Summary
Hyundai had an outstanding 2023, sweeping awards across every category cars, SUVs, trucks, and EVs. From the Elantra earning top safety honors to the IONIQ 6 being named best EV of the year, Hyundai proved once again why it’s one of the most trusted and decorated automakers in the country. Whether you’re looking for a family SUV, a fuel-efficient sedan, or a cutting-edge electric vehicle, there’s a award-winning Hyundai built for you.

Table of Contents
- Hyundai’s Award-Winning Year
- Awards for Hyundai Cars
- Hyundai Elantra Awards
- Hyundai Sonata Awards
- Awards for Hyundai SUVs and Trucks
- Hyundai Santa Fe Awards
- Hyundai Santa Cruz Awards
- Hyundai Tucson Awards
- Hyundai Venue Awards
- Hyundai Palisade Awards
- Hyundai Kona Awards
- Awards for Hyundai EVs
- Hyundai Kona Electric Awards
- Hyundai IONIQ 5 Awards
- Hyundai IONIQ 6 Awards
- Hyundai Brand Awards
- FAQs
A Definitive Hyundai Awards Roundup
Hyundai had an outstanding 2023, sweeping awards across every category cars, SUVs, trucks, and EVs. From the Elantra earning top safety honors to the IONIQ 6 being named best EV of the year, Hyundai proved once again why it’s one of the most trusted and decorated automakers in the country. Whether you’re looking for a family SUV, a fuel-efficient sedan, or a cutting-edge electric vehicle, there’s an award-winning Hyundai built for you.
Why This Roundup Matters
With 2023 now firmly in the rearview mirror, it’s the perfect time to look back and appreciate just how much Hyundai accomplished over the past year. From sedans to SUVs, trucks to electric vehicles, the Korean automaker swept awards across nearly every category imaginable. Whether you’re already a Hyundai fan or you’re still on the fence, this list might just make up your mind.
Let’s break it all down, one model at a time.
Awards for Hyundai Cars
Hyundai first made its mark in America with the Sonata back in the mid-80s, and four decades later, that legacy is still going strong. The Sonata remains a staple in the mid-size sedan segment, while the Elantra has carved out a reputation in the performance world with its N models. Both are available in hybrid versions too, making them smart picks for fuel-conscious buyers.
Hyundai Elantra Awards
The Hyundai Elantra had a standout year, picking up three major honors that cover efficiency, performance, and safety all at once.
- 2023 Best Hybrid Car for the Money — U.S. News & World Report
- 2023 Editor’s Choice Sport Compact Car — Car and Driver
- 2023 Top Safety Pick+ — IIHS
Hyundai Sonata Awards
The Hyundai Sonata continued proving why it’s one of the most respected family sedans on the market, earning recognition for both value and environmental responsibility.
- 2023 Editor’s Choice Family Sedan — Car and Driver
- 2023 Greenest Vehicles — American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
- 2023 Top Safety Pick — IIHS

Awards for Hyundai SUVs and Trucks
Around the turn of the century, Hyundai made a serious push into the SUV market — and it paid off in a big way. Today they’re recognized as one of the best family vehicle brands in the country, offering everything from the compact Venue to the spacious Palisade, with a wide range of hybrid and plug-in hybrid options throughout the lineup. They even jumped into the small truck game with the fan-favorite Santa Cruz.
Hyundai Santa Fe Awards
The Hyundai Santa Fe dominated the midsize SUV category this year, earning four separate awards from some of the most respected names in automotive journalism.
- 2023 Best Buy 2-Row Midsize SUV — Kelley Blue Book
- 2023 Editor’s Choice Midsize SUV — Car and Driver
- 2023 Best 2-Row SUV for the Money — U.S. News & World Report
- 2023 Best New SUV for Teens — U.S. News & World Report
Hyundai Santa Cruz Awards
The Hyundai Santa Cruz continues to win over buyers and critics who want the utility of a truck without the bulk of a full-size pickup.
- Best Small Pickup — Newsweek
- Best Urban Pickup — Cars.com
- 2023 APEAL Award — J.D. Power
Hyundai Tucson Awards
The Hyundai Tucson earned high marks for both safety and teen-driver friendliness — a combination that makes it a go-to pick for families.
- 2023 Best New SUV for Teens — U.S. News & World Report
- 2023 Top Safety Pick+ — IIHS
Hyundai Venue Awards
Don’t let its smaller size fool you — the Hyundai Venue packs serious value into a compact package.
- 2024 Best Buy Subcompact Crossover — Consumer Guide
Hyundai Palisade Awards
The Hyundai Palisade is the crown jewel of the Hyundai SUV lineup, and the awards this year reflect exactly that — interior quality, value, and safety all in one package.
- 2023 Best Interiors and UX — Wards
- 2023 Best New Cars — Autotrader
- 2023 Best 3-Row SUV for the Money — U.S. News & World Report
- Driver’s Choice Award — MotorWeek
- 2023 Top Safety Pick+ — IIHS
Hyundai Kona Awards
The Hyundai Kona is quickly becoming one of the most decorated subcompact SUVs on the market — and for good reason.
- 2024 Best Buy Subcompact SUV — Kelley Blue Book
- 2023 Best Subcompact SUV for the Money — U.S. News & World Report
- 2023 Best New SUV for Teens — U.S. News & World Report
Awards for Hyundai EVs
The electric vehicle market is growing fast, and Hyundai is right at the front of the pack. The IONIQ lineup offers some of the best range and fastest charging speeds available — even compared to high-dollar luxury competitors. And for buyers just getting into EVs, the Kona Electric is a perfect starting point.
Hyundai Kona Electric Awards
The Hyundai Kona Electric earned recognition as one of the best entry-level electric crossovers on the market.
- EV of the Year — Hispanic Motor Press
Hyundai IONIQ 5 Awards
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is one of the most talked-about EVs on the road right now — and these awards show exactly why.
- 2024 Best Buy Electric Vehicle — Kelley Blue Book
- 2024 10Best Trucks and SUVs — Car and Driver
- #1 Electric Car — The Car Connection
- 2023 Top Safety Pick+ — IIHS
Hyundai IONIQ 6 Awards
If the IONIQ 5 is impressive, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 is on another level entirely — especially when it comes to charging speed and efficiency.
- Best EV of the Year — The Drive
- #1 Fastest EV Charging — Edmunds
- 2024 Editor’s Choice — EV Pulse
- 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems — Wards
- Top 10 Family Cars — Fatherly
- 2023 Top Safety Pick+ — IIHS
Hyundai Brand Awards — The Big Picture
The recognition doesn’t stop at individual models either. Hyundai as a brand earned a nod from the EPA as one of the best overall brands for fuel economy, and J.D. Power recognized them as one of the most tech-forward automakers in the industry. That’s a testament to how seriously Hyundai takes innovation across their entire lineup — not just in select models.
There’s never been a better time to get behind the wheel of a new Hyundai. Come visit your local Olathe Hyundai dealer or call McCarthy Olathe Hyundai at (913) 324-7200 to learn more about our current new vehicle specials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Hyundai won the most awards in 2023?
The Hyundai Palisade and IONIQ 6 both earned five or more awards each, making them the most decorated models of the year across their respective categories.
Which Hyundai SUV is the safest?
The Hyundai Palisade, Tucson, and Kona all received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award — the highest safety rating available from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Is the Hyundai IONIQ 6 a good electric car?
Yes — the IONIQ 6 was named Best EV of the Year by The Drive and ranked #1 for fastest EV charging by Edmunds, making it one of the top electric cars available in 2023 and 2024.
What is the best Hyundai SUV for families?
The Hyundai Palisade is widely considered the best family SUV in the lineup, earning the Best 3-Row SUV for the Money award from U.S. News & World Report along with multiple other honors.
Where can I buy an award-winning Hyundai in Kansas City?
You can visit McCarthy Olathe Hyundai in Olathe, Kansas or call us at (913) 324-7200 to explore our full lineup and current new vehicle specials.
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