Hyundai Elantra Wins Two AJAC Category Awards

MARKHAM, ON, Dec. 6, 2016 /CNW/ - The all-new 2017 Hyundai Elantra today was awarded the Best New Small Car title and the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport won the Best New Sports/Performance Car title by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). First introduced in 1991, the Elantra compact sedan – now in its sixth generation – has sold over 500,000 units in Canada and more than 10 million units worldwide. Meanwhile, the Sport version is new to the Hyundai line-up and stands as the most powerful Elantra model ever produced.

The previous generation Elantra won both the Canadian Car of the Year and North American Car of the Year titles in 2012, and this new recognition continues Hyundai's recent winning ways in the Canadian competition. Since 2011, the Tucson, Accent, Veloster, Elantra GT, Santa Fe Sport, and Sonata have also received honours from AJAC. As category winners, Elantra and Elantra Sport are both now on the final list of contenders for the 2017 Canadian Car of the Year title announced February 16, 2017.

"We could not be more thrilled to receive these awards. It's especially rewarding for the engineers and designers who worked tirelessly to bring to market the best vehicle Hyundai could possibly develop," said Don Romano, President and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. "The Elantra is our highest volume car and one of the best-selling cars consumers have decided to park in their driveways. Winning an AJAC award for both the Elantra and Elantra Sport demonstrates that our customers made an exceptional choice."

In developing the 2017 Elantra, Hyundai vehicle engineers and metallurgists from the company's Hyundai Steel plant came together to create the Superstructure. With 53% Advanced High Strength Steel as the foundation, the Superstructure delivers a rigid frame that improves ride, handling, and safety through better cabin protection during a collision. In fact, the Elantra, when equipped with Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, earns a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety – the institute's highest award.

Elantra was judged by a panel of over 60 highly-experienced automotive journalists during a week-long event known as TestFest. Each model was put to the test in a variety of environments – including public roads, a performance course, and handling course – and comprehensively evaluated in 24 different areas to determine which vehicle is the best new offering in its category. Vehicles were driven back-to-back with the strongest new competitors in the industry, ensuring the results have relevance to Canadian consumers.

"Competitions like this one are fantastic opportunities to put Hyundai products to the test against the best names in the industry," added Romano. "Consumers today are presented with so many good automotive options that it's great to see Hyundai products perform so well in such a competitive environment."

About Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.
Hyundai Auto Canada, established in 1983 and headquartered in Markham, Ontario, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout Canada by Hyundai Auto Canada and are sold and serviced through more than 210 dealerships nationwide. Hyundai is also the first to offer its zero-emissions Tucson Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle to Canadian customers. More information about Hyundai and its vehicles can be found at www.HyundaiCanada.com.

SOURCE Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.

Image with caption: "The all-new 2017 Hyundai Elantra today was awarded the Best New Small Car title and the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport won the Best New Sports/Performance Car title by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). (CNW Group/Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161206_C8397_PHOTO_EN_832618.jpg

about Hyundai and its products, please contact: Chad Heard, Senior Manager of Public Relations, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., Office: [phone], Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Laurence Myre Leroux, Public Relations Specialist, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., Office: [phone], Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Jean-François Taylor, Public Relations Specialist, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., Office: [phone], Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]