Motor Awards 2024: The best cars of the year revealed
The best of the best, from affordable runarounds to six-figure dream cars
Forget the European or World Car of the Year, these are the gongs that really matter: The Times and Sunday Times Motor Awards 2024.
This website’s writers have joined forces with the our motoring colleagues at The Sunday Times Magazine, Times Luxx and The Sun to pick the best new models in categories from city cars to sports cars, family SUVs to hot hatches. Special thanks go to our friends at Car Enthusiast for so many of Driving.co.uk’s first rate reviews, and for helping pull together our shortlisted cars once again this year — it really is a team effort.
Click on the images below to read what made each model a winner.
Car of the Year: Porsche Macan EV
The electric Porsche Macan is being launched alongside the existing petrol model but it’s a considerably more modern machine, with new underpinnings including rear-wheel steering and four-wheel drive, along with trick torque-vectoring and optional air suspension. It’s also rip-roaring quick, with 0-62mph being dispatched in 5.2 seconds for the Macan, or a face-stretching 3.3 seconds if you go for the 630bhp Macan Turbo (Porsche here employing its definition of “turbo” to mean a version with “a little bit extra”, rather than one with, you know, a turbocharger).
It has a sleeker coupé-like design that helps maximise how far it’ll travel per charge (up to 380 miles, officially) and three large digital screens bringing the cabin bang up to date. It’s roomier, too, thanks to the clever electric underpinnings. Importantly, the new Macan EV retains that distinctive Porsche feel and engagement from behind the wheel, so despite the zero emissions powertain this is still very much a Porsche.
Read the Driving.co.uk review here
Family Car of the Year: Renault Scenic
The new Renault Scenic reintroduces a beloved nameplate but in a very modern guise: it’s an electric SUV that combines excellent use of space with zero emissions power and boasts an excellent battery range, all at a price that is in reach of many families. Tech flourishes such as its clever solarbay panoramic roof are the icing on the cake. Read our review here.
Commended cars in this category:
- Vauxhall Astra
- VW Golf
- Fiat 600
- Skoda Octavia
Value Car of the Year: Dacia Duster
The new Dacia Duster is not just about low prices: it’s a car that presents exceptional value for money. With prices starting at under £20,000, despite another leap in quality, technology and sophistication, it’s a package that is so good that Chinese automotive CEOs will be rubbing their eyes in disbelief. Read our review here.
Commended cars in this category:
- Dacia Spring
- Suzuki Swift
- Kia Picanto
- Citroen e-C3
City/ Small Car of the Year: Kia Picanto
The little Picanto has matured superbly over three generations, and the latest facelift brings it right up to date. It’s most at home in a city but has enough refinement and technology to prevent motorway trips from being a chore, all while adding a large dose of fun into the mix. It’s a car that really did bring a smile to our judges’ faces.
Commended cars in this category:
- Renault Clio E-Tech
- Mini Cooper SE
- Suzuki Swift
- Renault 5
Small SUV/ Crossover of the Year: Kia EV3
Kia clearly knows how to do small cars. It also knows how to do electric vehicles, and this latest addition to its growing line-up offers Tardis-like interior space along with sophisticated electrical engineering (it has a range of up to 375 miles). Prices start at under £33,000, too.
Commended cars in this category:
- BMW X2
- Jeep Avenger
- Mini Countryman
- Volvo EX30
Mid-sized SUV of the Year: Volvo EX40
The Goldilocks of SUVs, these types of cars are now the most sought after vehicles for families across Britain – aspirational and practical. The Volvo EX40 ticks all the boxes, in terms of space, refinement, technology, efficiency, eco-credentials and driving manners.
Commended cars in this category:
- BMW X5
- Audi Q6 e-tron
- Polestar 4
Large SUV of the Year: Skoda Kodiaq
The Skoda Kodiaq is a car that has always impressed and has been given an excellent overhaul for its second generation this year. Our judges liked its roomier interior, excellent mix of screens and old-school switchgear, and the manufacturer’s trademark “simply clever” touches throughout. Read our review here.
Commended cars in this category:
- Kia EV9
- Volkswagen Touareg
- Rolls-Royce Cullinan
- BMW X7
- Volvo EX90
Dog-friendly Car of the Year: Skoda Superb Estate
Skoda takes dog-owning very seriously, as the title sponsor of Crufts and with plenty of options packs for pet pooches. There’s even a Spotify playlist designed to reduce doggie anxiety while in transit. The Superb Estate easily has enough boot space for even the largest mutts, and its low boot sill makes jumping in and out easy. Read our review here.
Commended cars in this category:
- Mini Countryman
- Land Rover Defender
- Genesis Electrified GV70
- Tesla Model Y
Company Car of the Year: BMW 5 Series/ i5
It’s not the sexiest category in any motor awards but for the industry, fleets are massively important. Company cars have to be efficient, reliable and capable of soaking up huge amounts of miles while not wearing out the executive behind the wheel. And they need to make sense on the fleet managers’ balance sheets, too. Step forward the BMW 5 Series and electric i5. Read our BMW i5 review here.
Commended cars in this category:
- Toyota Prius
- Volkswagen ID.7
- Audi A6 e-tron
- Skoda Superb
Used Car of the Year: Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is one of the bestselling new cars of recent years; a disruptor that has arguably helped change the face of motoring. It has cutting edge electrical engineering that means it offers more range-to-cost than almost any other EV out there. And with over-the-air updates, some might argue it actually improves with age, making it a perfect used buy. Read our 2019 Tesla Model 3 review here. (And the newest version here)
Commended cars in this category:
- BMW 3 Series
- Toyota Yaris
- Skoda Octavia
- BMW i3
Hybrid Car of the Year: Nissan Qashqai e-Power
Hybrids are still an excellent choice for many motorists, offering a familiar ownership and refuelling experience. And the technology is coming on leaps and bounds every year.
The Nissan Qashqai e-Power is a perfect example, with the very latest engineering meaning it is pleasing to drive, with responsive acceleration, while also offering exceptional fuel efficiency in a range of driving scenarios. Read our Nissan Qashqai e-Power review here.
Commended cars in this category:
- Kia Sorento
- Porsche 911 GTS
- Honda Civic
- Vauxhall Astra PHEV
Electric Car of the Year: Renault 5
The Renault 5 is arguably the most hotly-anticipated car of the year. Happily, it also turned out to be one of the best cars of the year, too, receiving a five-star review from Will Dron. Its retro-modern looks are head-turning but it backs that up by being superb to drive and one of the best value electric cars now on the market and a range of up to around 255 miles.
Commended cars in this category:
- Mini Cooper SE
- Lotus Emeya
- Alfa Romeo Junior
- Mercedes-Benz G580 EQ
Sports Car of the Year: McLaren Artura Spider
With a cutting edge plug-in hybrid drivetrain, lightweight nimbleness and pin-you-in-your-seat acceleration, the McLaren Artura is a brilliant supercar. The open top of the Spider adds to the drama, offering an enhanced aural experience … which sometimes means whisper quiet zero emissions motoring. Click here for more details and read our review of the hard top Artura here.
Commended cars in this category:
- Ford Mustang
- McLaren 750 S
- Porsche 911 GTS
- Aston Martin Vantage
Hot Hatch of the Year: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
A hot hatch has to be a car that can be used every day, for school runs, shopping trips, family holidays and to take rubbish to the local tip. The electric Ioniq 5 N is a car that can do all that, and yet on a track it’s an absolute blooming riot with sensational performance and control. This is the only car any driving enthusiast will ever need. Read our review of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N here.
Commended cars in this category:
- Cupra Born VZ
- Alfa Romeo Junior
- Abarth 500e
Adventure Car of the Year: Land Rover Defender Octa
The Defender Octa takes an excellent modern off-roader and turns it into a beast, with a mighty V8 under the bonnet, trick suspension and a dynamic driving mode for on-road fun, while offering the same unbeatable off-road ability and wading credentials. Buyers will love its resplendent interior, too — complete with pulsating “Body and Soul” seats. Read more about Octa.
Commended cars in this category:
- Ariel Nomad 2
- Range Rover Sport SV
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Genesis GV70 Snow
Best Designed Car of the Year: Mercedes-AMG GT
There’s so much to love about the Mercedes-AMG GT: it’s brutish and throaty V8 bi-turbo powerplant; its low down driving position; its supremely comfortable interior. But above all else it is quite simply stunning to behold. A beautiful car to drive and be seen in.
Commended cars in this category:
- Bugatti Bolide
- MG Cyberster
- Aston Martin Valour
- Maserati GranTurismo Folgore
Motoring Personality of the Year: Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson has ended his 23-year partnership with Richard Hammond and James May, with their final collaboration being an emotional road trip through Africa for The Grand Tour. What better time to mark his outstanding contribution to motoring than crowning him our hero of the year? Read our interview with Jeremy to mark 30 years of writing for The Sunday Times.
Jeremy couldn’t be at the awards in person so he recorded this video for us:
Manufacturer of the Year: Renault
Renault has spent the last 12 months on a massive product offensive, with two of our award-winning cars in 2024: the Scenic and R5.
Next year we’ll see the launch of the new R4, which could be another hit. And Renault is showing massive confidence with some very cool concept cars of late, and a new battery production facility under construction in northern France. This is a brand very much on a roll.
Legend Car of the Year: Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf celebrates its 50th birthday this year, which made it the obvious choice for our legend award. The family hatchback is still the benchmark against which competitors judge themselves, and the new model, dubbed Mk8.5, reflects feedback from customers and elevates the eighth generation model to the lofty heights expected of a Golf.
Luxury Car of the Year: Ferrari 12Cilindri
Ferrari likes to say what they see with their names, and the 12 Cilindri (pronounced “do-deechee chill-in-dree”) does exactly that, highlighting its 12-cylinder engine under the lengthy bonnet. And why not: it’s the most powerful naturally-aspirated 12-pot ever. It’s looks terrific in the metal, too, aping the classic Ferrari Daytona and with a distinctive delta wing rear window design leading to active aero flaps at the rear. Another work of art from Maranello.
Related articles
- Motor Awards 2023: The best cars of the year
- Motor Awards 2022: The best cars of the year
- Motor Awards 2021: The best cars of the year
- Motor Awards 2020: The best cars of the year
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