The results from the first round of voting in the UK Car of the Year Awards 2022 sees eight manufacturers triumph in 10 categories. Doubling up on Awards were Škoda – winning with its Fabia and Enyaq models in the Best Supermini and Best Medium Crossover categories respectively – and Hyundai. The Korean manufacturer’s IONIQ 5 topped the Best Family Car crown, while the i20N won the coveted Best Performance Car crown.
It was an impressive showing for Korea across the board at the UK Car of the Year Awards 2022, as a total of four accolades went to manufacturers from the country. The Best Small Hatch prize was scooped by Kia for the Ceed, while Genesis trumped in the Best Estate Car category. Competing in the UK Car of the Year Awards for the first time, Genesis’ winning entry was the G70 Shooting Brake.
Another manufacturer picking up its first UK Car of the Year Award was Fiat. The company’s 500-e was deemed by the judges to be the Best City Car in this year’s competition. Meanwhile, BMW’s victory in the Best Large Crossover category – with the iX – ensured that the Germany manufacturer remained the most successful brand at the UK Car of the Year Awards. The company has taken 12 category wins – including two overall honours – since the awards’ inaugural year in 2014.
This year’s judging panel, which comprises 29 motoring journalists based all over the UK, were asked to choose their winners in vehicle classes ranging from Best City Car to Best Medium Crossover to Best Performance. The top model in each of the segments has now qualified for the next stage – the category of UK Car of the Year 2022, which will be announced on 8th March 2022.
The remaining two categories were won by manufacturers who are no strangers to the Awards. Toyota – winner of the overall UK Car of the Year 2021 with the GR Yaris GR – triumphed in the Small Crossover category with the Yaris Cross. Meanwhile, this year sees another electric car voted best in its class as the Porsche Taycan was crowned Best Luxury Car.
In other news, the UK Car of the Year Awards is delighted to announce a sponsorship deal with heycar. A spokesperson from heycar said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for heycar and we are looking forward to working with the UK Car of the Year Awards over the coming months but, more importantly, finding out which model will be crowned UK Car of the Year 2022.”
UK CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2022 CATEGORY WINNERS
Best City Car – Fiat 500-e
Best Supermini – Škoda Fabia
Best Small Hatch – Kia Ceed
Best Family – Hyundai IONIQ 5
Best Estate – Genesis G70 Shooting Brake
Best Small Crossover – Toyota Yaris Cross
Best Medium Crossover – Škoda Enyaq
Best Large Crossover – BMW iX
Best Luxury – Porsche Taycan
Best Performance – Hyundai i20N