Hyundai Motor Company’s IONIQ 9 has been named World’s Best Large SUV at the 2026 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) Awards. The all-electric flagship SUV was selected by 84 female automotive journalists from 54 countries who evaluated vehicles on safety, quality, design, performance, ease of driving, environmental impact, and value.
Highlights
- IONIQ 9 earned World’s Best Large SUV honors from WWCOTY, beating nearly 20 competitors in its category.
- The vehicle now competes for the WWCOTY Supreme Winner title, with the final announcement scheduled for March.
- Built on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the SUV features 800-volt architecture enabling 10-80% charging in 24 minutes.
- The IONIQ 9 has accumulated six major awards since its late 2024 launch, including Red Dot and iF Design recognition.
Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process
The WWCOTY Awards represent the only global automotive awards judged exclusively by female motoring journalists. The organization reaches a global audience of 500 million and evaluates vehicles across six categories: Compact Car, Compact SUV, Large Car, Large SUV, 4×4 & Pickup, and Performance Car.
Marta García, Executive President at Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year, noted the IONIQ 9 demonstrates how advanced technology and everyday usability complement each other. She cited the vehicle’s charging capability, interior space, and overall quality as factors that establish a new benchmark in the large electric SUV segment.
Technical Specifications and Features
The IONIQ 9 serves as the flagship of Hyundai’s IONIQ lineup. Key specifications include:
- Platform: E-GMP architecture with 800-volt technology
- Charging speed: 10% to 80% in 24 minutes at compatible stations
- Seating: Three-row interior configurable for six or seven passengers
- Technology: Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) with AI-supported voice recognition
Award History
Since launching in late 2024, the IONIQ 9 has received multiple industry recognitions:
- 2025 TopGear.com Electric Awards
- German Premium Car of the Year 2026 (GCOTY)
- Comfortable Cruiser of the Year at Carwow Car of the Year Awards 2026
- Gold Winner at 2025 Australian Good Design Awards (Automotive category)
- Red Dot Award (Car and Motorcycle category)
- 2025 iF Design Awards (Automobile category)
More information about Hyundai Motor and its products is available at hyundai.com or the Hyundai Media Hub.
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