The beginning of July is an exciting time for every car enthusiast in the UK because it is the time when we find out which are the new car models available on the market that running to get a green light and enter the Auto Express New Car Awards race in different categories. 2017 has been yet another exciting year in the automotive world with many launches of new and amazing cars. What is even more exciting is that we are witnessing such a breath-taking progress in the automotive industry with car models extending the boundaries of design, comfort, technology, efficiency, and safety. There are no limits when the demand of the modern-day market is all focused on innovation and improvement. The UK’s new car industry and market are rapidly evolving for yet another great year and this is what Auto Express along with hundreds of automotive fans and enthusiasts are celebrating on 3th of July 2018, presenting awards across 29 categories.
So which cars are the main runners in each one of the 29 award categories reflecting the whole spectrum of options and technologies available on the market nowadays? Let’s have a look!
City Car of the Year – Last year’s winner is Volkswagen up! And it is back to the dame as a people’s favourite in the category of a city car of the year along with the budget-friendly Skoda Citigo and the funky Suzuki Ignis. The other competitors for the crown in this category are Fiat 500, Hyundai i10, and Kia Picanto.
Supermini of the Year – The competitors for the crown in the category of a mini car of the year are long-time favourite mini on the UK market Ford Fiesta, Citroen C3, MINI 5dr, Nissan Micra, SEAT Ibiza, Volkswagen Polo.
Convertible of the Year – The race to the top of the convertibles category is yet another market by a fierce competition of long-time favourites and innovative models including Aston Martin DB11 Volante, Audi A3 Cabriolet, Audi A5 Cabriolet, BMW 2 Series Convertible, MINI Convertible. The last year’s winner Mercedes C-Class is nowhere to be seen in this year’s competition, however, Mercedes is entering with the new competitor E-Class Cabriolet.
Compact Family Car of the Year – The family car of the year category is definitely one of the most important ones and also one of the most competitive as every car brand is aiming to provide enough family-friendly vehicle offers on the market. You can see them on the UK roads all the time but also as competitors for the price in this category: Honda Civic, Mercedes A-Class, Renault Megane, Skoda Octavia, Vauxhall Astra, Volkswagen Golf.
Family Car of the Year – What the this year’s winner in the category of a family car of the year must offer is a comfort, high quality, a good design of the interior and enough space, low cost. The car models competing for the title are Hyundai Ioniq, Mazda 6, Skoda Superb, Toyota Prius, Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport, Volkswagen Passat.
Compact Executive Car of the year – Back in the compact executive car class the competition is fierce with competitors ranging from Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series to Jaguar XE, Mercedes C-Class, and the new kid on the block Kia Stinger.
Executive Car of the Year – Despite the more limited choice in this category, an executive car class is definitely a strong one with its distinctive and favoured contenders including Audi A7, BMW 5 Series, Jaguar XF, Mercedes E-Class, Tesla Model S, and Volvo S90.
Estate Car of the Year – With a great boot capacity, a lot of room and comfort, and a lot of functionality and efficiency, the contenders for the crown in this category are BMW 5 Series Touring, Skoda Octavia Estate, Skoda Superb Estate, Subaru Outback, Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer, Volvo V60.
Small SUV of the Year – With the popularity of SUV vehicles in the last few years, we can expect an ever so increasing competitiveness in this category including competitors such as Citroen C3 Aircross, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-3, SEAT Arona, Volkswagen T-Roc.
Mid-size SUV of the Year – After winning the crown last year, Peugeot 3008 is back in the mid-size SUV category race in 2018 along with some strong contenders such as Mazda CX-5, SEAT Ateca, Skoda Karoq, Toyota C-HR, Vauxhall Grandland X.
Large SUV of the Year – The judges in the large SUV category have a tough final decision to make with competitors such as Kia Sorento, Peugeot 5008, Renault Koleos, Skoda Kodiaq, SsangYong Rexton, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.
Small Premium SUV of the Year – SUV car models are getting further and further away from their past of an off-road option only with a great progress in technology, innovation, and additional extras introduced in the new SUV car models. The small premium SUV category is dominated by relatively new models with a quickly increasing popularity such as Audi Q2, BMW X1, DS 7 Crossback, Jaguar E-Pace, MINI Countryman, Volvo XC40.
Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year – The mid-size premium SUV of the year list is mostly consisting by the “big brothers” of the small premium SUV contenders such as Audi Q5, BMW X3, Jaguar F-Pace, Volvo XC60. The two exceptions in the category are Mercedes GLC and Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
Large Premium SUV of the Year – The list in this category includes contenders such as Bentley Bentayga, Land Rover Discovery, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover, Volkswagen Touareg, Volvo XC90.
MPV of the Year – The vehicles deserving a nomination for an MPV of the year are the last year’s winner Citroen C4 Picasso is back in the race under the new name C4 SpaceTourer, sharing the category with BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer, Mercedes V-Class, Renault Grand Scenic, SEAT Alhambra, Volkswagen Touran.
Roadster of the Year – The spread of contenders in the roadster category is pretty huge, including competitors such as Audi TT Roadster, BMW i8 Roadster, Fiat 124 Spider, McLaren 570S Spider, Mazda MX-5 RF, Porsche 718 Boxster.
Coupe of the Year – Once again, the judges of Auto Express have some very tough decisions to make in the coupe of the year category with Audi A5 being back to the race to defend its last year’s title competing along Alpine A110, Audi TT, Lexus LC, Mercedes S-Class Coupe, and Porsche 718 Cayman.
Hot Hatch of the Year – Last year’s crown in the category was stolen by Honda Civic Type R that is back in the race competing against Audi RS 3 Sportback, Ford Fiesta ST, Hyundai i30 N, Peugeot 208 GTi, and Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Performance Car of the Year – In this category judges are looking for an excellent driving experience, sharp handling, and fantastic design. The contenders are Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, Aston Martin Vantage, BMW M5, Ferrari 812 Superfast, McLaren 720S, Porsche 911 GT3.
Luxury Car of the Year – From tech-heavy, through king-tailored design, to luxurious additions, last year’s winner Mercedes S-Class is sharing the luxurious category with Audi A8, Bentley Continental GT, Lexus LS, Porsche Panamera, Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Electric Car of the Year – In this category can be found a lot of emerging cars in an innovative category that gains more and more popularity in recent years. The contenders are the last year’s winner BMW i3, Hyundai Kona Electric, Jaguar l-Pace, Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S, Volkswagen e-Golf.
Hybrid Car of the Year – As a category growing with an amazing speed in popularity, there is no wonder that this year’s contenders are firm favourites on the UK market. The category includes BMX 530e, Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In, MINI Countryman S E, Toyota C-HR Hybrid, Toyota Prius, Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine.
So the award ceremony has just finished and here is an update with all the winners:
• Car of the Year 2018 – Jaguar l-Pace
• City Car of the Year 2018 – Volkswagen up!
• Supermini of the Year 2018 – Ford Fiesta
• Compact Family Car of the Year 2018 – Volkswagen Golf
• Family Car of the Year 2018 – Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport
• Estate Car of the year 2018 – Skoda Octavia Estate
• MPV of the Year 2018 – Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer
• Small SUV of the Year 2018 – Citroen C3 Aircross
• Small Premium SUV of the Year 2018 – Volvo XC40
• Mid-size SUV of the Year 2018 – Skoda Karoq
• Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year 2018 – BMW X3
• Large SUV of the Year 2018 – Skoda Kodiaq
• Large Premium SUV of the Year 2018 – Land Rover Discovery
• Hot Hatch of the Year 2018 – Honda Civic Type R
• Convertible of the Year 2018 – MINI Convertible
• Coupe of the Year 2018 – Lexus LC
• Roadster of the Year 2018 – Mazda MX-5
• Performance Car of the Year 2018 – Porsche 911 GT3
• Compact Executive Car of the Year 2018 – Mercedes C-Class
• Executive Car of the Year 2018 – BMW 5 Series
• Luxury Car of the Year 2018 – Mercedes S-Class
• Affordable Electric Car of the Year 2018 – Hyundai Kona Electric
• Premium Electric Car of the Year 2018 – Jaguar l-Pace
• Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year 2018 – Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in
• Premium Hybrid Car of the Year 2018 – Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine