Hyundai Santa Fe and IONIQ 5 N win AJAC's Canadian Utility and Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards for 2025

February 13, 2025 by Hyundai Auto Canada

•Hyundai Santa Fe wins Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year Award, following the footsteps of Hyundai Tucson and IONIQ 5, which won the same award in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

•Hyundai IONIQ 5 N wins Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year Award, marking the fourth major AJAC award for the all-electric IONIQ lineup in the last two years.

Hyundai Auto Canada is pleased to announce that two of its vehicles have won prestigious Vehicle of the Year Awards from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). The Hyundai Santa Fe was elected Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year, while the all-electric IONIQ 5 N was honoured with the title of Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year.

These accolades underscore these vehicles exceptional performance, innovative features, and its ability to deliver unparalleled driving experiences to Canadian consumers.

With this new recognition for Santa Fe, this marks the third time in four years that Hyundai wins AJAC's Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year award, with Tucson and IONIQ 5 respectively taking the award home in 2022 and 2023.

As for the IONIQ 5 N, this title signals the fourth major AJAC award for the all-electric IONIQ lineup in the last two years. The IONIQ 5 was previously crowned Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year and Canadian Green Utility Vehicle of the year by AJAC members in 2023, while the IONIQ 6 sedan was awarded the 2023 Canadian Green Car of the Year title.

'We are thrilled to receive the prestigious Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year award for the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year award for the IONIQ 5 N from AJAC,' said Steve Flamand, executive director of sales and digital strategy at Hyundai Auto Canada. 'These awards underscore Hyundai's commitment to providing Canadian consumers with innovative, high-quality vehicles that exceed expectations in their respective segments. We are proud to see the Santa Fe and IONIQ 5 N recognized for their outstanding performance, design, and advanced technologies.'

'Congratulations to Hyundai for earning both the 2025 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year and the 2025 Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards,' says Evan Williams, president of AJAC. 'AJAC's expert jurors scored the Santa Fe highly for its interior ergonomics, its easy-to-use infotainment system, and its low levels of noise, vibration, and harshness. The high-performance Hyundai Ioniq 5 N showed us that EVs could be fun, winning over jurors for its electric drive system, suspension, and steering feel.'

The award for Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) was chosen after extensive, real-world evaluation conducted by over 45 AJAC CCOTY judges across Canada. The vehicles were tested on the same roads and under the same conditions that Canadian drivers face everyday. Voting results have been verified by accounting firm, KPMG.

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe stands out in the competitive SUV landscape, offering a standard hybrid 1.6L turbocharged powertrain. With its optional 2.5L turbocharged engine available on select trims, the Santa Fe delivers impressive power and efficiency, meeting the diverse needs of Hyundai customers across the country.

In addition to its powertrain options, the Santa Fe boasts standard three-row seating with more interior room, providing exceptional comfort and versatility for occupants. This thoughtful design ensures that the Santa Fe is well-equipped to accommodate the dynamic demands of active lifestyles and growing families.

Highlighting the rugged and adventurous side of the Santa Fe, the XRT trim features standard 30-inch all-terrain tires and higher ground clearance, offering enhanced capability for outdoor enthusiasts and those who seek off-road experiences. This distinctive trim underscore Hyundai's commitment to providing innovative features that cater to a wide range of consumer preferences and lifestyles.

This award reinforces Hyundai's dedication to ongoing innovation and customer satisfaction, showcasing the brand's ability to consistently deliver vehicles that stand out in their segments and provide exceptional value to consumers.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 N

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N represents a milestone in electric vehicle engineering, as the first N brand electric performance vehicle. It exemplifies the potential of high-performance EV motoring by setting new standards for racetrack capability and driver engagement. The IONIQ 5 N takes pride in being the fastest vehicle in the Hyundai lineup, utilizing motorsport-bred technologies to elevate the three pillars of N Performance: corner rascal, racetrack capability, and everyday sportscar.

One of the most remarkable features of the IONIQ 5 N is its impressive electric motors, which generate a stunning 641 horsepower (478 kW) with N Grin Boost engaged. Equipped with a two-stage inverter and dual high-performance electric motors, the vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds, providing an exhilarating driving experience that surpasses expectations.

In addition to this prestigious recognition by AJAC, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N has also secured the title of the 2024 World Performance Car Award, further demonstrating its exceptional performance and global acclaim. The IONIQ 5 N was also recently awarded Car of the Year by popular Canadian YouTube channel Throttle House, as well as numerous other outlets around the globe.

With its remarkable performance, advanced technology, and accolades, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N continues to redefine expectations for electric vehicles and highlights Hyundai's commitment to delivering groundbreaking, high-performance models that push the boundaries of innovation.

Photo credit: Hyundai Auto Canada
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