The BBC TopGear Magazine awards the Volvo V90 the Best Estate car Award 2016

The Volvo V90 has been handed the prestigious title of Best Estate in this year’s TopGear Magazine Best Cars in the World awards.

In its review of the car, the magazine praised the V90’s “genuinely brilliant” styling, efficient engines, blend of handling and refinement, interior ambience, and intuitive connectivity.

The TopGear award is the latest in a growing list of accolades for Volvo’s 90 series cars, which also include the new S90 premium saloon and XC90 SUV. 

The latter has picked up more than 10 awards in the UK alone since its launch in 2015, while the V90 was awarded the overall Scottish Car of the Year title earlier this month.

Commenting on the award, TopGear Magazine said: “Somehow, the Volvo V90 manages to be the antidote to 2016’s obsession with total connectivity and instant gratification while being totally connected and instantly gratifying.”

Launched earlier this year together with the S90, the V90 marks another step in the transformation of Volvo’s product range. Its advanced technology includes the standard fitment of the firm’s semi-autonomous Pilot Assist feature, as well as the world-first introductions of Run-off Road Mitigation and Large Animal Detection. The Volvo On Call app allows the driver to control a range of functions from a mobile device, including the ability to remotely heat or cool the cabin before they get in. The car can also be turned into a WiFi hotspot, while smartphone integration is available.

At the heart of the V90 is a simple, luxurious cabin which uses natural materials to take interior design to a new level.

Jon Wakefield, Managing Director of Volvo Car UK, said: “With its compelling mix of innovation, style and functionality, the new V90 defines the premium estate segment. To receive this award from TopGear Magazine is a tribute to the car’s game-changing abilities in a competitive marketplace.”

SCOTTISH COTY - The Volvo V90 took the Best Estate title and the top prize of Car Of The Year 2016.

• Volvo V90 crowned Scottish Car of the Year and Estate Car of the Year 2016
• Praised for its advanced technology, style and “one of the best cabin environments of any car at any price”
• V90 available now in D4 and D5 PowerPulse diesel form, priced from £34,555

The Volvo V90 has been named 2016 Scottish Car of the Year at the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers’ Awards in Edinburgh. Volvo’s new premium estate also won the Estate Car of the Year award.

The V90 beat stiff competition to win the coveted Car of the Year title, and was praised for its practicality, high-quality interior and stylish good looks. 

The judges were also impressed by its innovative technology, which includes the ground-breaking Sensus touch screen infotainment system. 

This is designed to operate like a smartphone or tablet, and allows you to control most of the car’s functions using simple swipe or pinch and zoom gestures – even when you’re wearing gloves.

This focus on advanced technology extends to every part of the car. The D5 diesel engine, for example, benefits from PowerPulse, an ingenious Volvo-designed system that uses compressed air to boost responsiveness at low revs. There’s also Pilot Assist, the semi-autonomous drive technology that is fitted as standard to all V90s. This pioneering driver aid takes care of the steering, acceleration and braking at up to 80 mph, helping to make long motorway journeys less stressful and tiring.

Every V90 also comes with a host of advanced safety equipment as standard, including two world-first aids: Large Animal Detection and Run-off Road Mitigation. Large Animal Detection helps to prevent collisions with animals such as deer by scanning the area in front of the car and automatically applying the brakes in an emergency if you fail to react in time. Run-off Road Mitigation is designed to stop the car inadvertently leaving the road by applying the steering if the car gets too close to the edge of the carriageway.

Stephen Park, President of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, said: “Be in no doubt, the Volvo V90 is an exceptional car and one which reshapes the estate car marketplace. The judges were impressed by the way it marries traditional Volvo family values with a head-turning sense of style, advanced technology, exceptional build quality, safety, driving dynamics and one of the best cabin environments of any car at any price. In short, we reckon it’s the most accomplished new car to be launched this year and one which offers strong appeal in the unique Scottish marketplace.”

Commenting on the awards, Jon Wakefield, Managing Director of Volvo Car UK, said: “For the V90 to be crowned not only the Estate Car of the Year but also the overall Scottish Car of the Year is a fantastic achievement. Volvo is rightfully proud of its rich estate car heritage, and the V90 successfully continues that lineage. It provides all the space and thoughtful practical touches you’d associate with a Volvo estate, along with cutting-edge technology and efficiency, and beautiful design inside and out.”

AUTO EXPRESS AWARDS - Skoda takes three titles this year, Best Hatch, Best Estate and Best City Car.

• Superb scoops Best Family Car and Best Estate titles
• Citigo named Best City Car for the fifth year in succession
• ŠKODA winners praised for their outstanding value for money 

ŠKODA has continued its winning streak at the Auto Express Awards by clinching another trio of titles. The Citigo, Superb Hatch and Superb Estate were all named as the best in their sector at the 2016 awards ceremony in London.

The Superb took two awards - Best Family Car for the hatch version and Best Estate car. While the hatch repeated its success of 2015, locking out the competition for the second year in a row, the Estate took its firstAuto Express New Car Award, further highlighting its remarkable all-round ability.

Commenting on the Superb’s awards, Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of Auto Express said: “Whether as a hatch or estate, the Superb offers a compelling blend of unbeatable practicality, first-rate quality and the tremendous value for money we've come to expect from ŠKODA. The fact that it now looks really sharp and drives so impressively is the icing on the cake.”

Completing ŠKODA’s triple awards win was the Citigo, which won the City Car category for the fifth year in succession – an Auto Express New Car Awards record for the category. Having first triumphed in 2012, when it was also named overall Car of the Year, the Citigo has proved unbeatable in this key market sector.

“The Citigo won because it continues to set the pace in the city car class. It rivals models from the sector above for space, feels mature and composed from behind the wheel and on the right road delivers plenty of fun, too,“ said Steve Fowler. “It's a tribute to how well thought out this car is that five years after launch it's still the best city car on sale.“

Duncan Movassaghi, Brand Director of ŠKODA UK, added: “We’re delighted to receive these key awards for the Citigo and Superb. They highlight the incredible strength and depth of the ŠKODA range, and showcase the Brand’s commitment to delivering brilliantly engineered cars with great design and exceptional value for money.”

The Citigo range starts from £8,275 OTR and includes the new Colour Edition models priced from £9,990 OTR. The new Superb line-up features hatch and estate variants, along with optional four-wheel drive and power output ranging from 110PS to 280PS. Prices for the Superb range start from £19,060 OTR.

UKCOTY - Skoda celebrates as the Superb Hatch and Estate both wins awards, well done to Skoda.

• Superb secures two prestigious UK Car of the Year 2016 titles
• Superb Estate named Best Estate – Superb Hatch named Best Family Car
• 27-strong jury commended pair’s blend of practicality, comfort, cost and quality
• Now in its third year, UKCOTY awards highlight best cars for UK consumers 

Another week, another brace of industry accolades for the all-new ŠKODA Superb. Continuing their rich run of award successes, the Superb Hatch and Estate have been named as the best in the business in the 2016 UK Car of the Year Awards (UKCOTY).

The Superb Hatch triumphed in the Best Family Car category – widely regarded as one of the most competitive sectors of the new car market. Selected as a clear winner by UKCOTY’s 27-strong judging panel, the Superb Hatch was praised for its exceptional comfort and high quality.

Tim Pollard, UKCOTY juror said: “Can you think of a family car delivering more space, equipment – and gloss – per pound? I can’t…”

His views were echoed by other members of the jury, with Chris Russon commenting; “The Superb Hatch has incredible quality and all-round performance, at a price that makes others wince.” Fellow juror Al Suttie added further praise, saying; “ŠKODA offers more space, comfort and quality than anyone else at this price. The Superb is best family hatch there is.”

Further proving the Superb’s strength in depth, the Estate version also took honours – loading up with the Best Estate Car title. As with the hatch, the judging panel were bowled over by the Superb Estate’s quality, comfort and practicality.

Jury member Paul Hudson felt the new Superb was; “even better than its peerless predecessor for a combination of space, quality and low running costs.”

Tim Pollard agreed, adding; “It adds amazing volume to the Superb’s already excellent qualities. There is no finer load-lugger for the money,” while Matt Joy added; “Nothing you do could ever require a car more spacious than this.”

These latest UK Car of the Year titles add to the new Superb’s impressive haul of industry and press awards. Since its UK market launch in September 2015, ŠKODA’s flagship model has been a regular on the top step of the podium, taking home five key industry titles - including What Car? Estate Car of the Year and The Sunday Times Estate Car of the Year.

Available across the ŠKODA retailer network, prices for the ŠKODA Superb Hatch start at £18,640 while the Superb Estate is priced from £19,840.

WHAT CAR AWARDS - Double delight for Ford with All New Mondeo Estate and Fiesta ST

The all-new Ford Mondeo was crowned the UK’s best estate car at the 2015 What Car? Awards. The UK’s leading car buyer’s guide announced the accolade in the all-new Ford Mondeo’s first full month on sale. 

A further Ford award from the expert What Car? magazine and website team celebrated Fiesta ST as best hot hatch for the second year running.

Ford’s success at the 2015 What Car? Awards came on the same day as industry figures confirmed the Blue Oval had sold the most cars in the UK for 38 consecutive years and been top commercial vehicle brand for 49 years.

The all-new Ford Mondeo combined a thrilling drive with practicality and fuel efficiency, declared What Car?

Editor Jim Holder said:  “It’s hard to find an estate car that excels in every single area, yet Ford has managed to get it spot on with the new Mondeo.  Just like the old car, it’s fantastic to drive, with a refined engine and a smooth ride.  The boot is the perfect shape for carrying a wide range of everyday items, from a huge weekly shop to a full complement of suitcases.  It’s cracking value and will be cheaper to run than most of its rivals, thanks to CO₂ emissions of just 99g/km.”

What Car? singled out the Ford Mondeo 1.6 TDCi Zetec estate, which is capable of over 74mpg and, priced at £23,045, comes with SYNC 2 connectivity and eight-inch touchscreen as standard, as well as cruise control, DAB radio and useful rear seat ski hatch.

The dynamic yet practical Fiesta ST has exceeded sales expectations thanks to its combination of high-performance and value – it is available from only £17,395.  Delivering over 180PS and 0-62mph in under seven seconds, the ST has amassed over 7,500 sales in the UK last year.

Jim Holder, What Car? editor, said:  “The Fiesta ST is brilliant to drive, whether you’re out for a back-road strop or on the daily commute. It’s also great to live with, with decent real-world economy, plenty of standard kit and reasonable running costs.  The Fiesta makes you want to simply get in and go for a drive.  There are few cars these days that can do that.”

Mark Ovenden, Ford Britain managing director, said:  “Ford’s flying start to 2015 is celebrated by these What Car? wins.  New Mondeo is now arriving in dealerships - hard on the heels of the new Focus.  With new C-MAX and S-MAX models also in the pipeline and the legendary Mustang, 2015 will bring plenty of further fresh products to Ford dealerships.”   

Double delight for Skoda

• City Car crown for a second year
• New Octavia Estate awarded Best Estate car title
• Yeti, Octavia hatch and Superb commended
• ŠKODA has won 11 Auto Express awards in the last three years

The new Octavia and Citigo have driven off with two prestigious titles in the 2013 Auto Express New Car Awards. ŠKODA continued its incredible run of Auto Express victories by clinching the Best Family Estate award for the all-new Octavia, and the Best City Car award for the Citigo. The latest additions to the ŠKODA trophy cabinet mean that the brand has won 11 Auto Express awards in the past three years.

The awards were presented to ŠKODA by Auto Express Editor-in-Chief Steve Fowler, who said: “When it comes to practical estate cars, ŠKODA has the market covered. The Superb has been a favourite for years, but now it’s been usurped by its little brother – although little is something you can hardly say about the interior of the Octavia Estate. It’s truly cavernous, but easy to use, too, with loads of clever features. And up front, you get the same space, quality and fabulous drive as you do in the Octavia hatch. How does ŠKODA do it for the money? We don’t know, but we’re glad it does!”

Handing over the Citigo award, he added: “Last year’s Car of the Year is a winner once again. In fact, we’ve grown to love it even more. It’s the sort of car that makes you pinch yourself – can a car this small and so affordable offer such style, quality, comfort, refinement and practicality? Yes it can, and it’s called the ŠKODA Citigo.”

The Auto Express judging panel also commended the new Octavia hatchback in the Compact Family Car category, the Yeti in the Crossover category and shortlisted the Superb in the Family Car category.

Commenting on the awards, Alasdair Stewart, Brand Director of ŠKODA UK said: “We are thrilled to receive these two awards for Octavia and Citigo. To gain this level of recognition from such a respected title proves again that we are making great cars. These awards mean a great deal to everyone at ŠKODA and we’re confident that the exciting new cars we have in the pipeline will continue our success story in future years.”

The latest Auto Express New Car Awards for Octavia and Citigo add to ŠKODA’s impressive list of titles won in 2013. These include the award of Best Car Manufacturer in the Which? Awards, and Best Car for the Yeti in the Auto Express Driver Power survey.