Hyundai’s i30 sedan has been named winner of the 2021 North American Car of the Year award by the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACOTY) automotive media jury.

Known as the Elantra in the U.S. market, it is the second time the Hyundai sedan has won Car of the Year, the last time was in 2012. Only two cars have won the award more than once, the Chevrolet Corvette and Honda’s Civic. It also marks Hyundai’s third Car of the Year category win.

José Muñoz, Global Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Company, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America and Hyundai Motor America, said that the “i30 Sedan was a symbol of “our blend of dynamic design, advanced technology and great fuel economy”. 

“The i30 sedan customers are going to experience all of the hard work and dedication that went into making this class-leading car.”

The jurors tested and evaluated more than 40 new vehicles before voting the top three cars, utility vehicles and trucks to be 2021 finalists. The Nissan Sentra and Genesis G80 were the other car finalists.