlines yet again what a compelling line-up of cars Hyundai has to offer customers in the UK. In every area of the market, from affordable city cars to smart family SUVs and exhilarating electrified performance cars, Hyundai is setting new benchmarks and delivering exactly what buyers want with desirable, high-quality, attractively priced models.”