Hyundai has been awarded three trophies at the 2022 Autocar Awards, as decided by judges from the world’s oldest motoring magazine. Head of Hyundai Global Design Centre, SangYup Lee, is named Design Hero of the Year, while the Hyundai i20N wins Britain’s Most Affordable Driver’s Car and the Hyundai SANTA FE is named the Best Large Car.
The prestigious Autocar Awards recognize the very best of the automotive industry, whether it be innovative technologies or extraordinary design. For the first time, the 2022 ceremony incorporated both the Britain’s Best Driver’s Cars as well as Britain’s Best Cars Awards, giving a more comprehensive view of the automotive world than ever before. This year, the in-person ceremony returned, held at the impressive Silverstone Wing.
The title of Design Hero of the Year is given by Autocar to an individual who has made a significant impact in the world of automotive design, not just in the preceding year, but throughout their entire career. SangYup Lee’s recent work as the head of Hyundai Global Design Centre has garnered universal praise, including the IONIQ 5 which recently won World Car Design of the Year, alongside World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle of the Year.
But it’s the breadth of design excellence that impressed the judges. At the iF design Awards 2021, Hyundai won in nine separate categories, and has been victorious for nine consecutive years. In early 2021, Hyundai won four GOOD DESIGN Awards, including for the Prophecy concept car, which was also named ‘Best of the Best’ at the Red Dot design awards.
Since its introduction in 2019 the i20 N has consistently impressed, winning a series of awards, including Top Gear Car of the Year and UK Performance Car of the Year. Priced from £25,220, the comprehensively equipped Hyundai i20 N builds on the strengths of Hyundai's renowned, performance-focused N brand and the success of the acclaimed i20. A true sporting icon, the i20N also takes inspiration and engineering values from the multiple-rally-winning i20 Coupe WRC car. It’s equally at home delivering its unique brand of exhilarating performance both on the road and racetrack.
Meanwhile, the SANTA FE was named Autocar’s Best Large Car.
Priced from £40,250, the SANTA FE is Hyundai’s longest-running SUV, first sold in the UK in 2001. The D-segment SUV has been praised for its comfort and roominess, comprehensive standard features and functional cabin design. With the latest version offering a series of improvements to offer a more premium choice for its customers. Available with either the option of a hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain for the first time, it also features a bold and distinctive new design as well as a range of new technology and safety features.
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