Popular UK magazine Auto Express has revealed its best new cars of 2010. It has named the Skoda Yeti as its Car of the Year.
And in what was a huge evening for Skoda, the Yeti also claimed the inaugural 'Crossover' category title. The Superb claimed two further awards for Skoda, for Best Family Car and Best Estate Car. And Skoda made it five when it also took the 'Driver Power Award' for best reliability and owner satisfaction.
Peugeot’s exciting new RCZ first claimed the Best Coupe Award, beating the Audi TT in the process. Then it won the award for Best Design.
Audi celebrated winning Performance Car award with its R8 V10, while the Special Award was presented to Nissan for its new Leaf electric car, which goes on sale next spring.
BMW was also a multiple winner with its new 5-Series as best Executive Car, and 3-Series best Compact Executive Car and Best Convertible. In addition, the MINI has been named Best Premium Supermini.
There were notable first wins for Korean brands Hyundai (i10 - best City Car ) and Kia (Venga - best Supermini-MPV ). The Venga, Kia's new B-segment MPV, has fought off strong established competition to win the title of Best Supermini-MPV.
Land Rover also celebrated wins with the Freelander (best Compact SUV ) and Discovery (best Large SUV ).
Person of the Year was Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, chief executive of Bentley Motors, for his contribution to both Bentley and the wider UK motor industry. Dr Paefgen took control of the Crewe car company in 2002, since when it has gone from strength to strength.
Commenting on Skoda’s achievement, Auto Express editor in chief, David Johns, said: “The result is a reflection of just how far Skoda has come and how good its cars now are. They have always represented fantastic value for money, but increasingly they have come to stand for great quality, driveability, and reliability.
“The Yeti, in particular, just blew our judges away. It is a car that combines the best of a family hatchback with the looks and go-anywhere ability of an SUV. Two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, it is a car that is truly worthy of being our Car of the Year.”
