Motor1, which has tested and reviewed every significant vehicle released globally for over two decades, issued its annual Best Car of the Year verdict — and the winner was not who anyone expected. Not BMW. Not Mercedes. Not Tesla. The award went to a South Korean manufacturer that most North American car buyers still confuse with its sister brand, in a category — premium electric SUV — that it was never supposed to own.
The Motor1 test team drove 47 vehicles over six months. The winning car scored higher on range, build quality, driver interface, and the almost impossible-to-quantify category of 'does this feel worth the money' than anything else on the market. The review was unambiguous: this is the best car you can buy right now at any price within its class, and it's made by people who weren't supposed to be here yet.
Dealerships reported inquiry spikes overnight. The manufacturer's stock added 4.7% in morning trading. Some legacy brands issued quiet statements about upcoming models. The real story: the automotive hierarchy just shifted again.
