Hyundai IONIQ 5 named 2021 carsales Car of the Year

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 has been announced as the 2021 carsales Car of the Year, proudly presented by Bingle.

Released last month with sell-out success, the all-new mid-size electric fastback SUV was also named the People’s Choice in Australia’s premier automotive consumer award earlier this week.

In addition to awarding the Hyundai IONIQ 5, carsales judges recognised the Kia Sportage and Polestar 2 as standout performers in this year’s field. Both were awarded Highly Commended accolades for 2021.

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is not only compelling evidence the electric car revolution is underway and an exciting glimpse of Australia’s zero-emissions motoring future, but the most accomplished mainstream EV that Aussies can buy and enjoy today.

As the first model to emerge from the Hyundai group’s new dedicated EV platform, it delivers large-car space within a high-quality, flat-floor cabin, making it an ultra-modern, spacious and family-friendly package that also delivers brisk twin-motor all-wheel drive performance at the top of the range.

All Hyundai IONIQ 5s combine attractive interior and exterior designs with next-generation charging and infotainment technology, first-class levels of refinement and ride quality, a five-star ANCAP safety rating, relatively affordable pricing, generous aftersales support, a competitive RedBook.com.au cost of ownership rating and high levels of driver engagement – even in entry-level rear-wheel drive form.

“Our judges loved the way the IONIQ 5 drives, the way it looks, its space, tech and amenity, and the fact it says so much about what’s to come from one of the auto industry’s most exciting brands,” said carsales Editor-in-Chief, Mike Sinclair.

“For close to mass-market money, the IONIQ 5 brings the industry’s most up-to-date EV platform this side of a Porsche Taycan, new 800-volt charging technology, European-car levels of driver and passenger engagement, making it our top choice for early EV adopters and digital natives alike.”

carsales Car of the Year recognises excellence in the new-vehicle market and awards just one winner from the long list of new models released in Australia every year.

To determine the 2021 carsales Car of the Year, proudly presented by Bingle, a multi-stage judging process whittled down a field of almost 100 eligible candidates (based on strict eligibility outlined below) to 31 contenders and then a shortlist of 10 finalists, before naming one overall winner and two highly commended models.

“Vehicles were tested using a combination of expert opinion from carsales’ judges and data generated by car value specialist RedBook, with key factors including cost to purchase, own and run,” continued Sinclair.

“The Kia Sportage is a fifth-generation mid-size SUV that sets a new standard in Australia’s biggest single new-car segment with its savvy mix of value and technology. The Polestar 2 is a crossover-style electric fastback with a unique Scandinavian design, a first-class safety and technology suite and competitive electric powertrains,” he added.

Value, warranty, aftersales support and projected cost of ownership are key factors considered when determining carsales Car of the Year, proudly presented by Bingle.

Data supplied and curated by RedBook.com.au not only sets the award apart from its competitors but, more importantly, delivers unparalleled insight into information important to Australian new-car buyers.

For the 2021 carsales Car of the Year, RedBook.com.au calculated each vehicle’s cost to run and its retained value over an ownership period of three years/60,000km.

Cost-to-run factors include fuel, tyres, insurance, servicing and the like, while cost-to-own data comprises financing, warranty, depreciation, retail price and value for money.

1. A series production passenger car or SUV available via dealers or similar distribution channels
2. New or substantially upgraded, available for testing by October 31 and on sale prior to December 31
3. Fitted with a reversing camera and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) as standard in all variants
4. Priced under $250,000 (at least one variant, recommended retail price)