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

by Hyundai | January 23, 2023

• Hyundai collects three major honours at the 2023 What Car? Awards

•Exhilarating i20 N crowned 'Hot Hatch of the Year'

•Judges praise its 'brilliant body control and grip'

•SANTA FE named 'Seven-seater of the Year' and 'Best Plug-in Hybrid for Big Families'

•Hailed for its 'practicality, upmarket feel and comfort'

Hyundai's impressive start to 2023 has continued with two of its key models picking up wins at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards.

The What Car? team of expert judges named the i20 N as the number one choice in the fiercely fought 'Hot Hatch of the Year' category, while the SANTA FE SUV was crowned 'Seven-seater of the Year' and recognised as the 'Best Plug-in Hybrid for Big Families'.

The Hyundai i20 N, which is priced from £25,750 and is powered by a turbocharged 204ps 1.6-litre T-GDi engine, has attracted a string of rave reviews since its introduction in 2021, thanks to a compelling blend of thrilling performance and pin-sharp handling.

What Car? Editor, Steve Huntingford, said: '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. And on the way out of corners, the limited-slip differential allows you to deploy maximum power with minimal tyre scrabble.'

The Hyundai SANTA FE, priced from £42,445, continues to be one of the UK's most popular seven-seater cars, with elegant styling, a spacious interior and generous, high-tech equipment. Customers are offered the choice of powerful electrified Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid versions, as well as an efficient diesel.

What Car? Editor, Steve Huntingford, said: '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.'

Despite 2023 being only three weeks old, Hyundai's year has started in impressive fashion. Already the IONIQ 5 has been named Large Electric Car of the Year by SME fleet specialist Company Car & Van, while the European New Car Assessment Programme recognised the IONIQ 6's safety credentials by awarding it 'Best in Class' in the 'Large Family Car' category.

Additionally, the release early in 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.

Ashley Andrew, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor UK, said: '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.'

Photo credit: Hyundai
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