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Hyundai takes home winter awards with IONIQ 5 N and Tucson

Winter driving isn’t for the weak, and apparently, neither is Hyundai. The brand’s IONIQ 5 N and Tucson were just awarded by NEMPA for standing out in snow and ice.

Shaynah Miranda on Aug 01, 2025

Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and Tucson named top performers in NEMPA’s 2025 winter car test.

As if winning one award wasn’t enough, Hyundai brought home two. Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N and Tucson have earned top awards from the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA), a group known for testing how well vehicles perform during tough winter weather. The IONIQ 5 N was named the Official Winter EV of New England and also took home the Best In-Class Performance Car award. The Tucson, on the other hand, was picked as the Best In-Class SUV for its overall package and strong winter driving features.

Each year, NEMPA tests over 100 vehicles to see how they perform in snow, ice, and cold weather. Judges check how well the cars manage, how safe they feel, and what winter features they offer. The IONIQ 5 N stood out for being smooth and quiet, while also managing to outperform some high-end performance and luxury cars. NEMPA president Cliff Atiyeh shared that while they already expected it to be a strong contender, they were surprised by how well it actually did, calling it their top performance car for 2025.

The Tucson also earned praise, especially for its roomy cabin, strong driving feel, and choices for hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Its updated features, such as the new infotainment system and simple controls, made it a practical choice for winter roads. Atiyeh also pointed out the bold lights and XRT trim as things that helped the Tucson stand out from other compact SUVs.

According to Hyundai, their vehicles go through extreme weather tests to make sure they stay reliable no matter the season. Ricky Lao, director of product planning at Hyundai Motor North America, said that having both electric and gas-powered cars win shows the company’s goal to provide good options for different types of drivers.

The NEMPA winter test gives out main awards like Best Winter Vehicle and several Best In-Class categories. Hyundai’s wins show the brand is staying competitive in both the electric and gas-powered vehicle space, especially when it comes to handling real-world conditions like snow and ice.

Snow or no snow, the IONIQ 5 N and Tucson still came out on top, proving they’ve got what it takes all year round. Check out their full specs and detailed car guide at AutoDeal.com.ph, where you can also see Hyundai’s full vehicle lineup.