Renault ZOE wins the Best Supermini category at the Next Green Car Awards 2016.

• Renault ZOE wins the Best Supermini category at the Next Green Car Awards 2016
• ZOE applauded for its class-leading range and excellent all-round package
• Judging criteria included capability, suitability for purpose and value for money
• All-electric ZOE priced from £13,995 (inc. PiCG)

Only weeks after the launch of a new version with the longest available range for a mainstream electric car, the Renault ZOE has underlined its class-leading usability by being voted the Best Supermini at the Next Green Car Awards.

Europe’s best-selling electric car was awarded the win after eclipsing the other cars shortlisted in the fiercely-contested category. 

Next Green Car’s expert judging panel praised the stylish ZOE for its unrivalled range of 250 miles (NEDC) and excellent all-round package.

The ZOE was selected for the annual awards through Next Green Car’s unique NGC Rating, which rates the environmental impact of all new cars on the market. 

It was then judged on a variety of criteria, including capability, suitability for purpose, impact on its sector and value for money.

Commenting on their decision to award the Renault ZOE, the Next Green Car judges said: "Renault roots out range anxiety with its new ZOE Z.E.40, offering a long range in an already strong supermini package. Nicely designed and easy to use, the zero-emission ZOE now has more than enough range to persuade even the most anxious driver into an EV."

Paul Flanagan, Managing Director, Groupe Renault UK, said: “We’re delighted that Next Green Car has chosen the Renault ZOE as its Best Supermini, its decision reaffirming that the ZOE is not just a superb electric vehicle, but is also a versatile, comfortable and easy-to-own car in its own right, irrespective of how it is powered.”

It’s not the first time that the innovative Renault ZOE has triumphed at the Next Green Car Awards. It is a previous winner of the Supermini category and has also won the leading green car website’s prestigious Gold Award.

ZOE offers a well-equipped specification, five-door practicality and immense ease-of-use. Perfect around town and further afield, the ZOE’s silent drive, instant torque and zero emissions-in-use make for a highly relaxing and environmentally-friendly driving experience. As standard, the stylish hatchback benefits from such features as cruise control, speed limiter, keycard entry with push button Start/Stop function, automatic climate control and the Renault R-Link multimedia system including satellite navigation.

Adding to the ZOE’s user-friendliness is its patented Chameleon™ charger that allows ZOE to always make the best use of whatever charging supply is available in order to speed up charging times. ZOE Dynamique Nav Q90 Z.E.40 Quick Charge can charge at up to 43kW, meaning that 0 to 80 per cent full, of the new enhanced range battery, can be achieved in as little as 65 minutes. For retail customers with a domestic address and off street parking, a 7kW Homecharger will also be fully installed free of charge enabling ZOE to be charged from flat-to-full from just 3-4 hours, depending on specification.

Using the My ZE Inter@ctive timer app customers are able to schedule the time that ZOE is charged and benefit from significantly lower off-peak electricity prices, while the car’s numerous innovations include its unique heat pump. This is able to air condition and heat the ZOE more efficiently than a traditional system, meaning the car’s occupants can stay comfortable without worrying about the range.

Renault estimates that the recently launched Z.E. 40 battery in ZOE, which enables a 250 mile (NEDC) range, has a real-world range of 186 miles in temperate conditions and 124 miles in extreme cold conditions. 

The ZOE is part of Renault’s Z.E. range made up of the Twizy and Kangoo Van Z.E. The ZOE range is priced from £13,995 (including Government PiCG plus monthly battery lease) in a choice of three trim levels, including a new top-of-the-range Signature Nav trim and can be purchased either outright or by leasing the battery. 

The ZOE has been selling strongly in the UK with 1,482 examples sold in the first three-quarters of 2016 – a 33 per cent increase on the same period of 2015 – continuing the trend set in Europe where Renault was the best-selling electric vehicle manufacturer in 2015.  Purchases of ZOE represent one in six electric vehicles sold in the UK. 

The ZOE is proving popular with the British public having been voted ‘Best Supermini’ in the Auto Express Driver Power Survey 2016 – coming second overall out of 183 models. The ZOE is also a three-time winner of What Car?’s ‘Best Electric Car for less than £20,000’ and a Which? ‘Best Buy’ in 2016. It was most recently awarded Best Electric Car in the Carbuyer Best Cars Awards 2017.

Kia cee’d range beats tough competition to win Best Used Car Award.

• Kia cee’d range beats tough competition to win Best Used Car Award
• cee’d impresses with excellent value for money, equipment and safety
• Class-leading warranty helps the cee’d range to the top spot

The Kia cee’d has again beaten tough competition to be announced as Carbuyer’s ‘Best Used Car’ in their annual awards. The cee’d range impressed the judges with its excellent value for money secondhand, practicality, standard levels of equipment, build quality and reliability, all bolstered by the brand’s industry leading seven year warranty.

A strong contributing factor to the cee’d range’s victory in this competitive category was the warranty extension available on all cee’ds and the entire Kia range. When purchasing a Kia vehicle up to 18 months old from the Kia Approved Used network, the company tops up the warranty period to its original amount of seven years, effectively allowing over eight years of worry-free motoring.

The cee’d range, which won the same used car award in 2015, is a car designed for Europe, built in Europe and only sold in Europe. 

It is now in its second generation having been introduced in 2006 and includes three family friendly body types, starting from a sleek three-door version scaling up to a larger Sportswagon, set apart by the popular five-door version. 

Offering a choice of attractive bodystyles, efficient engines and industry standard safety equipment, the cee’d range is a clear choice for many customers in the used and new car market.

Editor of Carbuyer, Stuart Milne commented on the win. “The Kia cee’d is a great-value new car, but it’s harder to buy a nearly new car of better quality on the used market. It’s practical, well built, spacious and efficient and represents superb value secondhand. 

And you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you’ll still be protected by the balance of Kia’s industry-leading seven-year warranty.”

Paul Philpott, CEO and President of Kia Motors (UK) Ltd. gave his feelings: “The Kia cee’d is an integral and important part of Kia in the UK, and indeed across Europe. It answers the needs of many people, delivering great value for money, safety, high levels of equipment and striking looks. 

This win is testament to how good a proposition our cee’d range is to customers. This win will also mean a great deal to all the dealers in our national network, who all work incredibly hard to exceed our customers’ needs, whether that be with new or used vehicles.”

Last year the Kia cee’d received an update which gave the range a competitive edge. With world-class new powertrains, a sporty new GT-Line trim level and major additions to electronic driver aids and connected car systems, the new version of Kia’s European mid-sized hatchback continues to impress and build on the strengths which has already attracted more than a million buyers.

The Peugeot 3008 takes a trio of awards including the overall title as car of the year.

• Carbuyer awards the all-new PEUGEOT 3008 SUV its top accolade: ‘Car of the Year 2017’
• This is the first UK award for the Peugeot 3008 SUV - which goes on sale in December
• All models of the 3008 SUV feature the latest PEUGEOT i-Cockpit^® with digital instrumentation

The all-new PEUGEOT 3008 SUV has been announced as the Carbuyer ‘Car of the Year 2017’, also winning the highly sought after ‘Best SUV 2017’ and ‘Best Medium SUV’ categories too.

The eagerly awaited all-new 3008 SUV is an important development in the SUV C segment market and arrives at a time when customers are more than ever expecting differentiation and new experiences. 

Equipped with its revolutionary, latest generation PEUGEOT i-Cockpit^®, elegant styling, and high-tech equipment, the 3008 SUV aims to establish itself immediately as a key player and this Carbuyer award clearly recognises the competitive features over its competitors.

Carbuyer.co.uk is the online site for trusted reviews, owner opinions and expert advice on all motoring matters. It has recently launched a reference print magazine highlighting the best cars currently on sale.

Stuart Milne, Editor at Carbuyer, commented: “Forget everything you thought you knew about the previous 3008, because PEUGEOT has rung the changes. First off, the 3008 is now a fully-fledged SUV rather than the crossover of old. 

It’s handsome from the outside, but inside is where the game has really moved on. The dashboard is beautifully designed and features extensive use of fabric on the dashboard and door panels to lend a chic feeling. 

The clever i-Cockpit^® dashboard is a 12.3-inch screen that displays your speed, navigation, phone and audio information and is fitted as standard to every 3008 SUV in the range.

“The 3008 SUV is ahead of the pack when it comes to more pragmatic matters, too. It has a big boot and plenty of interior space. 

There’s a wide range of efficient petrol and diesel engines, and the availability of PEUGEOT’s ‘Grip Control’ system means the front-wheel-drive car can offer the grip of a four-wheel drive when needed. 

In an SUV market dominated by some exceptionally able cars, it takes something special to be the best. And that’s why we’ve named the PEUGEOT 3008 SUV Carbuyer’s ‘Car of the Year for 2017’.

David Peel, Managing Director at PEUGEOT UK, commented “This is fantastic news. The all-new PEUGEOT 3008 SUV has so many appealing features and for it to receive this Carbuyer ‘Car of the Year 2017’ accolade, ahead of its arrival in the UK is perfect. 

It sets the tone that we have a winner on our hands and I have no doubt our customers are going to love driving it too.”

The Best Car features on Carbuyer.co.uk and the awards that underpin them have been ranked by Carbuyer’s team of motoring experts. 

Its team has dozens of years of experience and have tested thousands of cars. Reviews are constantly updated to reflect the ever-changing automotive landscape, with more than 500 cars tested a year. 

Carbuyer reviews are written with the real buyer in mind, taking into account how easy each car is to live with and how it compares with its closest competitors. Carbuyer is one of the most respected car review websites in the UK.

The Mitsubishi L200 pick up truck is named Best Pickup at the Carbuyer Awards 2017

• Mitsubishi L200 is named Best Pickup at the Carbuyer Awards 2017
• Judges praise L200 for its rugged ability and strong 2.4-litre four-cylinder diesel
• Car-like driving dynamics and off-road ability also commended by Carbuyer judges
• Mitsubishi L200 available in single, club and double cab bodystyles price from £17,999.00 (CV List Price)

The Mitsubishi L200 has secured another major award, this time for Best Pickup at the 2017 Carbuyer Awards at the Curzon Bloomsbury Cinema, The Brunswick, London.  

The panel of judges for the 2017 Carbuyer Awards were particularly impressed with the latest Mitsubishi L200, saying it is ‘better than ever’ thanks to its combination of  impressive off-road capabilities with car-like on-road dynamics, while also offering competitive pricing and high standard specification.

Stuart Milne, Editor of Carbuyer commented: “The Mitsubishi L200 name has been with us for more than 30 years and the latest model is better than ever. It delivers on its promise of rugged ability with some neat detailing and an impressive amount of equipment, while it packs a strong 2.4-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that allows you to tow over three tonnes. It’s also the most car-like pickup to drive on-road and extremely capable off-road. Despite all this, it can return more than 40mpg. Combine that with competitive pricing and a number of desirable high-spec models and it’s clear why the L200 is our best pickup.”

Lance Bradley, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors UK, commented, “Tough and rugged vehicles like the L200 and Shogun are what the Mitsubishi name has been built on over the past 100 years and our engineers continually strive to ensure our 4X4 vehicles remain the benchmark in their segments. We’re delighted that Carbuyer has recognised the qualities that have made the Mitsubishi L200 a critical and commercial success.”

The latest generation Mitsubishi L200 went on sale in July 2015 and has claimed numerous accolades since launch. Priced from £17,999.00 (CV List Price), the Mitsubishi L200 is available in single, club and double cab body styles and has a payload of up to 1,045kg and a towing capacity of up to 3.1 tonnes (braked). The fifth generation Mitsubishi L200 is currently available with zero percent finance.

The Best Car features on Carbuyer.co.uk and the awards that underpin them have been ranked by Carbuyer’s team of motoring experts, which collectively have dozens of years of experience and have tested thousands of cars between them.

Ford takes two awards at this years Carbuyer awards ceremony, the Focus ST and KA+ Win.

• First award in the UK for the New Ford KA+  as it’s named Best Car for Under £10,000
• Best Hot Hatchback awarded to the Ford Focus ST for the second time

The new Ford KA+ and Ford Focus ST are named winners at the 2017 Carbuyer awards.

Stuart Milne, Carbuyer editor, said: “The Ford Ka+ is more than just a cut-price Fiesta. It offers small-hatchback space and practicality for city-car money. 

Despite its enticingly low price tag, the KA+ is good to drive, and with 56mpg possible, it won't break the bank to run either.

“The Ford Focus ST is by far the most rounded hot hatch on sale. It's comfortable and practical enough to be superb day-to-day transport, but offers the performance, ride and handling to really entertain on a twisty road. 

What sealed the ST’s win for us was the model choices available and, whichever version you choose, you’ll find the car well-priced and well-equipped.”

The new Ford KA+ joins Ford’s small-car line-up alongside the best-selling Fiesta, and provides an attractive new alternative for buyers who want a spacious, well-equipped and high-quality small car at a price point starting at £8,995.

The Focus ST range features two engines, three series and two body styles. Both the 250PS EcoBoost petrol and 185PS TDCi diesel 2.0-litre engines are offered in the ST-1, ST-2 and ST-3 series starting from £22,495. There is also an acclaimed estate body style offering a unique combination of load space and sporty handling.

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: “It’s great to see the new Ford KA+ gathering its first UK award within a month of arriving in dealerships. This award from the experts at Carbuyer is a welcome endorsement of the class-leading attributes of the new KA+.”

Hyundai takes a double win at teh Carbuyer awards with the Ioniq and i10 both winners.

• Hyundai Motor wins three awards at annual Carbuyer awards
• IONIQ Hybrid named ‘Best Hybrid’ thanks to its styling, and value for money
• IONIQ Electric wins ‘Best Road-Tax-Exempt Car’ due to size and mileage capability
• Hyundai i10 is a favourite as ‘Best Car That’s Cheap To Insure’ for second year
• Hyundai Motor also receives recognition online for Best City Car – Hyundai i10, Best Innovative Car – Hyundai IONIQ and Best Congestion Charge-exempt for IONIQ EV

Hyundai Motor has excelled in the 2017 Carbuyer awards scooping three awards for the Hyundai i10, IONIQ Hybrid and IONIQ Electric. 

The new IONIQ Hybrid was named Best Hybrid, the IONIQ Electric was awarded Best Road-Tax-Exempt and the multi-award winning i10 received the ‘Best Car That’s Cheap To Insure’ title for the second consecutive year.

Stuart Milne, Editor of Carbuyer, explains: “The Hyundai IONIQ is the new hybrid on the block, offering a far more mainstream look than radically-styled rivals. 

It’s good to drive, with a conventional dual-clutch automatic gearbox as opposed to the Prius’ CVT. That contributes to a nicer driving experience, too. 

It’s capable of around 88mpg fuel economy and if you buy one before April 2017, it won’t cost you anything to tax. The real clincher here, though, is the IONIQ’s price. It’s possible to park one on your driveway for less than £20,000, which is £3,000 less than the cheapest Prius.”

“There are plenty of cars exempt from vehicle excise duty (VED) today, but changes coming into force in April 2017 mean only owners of zero-emission cars will pay no tax. The IONIQ Electric is one of the larger EVs on sale, meaning it makes for good family transport. Plus it’s capable of travelling 174 miles on a charge – more than a Nissan Leaf. Speaking of which, it’s also nicer to drive than the Nissan and has a more upmarket interior, too. Charging takes about four and a half hours from a home wall box, or 30 minutes to 80% from a DC fast charger.”

“The Hyundai i10 is a former Carbuyer Car of the Year and still one of the very best small cars you can buy. If you’re buying a car with running costs firmly in mind, the i10 should be at the top of your list. The entry-level i10 falls in group 2, which is affordable for all. But it's the all-round ability of the i10 that is the clincher here. With low insurance bills, you can still enjoy a small, practical car that's good to drive, spacious and comes with an excellent five-year warranty.”

On Hyundai’s latest award win, Tony Whitehorn, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor UK, commented: “We’re extremely proud that we continue to win such prestigious awards for our constantly evolving product line-up. Receiving two awards from Carbuyer for our latest all-new model, IONIQ is fantastic and a testament to our company’s ongoing commitment to introducing more eco-friendly vehicles across our range and making them accessible to more people.

“i10 is the most awarded car in our portfolio and one of our best-selling models in the UK.  The new i10, on sale in January 2017, builds on that success and features new advanced active safety and connectivity features from the segments above, as well as modern design refinements, including the new signature Cascading front grille.”

Carbuyer is one of the UK’s leading car reviews website, receiving more than 1.4 million unique users a month, viewing a total of more than 5.5 million pages. This year marks the fifth year of the Carbuyer’s awards, with the awards being based on the 20 biggest questions asked by consumers. 

The full list of winners at the latest carbuyer awards ceremony cover most segments.

Carbuyer.co.uk revealed the winners of its Best Cars 2017 at London’s Curzon Bloomsbury Cinema on Wednesday. A total of 20 category winners were named and the main prize of Carbuyer Best Car for 2017 went to the new Peugeot 3008.

The Carbuyer Best Car awards celebrate the very best cars in a number of different categories.  

As the only Plain English awards in the business, the categories are defined by the questions in-market car buyers ask and the language they use. 

That means you’re more likely to find an award for ‘best first car’ or ‘best road-tax-free car’ than you are for ‘best compact executive’.

The awards are driven by the website’s popular Best Cars section, which now accounts for more than 10% of its total traffic. They’re underpinned by relentless analysis of every new car on sale today and also appear in the Carbuyer print magazine.

The brand-new Peugeot 3008 was named overall winner thanks to an unbeatable combination of chic styling, efficient engines, excellent practicality and a stunning interior. The 3008 also took the award for Best SUV.

Carbuyer editor Stuart Milne said: “Repositioning the 3008 as a more conventional SUV was a masterstroke, meaning Peugeot has introduced a brilliant car at a time when the SUV market is booming. There’s so much for 3008 owners to enjoy, from that gorgeous interior, to a smooth driving experience and Peugeot’s clever i-Cockpit digital instrument display.”

David Peel, managing director at Peugeot UK, commented: “This is fantastic news. The Peugeot 3008 SUV has so many appealing features and for it to receive this Carbuyer Car of the Year 2017 accolade ahead of its arrival in the UK is perfect. It sets the tone that we have a winner on our hands and I have no doubt our customers are going to love driving it, too.”

The awards were announced by Carbuyer’s on-screen presenters James Batchelor and Ginny Buckley. Batchelor commented: “Carbuyer is known for its great videos and we felt holding the event at one of London’s iconic cinemas would be ideal.”

Winners in each category are chosen based on their star rating out of five by members of the dedicated road-test team, who mark them on running costs, comfort, practicality, reliability and safety, as well as performance, engines, price, value for money and optional extras. This rating means it’s quick and easy for consumers to compare cars like for like, and choose the one most suitable for them.

Carbuyer Best Cars 2017

Car of the Year: Peugeot 3008

Best SUV: Peugeot 3008

Best first car: Skoda Citigo

Best small car: Skoda Fabia

Best family car: Vauxhall Astra

Best used car: Kia Cee'd

Best automatic car: SEAT Leon

Best seven-seater: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

Best hybrid: Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

Best electric car: Renault ZOE

Best car for under £150 a month: Skoda Yeti

Best estate car: Skoda Superb Estate

Best car for under £10,000: Ford Ka+

Safest new car: Alfa Romeo Giulia

Best road-tax-exempt car: Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Best hot hatchback: Ford Focus ST

Most reliable car: Lexus IS

Best economical car: Toyota Prius

Best convertible: Audi A3 Cabriolet

Best car that’s cheap to insure: Hyundai i10

Best pickup: Mitsubishi L200