Hyundai’s Palisade & Sonata voted best cars of KSA

Bang Sun Jeong, vice president, head of Middle East and Africa operations, Hyundai, poses with the award-winning Hyundai 2020 Palisade and Sonata models.
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Updated 13 January 2021
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Hyundai’s Palisade & Sonata voted best cars of KSA

Hyundai Motor Company has won two coveted accolades at the PR Arabia National Auto Awards, with its 2020 Palisade and Sonata models being named Saudi Arabia’s best vehicles in their respective categories. 

Voted by more than 150,000 people in the Kingdom, the Palisade model was named the “Best Family SUV” while the Sonata won first place in the “Best Sedan” category in the eighth edition of the awards.

The Palisade and Sonata have both become popular brands across the Kingdom, largely due to Hyundai’s innovative approach in leveraging advanced technologies to boost comfort, convenience and safety for all passengers. 

Launched in 2013, the PR Arabia National Auto Awards recognize the efforts of those working in the automotive industry, and encourage companies to offer the best services to help improve overall customer satisfaction.

Bang Sun Jeong, vice president, head of Middle East and Africa operations, at Hyundai, said: “We are extremely honored to receive these two awards and would like to express our gratitude to PR Arabia for hosting this awards event. We would also like to thank the people who voted for us, our partners and team that have played a part in achieving this success.

“Since the Hyundai Palisade and Hyundai Sonata vehicles were rolled out on the roads, the brands have gone from strength to strength and we are delighted that our efforts in enhancing the models have been recognized by being named the best cars in their respective categories.

“Innovation is at the heart of everything that we do at Hyundai, placing technology at the forefront. With many Hyundai models driven across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on a daily basis, we see a bright future in the country and we are determined to create more memorable journeys for our customers in the future.” 

As one of Hyundai’s most popular SUVs, the seven-seater Palisade boasts exceptional second and third-row roominess, generous cargo area and flexible seating. It is also installed with Hyundai’s HTRAC multi-mode all-wheel-drive system, bringing new levels of all-road, all-weather capability, technology, safety, spaciousness, and efficiency. 

Hyundai recently introduced a new range of variants for the eighth-generation Sonata for customers in the Kingdom. The 2.5 GDi model is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission with high-efficiency combustion while the Sonata N Line, which will be available at the beginning of 2021, offers an attractive entry point to Hyundai’s N Brand.

Sonata Hybrid passengers can also benefit from the solar roof, which is one of the many advanced features. The car can also be charged for up to 5.8 hours a day, adding 1,300 km per year to the total driving distance. 

Another key feature that is available for Sonata passengers is the abaya sensor, which alerts female drivers if their abaya is stuck in the door. 

Bang added: “Palisade and Sonata have become two iconic models due to their feature-packed infotainment system and the advanced technological features incorporated in the vehicle.

“This award represents the peak of a remarkable year in Saudi Arabia. Thanks to the unwavering support from our customers, we have further cemented our position in the automobile market.”


Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation

Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB
Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation

Saudi Awwal Bank has become the first bank in the Middle East to receive a 7‑star Certified Innovative Organization rating from the Global Innovation Institute, the highest recognition awarded by the institute.

The accreditation marks a significant step in SAB’s innovation strategy and follows an innovation maturity assessment conducted by the institute in December 2025. The review, which built on an earlier assessment in December 2023, raised the bank’s maturity level from “Champion” to “Leader.” The new rating reflects SAB’s institutionalized approach to innovation, its enterprise-wide impact and its ability to consistently deliver measurable results.

With the 7‑star rating, SAB becomes the first bank in the region to reach the highest innovation maturity level, strengthening its position as a regional reference point for innovation-led and future-ready banking.

In 2025, the bank opened its flagship Innovation Centre and secured six internationally recognized innovation awards, along with a lab accreditation. The centre has supported SAB’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, encourage cross-functional collaboration and reinforce its standing as a regional leader in financial innovation.

Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB, said the recognition reflects years of focused work to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

“By investing in SAB’s culture, governance and talent, innovation enables the bank to remain future-ready,” he said. “This milestone reinforces our role in accelerating financial innovation in Saudi Arabia and delivering long-term value for our customers.”

The certification adds to SAB’s broader efforts to strengthen its innovation capabilities as the Kingdom’s banking sector continues to evolve.