The Parkers New Car Awards are back, with the Ford Fiesta ST clinching victory to become the 2019 Car of the Year.
Beating-off stiff competition from its larger sibling, the all-new Ford Focus, as well as worthy contenders as diverse as the Hyundai Kona Electric, Volkswagen Touareg and Volvo V60, the Fiesta ST took the honours based on its sensational dynamics, snappy styling and design, ease of ownership and compelling PCP finance options.
For their second year, the Parkers New Car Awards were expanded to 18 individual prizes and now include the Best Off-Roader and Best Tow Car categories, with Best Used Car replacing last year’s Best Used Finance.
Also new for 2019 is the People’s Choice Award where Parkers’ readers have made their voices heard about plug-in cars, including which new model they’re most excited about.
Why the Ford Fiesta ST is a winner
Keith Adams, Editor of Parkers.co.uk, said: ‘In the second year of running the New Car Awards, we’re excited to have come up with such an interesting selection of winners. We’ve combined what we know about what our users are viewing on Parkers, with the combined team’s century of editorial expertise. We’re more than happy to have chosen a car that’s so affordable and fun to live with as the Ford Fiesta ST out of a brilliant line-up of entrants.’
He added: ‘The Ford Fiesta ST takes the overall honours because it’s an outstanding car. Not just in terms of driver interaction and enjoyment, which is a given in a modern fast Ford. Neither does it simply win because it’s astonishing value for money, offering more ability for your monthly payments than any other car in its class. No, the Fiesta ST is a landmark car – it’s a sporty model for everyone, which proves that in a world of escalating power outputs and performance figures, less really does equal more. It really is head and shoulders above all of its rivals.’
See all of the winning cars for 2019 at: www.parkers.co.uk/awards
BEST FIRST CAR in association with Planet Rock
WINNER: SEAT Ibiza
Highly recommended:
Ford Fiesta
Skoda Citigo
BEST SMALL FAMILY CAR in association with Mother & Baby
WINNER: Ford Focus
Highly recommended:
Dacia Duster
Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Rifter/Vauxhall Combo Life
BEST LARGE FAMILY CAR in association with Absolute Radio
WINNER: Volvo V60
Highly recommended:
Audi A6 Saloon
BMW X3
BEST SEVEN-SEATER in association with Closer
WINNER: Hyundai Santa Fe
Highly recommended:
Audi Q7
Skoda Kodiaq
BEST LUXURY CAR in association with Today’s Golfer
WINNER: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Highly recommended:
Audi A8
Volkswagen Touareg
BEST ECO CAR in association with Grazia
WINNER: Hyundai Kona Electric
Highly recommended:
Nissan Leaf
Renault Zoe
BEST CAR FOR SUN-SEEKERS in association with Magic Radio
WINNER: Audi A5 Cabriolet
Highly recommended:
Mazda MX-5
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
BEST CAR FOR THRILL-SEEKERS in association with Mustard.co.uk
WINNER: Ford Fiesta ST
Highly recommended:
Alpine A110
Renault Megane RS
BEST COMPANY CAR in association with Fleet News
WINNER: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Highly recommended:
Audi A6 Saloon
Toyota Prius
BEST OFF-ROADER in association with Angling Times
WINNER: Dacia Duster
Highly recommended:
Jeep Wrangler
Toyota Land Cruiser
BEST TOW CAR in association with Your Horse
WINNER: Volkswagen Touareg
Highly recommended:
Land Rover Discovery
SsangYong Musso
BEST VAN in association with Commercial Fleet
WINNER: Volkswagen Crafter
Highly recommended:
Ford Transit Custom
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
BEST PICKUP in association with MCN
WINNER: Mitsubishi L200
Highly recommended:
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
Volkswagen Amarok
BEST NEW CAR FINANCE SCHEME in association with Mustard.co.uk
WINNER: Mazda
Highly recommended:
Skoda
Volvo
BEST SAFETY AWARD in association with Mother & Baby
WINNER: Waze
Highly recommended:
Euro NCAP
Hyundai Nexo active safety system
BEST CAR TECH INNOVATION in association with CAR
WINNER: BMW electric car induction charging
Highly recommended:
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with MBUX and MB ProConnect
SEAT Alexa in-car integration
BEST USED CAR in association with Parkers Used Cars for Sale
WINNER: Ford Fiesta (2008-2017)
Highly recommended:
Fiat 500 (2008 on)
Volkswagen Golf (2013 on)
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
WINNER: Volkswagen I.D. Neo
Highly recommended:
Audi E-Tron
Tesla Model 3