what-car-awards-2023-the-best-cars-on-sale-today

It’s fair to say that cars have improved in virtually every way since the day in 1973 when What Car? was first published.&nbsp;

However, the gap between the best and the worst models remains as&nbsp;large as ever in most classes, making the annual <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/new-car-awards">What Car? Car of the Year Awards</a> as important as ever.

Presented at a packed event at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in central London on Thursday evening, the awards are the culmination of 12 months of rigorous testing, during which we drove hundreds of new and updated models both on the road and at our private test track.

Each class features not only a winner but also some alternatives that you might want to consider. Let’s see what's on the list.

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile – PCP costs listed are per month

See what we recommend in each class, plus the overall Car of the Year

Hatchback

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

JAZZ

Model: 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid SR

The mini-MPV shape of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/jazz/hatchback/review/n17343">Honda Jazz</a> gives it one of the most spacious interiors in its class. The generous 304-litre boot beats the Ford Fiesta’s by swallowing five carry-on suitcases, and folding the rear seats down creates a large and flat load area. Inside, the controls are made up of quality soft-touch plastics, and the buttons and rotary controls are well damped. 

Our favourite trim, SR, includes part-leather upholstery, front and rear parking sensors and a bigger, better infotainment screen than on the entry-level SE. The Jazz is a petrol-electric hybrid, and all versions have a 1.5-litre petrol engine that works with two electric motors. &nbsp;Our winner is a bit more expensive to buy outright than its rivals, but many of them have increased in price in the past year, so the difference isn’t huge. 

List price £22,795 Target Price £21,977 Target PCP £252

Runners-up: Dacia Sandero, Ford Fiesta, Mini Electric

Best small car: Honda Jazz

CIVIC

Model: 2.0 e:HEV Sport

All versions of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n82">Honda Civic</a>&nbsp;(apart from Type R hot hatch) now have fuel-saving hybrid technology which leads to excellent economy: we got 49.9mpg overall in a recent test, and the car can travel short distances on electricity alone. Out on the road though performance is sprightly, and good grip levels means you can negotiate winding roads with confidence.

Inside, the Civic’s interior stands out for being easier to use than most rivals, with proper knobs and switches for key controls like the climate control. Soft touch materials and attractive trim finishers lift the interior. There’s plenty of legroom and the 400-litre boot trumps those of rivals, and equipment is generous. Overall the model is well equipped, economical and great to drive.

List price £31,795 Target Price £31,487 Target PCP £395

Runners-up: Skoda Scala, Skoda Octavia, BMW 1 Series

Best family car: Honda Civic

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

Model: 1.6 T-GDi

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i20/hatchback/review/n23338">Hyundai i20 N</a> harks back to the old days when hot hatches kept costs low and enjoyment high, but there’s plenty more to it than its low price. For starters there’s a 201bhp turbocharged engine that helps the car to 62mph in just 6.2sec. It also sounds great as you climb the rev range, and the excellent shift action of the manual gearbox will make you look forward to every change.

It's easier to drive close to its limits unlike the Ford Fiesta ST and on a winding road you can take full advantage of the excellent body control and grip on offer. Its steering is precise and well-weighted, giving you plenty of feedback. Interior quality could be better it’s true, but it’s more civilised than the Fiesta ST and would be just fine to commute in; when the mood strikes you it will put a smile on your face.

List price £25,750 Target Price £25,198 Target PCP £351

Runners-up: Volkswagen&nbsp;Golf R, Mercedes-AMG A45 S Plus

Best hot hatch: Hyundai i20 N

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

T-ROC

Model: 1.0 TSI 110 Life

A recent facelift has made the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-roc/hatchback/review/n17376">Volkswagen T-Roc</a> a much better car; its exterior was tweaked, trim levels revised and it finally gained the interior quality it needed. In many ways the T-Roc is better value than before since a cheaper version gets you a much better interior than before. As a result the entry-level Life version is our favourite, and the cheapest 109bhp petrol engine is also a gem: yes it’s not exactly swift, but has plenty of low-down pulling power and it’s quieter than the Ford Puma.

It's practical, and the T-Roc can handle a pushchair with no drama; there are plenty of user-friendly touches such as an adjustable boot floor – and rear legroom is generous. A few rivals have tricks up their sleeves, but the T-Roc’s all-round talent wins this category.

List price £26,080 Target Price £25,137 Target PCP £257

Runners-up: Audi Q2, Dacia Duster, Ford Puma

Best small SUV: Volkswagen T-Roc

Estate

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

SPORTAGE

Model: 1.6 T-GDi 3 

Although mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are available, we favour the entry-level petrol version <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/review/n17352">Kia Sportage</a> as offering the best value – especially as it’s not much less economical to run. The Sportage strikes an ideal balance between agility and comfort, rounding off potholes better than rivals like the Hyundai Tucson and is very comfortable overall. &nbsp;

The Sportage also has one of the best interiors in its class, mixing practicality with style. It looks and feels smarter than mainstream rivals, while head and leg room are generous – and the boot is large. Entry-level 2 trim is just fine but we recommend spending a bit more to get to 3 as this gives you useful kit like heated seats and steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and a large curved display.

List price £32,000 Target Price £30,697 Target PCP £358

Runners-up: &nbsp;Skoda Karoq, Genesis GV70, Land Rover Defender 90

Best family SUV: Kia Sportage

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2023-kia-ev9-electric-suv-revealed-new-pictures-and-full-details/n23782">Kia EV9</a> gathered more than twice as many votes as our second-placed car, showing just how big the appetite is for this all-electric SUV. It helps that the EV9 looks like it could

have driven straight off the set of Star Trek, with angular lines, razor-thin LED lights and tough plastic cladding around its lower edges. That design isn’t expected to change on the road to production, although the concept car’s door-mounted rear-view cameras are expected to be dropped in favour of conventional side mirrors. &nbsp;We hope to see the car on the road in 2023.

Runners-up: Volvo EX90, Lotus Eletre

Readers’ Choice award: Kia EV9

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

Model: 450h+ Premium Pack

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/nx/estate/review/n132">Lexus NX</a>&nbsp;may be the brand's first plug-in hybrid, but it’s an exceptionally good one. An electric-only range of 43 miles is very competitive in this class and helps put the car in a lower company car tax bracket than most rivals. Plug it in regularly and you could see much lower petrol costs – admittedly offset right no by unusually high electricity prices. But even on petrol alone the car will get you close to 40mpg.

As for the rest of the driving experience, the NX has a smoother ride than both the BMW X3 and Volvo&nbsp;XC60 and is very nearly as agile as the former, with much better body control than the XC60.&nbsp;Inside, the NX is luxuriously appointed and comfortable, with plush materials and rich colours available in abundance. The whole package is rounded off by a generous warranty and the reassurance of the brand’s unparalleled reliability record. 

List price £53,000 Target Price £52,645 Target PCP £716

Runners-up: Range Rover Sport P440e, Audi A3 40 TFSIe, Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 T-GDi

Best plug-in hybrid: Lexus NX

MG has a long heritage in the UK, and while these days it is owned by Chinese firm SAIC, it is slowly but surely beefing up its model range.

Kicking things off is the MG 3, a rival for affordable hatchbacks such as the Dacia Sandero and Skoda Fabia. Then there’s the ZS small SUV, which faces off against the likes of the Renault Captur and Seat Arona. And at the top of the range is the GS, which goes up against Dacia’s Duster and the Ssangyong Tivoli.

While any future MG products are likely to be introduced in China before coming to the UK, design work is still undertaken in the UK. MG’s design studio is based at Longbridge, where the brand made its name with models such as the MGB GT.

MG MOTOR UK

Model: SE

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg4/hatchback/review/n24916">MG 4 EV</a> is similar in size to the Cupra Born and Volkswagen&nbsp;ID 3 – but undercuts both by £10,000. In fact it’s cheaper than smaller cars like the Peugeot e-208. But this doesn’t demand compromises; our preferred entry-level SE version gives an official range of 218 miles and can be replenished to 80% in around 37 minutes. True, the Born and ID 3 can go further, but MG also offers a Long Range model that offers a 281-mile range – and is still cheaper. 

While not as nice as the Born to drive, it’s still decent enough with plenty of grip and little body lean in corners. It rides pretty well, while performance is brisk and the brakes are smooth. The MG 4 is competitive when it comes to space, too, with more rear leg room than you’ll find in the Megane E-Tech and a bigger boot than you get in the e-208 and Zoe. 

List price £26,995 Target Price £26,995

Runners-up: Fiat 500 Electric, Cupra Born

Best small electric car: MG 4 EV

ID.BUZZ

Model: Style 

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/idbuzz/mpv/review/n24946">Volkswagen ID Buzz</a> uses the same underpinnings as the VW ID 4 and Audi Q4 e-tron from sister brand Audi, which brings some major benefits. The heavy battery is positioned low down helping it to be much more stable, handling more like a premium SUV than an MPV. Steering is accurate and well-weighted, while the suspension takes the sting out&nbsp;of bumps around town, while also feeling very settled on faster roads.

Though not as efficient as a Tesla Model 3, we reckon the Buzz’s 255-mile official range is still more than enough for most people’s needs, and the Buzz blitzes the Model 3 when it comes to practicality – surely one of the main reasons for choosing a ‘large’ electric car. True, £60k is a lot of money, but the impact of this is softened by the Buzz’s outstanding predicted resale values which means competitive PCP deals are to be had.

List price £61,915 Target Price £61,915 Target PCP £707

Runners-up: Mercedes-Benz EQE, BMW i7

Best large electric car: Volkswagen ID Buzz

Reliability rating: 98.4%

There are three reasons why the luxury brand owned by Toyota tops our reliability ratings for the sixth consecutive year: its cars rarely go wrong, when they do its technicians fix them swiftly, and any repairs needed are usually free. Overall, only 6% of the Lexus models we were told about suffered faults, and most of those were minor. The majority could still be driven and 69% were repaired in a day or less. The problems that were reported affected&nbsp;six areas: air conditioning, infotainment system, interior trim, 12-volt battery, bodywork and suspension. 

The most durable model of all was the CT family hatchback, with a reliability rating of 99.3%. &nbsp;The IS is the most reliable executive car you can buy, while in the larger SUV classes Lexus also performs well. The UX family SUV scored an excellent 99.0% rating, while the RX is one of the best luxury SUVs, gaining a score of 96.6%.

2nd: Toyota – 97.2%

3rd: Mitsubishi – 97.0%

Reliability award: Lexus

Saloon

Tesla is a US brand&nbsp;that revolutionised&nbsp;the car industry, putting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> in the limelight&nbsp;for the first time – helped by the personality and profile of boss Elon Musk.

Today, Tesla has a broader&nbsp;line-up than ever, with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> saloon&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Tesla Model Y</a> SUV the company's cheapest models. For those with bigger budgets or a need for more space, there's the larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a> saloon and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla&nbsp;Model X</a> SUV.&nbsp;A&nbsp;new Roadster, complete with supercar-beating acceleration, is also in the works.

&nbsp;

TESLA

MODEL 3

Model: RWD

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> ticks every executive car box and then some. For a start, even this entry-level model has more than enough oomph thanks to the instant response of its electric motor. Its quick steering also always puts you in mind that you’re driving something sportier than your run-of-the-mill four-door saloon, even if ultimately it’s not as rewarding as the 3 Series. 

In this class, only the Skoda Superb can match the Model 3’s appetite for luggage, each&nbsp;swallowing 10 carry-on suitcases in total. With the Model 3 you gain access to Tesla’s widespread Supercharger network via a Tesla account, and the car’s sat-nav can&nbsp;automatically schedule stops along your route, so you don’t have to plan each trip. The improved battery of this latest rearwheel- drive Model 3 increases the official range to 305 miles. 

List price £42,990 Target Price £42,990 Target PCP £659

Runners-up: Mercedes C-Class, Skoda Superb

Best executive car: Tesla Model 3

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

SUPERB

If you need to carry four adults and a big stack of luggage from place A to place B, nothing is&nbsp;better suited than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/estate/review/n17344">Skoda Superb Estate</a>. It’s the right tool for the job. The Superb beats three extremely talented nominees to the Best Estate Car title, simply because it’s the best at being an estate. If you’ve elected to buy one instead of a saloon or hatchback, you’re likely to have made that decision on the basis of practicality, and the Superb beats all comers in that regard.

But don’t go thinking the Superb is in any way utilitarian, because it’s an extremely civilised&nbsp;way to travel. The interior quality is excellent and It’s almost unbelievably spacious. The Superb allows adults in the rear to stretch out, limo-style. The all-round ability of the Superb is strong – and the entry-level 1.5-litre petrol is all you need, and its 42.7mpg overall economy means it won’t cost a fortune to run. &nbsp;Meanwhile the SE L comes with all the kit you need including an electrically operated tailgate.

List price £34,665 Target Price £32,892 Target PCP £413*

Runners-up: MG5 EV, BMW 320i Touring, BMW 5 Series Touring

Best estate car: Skoda Superb Estate

SANTA FE

Model: 1.6 T-GTDi Hybrid 4WD Premium

You’ll want the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/santa-fe/4x4/review/n68">Hyundai Santa Fe</a> for more than just its practicality. For a start, its interior is reasonably upmarket. You get heated leather front seats and plenty of gadgets including a 10.3in infotainment touchscreen, wireless phone charging and adaptive cruise control even in the cheapest Premium trim. The front two rows of seats will take six-footers easily, and even the third row is generous enough for two good-sized adults too. 

The middle-row seatbacks drop at a push of a button, and can also be slid back and forth. On the road, it manages its bulk well and it’s brisk too. Hyundai has an excellent reliability record, and safety-wise it scored the full five stars in the Euro NCAP test.

List price £44,465 Target Price £42,843 Target PCP £555

Runners-up: Dacia Jogger, Peugeot E-Rifterm BMW X7

Best seven-seater: Hyundai Santa Fe

MODEL Y

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Tesla Model Y</a> is the highest-scoring car tested by Euro NCAP since 2020. It scored almost 100% for adult occupant safety, and scores so well because its automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control systems are so well tuned and can spot dangers very early. 

2nd: Smart #1

3rd: Mercedes-Benz EQE

Best for safety: Tesla Model Y

Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout that has seen service in war zones across the world, but also as part of the Queen’s personal garage.

If off-road prowess is one of Land Rover’s core values, though, the other is luxury. Indeed, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar are among the best luxury SUVs you can buy.

The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque (which is available as a three-door convertible as well as a traditional SUV) goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.

In the coming years, we’ll see a new road-biased ‘Road Rover’ as well as an all-new Defender.

LAND ROVER

RANGE ROVER

Model: P440e Dynamic SE

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-sport/4x4/review/n74">Range Rover Sport</a> pampers its driver with a 20-way adjustable seat, which naturally is heated, along with three of the passenger seats. You’re surrounded by plush materials too, many shared with the notably more expensive Range Rover, and there’s great attention to detail from the stitching on the leather to the chrome detailing. On the road, the Sport is quieter than a BMW X5, and its standard air suspension soothes over bumps but doesn’t have the floaty aspect that blights some cars so equipped.

The P440e has an electric motor than allows a near-silent zip away from the lights, and when it joins forces with the 3.0-litre petrol engine you get 434bhp and 0-62mph in 5.8sec. The £5530 Stormer Pack brings four-wheel steering that reduces the turning circle at low speed. The plug-in hybrid system means trips to the pumps might be rare: the car has an official electric range of 70 miles, while its BMW X5 rival can only muster 54 miles, which means lower company car tax to pay.&nbsp;

List price £87,530 Target Price £87,530 Target PCP £933

Runners-up: Bentley Bentayga, BMW i7

Best luxury car: Range Rover Sport

GENESIS

GV60

Model: RWD Premium

With its first electric SUV this South Korean brand has nailed it; true it’s based on the Kia EV6, but this is no badge-engieered special. Quality is superior to the EV6 and its other sibling the Hyunbdai Ioniq 5, and you’ll find quilted leather seats, suede headlining and an eclectic mixture of interior colour schemes. The rear seats are supportive and well shaped,&nbsp;and they can be reclined if your passengers want to have a nap on a long journey. They shouldn’t get woken mid-snooze, either, because the GV60 is noticeably more refined&nbsp;than the Ioniq 5 and EV6. 

The suspension strikes an impressive balance between comfort and control, and you’ll hear less road and wind noise when cruising at motorway speeds. That bolsters our winner’s credentials as a long-distance cruiser, as does our preferred rear-wheel-drive version’s official 321-mile range. For comparison, the entry-level Tesla Model Y can officially do 283 miles. The GV60 can charge quicker, too, with a maximum rate of 239kW versus the Model Y&nbsp;RWD’s 170kW. That means it can be topped up from 10-80% in as little as 18 minutes. 

List price £53,905 Target Price £53,905 Target PCP £671

Runners-up: BMW iX, BMW iX3, MG ZS EV

Best electric SUV: Genesis GV60

Model: RWD

Assuming you charge at home, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> RWD’s efficiency of 4.0 miles/kWh means it will cost you significantly less to run than even the best petrol and diesel cars. That figure was achieved when we took the Model 3 to our private test track, fully charged the battery and then drove a simulated route at varying speeds until it died. It’s fairly small 57.5kWh battery gave it a range of 230 miles – more than rivals with larger batteries.

List price £42,990 Target Price £42,990 Target PCP £659

Runners-up: &nbsp;Toyota Yaris Cross, Audi A4

Best for efficiency: Tesla Model 3 

Coupe

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

4 SERIES

Model: 420i M Sport (Pro Pack)

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/4-series/coupe/review/n62">BMW 4 Series</a> will tackle any corner more enthusiastically than its Audi A5 and Mercedes C-Class and its enormous fun to hustle along a winding road. We recommend the M Sport Pro Pack, as its adaptive suspension gives the car exceptional body control and, when needed, a comfortable ride. The muted engine note isn’t as fruity as the Audi TT’s but suits the 4 Series’ more grown-up feel well. Inside, it’s very similar to the 3 Series, which is a big plus point, because it means you get first-rate materials and the same fantastic infotainment system. 

All in, the 4 Series is such a great all-rounder that it’s even good at many of the things coupés don’t traditionally do well. Its various abilities mean that, for three years in a row now, no other model has been able to steal its crown in this category. That really is a rare and impressive achievement.

List price £45,200 Target Price £42,452 Target PCP £473

Runners-up: Audi TT, Cupra Formentor, Bentley Continental GT

Best coupe: BMW 4 Series Coupé

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

CAYMAN

It speaks volumes that the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/cayman/coupe/review/n17361">Porsche 718 Cayman</a> has claimed our Sports Car of the Year award for three years in a row. How has it held onto the throne for so long? Well, where its rivals are specialists in one or two areas, the Cayman manages to be a master of all things, especially in GTS guise. This version has a glorious 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine that’s naturally aspirated and produces 395bhp.

This powerhouse allows 0-62mph in just 4.5sec while bathing you in a wondrous noise. The Cayman impresses just as much, if not more, when you approach a corner; it’ll outperform almost anything else through the twisties. &nbsp;And yet, despite its sporting focus, the Cayman can still serve as a comfortable daily driver, while its interior is beautifully built from top-quality materials and the driving position is spot on.

List price £70,770 Target Price £70,770 Target PCP na

Runners-up: Mazda MX-5, Audi R8

Best sports car: Porsche 718 Cayman

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

PUMA

Model: 1.5 Ecoboost 200 Performance Pack

The small yet mighty <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n22293">Ford Puma ST</a> has vanquished all comers this year because it can do a fair percentage of the things that rivals can do but for a fraction of the price. &nbsp;Few cars are as much fun when the road gets tight and twisty; it weighs much less than pretty much anything in the clas, making it nimble through corners. Its firm suspension gives excellent body control, and the steering is wonderfully accurate. 

We like the fact that its 197bhp power isn’t overwhelming, because it allows you to rev the engine hard through the gears without the fear that you’re about to be relieved of your licence. The six-speed manual gearbox is another feather in the ST’s cap, with a short, precise shift action that’s enjoyable to use. When not hooning, you still have a car that’s cheap to run and easy to drive around in every day, as long as you don’t mind a firm low-speed ride. 

List price £32,350 Target Price £30,449 Target PCP £330*

Also consider: Porsche Cayenne Coupe, Aston Martin DBX 707

Best sports SUV: Ford Puma ST 

The Theatre Screen is a 31in display that hangs behind the front seats of the new <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i7/saloon/review/n25141">BMW i7</a> electric luxury car (and the regular 7 Series). It swings down from the ceiling – electrically, of course – and presents its content in gloriously sharp 8K ultra-high definition.

2nd: Mercedes – Digital Light

Using projectors, this can place guide lines right onto the road in front of you, to make&nbsp;sure you don’t wander out of your lane, or symbols to warn you about potential hazards in your vicinity – a school, for example, or pedestrians in your path.

3rd: Porsche – Variable Light Control

Best Technology: BMW i7 Theatre Screen

Sports

Model: 420 I M Sport (Pro Pack)

Sharing its underpinnings with the class-leading 4 Series Coupé, this drop-top is far more than a boulevard cruiser. With terrifically precise steering and little of the body flex that can affect convertibles on uneven roads, its feels more agile and fun to drive than rivals like the Ford Mustang and Mercedes C-Class and E-Class cabriolets. And with the adaptive suspension of the M Sport Pro Pack you can stiffen or soften the ride to suit your style of driving.

Usability is another <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/4-series/sports/review/n173">BMW 4 Series Convertible</a> strength, with more rear seat space (roof up) than most other four-seat droptops, plus a boot that’s capable of swallowing more than just a soft overnight bag or two. Although the six-cylinder engines that power pricier versions are lovely things, our pick of the line-up is the entry-level 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol, because it offers gutsy&nbsp;enough performance to meet most buyers’ needs while keeping running costs sensible.

List price £50,400 Target Price £45,843 Target PCP £539

Runners-up: Fiat 500C Electric, Lexus LC Convertible

Best convertible: BMW 4 Series Convertible

TAYCAN

Model: 4S

The electric nature of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/taycan/estate/review/n22960">Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo</a> isn’t just used to serve up driving thrills; it enhances them. In a petrol-engined performance car, there’s often a slight delay between pressing the accelerator pedal and the car reacting. In the Cross Turismo, it’s as fast as flicking a switch. Indeed, you’re likely to need to give your passengers a warning before you bury your foot to the floor, such is the force that pushes you back into your seat.

The heavy Cross Turismo controls its body movements well through corners, despite&nbsp;having a slightly taller ride height than the regular Taycan. In fact, flip the drive mode dial&nbsp;into Sport and it feels tailor-made for British B-roads, bounding along like a greyhound.&nbsp;Assured handling, feelsome brakes and more grip than any buyer will have reasonable&nbsp;need for contribute to making the Cross Turismo an excellent cross-country sprinter.&nbsp;Our preferred 4S version comes with an upgraded battery, giving it an official range of up to 304 miles. 

List price £91,055 Target Price £91,055 Target PCP na

Runners-up: BMW M240i, Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Best performance car: Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

The What Car? Car of the Year for 2023 is the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/idbuzz/mpv/review/n24946">Volkswagen ID Buzz</a>. Like other category winners, it triumphed only after proving itself better than all its direct rivals, and therefore a fantastic buy. But the Buzz’s brilliance was a surprise.

Why, well simply there so much affection for the Buzz’s retro design that VW could easily have penny-pinched on the engineering. Instead it’s clearly thrown everything at the car, resulting in a car that combines the practicality of an MPV with the comfort and refinement of a premium SUV, and the low running costs of an EV.

Overall winner: Volkswagen ID Buzz

The huge demand for the model also brings in tangible benefits: rock-solid residual values are leading to competitive PCP finance costs. This is a car you can buy with your head and your heart, moves the game on more than another other new model in the past year, and is a deserving winner.

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<h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/new-car-awards">Read more about the 2023 What Car? Car of the Year Awards winners &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

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