Hyundai Sonata named best mid-sized sedan at MECOTY

Hyundai’s all-new Sonata has received the Middle East Car of the Year (MECOTY) Award in the best mid-sized sedan category, beating its rival the Honda Accord. This was the second regional award win for the model in the past four months, with Saudi Auto hailing the model as their car of the year in August.

Taking place at Raffles Hotel Dubai, MECOTY is in its second year and is fast becoming one of the most prestigious, with each category judged by 12 highly regarded automotive journalists from across the Middle East.

Collectively, the judging panel is made up of some of the most seasoned automotive journalists in the region.

Vice President and Head of operations for Hyundai Africa and Middle East, Jin (James) Kim said, “Our success in the 2015 MECOTY Awards is a direct result of the company’s dedication to building vehicles of superior quality to its competitors. The all-new Sonata is one of our bestselling Middle East models with 28,500 units sold in 2014 alone.”

The seventh generation model offers a more refined look than its predecessor, through a new Fluidic Sculpture design language, stiffer body structure, enhanced ride & handling, reduced noise, vibration and harshness and more convenience features.

Advanced safety technologies such as Front & Rear Parking Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Smart Cruise Control are all available in this midsize sedan. Furthermore, the Sonata’s smart trunk gives owners a convenient, hands- free way to open the trunk, while keeping both feet firmly planted on the ground.

The owner simply needs to approach the Sonata’s trunk with the key fob in a purse or pocket and wait three seconds. The trunk will automatically open, making it easy to place items inside when hands are full. Sonata truly democratizes the premium design and convenient technology of the Genesis sedan for the mid-size class.

Earlier, the model was recognised globally as the 2016 Green Car of the Year by the Green Car Journal. It also received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award for being one of the safest models when collisions occur. It was the top pick in the midsize sedan category in Auto Pacific’s 19th annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards for its outstanding quality.