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