The 2017 Auto Trader New Car Awards was held with the Jaguar XF taking the Car of the year.

• 10,000 car buyers have their say on the UK’s best new cars
• Jaguar XF takes New Car of the year Award
• Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Skoda scoop two awards each

Auto Trader, the UK’s largest marketplace for new and used cars, launched the inaugural Auto Trader New Car Awards in London yesterday, unveiling 10 new cars which can truly be described as consumer car champions.

Ditching the traditional ‘expert panel of judges’ and replacing them with 10,000 genuine car owners, the Auto Trader New Car Awards relies on the honest opinions of consumers who have bought, driven and lived with their new vehicles, giving them an ultimate authority in shortlisting the UK’s most highly-recommended new cars.

The car owners that powered the Awards were asked about the criteria that governs each of Auto Trader’s editorial reviews, which covers car ownership and driving aspects such as: running costs, handling, reliability, practicality, performance, equipment, interior and safety.

And it’s not just the judging process that has had a refreshing revamp. The Auto Trader New Car Awards celebrates the cars that champion the specific and current drivers for car purchasing, covering areas such as family life, city driving, buying your very first car or just opting for something a little greener.

Auto Trader research reveals that almost half (45%) of car buyers claim they don’t know what the traditional car type categories mean (e.g. SUV). And a third are open to buying new or used car, so providing guidance for consumers is key to helping in their decision making.

Auto Trader Cars Editor, Andy Pringle, said: “the aim of Auto Trader’s New Car Awards was to make car awards simpler and easier to understand for car buyers, but also to put the power in the hands of the consumer, providing an accurate reflection of the cars that are true consumer champions.”

The winners of the Auto Trader New Car Awards are:

1. Best car for families - Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2. Best car for city drivers - Mini Hatch
3. Best value new car - Skoda Yeti
4. Best car for long distances - Mercedes-Benz C-Class
5. Most fun car to drive - Audi TT
6. Best car for new drivers - Ford Fiesta
7. Car brand with best features - Volvo
8. Green Car of the Year - Volvo XC90 Hybrid
9. Best car launched in the last year - Skoda Kodiaq
10. New Car of the Year - Jaguar XF

Pringle, adds: “our New Car of the Year award winner, the Jaguar XF, deserves special recognition, as it came out on top scoring highly in categories such as comfort, safety, power, and good features and accessories.”

Jeremy Hicks, Jaguar Land Rover UK MD, said: "We're extremely proud of any award for our products, but this latest Auto Trader Car of the Year title for the Jaguar XF is a real highlight. Voted for by 10,000 members of the UK car-buying public, it's a clear indication that we're producing cars that speak to everything modern drivers are looking for. That was always our target with the XF – we wanted it to be capable of everything without compromise; stylish, dynamic, luxurious, comfortable and affordable to run. I'm extremely pleased to see that car-buyers agree we've succeeded."

The Auto Trader New Car Awards follows the addition of over 6,000 brand new ‘virtual’ cars now available on Auto Trader. As well as the new car reviews and rich media content the marketplace, consumers can now choose a brand new car and order it from a local franchise dealer.

UK SALES - The SMMT announces a decline in sales for June, less than 1% but nevertheless it is down, BREXIT ?

• Demand for new cars up 3.2% in first half of 2016, with a record 1,420,636 registrations between January and June.
• Growth seen across all fuel types, as alternatively fuelled vehicles lead the way with 21.3% boost YTD.
• June sees small -0.8% decline as new car market continues to stabilise.

The UK new car market grew by a steady 3.2% in the first six months of the year, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 1,420,636 new cars have been registered so far in 2016 – the best half-year performance ever recorded.

Growth was reported across all fuel types, with diesel and petrol registrations growing 2.3% and 3.0% respectively in the year-to-date. Alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs), meanwhile, continued the significant gains seen over previous months, up 21.3% compared with the first six months of 2015. AFVs now account for 3.2% of the overall new car market.

Demand in June eased slightly, with a -0.8% fall in registrations, meeting expectations that market growth would stabilise following a record 2015. Fleet registrations continued the trend of recent months, driving the market with a 4.5% rise and compensating for a -4.5% drop in private registrations.

 Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “It is far too soon to determine whether the referendum result has had an impact on the new car market. The first six months saw strong demand at record levels but the market undoubtedly cooled over the second quarter. It’s important government takes every measure to restore business and economic confidence to avoid the market contracting in the coming months.”

BMW Group at Goodwood Festival of Speed.

• New BMW i8 to drive up Goodwood's famous hill
• BMW pavilion to showcase all-new M cars at this summer's Festival
• UK premiere at Goodwood of the MINI John Cooper Works Concept

BMW’s most advanced sport car ever, the new BMW i8, will be seen in action for the first time in the UK at The Goodwood Festival of Speed on 26-29 June 2014. Along with a line-up of the hottest new BMW M cars on stand, this summer’s Festival promises one of the most exciting displays ever for the Bavarian manufacturer. 

The BMW i8 will steer its way up the famous 1.16 mile course, showcasing the searing acceleration of the new plug-in hybrid sport car. The delivery of the first customer i8s will start in June 2014, while the introduction of optional BMW laser headlights for the BMW i8 is scheduled for autumn 2014. The BMW i8 will be the world’s first production car to offer this innovative lighting technology.

The BMW pavilion will host the fifth-generation of the iconic high-performance sports car from BMW M. The new BMW M3 Saloon and new BMW M4 Coupé will entice visitors to an already exciting stand featuring other new M models, including a special anniversary edition on display. Meanwhile, as part of the Moving Motor Show, selected customers and media will have the opportunity to drive either the new BMW M3 or new BMW M4 up the hill and see a special M4 Coupé on display – the PistonHeads Fan car - http://bit.ly/O1WMdK

MINI has its own attractions and will showcase incarnations of the all new MINI Hatch. A contemporary evolution of the classic MINI design, the new car features significant improvements in technology, engine efficiency and power delivery, driving dynamics, quality and personalisation.  Built in Oxford, the new MINI Hatch has a range of three entirely new engines, including a new ground-breaking 1.6 litre three-cylinder engine, and each featuring MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology.

Performance-oriented MINI fans will be able to see the MINI John Cooper Works Concept on display for the first time in the UK. The Concept premiered at the NAIAS 2014 in Detroit and represents the next generation of the sporty John Cooper Works model. Developed with extensive race track expertise, the car features large air inlets in the front apron, a rear spoiler as well as distinctively designed side sills and rear apron – complemented by a sports brake and sports exhaust system. 

MINI will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of rally legend, Paddy Hopkirk, winning the 1964 Monte Carlo rally in a Mini Cooper. Paddy will be on the MINI stand to answer questions about his famous victory and sign autographs.

Representing BMW Group UK at the Goodwood Motorsport Press Day at Bonhams, London, will be Martin Harrison, Media Relations Officer, on 07815 377083 who will be available to answer media enquiries.