HYUNDAI Australia has, for the fifth consecutive time, won a Red Dot Design Award, this time for its Kona SUV which also picked up a Good Design Award and the International Forum (iF) Award for 2018.

The Kona won the Good Design Award in the product design category at last week’s 60th Annual Good Design Awards Ceremony at the Sydney Opera House.

Running since 1958, the annual Good Design Awards are Australia’s most prestigious awards for design and innovation.

The jury said: “As the company’s first entry into the small SUV segment, this is a great little car and a safe option in a segment that can sometimes be too ‘out there’.

“The vehicle design relies on bright colours and cladding to deliver that contrast and does so with a sophisticated and considered design aesthetic.

“The cabin is understated and beautifully refined. This car ticks all the boxes for good design and will do very well in what is a growing and super-competitive market segment.”

The winners were presented with the new sustainably designed Good Design Award trophy by special guest Jan Utzon, son of Jorn Utzon who designed the Sydney Opera House.

The Good Design Awards winners will be showcased at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay from Friday May 25 to Sunday May 27, as part of Vivid Sydney.

The Kona’s Good Design Award comes just months after the model received a prestigious iF Award.

The iF Awards have been running since 1953. The awards recognise international products from a wide range of industries.

The Kona’s award is Hyundai’s fifth, having been awarded in 2015 for the i20, in 2016 for the Tucson, and in 2017 for the new-generation i30

By Neil Dowling