(C) Ken Garff Hyundai Downtown

SEOUL — The Korea Automobile Journalists Association (KAJA) officially announced the winners of the "2026 Car of the Year" awards during a prestigious ceremony held at the Sebitseom Convention Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on Thursday. In a decisive victory, Hyundai Motor Company’s flagship large electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, claimed the top honor, signaling a new era for South Korea's electric vehicle (EV) market.

The IONIQ 9 secured an impressive overall satisfaction score of 82.30 out of 100, outperforming 18 models from 10 domestic and international brands. The rigorous evaluation process, conducted at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority’s Automobile Test & Research Institute (KATRI), assessed vehicles across ten categories, including exterior design, interior quality, handling, and energy efficiency.

Beyond the main prize, the IONIQ 9 achieved a "Triple Crown" by also winning SUV of the Year and EV of the Year. Built on Hyundai’s dedicated E-GMP platform, the IONIQ 9 boasts a massive 110.3kWh battery, delivering a range of up to 532km on a single charge. Judges praised its "Aerosthetic" design, which achieves a drag coefficient of 0.259, and its 400/800V multi-ultra-fast charging system that powers the battery from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes.

The ceremony also highlighted excellence across the global industry:

Import Car of the Year: The Renault Scenic E-Tech 100% Electric took the title with 70.07 points.
Design of the Year: Awarded to the Peugeot All-New 3008 Smart Hybrid.
Utility & Innovation of the Year: Kia’s PV5 swept both categories, recognized for its revolutionary Purpose-Built Vehicle (PBV) solutions and versatile passenger-to-cargo configurations.
Performance of the Year: The high-performance Mercedes-AMG GT claimed the trophy for driving enthusiasts.
"This year's selection involved exhaustive on-track testing to ensure the highest standards of verification," said Jeong Chi-yeon, Chairman of the Selection Committee. "We congratulate the brands that emerged victorious in this fiercely competitive landscape."