WHAT CAR AWARDS - The Dacia Sandero takes the best small car for the fifth year running.

• New Dacia Sandero wins ‘Best Small Car under £12,000’
• Fifth consecutive win for Dacia supermini at What Car? Awards
• New Sandero now on sale with specification and design upgrades and a new SCe 75 1.0-litre engine
• New Sandero available from £5,995 on-the-road
• More than 90,000 Dacias sold in the UK since launching in 2013

The Dacia Sandero has been awarded ‘Best Small Car for less than £12,000’ for the fifth consecutive year by What Car? at an awards ceremony in London this evening.

The Sandero first picked up the award in 2013, following Dacia’s entrance into the UK car market, and again in 2014, 2015 and 2016. 

Having undergone a series of recent updates for the 2017 Model Year, the supermini has taken the honours once more, underlining its ability to provide a class leading mix of practicality, comfort and low running costs. 

Its shockingly affordable £5,995 price tag is just half the amount of the category it competes in.

Commenting on the decision to give the award to the Sandero for the fifth time, Steve Huntingford, Editor, What Car?, said: “You won’t find this much space for so little in any other new car. 

A recent facelift brought an updated, higher quality interior. The Sandero also feels better to drive: the handling is tidy enough and the ride is surprisingly comfy for such a cheap car. You can buy a Sandero for less than £6,000, but we recommend spending a little more to get mid-range Ambiance trim. 

This adds niceties such as air-conditioning, central locking, electric front windows, a DAB radio and Bluetooth. It also replaces the standard black plastic bumpers with body-coloured ones that look a lot smarter. At this price point, only the Ford Ka+ comes close, and although that’s better to drive, the Sandero is more practical and a fair bit cheaper.”

Commenting on the result, Louise O’Sullivan, Head of Dacia UK said: “We’re delighted that the Sandero has been recognised by the judges at What Car? for a fifth consecutive year. The New Sandero offers customers even more value for money with upgrades to the interior and exterior as well as enhanced level of equipment while remaining the most affordable new car in the UK.”

The Dacia Sandero is a five-door hatchback, available in three trim levels with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel engine. Pricing starts from £5,995, making it the lowest priced new car on sale in the UK today. The new interior and exterior upgrades for 2017 provide a more elegant and contemporary finish whilst providing the customer additional value and practicality.

The specific Ambiance version chosen by What Car? now comes with more features as standard such as air conditioning and DAB radio – it is the most affordable car on sale in the UK with air conditioning as standard. This is in addition to Bluetooth connectivity, electric windows and remote central locking. The new SCe 75 1.0-litre engine produces the same power as the outgoing 1.2-litre but delivers up to 10 per cent more efficiency.

The Dacia brand continues to go from strength to strength with 26,499 new Dacia vehicles sold during 2016, it’s best-ever year of sales in the UK.

WHAT CAR AWARDS - For the fourth year running Dacia takes the Best Small Car under £12,000 award.

• Dacia Sandero wins ‘Best Small Car under £12,000’
• Dacia supermini awarded for fourth consecutive year
• Sandero continues to grow in the UK with over 16,000 sold in 2015

Dacia has picked up the title of What Car? 2016 ‘Best Small Car for less than £12,000’ with its Sandero 1.2 Ambiance hatchback for the fourth consecutive year.

First picking up the accolade in 2013 following the brand’s entrance into the UK car market, and retaining the award in 2014 and 2015, the practical and affordable supermini has taken the honours once more to truly reaffirm its popularity alongside the rest of Dacia’s ‘shockingly affordable’ range.

Commenting on the decision to give the award to the Sandero for the fourth time, Jim Holder, Editorial Director, What Car? said: “If you're looking for budget motoring, it’s hard to go wrong with the Dacia Sandero. In entry-level specification it’s the cheapest new car available in the UK, yet it offers comfortable seating for four adults and a big boot. We’d recommend spending a little more on the slightly higher-specification Ambiance version, though. It adds several key creature comforts, including remote central locking, electric front windows and Bluetooth connectivity, which makes the Sandero much more enjoyable to own.”

Also commenting on the result, Louise O’Sullivan, Head of Dacia UK said: “We’re delighted that the judges at What Car? have recognised the Sandero’s qualities for a fourth consecutive year – especially given that starting from a ‘shockingly affordable’ price of £5,995 you can get one from just half the amount of the category it competes in.”

The Dacia Sandero is a five-door hatchback, available in three trim levels with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel engine. Pricing starts from £5,995, making it the lowest priced new car on sale in the UK today. The specific Ambiance version chosen by What Car? comes with features such as Bluetooth connectivity, electric windows and USB connectivity.

Dacia continued its prodigious rise in the UK with another strong year of sales, with 26,267 new Dacia vehicles sold during 2015, up ten per cent compared to 2014. Dacia recorded 3.5 million sales across Europe in November 2015 since relaunching in 2004.

Skoda displays 3d Rendering of new Superb at Fleet Car News Awards, as it accepts two awards.

ŠKODA has added to the heightening anticipation around the all-new Superb with a virtual showcase of the new large car at the annual Fleet News awards, held last week at Grosvenor House in London.

The technology-packed new model – which launches this summer – was a centre-piece at the pre-awards reception, but because a real car could not be transported into the room, it was in virtual form, on three linked giant LED screens that together created a 3D representation of the car. 

This smart, technological way of showcasing the new Superb fits neatly with the car’s ‘Simply Clever’ technology features, while at the same time allowing guests to see the car’s crisply styled exterior.

Patrick McGillycuddy, Head of Fleet for ŠKODA UK, said: “The excitement around the new Superb has been building, particularly since its public premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. The car itself will hit British roads in late summer, but as it’s likely to be a huge hit for company car drivers across the country, we wanted to do something special for the Fleet News awards. Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback we’ve had about the installation, we’re confident we achieved that.”

The showcase’s popularity capped off a brilliant night for ŠKODA, as the company claimed two prestigious awards: ‘Best Estate Car’ for the Octavia Estate and ‘Best Small Car’ for the new Fabia. These prizes, in turn, have added to an already successful year for the brand – following Fabia’s triumph as the overall winner at the What Car? ‘Car of the Year’ ceremony in January.

The stylish new ŠKODA Superb is longer, lighter, and even more spacious than the current version, yet starts at £18,640 - £50 less than the outgoing entry-level S model. Company car drivers are also well catered for, with the Superb SE Business model which features a higher level of standard equipment including Alcantara upholstery, front and rear parking sensors and satellite navigation and starts from £21,590 for the 1.6 TDI 120PS model.

Skoda wins yet again, The brand is definitely at the pinnacle of all things auto.

• ŠKODA tops two categories at 2015 Fleet News Awards
• ŠKODA Octavia Estate crowned ‘Best Estate Car’ for second year running and Fabia named 'Best Small Car'

ŠKODA UK has bagged two enviable accolades at this year’s Fleet News Awards which took place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

The most prestigious event in the fleet calendar, the Fleet News Awards recongnises the best-performing businesses and individuals within the sector over the last 12 months.

For an unprecedented second year running the panel of judges, including members of the Fleet News editorial team as well as industry experts, voted ŠKODA Octavia Estate, ‘Best Estate Car’ for its unrivalled space, functionality, comfort and affordability, in addition to its range of efficient power plants. With exceptional value and high quality after care, the ŠKODA Octavia Estate has once again proven to be an essential for any fleet manager.  

It has already been a brilliant year for the new ŠKODA Fabia. The What Car? 'Car of the Year' swooped to victory in the Fleet News 'Best Small Car' category, beating off fierce competition from its rivals. The most economical Fabia ever was praised for its versatility, space and style.

Judge Stephen Briers, Editor of Fleet News commented: "Value-for-money, spacious and efficient, the Octavia Estate benefits from low running costs and strong customer support from the manufacturer and its retail network. It adds up to a compelling estate car for both business and personal use.

"The all-new Fabia offers an excellent choice of engines and bodystyles for fleets. High quality, competitively priced, low CO₂ emissions and with a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating, the Fabia is an excellent all-round car – perfect for fleets in this category."

Patrick McGillycuddy, Head of Fleet for ŠKODA UK said: "We are extremely pleased that the Octavia Estate has been awarded the ‘Best Estate Car’ for the second year running; reaffirming that it is best in class for affordability, space and innovation."

He added: "ŠKODA's second winner, Fabia, is a versatile small car with the benefits of space and adaptability needed for business driving. These accolades mean a great deal to the ŠKODA Fleet team, and are testament to ŠKODA's core offering, which continues to offer class-leading C02 emissions and excellent whole life costs without compromising on style or efficiency.”

WHATCAR AWARDS - Dacia wins best small car under £12k for third successive year.

• Dacia Sandero wins ‘Best Small Car under £12,000’
• Dacia supermini awarded for third consecutive year
• Sandero continues to grow in the UK with over 14,000 sold in 2014

Dacia has picked up the title of What Car? 2015 ‘Best Small Car for less than £12,000’ with its Sandero 1.2 Ambiance hatchback for the third successive year.

After initially picking up the accolade in 2013 following the brand’s entrance into the UK car market, and confidently retaining it last year, the stylish, practical and affordable supermini has taken the honours once more to truly reaffirm its popularity alongside the rest of Dacia’s ‘shockingly affordable’ range.

Commenting on the decision to give the award to the Sandero, Jim Holder, Editor, What Car? said: “There are cheap cars and then there’s the Dacia Sandero. What really helps the Sandero’s case, and boosts its value for money, is its huge interior space. There are few cars in this class that offer this much room for passengers and luggage.”

“It’s quick enough to feel comfortable in and out of town, and our True MPG tests have revealed it’s possible to get within a stone’s throw of its official fuel economy. Consider the fact that the Sandero comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty and the deal looks even better.”

Commenting on the result, Andy Heiron, Dacia UK Brand Manager said: “We’re delighted that the judges at What Car? have recognised the Sandero’s qualities for the third year in a row – especially given that starting from a ‘shockingly affordable’ £5,995 you can get one from just half the amount of the category it competes in.”

The Dacia Sandero is a five-door hatchback, available in three trim levels with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel engine. Pricing starts from £5,995, making it the lowest priced new car on sale in the UK today. The specific Ambience version chosen by What Car? comes with features such as Bluetooth connectivity, electric windows and an ECO driving mode, improving efficiency and fuel consumption figures.

Dacia continued its prodigious rise in the UK with another strong year of sales, with 23,862 new Dacia owners during 2014, up 39.2 per cent compared to 2013.

WHAT CAR AWARDS - Skoda takes Car Of The Year for the Fabia & Best Family car for the Octavia.

• New ŠKODA Fabia wins ‘Best Small Car’ category and overall prize
• ŠKODA Octavia wins ‘Best Family Car’ award
• Award presented at glittering ceremony in London’s Grosvenor House hotel
• New Fabia now available in ŠKODA retailers nationwide
• Prices start from £10,600 RRP OTR

The new ŠKODA Fabia has won the prestigious What Car? Car of the Year 2015 award, at a glittering ceremony in London, having also been named ‘Best Small Car’, while the ŠKODA Octavia has been named ‘Best Family Car’. It’s the second time that ŠKODA’s popular small car has won the top prize – the first generation Fabia won the award back in 2000.

The new ŠKODA Fabia – which was revealed to the public at the Paris Motor Show last October, and is in UK showrooms now – is the third-generation of ŠKODA’s popular small car. Since the first-generation Fabia went on sale in 2000, some 250,000 have found homes with British buyers, and 3.5 million have been sold worldwide.

Available in five-door hatch and (from March) estate forms, the new Fabia introduces innovative safety, comfort and infotainment systems to the segment. It features an expressive, dynamic design with smooth proportions, crystalline shapes and clear-cut lines. The new Fabia is also more spacious, stronger and more efficient than its predecessor, thanks both to significant weight-saving and the introduction of cleaner EU6-compliant engines that help to make it up to 17 per cent more efficient.

The award was collected by ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland, who said: ‘The new Škoda Fabia is, in every respect, simply more car and offers both innovative technology and emotionally-charged design. It is ideal for the modern, urban mobility of today. We are very confident that the new Fabia will write another chapter in the model’s success story, win over new customer groups and, as an important pillar of our growth strategy, further strengthen the brand.’

What Car? editor Jim Holder said: ‘The Fabia wins not only because it’s a superb small car that’s practical, well equipped and cheap to run, but also because of the rivals it has managed to dispose of in the process.

‘When you consider the strength of the competition the new Fabia has had to beat to top its class, it simply has to win.’

Director of ŠKODA UK, Alasdair Stewart, said: ‘We are delighted to have been given these accolades by What Car?. UK customers trust What Car? when they are buying a new car, and winning the Car of the Year award is the perfect introduction for the new Fabia on the UK market.

‘We’re excited about the Fabia; it’s a key model for our retailers and also for our customers. This award sets us up perfectly for the year ahead. The new Fabia’s just the start of another exciting year for ŠKODA – the new Fabia Estate will be here in March, and the new Superb will be on the roads in September. The buying experience is also going to be better than ever, thanks to our retailers transforming their showrooms with a new look.’

The ŠKODA brand has demonstrated its strength with five years of record growth, culminating in sales of 76,027 cars in the UK last year (some 10,000 more than in 2013), and over one million cars worldwide in the same period.

Scottish COTY - Renault take hat-trick of awards

Renault drove off with a record hat-trick of trophies at the Scottish Car of the Year awards in Glasgow last night.

Clio triumphed as best small car, Captur was named top crossover and ZOE completed a high voltage evening for the French marque after being crowned electric car of the year. Combined with sister brand, Dacia, according to the judges, it’s the first time a manufacturer has taken so many accolades in the 15-year history of SCOTY.

Collecting the awards at the glittering ceremony held at the Thistle Hotel, Mark Potter, Director, Northern Region, Renault UK, said: “To win three trophies is fantastic recognition for Renault north of the Border. We’ve had a great start to the year, especially with the arrival of our latest three superminis and the refreshed Scénic range. The greater shift towards economical, efficient cars is where our cars are really shining, and I’m delighted to accept these awards which prove that we’re really hitting the mark."

The Scottish Car of the Year Awards is run and judged by the 15 full members of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers. Its president, Alisdair Suttie, said Renault is enjoying a “new-found confidence on the back of some impressive new releases” at the event, which also featured the iconic Clio – the company’s best-selling model, which continues to show-off its Va Va Voom.

He added: “Clio proves small really can be beautiful, with high fashion combined with low running costs. It also offers plenty of equipment and space mixed with real driving appeal.

“Renault Captur’s desirable good design mixes with space for the family plus some of the most efficient engines in the segment. These qualities ensured victory against a broad mix of models , some two-wheel-drive, some four and some offering the choice of either.”

Spiralling fuel costs and concerns about climate change have seen plug-in electric cars gaining an increasingly stronger presence in recent times, and once again the judges picked Renault’s flagship electric model, ZOE, as best of the bunch.

Alisdair said: “Cost has always been a problem with electric vehicles, but an innovative battery lease solution makes this year's winner a genuine alternative to a conventionally powered supermini.”

Earlier this year, Clio and ZOE picked up trophies for best small car and technology at the Fleet World Honours. Electric supermini ZOE was also named the most environmentally-friendly fleet car at the well-established BusinessCar ‘Techies’, while chic and cheerful newcomer Captur landed Renault a hat-trick of Next Green Car Awards.

Skoda and Ford both celebrate wins at the car buyer awards

The Ford Fiesta has been voted best small car in the 2013 CarBuyer Car of the Year awards.

CarBuyer.co.uk is the sister site of best-selling motoring weekly Auto Express whose review of the Ford Fiesta stated: “The Fiesta is a great all-rounder – and one of the best Fords ever…combining stylish good looks with a driving experience that simply isn’t bettered in the supermini class.”

Steve Fowler, editor-in-chief Auto Express & CarBuyer, said: “The Fiesta is a brilliant car that’s just been made even better – adding the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine into the mix has given it an intoxicating spirit that you just don’t expect from a small, affordable car. It’s an exceptional all-rounder.”

The Ford Fiesta has been the UK’s best-selling car for the last four years, first taking sales leadership from the Ford Focus in 2009.  With the latest Fiesta model launched to great critical acclaim, this new model is looking to build further on the Fiesta’s sales success.  

Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain managing director, said: “The Ford Fiesta is a proven sales success with great appeal to both business and private buyers.  This award from the experts at CarBuyer is a welcome endorsement of the Fiesta’s market-leading attributes.”

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Two of ŠKODA’s newest models have illustrated how the popular value-for-money brand is heading in the right direction… by winning coveted ‘Car of the Year’ awards.

The honours have been handed out by respected consumer motoring website CarBuyer,www.carbuyer.co.uk. The ŠKODA Citigo, launched just last summer, was voted ‘Best City Car’ while the new ŠKODA Octavia, which only recently arrived in showrooms, earned the title ‘Best Family Car’.

Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of CarBuyer, commented: “The ŠKODA Citigo ticks all the right boxes for city car buyers… and then some. It’s cute, cheap to buy and run, and great fun to drive – great things come in small packages and this is a truly great car.”

He added: “ŠKODA cars have always offered that rare blend of more for less and the new Octavia is a prime example. It offers more quality, more space and more value than its rivals, yet still manages to be cheaper – it’s a brilliant family car.”

ŠKODA has a history of success in the CarBuyer awards. The Superb won ‘Best Estate Car’ two years ago and then retained the title in 2012.

Commented on the double win, Alasdair Stewart, Brand Director for ŠKODA UK, said: “Awards like these are always great to receive because they’re from a website which reflects what people are actually searching for online and buying from dealers. That two of our latest cars have beaten the competition is very satisfying.”