07/11/2023 The winners at the Irish Car of the Year and Irish Van of the Year awards, in association with Continental Tyres, have been announced at a motoring world star studded ceremony in the Conrad hotel, Dublin. Eligible vehicles were those that went on sale in Ireland between October last year and the end of October 2023. A total of seven categories were voted on by the 35 members of the Moderating Media Association of Ireland (MMAI) including Motorhub. On the day the category winners went into a sudden death vote-off for the top honour. The overall winner and new Irish Car of the Year is the Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV. It is the fourth time (in four straight years) that an electric vehicle has been voted the Irish Car of the Year, the oldest and most reputable automotive award title in Ireland. The Irish Car of the Year and Irish Van of the Year titles are owned and hosted annually by the members of the MMAI and are fully independent of commercial interests.
The Irish Car of the Year category winners:
- Irish Small / Compact Car of the Year: MG4 EV
- Irish Small / Compact SUV of the Year: BYD Atto 3
- Irish Medium SUV of the Year: Renault Austral
- Irish Medium / Large Car of the Year: Hyundai IONIQ 6
- Irish Large SUV / MPV of the Year: Nissan X-TRAIL
- Irish Luxury Car of the Year: BMW i7 / 7 Series
- Irish Performance Car of the Year: BMW M2
The MG4 EV as Irish Small / Compact Car of the Year represents very good value for money and is well packaged while also looking very sharp. It’s a deserving winner of the award and until prices of new EVs come down dramatically the MG4 represents the best value for money out there in an EV.
The BYD Atto 3 is the new Irish Small / Compact SUV of the Year. The Chinese newcomer won over hearts with a great design, comprehensive list of standard equipment and a tempting price point that puts many of the establish brands to shame. Atto 3 SUV – one of a number of BYD vehicles that Motor Distributors has been appointed to represent in the Republic of Ireland.
The Irish Medium SUV of the Year award went to the handsome Renault Austral. The Austral is a stealthy design-led SUV that delivers a sense of pride to drivers, which is pleasing, while also raising a smile. Inside the five seat cabin there is a premium feel,. The car is very pleasant to drive too!
The Ioniq 6 won Irish Medium / Large Car of the Year. The electric Hyundai has picked up numerous awards but now gains the coveted Irish title. It is a deserving winner as it is very economical, superbly engineered and designed to be aerodynamic assisted by an efficient electric motor. It has a premium feel inside the cabin and is whisper quite too.
The Irish Large SUV / MPV of the Year award went to the Nissan X-Trail. The big five seater is a perennial favourite with large families. It’s accommodating and has a loyal following.
The Irish luxury Car of the Year award went to the BMW i7/7 Series. The i7 is a supremely luxurious machine powered by electricity. The 7 Series was never a loud car – but the new 7 is quieter still. A lovely car to drive, but a better car to be driven in.
The Irish Performance Car of the Year award went to the outrageously brilliant BMW M2. This petrol powered beast is a absolutely fantastic car that represents the peak of the internal combustion engine. Behind the wheel the car raises hairs on the back of the neck. It is a wonderful design, compact on the road and cosy inside. At all times the driver feels like they are an integral part of this wonderfully sporty little machine.
The Van of the Year awards had two categories – one was for the Commercial SUV of the year and that went to the Ford Ranger Raptor. The Raptor is really a go-anywhere beast that is the king on any building site. It is adored by buyers. It has wonderful suspension travel. It is immensely capable, off-road it soaks up bumps and imperfections in any surface with ease.
The Van of the Year award went to the Mercedes-Benz Citan. It is a sister van to the Renault Kangoo (that it pipped to win) that is driver centric. Citan puts the driver at the centre of the machine delivering a comfortable ease of use which is class leading.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 got our vote in its category and overall and is truly deserving of the overall award. Read our review in our review section.
Chairman of the MMAI, Joe Rayfus said: “Congratulations to Hyundai Ireland on taking the coveted Irish Car of the Year title for the IONIQ 6, a very worthy winner indeed. What more concrete proof can there be that the era of electric motoring is truly here. Our fourth straight winner of the title. And look at the evolution of vehicles in that time, electric models have gone fully mainstream and luxury as this IONIQ 6 proves.” Tom Dennigan of awards sponsor, Continental Tyres said: “The Hyundai IONIQ 6 is a really stylish car at the forefront of automotive design. I am sure that our Irish Car of the Year title will be a huge boost to the nameplate’s profile with Irish motorists who are considering making the move to electric.” Michael Sheridan
