01.07.2025 Press release

Major wins for Hyundai INSTER, All-new SANTA FE and IONIQ 5 N in EcoCar’s 2025 Electrified Top 50

Four key category wins for Hyundai in the 2025 EcoCar Electrified Top 50 awards
New INSTER is hailed as the Best Electric City Car
SANTA FE crowned Best Hybrid Seven-seat SUV and Best Plug-in Hybrid Seven-seat SUV
Best Electric Hot Hatch title goes to the multi-award winning IONIQ 5 N

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Hyundai has recorded multiple category wins in the annual EcoCar Electrified Top 50 awards, an annual celebration of the best electric cars, hybrids and plug-in hybrids available today.

Now in its fourth year, the Top 50 countdown is compiled by the expert writers and testers of Diesel&EcoCar magazine, and highlights the individual models considered to be the finest in their individual classes, with the Hyundai INSTER, All-new SANTA FE and IONIQ 5 N catching the eye of the judges this year.

Making its first appearance in the Top 50 is the recently released INSTER, which has wowed the media and public alike since launch. It was named the EcoCar Best Electric City Car, following up its recent coronation as 2025 World Electric Vehicle in the 2025 World Car Awards.

The INSTER is the brand’s first small SUV for the European market, and blends robust but compact styling with effortless urban driving and a potential range of 229 miles. It comes with either a 42kWh or 49kWh battery, and is available from £23,505.

The All-new INSTER

INSTER’s bold design combines a futuristic, innovative image with a spacious interior in a small SUV body. With a sophisticated technology package that helps deliver safe, refined driving, INSTER offers fast charging and the best all-electric range in its segment, at up to 355 km.

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The INSTER’s boxy silhouette maximises interior space, while quirky design touches give it real character. Aimed squarely at urban drivers, it costs from well under £25k, making it one of the most affordable new EVs on sale in the UK, and a strong contender in the fast-growing affordable electric segment.

Ian Robertson Editor of Diesel&EcoCar

There was double success, meanwhile, for the All-new SANTA FE, which was hailed as both the Best Hybrid Seven-seat SUV and also the Best Plug-in Hybrid Seven-seat SUV. The All-new SANTA FE, features a 1.6-litre T-GDi Smartstream powertrain (available with two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive as a hybrid, and as a 4WD PHEV), and has won an array of plaudits thanks to its blend of quality and practicality.

The package is enhanced by a striking design, with a distinctive boxy silhouette and a roomy interior, suited to a range of outdoor and urban activities. Fully foldable second- and third-row seats provide class-leading interior space, while a suite of high-tech, practical features adds to its appeal. Prices for the All-new SANTA FE start from £47,890.

With a bold new design and the latest hybrid technology, the Hyundai SANTA FE is back in a big way. Available as both a self-charging hybrid and a plug-in hybrid with up to 33.6 miles of electric driving range, it’s our pick for both Best Hybrid Seven-Seat SUV and Best Plug-in Hybrid Seven-Seat SUV. The upright, rugged new look hides a spacious, versatile interior, with plenty of room across all three rows. It's Hyundai's most practical SUV yet.

Ian Robertson Editor of Diesel&EcoCar

There was further success, too, for the IONIQ 5 N, which was recognised by EcoCar as Best Electric Hot Hatch. Hyundai’s game-changing model, crowned World Performance Car in 2024, has redefined expectations for performance EVs, thanks to a driving experience that perfectly fuses electrification and old-school hot hatch charm.

A host of innovative features help it set a new benchmark in terms of emotional engagement for an electric car, headlined by N e-shift, which simulates the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission of internal combustion engine N models, and the N Active Sound+ tech that produces an emotive soundtrack. With the IONIQ 5 N capable of producing up to 650 PS with N Grin Boost, and 0-62mph achievable in just 3.4 seconds, the result is a game-changing EV, available from £65,010.

Already a design icon, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 now goes further with the addition of a potent N variant, making it our Best Electric Hot Hatch for 2025. The standard model remains spacious, well-equipped and rapid-charging thanks to its 800-volt architecture, while the IONIQ 5 N delivers 641bhp and riotous performance that’s now even more exciting thanks to its simulated gear changes and engine sounds.

Ian Robertson Editor of Diesel&EcoCar

Hyundai’s leadership in electrification has been demonstrated again by the success of the INSTER small SUV, All-new SANTA FE family SUV and IONIQ 5 N performance hatch in the EcoCar 2025 Electrified Top 50. The sheer depth of the Hyundai line-up means that whatever the electrified model customers are looking for, we have a top-quality car that will suit their needs.

Ashley Andrew President of Hyundai & Genesis UK

For more information on all the cars in Hyundai UK's award-winning range, visit www.hyundai.co.uk.

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01.07.2025 Press release

Big success for Hyundai at the 2025 Business Motoring Awards

Three of Hyundai’s cutting-edge line-up have been recognised in the 2025 Business Motoring Awards, a celebration of the finest vehicles and services in the fleet sector for SME operators.