Now into their sixth year, the UK Car of the Year Awards have this year recognised 11 different manufacturers as class leaders across 12 different categories. The judging panel – which has expanded in 2019 from 27 to 29 members – voted in a wide range of vehicle classes from Best Supermini to Best Performance, with the triumphant model in each category going on to battle it out for the title of UK Car of the Year 2019.
The current holder of the overall UK Car of the Year title with the XC60, Volvo picked up where it left off in 2018 by claiming two awards, the only manufacturer to do so. In the Best Small Hatch category, the XC40 excelled, while the Swedish manufacturer’s V60 was named Best Estate for 2019. New manufacturers on the list of category winners at the UK Car of the Year Awards in 2019 are Suzuki and Bentley. The Japanese firm’s new Jimny was voted Best 4×4, while the Continental GT was selected as Best Coupé. In addition, Alpine – making its debut in the Awards this year – claimed instant success by claiming the Best Performance prize with the A110. At the other end of the spectrum, having won the Best Small Hatch title in 2018 with the Golf, Volkswagen’s smaller offering – the Polo – picked up the honour of Best Supermini.
One of the most tightly fought contests in this year’s awards was in the Best Family Car category, where the Skoda Karoq was victorious by a single vote. Another close call came in the MPV sector – new for 2019 – where the Peugeot Rifter triumphed over its stablemates to claim the top spot.
There was success for previous category winners at the UK Car of the Year Awards in 2019 as former Best Performance Car, the Ford Fiesta ST, was voted Best Hot Hatch, while Mazda held on to the Best Cabriolet prize with the higher-powered MX-5 that was introduced into the market in 2018.
Rolls-Royce’s Cullinan – the Goodwood-based manufacturer’s first foray into the SUV sector – ensured that the company held onto the Best Luxury crown it has held since 2017. It’s the fourth win in six years for Rolls-Royce in that category. Completing the list of winners – and up against internal combustion engine powered vehicles, Jaguar’s I-Pace was voted Best Executive car. The latest battery-powered UK Car of the Year Awards winner demonstrates how far EV technology and vehicles have come in a relatively short space of time and are now able to compete – and win – against traditional technologies.
Much of the deliberation about the overall victor will be done today (12th February) at Caffeine and Machine, which is hosting the third UK Car of the Year Awards Test Day. The event provides an opportunity for judges to drive or refamiliarise themselves with the models that topped each category, before deciding on an overall winner. The overall UK Car of the Year 2019 will be announced on 1st March 2019.
Full list of UK Car of the Year Awards 2019 category winners:
Best Supermini – Volkswagen Polo
Best Small Hatch – Volvo XC40
Best Family – Skoda Karoq
Best Executive – Jaguar I-Pace
Best Luxury – Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Best Estate – Volvo V60
Best 4×4 – Suzuki Jimny
Best MPV – Peugeot Rifter
Best Coupé – Bentley Continental GT
Best Cabriolet – Mazda MX-5 2.0
Best Hot Hatch – Ford Fiesta ST
Best Performance – Alpine A110