Tag Archives: Hyundai

News

Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT Crowned Best U.S.-Built Sports Vehicle of the Year by ACAR

Hyundai is charging ahead—literally and figuratively—with its award-winning electric lineup. The latest feather in its cap: the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT has been named the Best U.S.-Built Sports Vehicle of the Year by American Cars and Racing (ACAR).

This prestigious award recognizes the best new or significantly updated vehicles for the 2025 model year assembled in the United States. ACAR’s editorial team evaluates nominees on criteria including innovation, appeal, value, and overall excellence. With categories spanning Car, Truck, SUV, Luxury Vehicle, and Sports Vehicle, the competition is fierce—and the IONIQ 5 XRT has clearly impressed.

“The IONIQ 5 XRT is designed to appeal to customers who want to play in the dirt and have all-electric adventures,” said Ricky Lao, director of product planning at Hyundai Motor North America. “Built at our Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), the 2025 XRT delivers enhanced off-road capability and a more rugged appearance. We are pleased to receive this recognition.”

A Bold New Chapter for the IONIQ 5

Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 has already made waves in the EV world for its retro-futuristic styling, spacious interior, and smooth driving dynamics. But the XRT variant takes that formula in a bolder direction, catering to EV buyers with a taste for the outdoors.

The IONIQ 5 XRT features aggressively restyled front and rear bumpers, rugged side skirts, and exclusive 18-inch aluminum wheels designed for off-road prowess. Its increased ground clearance and suspension tuning give it the confidence to tackle trails, gravel, and everything in between—without losing the everyday refinement that made the IONIQ 5 a hit.

Inside, the XRT model is equally adventurous, with H-Tex™ seating surfaces, XRT-exclusive patterning and badging, and a black headliner that adds to the sporty, immersive feel.

Electrifying Fun Without Compromise

ACAR executive editor Gary Gastelu put it succinctly: “Hyundai took one of the best compact electric SUVs and broadened its horizons with the IONIQ 5 XRT, which is simply one of the most fun vehicles on sale today at any price. It opens up new roads without giving up any of the everyday comfort the IONIQ 5 is known for—and now loves to play in the dirt.”

With the addition of a NACS port, thoughtful design upgrades, and off-road enhancements, the 2025 IONIQ 5 XRT signals Hyundai’s commitment to building versatile EVs that don’t just look good in a city—they thrive off the beaten path.

As the electric SUV segment continues to grow, the IONIQ 5 XRT stands as a reminder that fun and utility don’t need to come at the cost of sustainability. Hyundai isn’t just building electric vehicles—it’s building EVs that adventure.

Source: Hyundai

EV

2026 Kia EV4: Stylish Electric Hatch and Saloon Set to Shake Up the Segment

Kia is gearing up to expand its electric ambitions with the arrival of the EV4, a striking new model that brings a fresh edge to the compact EV market. Closely resembling the concept that turned heads in 2023, the production EV4 remains faithful in design and shares its architecture with the recently unveiled EV3 hatchback.

Offered in both hatchback and saloon body styles, the EV4 covers a broad spectrum of buyers. The hatchback version is roughly the same size as the Hyundai Kona Electric, while the saloon stretches out to a length that surpasses the Tesla Model 3, thanks to its extended rear overhang.

In Europe, the EV4 will primarily be sold as a hatchback, where it is poised to take on rivals like the Citroën ë-C4, Volkswagen ID.3, and Volvo EX40. With sharp styling, solid range figures, and a tech-laden cabin, Kia is clearly aiming for a strong foothold in this competitive segment.

Both body styles come with a single front-mounted motor producing 201 hp, good for a 0–62mph sprint in the mid-7-second range, depending on battery and trim level. Performance enthusiasts won’t be left out, either—Kia has confirmed that all of its EVs are in line for hot GT variants, so expect a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive GT version of the EV4 with enough punch to rival the MG 4 EV XPower.

As for range, the entry-level EV4 is fitted with a 58.3kWh battery, which offers up to 273 miles on a single charge in hatchback form. Step up to the 81.4kWh battery, and the hatchback’s range extends to an impressive 388 miles. Charging is swift, too: a 10–80% top-up takes at least 29 minutes for the smaller pack and 31 minutes for the larger.

Inside, the EV4 shares its high-tech interior with the EV3, boasting a sleek 30-inch dashboard screen. This includes two 12.3-inch displays—one for infotainment, one for the instrument cluster—split by a 5.3-inch climate control panel. Notably, the EV4 will be the first Kia to support in-car entertainment apps like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube, hinting at a more leisure-oriented EV experience.

While full pricing details for the EV4 saloon are still under wraps, it’s expected to launch in the UK after the hatchback. That’s due to a difference in manufacturing: the hatch will be built in Slovakia, while the saloon will be produced in Korea, Kia’s home market.

With its combination of sleek design, generous range, and tech-rich interior, the Kia EV4 is shaping up to be a serious player in the electric C-segment. Watch this space.

Source: KIA

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2026 Kia EV4: Stylish Electric Hatch and Saloon Set to Shake Up the Segment
News

Hyundai IONIQ 6 N Brings Track-Ready Tech to the Streets

Hyundai has given the automotive world its first glimpse of the highly anticipated IONIQ 6 N — a bold new entry in the high-performance electric vehicle market that aims to follow in the award-winning footsteps of its predecessor, the IONIQ 5 N.

The newly released preview images showcase a sleek, aggressive sports sedan that combines cutting-edge aerodynamic design with dynamic enhancements tailored for speed and precision. With extended fenders, a wider track, lightweight performance wheels, and a large rear spoiler, the IONIQ 6 N is clearly engineered with one thing in mind: performance.

Hyundai’s development team has focused on three signature pillars that define the N brand: Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability, and Everyday Sports Car. These principles reflect the brand’s intention to build a vehicle that thrills on winding roads, performs reliably on the racetrack, and still delivers excitement during daily driving.

“The IONIQ 6 N will once again revolutionize the high-performance electric vehicle segment to provide our fans with exciting driving experiences,” said Joon Park, Vice President and Head of N Management Group. “We chose to premiere the IONIQ 6 N at the Goodwood Festival of Speed to be as close to our fans as possible.”

Hyundai has kept most of the performance specs under wraps, heightening anticipation ahead of the model’s full reveal on July 10 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed — one of the most prestigious automotive events in the world. The choice of venue underscores Hyundai’s confidence in the IONIQ 6 N’s performance credentials and its appeal to motorsport and EV enthusiasts alike.

As Hyundai continues to carve out a leading role in the electrification of high-performance driving, the IONIQ 6 N is shaping up to be more than just an electric sedan — it’s a statement of intent. And if its predecessor is anything to go by, this could be another game-changer in the making.

Source: Hyundai