The shortlist for this year’s UK Car of the Year awards has been announced, ahead of the crowning of the overall winner later this month.

The MG4 claimed the lead in the Best Family segment

The judging panel, comprising 27 motoring journalists from all over the UK and led by Fleet World editor John Challen, chose seven cars from 39 entrants as their class winners. Vehicles will now compete for the category of UK Car of the Year 2023, which will be announced on 10 March.

Categories ranged from Best City Car to Best Crossover to Best Performance and saw Dacia, Lotus and MG scoop their first-ever UK Car of the Year Award victories.

The MG4 fought off rivals in the Best Family segment and the Dacia Jogger was victorious in the Best Large Family category. Finally, the ever-popular Best Performance prize was awarded to the Lotus Emira supercar.

Toyota picked up two category wins; the Aygo X triumphed in the Best City category, while the prize for Best Performance went to the GR86.

The two remaining awards were for crossovers – the fastest-growing area of the UK’s automotive sector. Kia’s Niro was recognised as top of the class within the Best Crossover category, while the Range Rover triumphed in the Large Crossover category.

The UK Car of the Year Awards is run in association with Heycar, which has sponsored the awards since January 2022. CEO Karen Hilton commented: “Last year we saw an amazing range of models launched into the market and it’s fantastic to see them being recognised here. Congratulations to all of the category winners, we can’t wait to find which of the seven models takes the top prize!”

Full list of UK Car of the Year Awards 2023 category winners:
Best City – Toyota Aygo X
Best Family – MG4
Best Large Family – Dacia Jogger
Best Crossover – Kia Niro
Best Large Crossover – Range Rover
Best Coupé – Toyota GR86
Best Performance – Lotus Emira