Skip advert
Advertisement

Hyundai Ioniq 6 named World Car of the Year 2023

The Ioniq 6 has fended off the Kia Niro and BMW X1 to be voted the world's best car for 2023

Hyundai Ioniq 6 - front static

Hyundai has cleaned up again at the 2023 World Car Awards with the new Ioniq 6 named World Car of the Year, World Car Design of the Year and World Electric Car, while Hyundai and Genesis design boss Sangyup Lee was named World Car Person of the Year. 

This is the second year running that Hyundai has won the overall World Car of the Year award, following the success of the Ioniq 5 last year.

Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company said, “We are thrilled to receive this prestigious honor two years in a row, which recognizes the tremendous talents and unrelenting efforts of everyone at Hyundai Motor Company to bring EVs like IONIQ 6 to market.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

Collecting the new World Car trophy – redesigned by British designer Ian Callum – Sangyup Lee said: “We always want to connect with customers on an emotional level and with the design of the IONIQ 6 we have created truly one of a kind. The daring streamliner styling combines strong emotional appeal with aerodynamic efficiency to give exceptional range.”

World Car jurors, including Auto Express editor-in-chief Steve Fowler, voted the Ioniq 6 as the number one car in the world ahead of the Kia Niro and BMW X1/iX1.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 - front cornering

However, there was success for Kia with the EV6 GT named World Performance Car for 2023 ahead of the Toyota GR Corolla and Nissan Z. President and CEO of Kia Ho Sung Song said, "To be recognized in this way by the World Car Awards’ judges is a tremendous honour. We are leaving no stone unturned to create vehicles which deliver exceptional practicality while also inspiring customers through their ingenuity, technology, and design. This latest prestigious accolade provides further confirmation of the success of our strategy.”

Other World Car winners included the Citroen C3 which was named World Urban Car and the new all-electric Lucid Air for World Luxury Car.

Previous World Car of the Year winners

Now read our list of the best electric cars to buy now...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Steve Fowler has previously edited Auto Express, Carbuyer, DrivingElectric, What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Car deal of the day: Hyundai Ioniq 6 with cheap charging for just £267 a month
Hyundai Ioniq 6 - full front

Car deal of the day: Hyundai Ioniq 6 with cheap charging for just £267 a month

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a futuristic-looking EV with a smooth drive and premium appeal. It’s our Deal of the Day for 24 May
News
24 May 2026
Hyundai Ioniq 6 review
Hyundai Ioniq 6 - front tracking

Hyundai Ioniq 6 review

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a very impressive electric car with a unique look and excellent technology
In-depth reviews
10 Mar 2026
641bhp Hyundai Ioniq 6 N on sale for nearly £25k less than a BMW M3
Hyundai Ioniq 6 N Goodwood

641bhp Hyundai Ioniq 6 N on sale for nearly £25k less than a BMW M3

Hyundai’s all-electric M3 challenger does 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds, has 740Nm of torque on tap and offers a 302-mile range
News
22 Jan 2026

Most Popular

New Jaecoo 9 flagship SUV coming to the UK to target the Range Rover
Chery Fullwin T11 - front

New Jaecoo 9 flagship SUV coming to the UK to target the Range Rover

The new six-seat Jaecoo 9 SUV will be based on the Chery Fulwin T11, and it's coming to the UK
News
28 May 2026
Ford’s UK fightback has begun, and resurrecting the Fiesta and Focus is a great place to start
Opinion - Ford revival header image

Ford’s UK fightback has begun, and resurrecting the Fiesta and Focus is a great place to start

With both Ford and Vauxhall announcing their future plans, Paul Barker hopes it will address a lengthy decline
Opinion
27 May 2026
Peugeot goes price-cut crazy with huge discounts across the range
Peugeot range

Peugeot goes price-cut crazy with huge discounts across the range

From the 208 to the 5008, Peugeot has rethought its pricing to make its range “more accessible than ever”
News
28 May 2026

Find a car with the experts