01/16/2019, Detroit, MI
DETROIT, Jan. 16, 2019 – Car and Driver today named the 2019 Hyundai Kona and Kona Electric CUV models the Best Subcompact SUV as part of its 2019 10Best Trucks and SUVs awards in events surrounding the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The award marks the first time that a Hyundai CUV model has been named to Car and Driver‘s 10Best Trucks and SUVs list.
“We are thrilled the editors of Car and Driver recognized the Kona and Kona Electric models as CUVs worthy of their highest recommendation,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Product, Corporate and Digital Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Kona is an affordable, stylish and functional compact CUV, tailored to the needs of customers who pursue active lifestyles of all kinds. Even more, Car and Driver is both highly discerning and selective, so their recognition of Kona as a 10Best winner is certainly a strong indicator of Kona product line excellence.”
From left to right: David VanderWerp, Deputy Online Editor, Car and Driver; Brian Smith, COO, Hyundai Motor America and Mike O’Brien, Vice President, Product, Corporate and Digital Planning, Hyundai Motor America.
KONA AND KONA ELECTRIC MODELS
Both the Kona and Kona Electric are built on all-new CUV platforms, offering versatility to consumers. Kona was developed with a focus on enhanced driving dynamics and responsive performance for a variety of urban and multi-surface driving conditions. Kona Electric’s estimated range is an impressive 258 miles and offers standard fast-charging capability, a feature for which many competitors charge extra. The Kona Electric platform has been developed to give customers CUV-like ground clearance and an elevated, command seating position to provide better visibility and comfort on long journeys, as well as easy ingress and egress.
In choosing the Kona above the rest of the subcompact field, Car and Driver said, “Inside, though, it’s conventionally attractive and comfortable, with lowest-bidder plastics—universal in this class—balanced by satisfying touch points. And like its stablemates, this Hyundai is a textbook example of functional touchscreen ergonomics, with every control exactly where you’d expect it to be.” They also noted that “In the subcompact segment, the competition sets a low bar. But where mere goodness would suffice, the Kona is excellent. It is proof that not all crossovers are equal.”
CAR AND DRIVER 10BEST
Car and Driver 10Best is a list annually produced by Car and Driver, nominating what it considers the ten best cars of the year. Car and Driver also annually produces the 10Best Trucks and SUVs list, highlighting what it considers the ten best vehicles from the combined truck and SUV category.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America is focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience grounded in design leadership, engineering excellence, and exceptional value in every vehicle we sell. Hyundai’s technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs, and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance — our promise to deliver peace of mind to our customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 830 dealerships nationwide, and the majority sold in the U.S. are built at U.S. manufacturing facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.
Please visit our media website at www.HyundaiNews.com
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William Lee (right), president CEO, Hyundai North America and Brian Smith (left), chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor America, celebrate after the 2019 Hyundai Kona and Kona Electric CUV models win the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year™ awarded by the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year automotive media jury. This is the first time that a Hyundai CUV model has won the Utility Vehicle of the Year category. The winner of the CUV category is announced every year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year jury is made up of an independent panel of top journalists and analysts based in the United States and Canada. Since 1994, the organization has recognized top cars, trucks, and utility vehicles. This year’s jury of 54 media outlets includes legacy newspapers, magazine experts, broadcast veterans, digital columnists and freelance media.
Both the Kona and Kona Electric are built on all-new CUV platforms, offering versatility to consumers with active lifestyles of all kinds. Kona was developed with a focus on enhanced driving dynamics and responsive performance for a variety of urban and multi-surface driving conditions. Kona Electric’s estimated range is an impressive 258 miles and offers standard fast-charging capability, a feature for which many competitors charge extra. The Kona Electric platform has been developed to give customers CUV-like ground clearance and an elevated, command seating position to provide better visibility and comfort on long journeys, as well as easy ingress and egress.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America is focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience grounded in design leadership, engineering excellence, and exceptional value in every vehicle we sell. Hyundai’s technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs, and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance — our promise to deliver peace of mind to our customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 830 dealerships nationwide, and the majority sold in the U.S. are built at U.S. manufacturing facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.
Please visit our media website at www.HyundaiNews.com
Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram
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