Kia EV9 sweeps 2024 World Car of the Year and World Electric Car titles at New York Auto Show

The Hyundai Group continues its dominance in the world of prestigious automotive awards, particularly in the realm of electric vehicles. In a spectacular display of excellence, Kia secured victories in multiple categories at the World Car of the Year (WCOTY) awards. Notably, the Telluride clinched the overall WCOTY title in 2020, while the EV6 GT won World Performance Car, and the Kia Soul EV emerged victorious in the World Urban Car category.

In a surprising turn of events in 2021, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 emerged as the 2022 World Car of the Year, also claiming victories in the World Electric Vehicle and World Car Design of the Year categories. Following this success, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 replicated the feat in 2023 by winning the same three awards. Now, Kia returns to the spotlight with the introduction of the new EV9 at the New York Auto Show, securing the titles of the 2024 World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle. Additionally, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N secured the prestigious World Performance Car award.

The rigorous evaluation process involved one hundred automotive journalists from 29 countries testing 38 vehicles. To qualify for entry, a car must have an annual production exceeding 10,000 units, be available in at least two major global markets, and be priced below luxury options within their regions. The EV9 emerged triumphant, surpassing contenders like the BYD Seal and the Volvo EX30 for the WCOTY title.

In the electric vehicle category, the EV9 faced stiff competition from the BMW i5 and the Volvo EX30. While the BMW 5 Series and i5 claimed victory in the World Luxury Car category, the EX30 secured the World Urban Car trophy.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N stood out among 16 performance cars, outperforming rivals such as the M2 and XM. A notable surprise came in the form of the Toyota Prius, a global hybrid icon, triumphing over 70 other entries to claim the 2024 World Car Design of the Year award, alongside finalists the Ford Bronco and the Ferrari Purosangue. Cheers to the Prius for its remarkable achievement in automotive design.