Mazda's CX-3 add's to it's tally of awards with the Best Compact SUV at the Fleet News Annual Awards.

• Mazda’s all-new CX-3 named Best Compact SUV at the 2016 Fleet News Awards. 
• Adds to the CX-3’s 2015 Scottish Car of the Year Best Crossover title.
• Priced from £17,595 to £24,695 on-the-road (OTR).  

The all-new Mazda CX-3 has taken the Best Compact SUV title at the annual Fleet News Awards. Judged by a panel of experts that includes leading motoring journalists, industry buyers and residual specialists, Mazda’s first small SUV took top honours against tough competition in this ever-growing sector.

Having arrived in UK showrooms last summer, the all-new Mazda CX-3 has brought new levels of sophistication, style and driving pleasure to the popular small SUV market. By combining Mazda’s SKYACTIV technology and KODO: Soul of Motion design philosophy, with Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE safety systems in a smaller crossover body, the CX-3 has complimented the award-winning Mazda CX-5 in Mazda’s popular SUV line up.

Commenting on the all-new Mazda CX-3’s success, Fleet News Editor–in-chief Stephen Briers said “The Mazda CX-3 is a solid all-rounder. It’s stylish and fun to drive, and combines those attributes with strong residuals and competitive running costs. As a cost effective car, the judges felt it is the most appealing in this category.”

Like its big brother the CX-5, the CX-3 can be specified with Mazda’s new-generation all-wheel drive (AWD) system. Both the 105ps SKYACTIV-D diesel and 150ps SKYACTIV-G petrol engines can be matched to four-wheel drive, while the 120ps front-wheel drive SKYACTIV-G petrol stars as the biggest seller in the line-up. With 27 per cent of CX-3 sales to date taken by the fleet market, the all-new CX-3 is a great addition to Mazda’s fleet portfolio.    

Accepting the award, Mazda Motors UK’s Head of Fleet, Steve Tomlinson said “the CX-3 is a fantastic addition to our fleet line up and I’m confident this award will help raise the profile of our new small SUV amongst our core end user customers. We have one of the newest product ranges in the industry and being able to offer a CX-3 or CX-5 has broadened our appeal in the growing SUV Segment.”

Subaru Forester Sports/Utility wins award from Motor Trend Magazine

Subaru’s best-selling model, the Forester compact SUV, has won the coveted 2014 Sport / Utility of the Year award from the USA’s influential Motor Trend magazine.

The Forester’s latest accolade makes Subaru the first and only brand to have won three Sport / Utility of the Year awards from Motor Trend, which is read by over 1.1 million people every month.  The previous-generation Forester picked up the award in 2009, and the Subaru Outback was also crowned winner in 2010.

The Subaru Forester beat 21 other SUVs to take first place during Motor Trend’s exhaustive testing process, with models graded according to six criteria: Design Advancement, Engineering Excellence, Intended Function, Efficiency, Safety and Value.  The new Forester scored highly in all categories.

Motor Trendeditor-in-chief Ed Loh commented: “Smart design, thoughtful engineering, and a compelling performance on-road and off were the keys to the Forester’s win.  Our editors were particularly impressed by the powerful yet efficient turbocharged engines, the intelligent and sporty CVT transmission, and the excellent visibility and interior package.  Practical, affordable, efficient and fun-to-drive – the Forester truly ticked every box.”

The new Forester went on sale in the UK in May 2013, and builds upon the model’s reputation as a modern, rugged SUV with improved performance, safety and efficiency and a more spacious and better appointed cabin.

Since the UK launch, sales of the new model have been strong, with particularly high demand for the XT Turbo model which is bucking the market trend for diesel SUV sales, equipped as it is with a 240ps 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol engine delivering smooth and strong pulling power both on and off-road.

Range Rover duo win at Auto Express annual awards

• All-new Range Rover voted Best Luxury Car
• Range Rover wins Design Award
• Range Rover Evoque scoops Best Compact SUV

 Land Rover vehicles have again proved they can do battle with the best, scooping three top prizes at the annual Auto Express Awards. The all-new Range Rover was voted ‘Best Luxury Car’ by the judging panel, which consists of the magazine’s road testers and other senior staff members.

Steve Fowler, Auto Express Editor-in-Chief commented: “The new Range Rover is an awesome achievement, combining the highest standards of luxury with a hitherto impossible blend of on-road comfort and off-road ability. To do all that with such style and efficiency makes it a worthy winner.”

The Range Rover also won ‘Auto Express Design Award’, voted for by magazine readers and website visitors. More than 80 production cars and concept vehicles were eligible, yet the Range Rover came out on top.

Steve Fowler added: “It’s testimony to the work Land Rover Design Director Gerry McGovern and his team have done in reinventing this motoring icon, especially when you see the long list of beautiful cars the Range Rover beat.”

Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer, Gerry McGovern said: "Designing the All-New Range Rover for a new era was always going to be a significant challenge; particularly finding the right balance between maintaining its iconic form while giving it greater relevance and modernity.  It also had to sit comfortably as the flagship of a whole new generation of Range Rovers.  This award is particularly significant to us at Land Rover as it is voted for by the Auto Express readers themselves and reflects the efforts of everyone in the Land Rover Design Team."

The all-new Range Rover is the most capable and most luxurious Land Rover yet. Up to 420 kilogrammes lighter with new levels of refinement, the Range Rover reinforces its position as the world's finest luxury SUV.

Not to be left out was the Range Rover Evoque, which was awarded the honour of ‘Best Compact SUV’. It’s the magazine’s former Car of the Year and is receiving an Auto Express trophy for the third year in a row.

Steve Fowler commented:  “Its star is showing no sign of dimming. We love its style, quality and ability on and off-road. It remains one of the most desirable cars on sale in the UK today.”

With more than 130 global awards under its belt, the Evoque has gained critical acclaim from customers and media alike. The Evoque continues to receive plaudits for its concept car looks, dynamic driving performance, class leading off-road skills and excellent cost of ownership. Most recently, a Special Edition Evoque was launched in the UK which is available in coupé and 5-door, customers can choose from two exterior colour schemes, each one unique to the Special Edition model and based on a new Black Design Pack. Choices include a Sicilian Yellow exterior body finish with a Santorini Black contrast roof, or a Santorini Black exterior body finish with a Sicilian Yellow contrast roof and door mirrors. Unique interior finishes include yellow contrast stitching on seats, central storage area, door trims and fascia mid-section, plus an anodised yellow horizontal finisher.

The awards were announced at a gala event at the Grand Connaught Rooms, in London’s Covent Garden.

Jeremy Hicks, Managing Director for Jaguar Land Rover UK commented: “Three trophies in one night is a fantastic achievement, but what’s especially pleasing is they each recognise distinct aspects of our business. The Range Rover has set new standards in luxury, the Evoque continues to be the benchmark car for compact SUVs, and industry leading design will always be at the heart of everything we do.”