The second running of the Chasing Cars Car of the Year has seen the Hyundai Ioniq 6 handed the crown of Australia’s best new car of 2023, leading a formidable field of 24 of the best new vehicles.
Chasing Cars is one of the largest automotive content platforms, known for its in-depth program of annual vehicle megatests. Chasing Cars is powered by Budget Direct.
A short list of the highest-achieving new cars of 2023 were recognised with the Chasing Cars Gold Star award. The list comprised the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (Car of the Year), Ford Ranger Raptor (Off-Roader of the Year), Volkswagen Golf R, BMW 7 Series, Audi E-Tron GT, and Cupra Formentor.
Eligible for consideration were vehicles launched between March 2022 and April 2023.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 demonstrates how rapidly its maker has become adept at engineering electric vehicles that are a near-perfect fit for Australian conditions.
Deploying supple ride quality, long driving range, ultra-rapid charging rates and excellent build quality to strong effect, the Ioniq 6 performed well against the seven COTY criteria.
The judges assessed contenders against their fitness for purpose, safety and autonomy, engineering and engagement, technology, packaging, efficiency and value and holistic advancement of the car industry.
Tested in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive forms, the fully-electric Ioniq 6 saw off tight EV competition from the likes of the Tesla Model Y, Cupra Born and BYD Atto 3 – but the Hyundai was also victorious over every combustion-powered vehicle in the field.
Strong performances were put in by each of the contenders, but the Ioniq 6 emerged as the sweet spot scoring consistently across the criteria.
Holistic testing was conducted at a private facility and on the challenging roads of the Australian Capital Territory in winter 2023 in a range of conditions.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 will enjoy its Chasing Cars Car of the Year award into 2024, and the third running of the award will be conducted next year.
