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2023 Motor Trend SUV of the Year


rperez817

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The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Is the 2023 MotorTrend SUV of the Year

 

Regardless of whether you call the Ioniq 5 a hatchback, crossover, or SUV, the fact is, in this year's incredibly competitive crop of SUV of the Year contenders, this Hyundai was well ahead of  the pack. The Ioniq 5 might be a somewhat unconventional pick for our 2023 SUV of the Year award, but we're confident it will be more than capable of handling the diverse tasks Americans expect SUVs to perform without complaint, no matter if they live in the Aleutians or the Keys. The Ioniq 5 is an outstanding vehicle, and that's why it's our winner.

 

2022-Hyundai-Ioniq-5-SUV-of-the-Year-Win

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Contenders.

  • Acura MDX Type S
  • Buick Envision Avenir
  • Ford Bronco Raptor
  • Genesis GV60
  • Honda HR-V
  • Hyundai Kona N
  • Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV
  • Hyundai Tucson PHEV
  • Jeep Grand Wagoneer L
  • Kia Niro
  • Kia Sorento PHEV
  • Lexus LX600
  • Maserati Grecale
  • Mazda CX-50
  • Mercedes-Benz EQB
  • Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
  • Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
  • Nissan Rogue Turbo
  • Toyota Corolla Cross
  • Toyota Highlander Turbo
  • Toyota Sequoia
  • Volvo C40 Recharge

Finalists.

  • BMW iX
  • Cadillac Lyriq
  • Honda CR-V
  • Hyundai Ioniq 5 (winner)
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • Jeep Wagoneer L
  • Kia EV6
  • Kia Sportage
  • Land Rover Range Rover
  • Nissan Ariya
  • Rivian R1S
Edited by rperez817
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15 hours ago, tbone said:

That is a hatchback by my definition.  

If I squint hard, I see a lot of Plymouth Horizon dna. "Crossover" has become the replacement term for "hatchback;" same two-box vehicle class, but without the budget connotation.

 

1979-Plymouth-Horizon-08.jpg.jpg

Edited by Chrisgb
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44 minutes ago, Chrisgb said:

If I squint hard, I see a lot of Plymouth Horizon dna. "Crossover" has become the replacement term for "hatchback;" same two-box vehicle class, but without the budget connotation.


Crossover implies a taller stance and more ground clearance.

 

MT:  but that’s not really a suv.

Hyundai:  look closer.  Oh by the way here’s our advertising budget

MT: now that you mention it……

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52 minutes ago, Chrisgb said:

 "Crossover" has become the replacement term for "hatchback;" same two-box vehicle class, but without the budget connotation.

 

Here is what Motor Trend said about the definition of the term "SUV" in their 2023 SUV of the Year article.

 

What is an SUV? No, seriously. Ask a dozen people and you'll get a dozen answers. To some, it's a body-on-frame vehicle with four-wheel drive, much like the original Jeeps that birthed the segment. To others it's a two-box shape with high ground clearance and room for a weekend getaway. Yet others define it as any hatchback larger than a typical car. We can all agree, generally, what an SUV should do but not on what it should look like. As Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart once said when struggling to define pornography, "I know it when I see it."

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2 hours ago, Chrisgb said:

If I squint hard, I see a lot of Plymouth Horizon dna. "Crossover" has become the replacement term for "hatchback;" same two-box vehicle class, but without the budget connotation.

 

1979-Plymouth-Horizon-08.jpg.jpg

...and the Horizon/Omni looked like a Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed Mk1 VW Golf/Rabbit.
480px-VW_Golf_I_front_20080208.jpg
 

Ioniq5's styling was inspired by the Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed 1970s Hyundai Pony
640px-1982_Hyundai_Pony_GLS_(11868204214

Edited by AM222
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42 minutes ago, Anthony said:

It's actually pretty big.  Almost directly the size of the Mustang Mach E which seems to be considered a CUV.  The styling really throws the size off.

 

1878793776_ScreenShot2022-10-21at10_19_56AM.thumb.png.29c7fc277bd0dddb5cb8d9104b29bfee.png

 

1301500608_ScreenShot2022-10-21at10_20_06AM.thumb.png.3243bafd0f44ed51939d61ec37343f56.png

 

1672105616_ScreenShot2022-10-21at10_20_21AM.thumb.png.0660f5f5a36498cfa6d5a47525c73c2c.png

 

 

The Mustang Mach E was a Motor Trend SUV of the Year finalist last year. 
The Mach E's ground clearance is actually lower than the Ioniq5's. 5.8 inches vs 6.1 inches.

Edited by AM222
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1 hour ago, rperez817 said:

 

Here is what Motor Trend said about the definition of the term "SUV" in their 2023 SUV of the Year article.

 

 

 

Chalk it up to the abomination of the English language, where we have four-door coupes, reimagined, and first ever in trendy use. The "Sport" prefix in SUV fluffs up the term and refocuses self image. If it was just 'Utility" vehicle, images of boom trucks, or those Cushman things that campus security runs around in are conjured up. You could be left wondering if you need PPE to own one. "Sport" adds an aura of athletic activity. In fact BMW calls theirs "Sport Activity Vehicles;" helps distinguish them from the Today's Hottest Hits riff-raff and soothes your self image, while sitting at the Sonic chowin' down your second Chilli Cheese Coney. 

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52 minutes ago, Chrisgb said:

Chalk it up to the abomination of the English language, where we have four-door coupes, reimagined, and first ever in trendy use. The "Sport" prefix in SUV fluffs up the term and refocuses self image. If it was just 'Utility" vehicle, images of boom trucks, or those Cushman things that campus security runs around in are conjured up. You could be left wondering if you need PPE to own one. "Sport" adds an aura of athletic activity. In fact BMW calls theirs "Sport Activity Vehicles;" helps distinguish them from the Today's Hottest Hits riff-raff and soothes your self image, while sitting at the Sonic chowin' down your second Chilli Cheese Coney. 

 

Excellent points Chrisgb. Everything you mentioned is a direct result of the image and status oriented focus of promoting SUV and crossovers by all automakers. It's very effective. The dramatic growth of crossovers in particular, which are by definition compromised products, over the past decade would not have occurred without the "active lifestyle" image cultivated by automotive marketers for those products.

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2 hours ago, rperez817 said:

 

Here is what Motor Trend said about the definition of the term "SUV" in their 2023 SUV of the Year article.

 

 

 

That sounds like moving the goal post to make something fit your narrative.  That is not an SUV by any previous definition I’ve previous seen.  

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1 hour ago, Anthony said:

It's actually pretty big.  Almost directly the size of the Mustang Mach E which seems to be considered a CUV.  The styling really throws the size off.

 

1878793776_ScreenShot2022-10-21at10_19_56AM.thumb.png.29c7fc277bd0dddb5cb8d9104b29bfee.png

 

1301500608_ScreenShot2022-10-21at10_20_06AM.thumb.png.3243bafd0f44ed51939d61ec37343f56.png

 

1672105616_ScreenShot2022-10-21at10_20_21AM.thumb.png.0660f5f5a36498cfa6d5a47525c73c2c.png

 

 


After seeing that comparison, that styling, which I’m not a fan of, most definitely throws off its size.  It appears to be much smaller by itself. 

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1 hour ago, rperez817 said:

The dramatic growth of crossovers in particular, which are by definition compromised products, over the past decade would not have occurred without the "active lifestyle" image cultivated by automotive marketers for those products.


Absolute bullshit.  They’re only compromised in your mind and their popularity has nothing to do with advertising and everything to do with safety (real and perceived) and utility.  Every vehicle has pros and cons based on your preferences.

 

To me a sedan is compromised because it’s harder for me to get in and out and it has far less cargo capacity.  Crossovers offer AWD and a higher seating position that makes some feel safer.  And my Nautilus gets the same or better mpg than my previous sedans.

 

 

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The whole SUV of the year category is messed up. As mentioned the ioniq is a hatchback, but how did some of these others make the list? The wagoneer has a nice interior but looks like dogshit. Same goes for the kias and the Cadillac. The Nissan looks like a giant jellybean. I guess looks don’t factor much in this award?

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39 minutes ago, akirby said:


Absolute bullshit.  They’re only compromised in your mind and their popularity has nothing to do with advertising and everything to do with safety (real and perceived) and utility.  Every vehicle has pros and cons based on your preferences.

 

To me a sedan is compromised because it’s harder for me to get in and out and it has far less cargo capacity.  Crossovers offer AWD and a higher seating position that makes some feel safer.  And my Nautilus gets the same or better mpg than my previous sedans.

 

 

 

Everything is a matter of compromise.  Everyone has their own needs and preferences.  An Escape Hybrid is the right compromise for me at this time but may not be right for everyone else.

 

It's taller for better visibility down the road, more spacious inside, and has better ground clearance than a sedan.  It's much more efficient than the Focus it replaced, but even the 1.5L EB would be at least as efficient as that was.  Seems like good stuff to me.

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3 hours ago, T-dubz said:

I guess looks don’t factor much in this award?

 

One of the criteria for Motor Trend SUVOTY is "Advancement in Design". SUVs and crossovers with few exceptions have exterior styling that's ugly, boring, or both. As such, what Motor Trend said about Ioniq 5's looks works in its favor.

 

With a raked tailgate, no D-pillar, and just 6.1 inches of ground clearance—barely more than a Subaru Legacy sedan—the Hyundai's appearance says "midsize hatchback" more than "compact SUV."

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