Good Design Gold for IONIQ 9 and INSTER.
- IONIQ 9 and INSTER are Gold Winners in the 2025 Australian Good Design Awards
- 2025 marks Hyundai’s ninth consecutive year of Good Design Awards success
- IONIQ 9 also earned a special accolade, claiming the Best Exterior Design Commendation
- The prestigious Australian Good Design Awards are the nation’s highest honour for design and innovation
Hyundai has struck gold at the 2025 Australian Good Design Awards, winning two awards in the Automotive and Transport Product category.
The premium, three-row all-electric IONIQ 9 and the compact all-electric INSTER have each been recognised with a prestigious Australian Good Design Award Gold Winner accolade, in acknowledgment of their outstanding design and innovation.
IONIQ 9 also earned a special accolade, claiming the Best Exterior Design Commendation.
The awards mark nine consecutive years of Good Design Awards success for Hyundai and continue a golden run for each model, which includes Red Dot and iF Design Awards for IONIQ 9 and the 2025 World Electric Vehicle award for INSTER.
“We are delighted to receive prestigious Australian Good Design Gold Awards for the flagship IONIQ 9 and compact urban INSTER, which bookend our range of advanced electric vehicles,” said Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer, Don Romano.
“The accolades mark our ninth consecutive year of Good Design Awards success and highlight Hyundai’s unwavering commitment to design innovation and continuing leadership in the development of sustainable powertrain technology,” he said.
Jurors lauded the futuristic yet attainable INSTER for its flexibility, space and ample range.
The Good Design Awards Jury commented:
“Hyundai’s INSTER electric light SUV redefines urban mobility with affordable innovation, up to 360km battery range, 30min fast-charging capability, ample space and exceptional versatility, offering funky youthful styling in a practical EV.
“INSTER stands out with a bold yet fun face, saved from being too cutesy by its chunky silhouette and spacey EV highlights.”
“The Jury loves the cabin treatment – futuristic but with both form and function at the fore. Four-seat configuration allows for far more room and versatility in the seats, and flat fold allows more cargo carrying or even a full flat interior for overnights.”
“Not too fussy inside or out – clean, futuristic, and options and personalisation made for its demographic. Smart, innovative and impactful. Deserves to be Awarded the Australian Good Design Award Gold accolade.”
The panel praised the technologically rich IONIQ 9 for setting a new standard for all-electric family SUVs.
The Good Design Awards Jury commented:
“The Hyundai IONIQ 9 is a game-changing, three-row electric SUV that sets the benchmark for comfort, features and capabilities.”
“Clever packaging and smart tech, sustainable materials integrated with AI voice recognition. Super slippery aero for such a big car, all while housing three rows of seats. A bold entry into a market filled with mediocre alternatives.”
“This is a refined and well thought through vehicle in all aspects - a welcome addition for the families that it targets. The IONIQ 9 represents a fresh approach to luxury eSUV with clever three row design and accommodation. Both exterior and interior design deliver appealing styling solutions.”
“An inspiring project that raises the bar for good design in this competitive category.”
The prestigious Australian Good Design Awards are the nation’s highest honour for design and innovation.
Hyundai: Good Design Awards History
2025 IONIQ 9 Best Exterior Design Commendation
2025 IONIQ 9 Award Gold
2025 INSTER Award Gold
2024 IONIQ 5 N Award Winner
2024 SANTA FE Award Winner
2023 KONA Award Winner
2023 IONIQ 6 Award Winner
2022 i30 Sedan N Automotive Exterior Design Award Winner
2022 STARIA Award Gold
2022 i30 Sedan N Award Winner
2021 IONIQ 5 Automotive Interior Design Award Winner
2021 NEXO Award Gold
2021 IONIQ 5 Award Gold
2021 TUCSON Award Winner
2020 i30 Fastback N Award Winner
2019 KONA Electric Best in Class
2018 KONA Award Winner
2017 i30 Award Gold
About the Australian Good Design Awards
The Australian Good Design Awards recognise design excellence from around the world, across 13 Design Disciplines and more than 35 categories, spanning the built environment, product design, engineering, digital, social impact, policy design and more.
Each entry undergoes a rigorous evaluation by a panel of more than 80 international jurors, and is assessed against three core criteria: Good Design, Design Innovation, and Design Impact.
With a proud heritage dating back to 1958, the Australian Good Design Awards remain the nation’s oldest and most prestigious international design accolade.
Under the banner of this year’s ‘Design for Better’ theme, the awards underscore the vital role design plays in shaping a more balanced, inclusive, and sustainable world.
Reflecting on the calibre of entries in 2025, Rachel Wye, Managing Director of Good Design Australia said: “The standard of Award Winners in this year’s Australian Good Design Awards was the highest we’ve seen, with game-changing projects that push the envelope of good design, design innovation and design impact.”