Leatherhead, January 22, 2026 – Hyundai has continued its remarkable run of success at the What Car? Awards, securing two prestigious accolades for its standout models: the multi-award-winning SANTA FE and the all-new IONIQ 6 N.
The SANTA FE has been named Seven-seat SUV of the Year, while the IONIQ 6 N has earned the title of Best Electric Performance Car. These awards, presented annually by the UK’s leading car buying guide, recognise the very best in design, innovation, and driving experience, and mark another high point in Hyundai’s consistent track record of excellence.
SANTA FE: Space, Comfort, and Practicality
The SANTA FE has established itself as a benchmark for family-friendly SUVs. Already a familiar winner—having claimed Best Seven-seat SUV in 2025 and Best Hybrid Seven-seat SUV in What Car? Electric awards in 2024—the model continues to impress the judges with its blend of space, quality, and versatility.
The SUV’s interior is both spacious and flexible, offering generous room across three rows and fully foldable second- and third-row seats for maximum practicality. Outside, its bold, angular design provides a distinctive presence on the road. The vehicle is also equipped with Hyundai Smart Sense Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, ensuring safety, comfort, and confidence on every journey.
Steve Huntingford, editor of What Car?, praised the model: “The striking, angular design of the latest Hyundai SANTA FE doesn’t just help it stand out from the SUV crowd visually – it contributes to it being a great seven-seater. The oblong side windows offer everyone inside a great view, while the car’s squared-off rear end ensures that even those in the third row have loads of headroom. Access is superb, thanks to wide-opening doors. And when it comes to the dynamics, Hyundai has put comfort first – just as you’d want with a car like this.”
IONIQ 6 N: Redefining Electric Performance
Hyundai’s electric performance credentials have also received a strong endorsement. The IONIQ 6 N, which has earned a five-star rating from What Car?, claimed the Best Electric Performance Car award, surpassing notable rivals including the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-Tron.
Building on the success of the IONIQ 5 N—which won What Car?’s Technology Award in 2025 for its innovative N e-shift feature and was named Best Electric Hot Hatch—the IONIQ 6 N blends high-speed thrills with refined handling. Its agility and adjustability allow drivers to tailor the car’s character to their mood, while Hyundai’s virtual N eShift ‘gearbox’ delivers engagement that few other electric cars can match.
Steve Huntingford commented: “Like all electric performance cars, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 N is monstrously fast. However, unlike the vast majority of them, it disguises its weight brilliantly. It’s so keen to turn into corners that you’d swear it was pivoting around you. Plus, you can adjust its character to suit your mood, varying how playful it feels. On top of all this, Hyundai’s virtual N eShift ‘gearbox’ does a brilliant impression of the real thing, adding a level of engagement that’s missing from all other electric cars, aside from Hyundai’s own IONIQ 5 N.”
A Strong Statement for Hyundai’s Range
Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai & Genesis UK, said: “SANTA FE’s continued success at the What Car? Awards demonstrates just how consistently strong the model has been for UK customers over several years. At the same time, it’s particularly encouraging to see the IONIQ 6 N recognised so early on, as it builds on the award-winning foundations laid by IONIQ 5 N and shows how our N performance DNA is translating into the electric era. Together, these awards highlight the depth and quality of the Hyundai range.”
With this double triumph, Hyundai not only reinforces its reputation for delivering versatile, innovative, and enjoyable vehicles, but also signals its commitment to blending performance, practicality, and cutting-edge electric technology across its line-up.
