Motor Awards 2023: The best cars of the year revealed

A stepchange in quality, efficiency and comfort for Nissan’s larger family SUV, with improved dynamics on and off-road and the new e-Power hybrid system making progress effortless at any speed.

The Dacia Spring is the most affordable EV in Europe but even at £18,000 (est.) British owners won’t feel like they’re missing out on features when it arrives over here next year: air-conditioning and Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto are fitted as standard.

The Vauxhall Corsa is currently Britain’s third most-popular car, thanks to handsome looks, a range of engines, pleasing driving dynamics and affordable prices (from less than £20,000). There’s also an electric model, and a raft of updates this autumn that include a more powerful, longer range Corsa Electric capable of 255 miles. An excellent package for urban motorists.

Volvo’s small electric crossover isn’t just great-looking, high tech and plush inside; it’s also on sale with a range of up to 298 miles per charge. And with prices starting from under £34,000 (for the 213-mile version), it’s likely to clean up in the premium small SUV segment.

Diesel isn’t dead yet. Mazda’s CX-60 e-Skyactiv D proves oil burners can be efficient and clean, and are still the best choice for some motorists – those who tow, particularly. It also features a lovely interior, with plenty of space and is a genuinely premium-feeling machine.

The new version of the Range Rover Sport is like the old one is some ways: handsome exterior with ultra-high quality interior and an astonishing breadth of abilities on and off-road. But under the skin there’s been a revolution, including a much longer electric range from the PHEV. It’s a brilliant bit of kit.

Skoda is taking its dog-owning customers seriously, going as far as to become title sponsor of Crufts, add dog hammocks to the options list and even create a Spotify playlist designed to reduce the anxiety of dogs on car journeys. The Octavia Estate is great for dogs thanks to a low boot sill and acres of space for even the biggest pet pooches.

Electric cars are the most sensible option for company car drivers, thanks to the ultra-low tax. And if you’re a speed demon looking to take the plunge, the EV6 GT is a wild option thanks to a 0-62mph time of just 3.5 seconds. Best not do that too often if you want to get close to the quoted 263-mile range, though.

We may not be able to buy new versions of the Ford Fiesta, after production was ended earlier this year, but it’s a cracking used car buy thanks to arguably the best handling characteristics of any supermini and excellent tech options in the latter versions.

No-one can deny the Christian Horner effect. Under his stewardship the Red Bull Racing team has racked up six constructors’ championships and is set to claim a seventh drivers’ title this year. Horner is an outspoken member of the paddock, and his verbal sparring with Mercedes’ Toto Wolff is very much part of the fun of F1. With the Red Bull chief riding the crest of a wave, 2023 is the perfect time to honour his achievements.

Vauxhall built its first car 120 years ago and is still going strong, now under the ownership of Stellantis. It’s wisely decided to keep the Corsa and Astra nameplates as it transitions to electric power, and made them cracking-looking cars, too — reflected in excellent sales numbers. In considering this gong, we didn’t forget Vauxhall’s investment in its UK van plants, either.

The BMW M2 has always been a little firecracker, and with extra chassis stiffness, an excellent engine and superb manual transmission, the new rear-wheel-drive coupé is on absolutely stunning form once more.

There hasn’t been a bad Honda Civic Type R, but the new model is absolutely one of the best. It’s still got the fabulous handling, poise and drama of the version it replaces but is more grown up and high tech, and better looking to boot. Admittedly, at near-£47,000 the price is punchy, but it’s worth it.

An absolute beast of a car, the Ranger Raptor is not just a go-anywhere pickup… it’s a go anywhere as fast as absolutely possible hooligan of a machine. You get the sense that nothing could stop it. And unlike the previous version, the new car comes with petrol power.

Is it enough to simply say, “just look at it”? [No – Ed.]

Okay… in creating the droptop version of the MC20, all the things we loved about the coupé have been retained while adding fine details such as the really neat folding glass roof mechanism. The best bit, though? Increased exposure to the V6 soundtrack.

The Mercedes SL has an incredible 71-year history, dating back to the 300 SL of 1952. The new Mercedes-AMG SL continues the family name with drop-dead gorgeous looks, three very strong powerplants and superb driving manners. With the Legend award we celebrate the excellent new model as well as the SL’s enviable lineage.

There aren’t many car marques more desirable than Ferrari, and of the current Ferraris the Roma is one of the most lusted after. Give it a canvas roof (five-layered, no less, and foldable at up to 50mph), and somehow it becomes even more gorgeous with no compromise on performance. Excuse us while we sell a kidney.