Hyundai Kona triumphs at Auto Express awards - Select Car Leasing
Car Leasing
Van Leasing
4.9 out of 5 40,108 reviews

Mon to Fri: – | Sat: –

Select Car Leasing
0118 920 5130
Request a callback

Hyundai Kona triumphs at Auto Express awards

Hyundai is celebrating a big win after its Kona SUV was handed the coveted Car of the Year prize at the Auto Express New Car Awards.


The Kona is a cracking all-rounder that’s available with a good choice of powertrains - including full electric - and which does battle with the Kia Niro and Nissan Juke.

Auto Express judges praised the ‘brilliant’ KONA for its design, spaciousness and electrified options.

And it didn’t just win the main gong, the recently refreshed Kona also scooped trophies for ‘Small SUV of the Year’ and ‘Small Company Car of the Year’.

All in all, the Kona was found to offer the ‘best all-round package we’ve driven this year’.


Judges added: “Just to win a category in the Auto Express New Car Awards is an incredible achievement, but to take the overall prize, a car needs to have that little bit extra. We judge a car on everything, from its performance, ride and handling, refinement, practicality and tech, to how much it’ll cost to run – and if it’s better than its rivals in all of those respects, it’s in with a very strong shout. For 2023, the Hyundai Kona is the car that stands out for all of those reasons and more.”

You can lease the Hyundai Kona with Select from £303 per month*.


In a nice bit of synchronicity, Hyundai has announced an update for the Kona Electric this week, too.

It has grown in size, offering more room in the back for rear passengers and coming with a larger 466 litre boot.


As before, the Kona Electric is available to lease with two different battery sizes - a 48kW and a 65kW unit.

But the big news here is that the maximum range between charges (from that larger battery) has grown from 301 miles to 319 miles, according to Hyundai’s figures.

It was a good night for Hyundai elsewhere at the awards. The Hyundai i10 (below) was named ‘City Car of the Year 2023’ and the Hyundai Tucson was handed the ‘Mid-size SUV of the Year 2023’ silverware.


The MG4 EV continued its march to glory, being named ‘Affordable Electric Car of the Year 2023’ having already picked up a clutch of industry awards this past year.

The affordable Dacia Jogger seven-seater won the ‘Family Car of the Year 2023’ award, the BMW M2 (below) was named ‘Performance Car of the Year’, and the Ford Ranger is the ‘Pick-Up of the Year’.


You can check out the full list of winners below:

  • Car of the Year 2023: Hyundai Kona
  • Luxury Car of the Year 2023: BMW i7
  • Hot Hatch of the Year 2023: Honda Civic Type R
  • City Car of the Year 2023: Hyundai i10
  • Coupe of the Year 2023: Toyota GR86
  • Supermini of the Year 2023: Dacia Sandero
  • Convertible of the Year 2023: MINI Convertible
  • Family Car of the Year 2023: Dacia Jogger
  • Performance Car of the Year 2023: BMW M2
  • Estate Car of the Year 2023: Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
  • Affordable Electric Car of the Year 2023: MG4
  • Small Company Car of the Year 2023: Hyundai Kona
  • Premium Electric Car of the Year 2023: BMW i4
  • Mid-size Company Car of the Year 2023: Tesla Model Y
  • Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year 2023: Honda Civic
  • Large Company Car of the Year 2023: BMW iX
  • Premium Hybrid Car of the Year 2023: Mercedes C 300 e
  • Small SUV of the Year 2023: Hyundai Kona
  • Pick-up of the Year 2023: Ford Ranger
  • Mid-size SUV of the Year 2023: Hyundai Tucson
  • Electric Van of the Year 2023: Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo
  • Large SUV of the Year 2023: Skoda Kodiaq
  • Van of the Year 2023: Renault Kangoo
  • Small Premium SUV of the Year 2023: BMW X1
  • Driver Power Award 2023: Citroen C4/e-C4
  • Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year 2023: Lexus NX
  • Driver Power Manufacturer Award 2023: Porsche
  • Large Premium SUV of the Year 2023: Range Rover Sport

*Prices include VAT. Credit is Subject to Status, Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Stock levels and prices correct as of 05/07/23.

Enjoyed this? Read our latest news:

Where To Next?

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to our newsletter.

Looking for a great leasing deal? Check out our incredible range of special offers.

Read our latest reviews and find the right model for you.

Want to know more about leasing? Take a look at our comprehensive leasing guides.

Interested in everything motoring? Why not catch up on all the latest car leasing news.

Useful links

Don't just take our word for it. We're rated at 4.9/5 on independent reviews website Trustpilot from over 40,108 genuine customer reviews
Professional, no hard up selling, good at listening to requirements and delivering what I wanted
Chris Mullaney

Tuesday, 03/12/2024

Call us on 0118 920 5130

Mon to Fri: –

Sat: –

Our Services

Leasing Information

Select Car Leasing is a trading style of Select Contracts (UK) Limited and the firm is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 670832. Select Car Leasing are a credit broker not a lender. Vehicles shown are for illustration purposes only. All offers are subject to change at any time and are subject to finance approval and vehicle availability. Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. VAT Registration No 392 2756 72. ICO Registration ZA076253. Company Number 06569098. Select Car Leasing are proud to be a member of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) No 1846. Copyright 2024 Select Car Leasing. All Rights Reserved.

Proudly partnered with:

UK National Sponsorship Awards 2023 - Grassroots Sports Sponsorship Finalist | Outstanding Contribution to The Community 2023 - Great British Business & Community Awards Finalist | Top 5 broker partner 2022 - LEASYS | Platinum Franchisee 2022 - LEASEPLAN | Broker Partner of the Year 2022 - LEASYS | Finalist outstanding contribution to the community 2022 - THAMES VALLEY AWARDS | 13th Fastest Organic Growth UK Company - BUZZACOT OG25 | Best Use of Search - 2021 EUROPEAN SEARCH AWARDS | Most Trusted Vehicle Leasing Company 2020 - CORPORATE VISION | Platinum Franchisee 2020 - LEASEPLAN | Automotive Leasing 2020 - CFO AWARDS | Campaign Provider 2020 - ARVAL | Campaign Provider of the Year 2019 - ARVAL | Best Marketing and Innovation Award - Highly Commended 2019 - LEASING BROKER FEDERATION | Franchisee of the Year 2019 - LEASEPLAN | Platinum Franchisee 2019 - LEASEPLAN | Campaign Provider of the Year 2018 - ARVAL | Franchisee of the Year - LEASEPLAN | Platinum Franchisee Award Winner 2018 - LEASEPLAN | Platinum Franchisee 2018 - LEASEPLAN | Platinum Franchisee 2017 - LEASEPLAN | Platinum Franchisee 2017 - NETWORK | Winner Best SEO Campaign 2016 - UK SEARCH AWARDS | Platinum Franchisee 2016 - NETWORK