Volvo XC40 is the Car of the Year

The D4 diesel version of the XC40 beat all the other category winners on the night to take Volvo’s first ever overall What Car? Car of the Year Award.

As well as securing this title, the XC40 was named Family SUV of the Year – a new category for 2018 that was added in response to the huge demand for these high-riding machines. What Car? already had Small, Large and Luxury SUV categories.

What Car? editor Steve Huntingford said: ‘The SUV segment is incredibly competitive, so it’s testament to the brilliance of the XC40 that it stands out. With its mix of comfort and quality, safety and style, it excels in all the areas that are important to buyers.

‘Of course, we were very aware that some people would still consider the XC40 a controversial choice due to the fact the best engine in the range is a diesel. However, our independent True MPG tests prove that this latest engine emits less NOx than plenty of petrols, while offering the low CO2 that made diesels so popular in the first place.

‘Our judging panel refused to be swayed by the anti-diesel hysteria coming from politicians and some of the mainstream press and instead made their decision based purely on the merits of the cars. Our belief is that for many car buyers diesel remains the right economic and environmental choice – and for those that it doesn’t suit, a petrol or electrified alternative is available.

‘The fact is the Volvo XC40 is a stunning achievement and proves to car buyers everywhere that diesels are definitely not dead.’

Volvo is the 19th car manufacturer to win an overall What Car? Car of the Year Award since the inception of the prize in 1978.

Jon Wakefield, Managing Director of Volvo Car UK, said: ‘Winning the overall Car of the Year Award is fantastic – not just for everyone here in the UK, but for Volvo as a global company. The XC40 perfectly showcases the bold new direction Volvo is taking, and brings our class-leading connectivity, semi-autonomous drive technology and innovative storage solutions to the premium family SUV market.’

The XC40 wasn’t the only SUV launched in 2017 to make a big impression on the judges. Seat’s latest offering, the Arona, took the Small SUV of the Year prize, while the Peugeot 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year.

Audi also had a successful night, scooping three awards: Executive Car of the Year with the A4, Coupé of the Year with the TT, and Luxury SUV of the Year with the Q7.

What Car? readers took the opportunity to voice their thoughts on the year ahead, voting Jaguar’s first electric car, the I-pace, the most exciting new car due to be launched in 2018.

And reflecting What Car?’s status as a consumer champion, a new True MPG Award was introduced this year and given to the Suzuki Ignis – the most efficient car the title has ever tested, with an average of 59.6 mpg in real-world driving conditions.

Volvo took another trophy home, after its XC60 won the Safety Award, while Tesla was handed the Technology Award for blazing a trail in the automotive industry with its forward-thinking, innovative mind-set.

lFor more information on the overall Car of the Year for 2018 and the full list of award winners, visit: whatcar.com/awards.

WHAT CAR? CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2018 WINNERS LIST