[Global Network Comprehensive Report] British authoritative auto media WhatCar announced the list of 2019 car awards on January 22. The awards are designed to select the best cars of various models. Kia e-Niro won the title of “2019 Model of the Year”, becoming the first electric car to win the award.
WhatCar editor Steve Huntingford stated that “The e-Niro stood out because it addresses the key issues of cost and range that have traditionally prevented many motorists from taking the plunge into EV ownership. Here is a spacious and practical family SUV that demands very few compromises.
Last year’s overall car of the year, the Volvo XC40, was recognized once again as the best family SUV on the market. The Skoda Octavia was the best family car choice.
The 2019 awards saw three new categories added: best plug-in hybrid, best sports SUV and best pick-up. The winners were Volvo XC90 T8, SEAT Cupra Ateca, and Volkswagen Amarok.
In 2019, the performance car and the sports car will be selected separately. The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio was named the performance car of the year, while the Renault Alpine A110 won the sports car award. The Reader Award, voted by the British public, marks the model that readers are most looking forward to seeing. The award is awarded to Honda’s Urban EV concept car.
The following is the complete list of WhatCar models of the year 2019:
City car – Kia Picanto
Small car – Volkswagen Polo
Family car – Skoda Octavia
Small SUV – Seat Arona
Family SUV – Volvo XC40
Large SUV – Peugeot 5008
Luxury SUV – Audi Q7
Sports SUV – Cupra Ateca
MPV – Citroën Berlingo
Estate Car – Skoda Superb Estate
Hot Hatch – Honda Civic Type R
Performance Car – Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Electric car-Kia e-Niro
Plug-in Hybrid – Volvo XC90 T8
Pickup-Volkswagen Amarok
Luxury car-BMW 5 Series
Reader Award – Honda Urban EV
Safety Award-Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Technology Award-Hyundai
Car of the Year-Kia e-Niro
(Internship compilation: Jin Wenlu Reviewer: Liu Yang)