Hyundai Kona Electric Car takes Which? product of the year top spot

From the £38,000 Hyundai Kona electric car to the £12 rCUP reusable coffee cup, Which? reveals its top 10 products of 2019

  • Hyundai Kona Electric Vehicle beats 3,500 contenders to rank top in annual list 
  • IKEA mattress, reusable coffee cup and fridge freezer also made the top 10 
  • The £38,000 EV makes the strongest case for consumers switching to emissions-free driving, according to Which? 

Hyundai’s electric car gas beaten Apple AirPods and Amazon Kindle to be named Which?’s product of the year for 2019.

The Hyundai Kona Electric Vehicle beat 3,500 other contenders, which were nominated by researchers at the consumer group.

Judges decided the vehicle makes one of the strongest cases yet for people to make the switch to emissions-free driving.

The car beat an wide range of contenders to take the top spot, from the latest high-tech releases from Apple and Sony to a reusable coffee cup and an ultra-comfy mattress. 

The Kona Electric combines ‘expansive space and head-turning good looks’, according to Hyundai

 The car features a comfortable interior equip, large back seats with Apple Car Play and Android Auto are a welcome addition along with a wireless charging pad

WHICH? 2019 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR TOP 10 

 1. Hyundai Kona Electric Car

2. Sony SRS-XB01 bluetooth speaker

3. IKEA Malfors mattress

4. Sony WH-10000XM3 over-ear headphones

5. Amazon Kindle 2019

6. rCUP Leakproof Travel Cup

7. Apple 2019 AirPods

8. Apple iPad Pro 11

9. Realme 3 Pro smartphone

10. LG GBB92STAXP fridge freezer 

‘The Kona Electric isn’t just an excellent and affordable EV, it’s an excellent car full stop,’ said Harry Rose, editor of Which? magazine.

‘That’s what makes it both a game-changer and our pick as the product of 2019.’

Which? was particularly impressed by the car’s driving range, which can cover 233 miles on a full charge. 

That’s only 31 miles shy of the Tesla Model 3, although the Tesla costs about £7,000 more. 

The Kona EV also boasts features including zero to 62 miles-per-hour acceleration in 7.9 seconds, rapid charging of 75 minutes and maximum speed of 104 miles-per-hour. 

The list was whittled down from 3,500 to a final 50 and judged on their performance, innovation and value.

Sony and Apple were among the other companies with products in the top 10. 

Apple Airpods with Wireless Charging Case came in the top 10 at number seven 

Sony SRS-XB01 portable Bluetooth is avilable for around £20 and was one of the cheaper products on Which?’s list

Sony’s cheap SRS-XB01 portable Bluetooth speaker and premium WH-1000XM3 over-ear headphones took the runner-up and number four spots, respectively.

Apple’s 2019 AirPods took seventh place, followed by the Apple iPad Pro 11 at number eight.

IKEA’s £85 Malfors foam mattress was at number three, while the cheapest high-ranker was the rCUP Leakproof Travel Cup at number six, which costs only £12 and claims to be the first cup made from used cups. 

rCUP Leakproof Travel Cup, which is made from recycled used cups, was the cheapest product in the top 10

The Amazon Kindle 2019, Realme 3 Pro smartphone and LG GBB92STAXP fridge freezer also made the top 10.

‘Which?’s tests and reviews set the gold standard, and our pick of products shows that whether you’re looking for sustainability, the latest gadgets or just a quality product at a bargain price, there are great buys out there for those prepared to do their research,’ Mr Rose said.

Which? conducts extreme avoidance manoeuvres in every car it tests to find out how easy they are to control in emergency situations.

The consumer group says it tests how well a mattress supports a person’s back by analysing the shape of their spine at 36 different points.  

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