Independent, highly influential judges from across the continents have voted and collectively awarded Volkswagen the Best Car of the Half Century for its iconic Golf, which was born in 1974 but still looks in fine health today as a sprightly 50-year old. The German firm was thankful to the official judging panel for what it is describing as the “major accolade” it received from Best COTY this week.

The Best Car of the Year- The New Car World Champion 2024 / 2025 went to the Renault 5. The French manufacturer has immediately and enthusiastically responded by expressing its delight at winning what it describes as “the most prestigious award” for its pure-electric supermini which has just gone on sale. After its ground-breaking appearance at The British Motor Show last weekend, it will go on to be one of the undisputed stars of the Paris Motor Show in October.

The Renault 5 also won the Best Electric Car of the Year award from the not-for-profit Best Cars of the Year organisation which has offices and official judging panel members in leading car-producing countries such as the UK, Japan and South Korea.

BYD won the Best Car Line-Up of the Year award, thanks to its Seal saloon/sedan and Seal SUV range within a range. And like Renault, the famously energetic, increasingly ambitious Chinese firm specialising in good quality, sensibly priced products picked up a second gong after winning the Best Car Company of the Year prize. 

“We have secured two major wins at the 2024 Best Cars of the Year Awards,” enthused BYD which describes itself as the world’s largest New Energy Vehicle (NEV) maker.

The MG Cyberster was another star on the Best Cars of the Year stand at The British Motor Show and deservedly won the Best Sports Car of the Year award, not least because it looks like a product in the £100,000/$100,000 league – yet its starting price is nearer half that. 

“We’re honoured to receive such high praise from the Best Cars of the Year judging panel,” MG said. 

The three remaining Best Cars of the Year award winners for 2024/2025 were acknowledged and rewarded for helping to bring some of their all-new, world-class models within the financial reach of car buyers struggling with inflation-busting price rises in the showrooms. 

The Lexus LBX won the Best Value Premium Car of the Year trophy.

The Suzuki Swift collected the Best Affordable Hybrid Car gong.

And the Dacia Spring emerged as the undisputed winner of the Best Bargain Car of the Year prize.