Britain’s best new cars

Recently popular trade journal Auto Express of UK via the June issue announced the finest models in 18 categories and crowned its Car of the Year for 2012. It said today’s models are better to drive, more efficient and greater value than ever, and awards highlight the top buys in 18 categories, from city cars to luxury cars. It also made seven special prizes including, for the first time, a Safety Award as well as the 2012 Car of the Year. Here are the winners

City Car: Skoda Citigo

Commended: Fiat Panda and Hyundai i10

Supermini: Peugeot 208

Commended: Audi A1 and Ford Fiesta

Compact Family Car: BMW 1 Series

Commended: Kia Cee’d and Volkswagen Golf

Family Car: Skoda Superb

Commended: Ford Mondeo and Kia Optima

Five-Seat MPV: Ford C-MAX

Commended: Honda Jazz and Hyundai ix20

Seven-Seat MPV: SEAT Alhambra

Commended: Chevrolet Orlando and Ford S-MAX

Estate Car: Skoda Superb Estate

Commended: Audi A6 Avant and Hyundai i40 Tourer

Crossover: Mazda CX-5

Commended: Audi Q3 and Skoda Yeti

Compact SUV: Range Rover Evoque

Commended: Land Rover Freelander 2 and BMW X3

Large SUV: Land Rover Discovery

Commended: Hyundai Santa Fe and Porsche Cayenne

Hot Hatch: Ford Focus ST

Commended: Renault Megane Renaultsport 265 Cup and Suzuki Swift Sport

Convertible: Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

Commended: Audi A5 Cabriolet and Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

Coupe: Peugeot RCZ

Commended: Audi TT and Bentley Continental GT V8

Roadster: Porsche Boxster

Commended: BMW Z4 and Mazda MX-5

Pick-up: Volkswagen Amarok

Commended: Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux

Compact Executive Car: BMW 3 Series

Commended: Audi A5 Sportback and Citroen DS5

Executive Car: BMW 5 Series

Commended: Audi A6 and Mercedes CLS

Luxury Car: Mercedes S-Class

Commended: Bentley Mulsanne and Range Rover

Performance Car of the Year: Ferrari 458 Italia

Green Award: Vauxhall Ampera

Design Award: Jaguar C-X16

Driver Power Award: Skoda

Safety Award: Prince Michael of Kent

Auto Express Hall of Fame: Andy Palmer

Car of the Year: Skoda Citigo