Nissan has scooped the UK’s Auto Express Car of the Year 2022 with its new electric Ariya – along with the title for best mid-sized company car.
The judges describe it as “a comfortable ride and superb refinement with impressive agility for a big car”.
Auto Express's expert judges say the Ariya won because it is a practical, refined and feature-packed car in general - rather than an EV in particular - signalling another milestone passed in the journey to EVs becoming a mainstream motoring option.
The Ariya is Nissan's second mass-market EV following its pioneering Leaf, arguably the EV that first made electric driving affordable.
Auto Express claims its annual awards are the most customer-focused car awards in the UK, recommending models across categories that are set, like the judging criteria, following research into the wants and needs of real UK buyers.
As well as specific EV category wins, there was success for electric cars in traditional car categories, too. The new electric Fiat 500 scooped the best City Car trophy and the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric was named Best Company Car.
Steve Fowler, editor-in-chief at Auto Express, said: "The new Nissan Ariya is quite simply a fantastic new car – it just so happens to be an EV, too. It’s so cleverly thought through, buyers will find it really easy and enjoyable to live with, while it drives superbly, looks great and is the most premium-feeling Nissan we’ve ever seen.
"Our awards celebrate a whole host of brilliant cars across the entire new-car market, and we salute the manufacturers for producing new cars that are more reliable, safer, more comfortable and more efficient year after year – and still delivering them in the face of ongoing global supply challenges."
Cars of the Year
City Fiat 500
Supermini Renault Clio
Family Dacia Jogger
Estate Skoda Octavia Estate
Small Company Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric
Mid-size Company Nissan Ariya
Large Company BMW 5 Series
Small SUV Kia Niro
Mid-size SUV Hyundai Tucson
Large SUV Skoda Kodiaq
Small Premium SUV Mercedes-Benz GLA
Mid-size Premium SUV Lexus NX
Large Premium SUV Land Rover Defender
Luxury Range Rover
Hot Hatch Hyundai i20 N
Coupé BMW 2 Series
Convertible MINI Convertible
Performance Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Affordable Electric MG ZS EV
Premium Electric BMW i4
Affordable Hybrid Toyota Yaris
Premium Hybrid Mercedes C 300 e
Pick-up Ford Ranger
Electric Van Ford E-Transit
Van Fiat Ducato
Technology Award Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX
Overall Auto Express New Car of the Year Nissan Ariya
