Yahoo News Volvo XC60 wins UK Car of the Year title
The Volvo XC60 has been crowned the UK Car of the Year for 2018. After taking the Best Medium Crossover accolade when the 13 category winners were announced in January, the Volvo beat the 12 other category winners to the overall honour thanks to its combination of refinement, build quality and driving dynamics.
It is the first time that Volvo has won the overall prize at the annual award – now in its fifth year – and the company has gone one better than 2016, when the XC90 was runner-up.
John Challen, director of the UK Car of the Year Awards, said: “The XC60 being crowned UK Car of the Year 2018 is very well deserved, at a time when crossovers are becoming increasingly popular. Having come close in 2016 with the XC90, it’s fantastic to see Volvo now claim the top spot with its smaller – but every bit as impressive – stablemate.”
His fellow director, Alisdair Suttie, added: “The XC60 is everything you ever thought a Scandinavian SUV should be – and more. Magnificent quality, comfort and space.”
Jon Wakefield, managing director at Volvo Car UK, said: “Winning both the overall UK Car of the Year and Best Medium Crossover awards is a fantastic achievement for Volvo. The awards reflect the desirability and sophistication of the XC60 and the elegant design, cutting-edge technology and luxurious equipment levels have proved a big hit with customers.”
Praise for the XC60 was not short in supply from the 27 UK Car of the Year Awards judges. A certain Paul Hudson from The Telegraph said: “The XC60 is all the car you’ll ever need. It’s hard to look beyond its all-round abilities.”
Fellow juror Ian Lynas described the car as “a superb vehicle in its class – one with all the qualities we have now come to expect from Volvo”.
AM Magazine’s Tom Sharpe commented: “Immediately the class act of the already very accomplished Volvo line-up, the new XC60 is the most stylish creation to date from the Swedish brand.”
Tristan Young, editorial director, Auto Retail Network stated: “Not only is the XC60 clearly the best in its sector, it’s also all-round brilliant. It’s comfy, refined, has lovely clean styling inside and out and is good value against its rivals.”
Philip Nothard, head of external relations, at Cox Automotive said: “We are proud to support the UK Car of the Year Awards, judged by 27 of Britain’s most-read motoring journalists who use their expertise to pick out the top performer in 13 vehicle categories. They provide a highly credible verdict for consumers on the best cars on sale in the UK today.”
Full list of UK Car of the Year Awards 2018 winners:
Best supermini: Seat Ibiza
Best small hatchback: Volkswagen Golf
Best family car: Peugeot 3008
Best executive: BMW 5-series
Best luxury: Rolls-Royce Phantom
Best estate: BMW 5-series Touring
Best small crossover: Citroën C3 Aircross
Best medium crossover:Volvo XC60
Best large crossover: Skoda Kodiaq
Best coupé: Lexus LC
Best cabriolet: Mazda MX-5 RF
Best hot hatchback: Hyundai i30 N
Best performance car: Kia Stinger
For more information about the UK Car of the Year Awards, go to ukcoty.co.uk
For tips and advice, visit our Advice section, or sign up to our newsletter here
