Peugeot 3008 Car of the Year

The Peugeot 3008, a new kind of car competing in a new category, sensationally walked off with the Car of the Year title at the 33rd annual motoring Oscars the What Car? Awards.

The 3008 is a crossover which blends the looks and high driving position of a 4x4 with elements of a family hatchback and an MPV.

Peugeot wins the treble
It also claimed victory in the new Crossover class introduced by What Car? this year, while the Peugeot 5008 was named best MPV at the glittering event, held at London's Grosvenor House hotel on Park Lane.

What Car? editor Steve Fowler said: 'Crossover cars will be big news in the next few years with people who want the look and feel of a 4x4, but without the financial and environmental costs.

'The 3008 fills that brief perfectly it's got the looks people want, the space they need, it's great to drive, and it's well priced and cheap to run.'

Peugeot UK managing director Jon Goodman said: 'This is a fantastic result for all the Peugeot UK team and its dealer network, coming as it does in the year that the Peugeot brand celebrates its 200th anniversary.

'Both the 3008 and the 5008 will broaden the appeal of the Peugeot brand to customers old and new, and the ultimate endorsement of three What Car? awards will help both new cars to even greater success.'

British-built cars successful, too
Eleven brand new or heavily revised cars unseated 2009 award winners this year.

British honour was upheld by the refreshed Jaguar XF and Land Rover Discovery, which won the Executive and 4x4 categories respectively.

Audi joined Peugeot in picking up three titles, for best Coupe (TT), best Performance Car (R8 V10) and the Security Award.

There were double wins for Volkswagen (Polo and Golf in the Supermini and Small Family Car classes); Mazda, which collected the Family Car and Estate Car prizes with different versions of the Mazda 6; BMW, triumphant in the Open-top class with the Z4 and the Compact Executive category with the 3 Series; and Mercedes-Benz, who won the Safety Award to go with the Luxury Car prize for the updated S-Class.

Finally, Renault dominated the Hot Hatch award with three contenders, and the thrilling Renault Mgane Renaultsport Cup taking the category win.

The Audi A1 won the Reader Award for the most exciting new car of 2010 after an online poll on the What Car? website, whatcar.com.

2010 Roll of Honour

CategoryCar
SuperminiVW Polo 1.4 SE
Small FamilyVW Golf 1.4 TSI SE
FamilyMazda 6
EstateMazda 6
MPVPeugeot 5008
Hot HatchRenault Mgane Renaultsport 250 Cup
CoupAudi TT 2.0 TFSI
Open-topBMW Z4 sDrive23i
PerformanceAudi R8 V10
CrossoverPeugeot 3008 1.6 THP Sport
4x4Land Rover Discovery TDV6 XS
Compact ExecutiveBMW 320d ES
ExecutiveJaguar XF 3.0D V6 Luxury
LuxuryMercedes-Benz S350CDI Blue Efficiency
SecurityAudi
SafetyMercedes-Benz Attention Assist system
Reader AwardAudi A1

CAR OF THE YEARPeugeot 3008 1.6 THP Sport

PREVIOUS WHAT CAR? CAR OF THE YEAR WINNERS
2009Ford Fiesta 1.25i 82 Zetec
2008Jaguar XF 2.7D V6 Luxury
2007Vauxhall Corsa
2006BMW 320d
2005Land Rover Discovery
2004Volkswagen Golf
2003Seat Ibiza
2002Toyota Corolla
2001Ford Mondeo
2000Skoda Fabia
1999Rover 75
1998Land Rover Freelander
1997Renault Mgane Scnic
1996Peugeot 406
1995VW Polo
1994Peugeot 306
1993Ford Mondeo
1992Volkswagen Golf
1991Rover Metro
1990Rover 214 Si
1989Ford Fiesta
1988BMW 735i
1987Renault 21 Savannah
1986Saab 9000 Turbo 16
1985Volkswagen Golf
1984Peugeot 205
1983MG Metro
1982Mercedes 200T
1981Volkswagen Golf
1980Vauxhall Astra
1979Peugeot 305
1978Renault 20