altezza
07-28-2004, 07:35 AM
NEW PANDA IS AUTO EXPRESS CAR OF THE YEAR!
Fiat Auto’s new Panda, which went on sale here at the start of the year, has swept the board at Auto Express magazine’s Annual New Car Honours, coming away not only with top spot in the Budget Car and City Car categories, but also winning the coveted overall supreme honour of Auto Express Car of the Year.
New Panda, voted Car of the Year 2004 by a wide ranging international jury of senior motoring journalists late last year, has already attracted a string of awards from the media, which has been repeatedly impressed by its winning combination of build quality, space, refinement, big car feel, comfort, driving pleasure and value for money. Now comes the ultimate accolade from Britain’s biggest selling weekly car magazine, Auto Express, which was unstinting in its praise:
"It’s not every day that a new model comes along and sets such high standards that many rivals instantly appear obsolete. However that has been the case this year. Despite stiff competition for this coveted award, the Panda stood head and shoulders above its opponents. So what makes it so good? Well, it’s a small car that thinks big, acts tough and puts some zest and fun back into your daily driving.
"Undoubtedly the Italian firm’s best small car since the original Fiat 500 in 1957, the Panda represents a giant leap forward. This is a city car that excels on the open road, and a budget car that feels anything but cheap. The styling is neat and eye-catching, the interior quality impressive and despite extended testing, we couldn’t find any trace of loose or poor quality trim. The cabin is not only spacious, comfortable and attractive, but you feel secure and well protected despite the car’s diminutive size. Nor does this impression fade when you start driving. The Panda is effortlessly easy to drive. Better still is the way it behaves out of town. On motorways it’s as stable and refined as cars costing twice as much, the ride is impressive and along twisting B-roads it feels keen and eager.
"And all this for less than £7000? Packed to the gunnels with character and mature enough to cope with the stresses of British motoring, the Panda is a huge return to form for Fiat."
It is not just the media which has been impressed by new Panda, however, as Fiat Auto’s new supermini is a huge sales success throughout western Europe. In the nine months leading up to the end of June this year, 154,000 had been sold. Over 5000 new Pandas have been sold in less than six months since the vehicle went on sale here in the UK.
In June this year, Fiat Auto’s European market share reached 6.7%, an increase of 7.4% in comparison to June sales last year, while in the first six months of 2004 Fiat Auto’s registrations have increased by 5% in comparison with the same period last year. In the European city car segment, (A), new Panda is at No.1 with 32.2% of the segment. In B segment the Fiat Punto is at No.6, while in the new compact MPV segment, the Fiat Idea is at No.2.
TRAIL-BLAZING NEW GOLF GRABS YET ANOTHER TOP AWARD
Volkswagen’s new Golf has been presented with another top UK award – this time from the best-selling motoring weekly, Auto Express, during its annual New Car Honours. The latest version of Europe’s most popular car charged ahead in the hotly contested Compact Family Car category to beat the previous winner, the Ford Focus, as well as the new Vauxhall Astra.
The award joins the accolade of ‘Best Hatch’ from the BBC Top Gear Awards 2004, as presented by Jeremy Clarkson at an exclusive event in London earlier this year. And it doesn’t stop there: the fifth generation of Volkswagen’s iconic hatchback forged ahead of tough competition in January to win outright the most important award in the UK motor industry: the prestigious What Car? Car of the Year title.
Oliver Marriage, road test editor at Auto Express, summed up the reasons for the Golf’s success: ‘With the Mk V, Volkswagen has taken all the strengths of the old car and wrapped them up in an even more desirable package. The new car isn’t just a great ownership prospect, but good to drive and practical too.’
The latest Golf is a completely new vehicle compared with its predecessor, with a new chassis, new engines and exciting new technology such as FSI (direct injection petrol) engines and DSG (direct shift gearbox). The expert Auto Express judging panel was particularly impressed with the new generation’s dynamic behaviour: ‘The new car’s chassis is superb – it absorbs bumps well at speeds, yet corners with real confidence. There’s a compliance and maturity to this car not seen elsewhere in the class. Coupled with direct steering, it allows you to have fun but cruise in comfort.’
The magazine also praised the Golf’s spacious interior, commenting that ‘build quality is as good as ever and the cabin is still classically appointed, with a superbly laid out centre console’.
Since its launch on 30 January, the new Golf has surpassed sales expectations in the UK, and is on course for one of its best years of sales to date – even without the highly anticipated GTI model, which is set to go on sale in January next year. The Golf’s popularity has grown steadily since the first generation hit the showrooms in 1975, when 19,069 examples were sold. Ten years later, the figure was 31,145, which increased to 44,111 in 1995 and 72,362 in 2002. Even in 2003 – the previous generation’s final year on sale – the Golf enjoyed its second best year so far.
Auto Express New Car Honours: Honda takes Four!
Supermini Award for Jazz (third consecutive year)
Family Car Award for Accord (second consecutive year)
Estate award for Accord Tourer (second consecutive year)
Diesel award for Accord i-CTDi
Honda has confirmed its status as one of Auto Express’ favourite car brands by winning more awards in the publication’s 2004 New Car Honours than any competitor.
Britain’s best selling car weekly title has this year selected the Jazz and Accord as the best Supermini and Family Car choices, with the Accord Tourer winning the Estate Car class. The Accord i-CTDi joins the winners’ circle, taking the magazine’s Diesel award in its debut year.
Commenting on this success, Auto Express’ Editor David Johns said: "Honda’s recent offerings have impressed us. Previously we saw Honda as a maker of worthy but dull cars – cars which were well built, easy to drive and reliable, but models which were simply not that desirable to own. But beginning with the current Civic, their cars have started to show some sparkle, have a bit of an edge and become much more interesting. The Jazz was a real landmark with Honda simply tearing up the small car rule book. And the Accord, while not as radical, now shows real class and is becoming a serious challenger in the premium saloon sector. But while the cars are exciting Auto Express’ test team, they are also proving very popular with their owners: our Driver Power survey earlier this year revealed that Jazz and S2000 owners were amongst the most satisfied of all car customers."
Honda’s success in the Auto Express New car honours reflects a determined strategy by the company to elevate itself above the mainstream. In Britain, Honda wants to compete in the medium to upper echelons of the market presently occupied by the likes of Alfa Romeo, Saab, Volvo and Volkswagen.
Honda’s Head of Marketing Simon Thompson explains: "Through our products and advertising, we are making a concerted effort to distance ourselves from the volume brands and exploit Honda’s ability to do things better than competitors. Among other things, this means shifting the focus away from special editions, cheap consumer offers and gimmicks, to promote the core strengths of our product. And it’s working. Honda is starting to be seen as cool and dynamic – and our products are now not being purchased solely on price, but on other more important attributes."
Each year Auto Express tests more than 350 new cars. Its verdicts are based on thorough objective and subjective assessments by a team of experienced testers. They take into account styling, driving characteristics, safety, quality, equipment and, not least, value for money. The Auto Express New Car honours represent the very finest products tested by the publication each year within a range of categories.
What the Auto Express judges said
Jazz – Supermini winner
The Honda Jazz is turning into the Ford Focus of the supermini world. It’s been on sale for nearly three years now, yet no car launched since has come close to beating it. Our 2002 Car of the Year is now celebrating its third year at the top.
What’s its secret? Practicality, in a word. Re-inventing this competitive sector of the market is notoriously difficult, yet Honda managed it with the amazingly innovative Jazz interior. Not only does the rear seat fold totally flat, but the squab also flips up like a cinema chair, freeing up a second boot area between it and the front seats. Honda has dubbed it ‘Magic’ and they’re not wrong. Combine that with acres of head and legroom in the back, not to mention the usual Japanese build quality, and the Far Eastern firm is on to a winner.
But it doesn’t stop there for the Jazz. It might only come with a 1.4-litre engine, but it’s a cracker. Predictably, it revs well and is much quicker than you’d expect from a 1,339cc unit. This makes it a doddle in traffic (helped by a tiny turning circle), yet it also copes well with motorway journeys. That’s without taking into account the minimal running costs and low CO2 outputs.
Accord i-CTDi – Diesel winner
Compared to other mainstream marques, the Japanese firm has taken a while to develop diesel technology, but this is definitely an engine worth waiting for. The 2.2-litre four cylinder engine has a tempting specification, including a variable nozzle turbocharger and intercooler. But the most radical thing about it is the construction technique. The metal is cast and moulded when semi-solid rather than completely molten, producing an engine block that is both more rigid and compact than rivals.
In terms of power outputs it’s good, but not extraordinary, producing 140bhp and 340Nm of torque at 2,000rpm. This translates into strong, linear, muscular acceleration from tickover to redline. But that’s not the best thing about this motor – refinement is the key to appreciating the Accord. Quite simply, we’ve never driven a quieter or more vibration-free diesel. Even from outside you’re hard pushed to hear a tell-tale rattle.
Neither is that the end of Accord diesel benefits – it emits just 143g/km of CO2, has averaged 53.6mpg in our hands, and during our recent jaunt to John O’ Groats, managed to cover over 750 miles without refuelling. Add in the delightful driving characteristics, the light and precise clutch and gearbox, and the smooth power delivery and you have a wonderful family car. Make no mistake, this engine isn’t just good for a diesel, it’s one of the very best powerplants on sale in any car.
Accord – Family Car winner
The new car market seems intent on diversifying into new areas. However, the expansion and popularity of various MPVs and off-roaders still hasn’t come close to killing off the traditional family car. Whether appealing to private or fleet buyers, this segment is as hard fought as ever. It’s therefore a testament to the all round excellence of Honda’s Accord that it takes the top spot for a second year.
Whether it’s the mirror mounted indicators, the chunky door handles or the tightness of the shut lines, the Accord displays a level of quality that can compete with premium brands. The high-class feel continues inside - the seats are excellent, the driving position faultless and passenger accommodation first class. It’s also well equipped and nicely appointed with a luxury feel that ups the ante for its rivals.
What’s more, as you would expect Honda doesn’t disappoint with the Accord’s engines, as the 2.0 and 2.4-litre VTEC petrol units are both smooth and powerful, and better still the range is now enhanced by the fantastic new diesel.
Furthermore, the Accord driving experience still impresses whatever the journey. With excellent body control and fine composure over bumps, combined with slick steering, the Accord offers nimble handling and driver involvement. Class-leading ride and refinement round off the package, leaving you with a car that’s fun, easy and relaxing to drive.
Accord Tourer – Estate winner
This is the bread and butter end of the market. You can have all the toys and gadgets you want, but without a decent-sized boot and practical features, an estate car just isn’t worth its salt.
So it doesn’t come as a shock to find this year’s winner, the Honda Accord Tourer, has a cavernous back end – at full stretch it’s capable of swallowing 1,707 litres of luggage. However, even before you raise the electric boot door, the flat roof line and upright tailgate tell you that this is a car with space on its mind.
However, it’s the process of folding the seats flat that is the Tourer’s best party trick. All you have to do is pull a single lever on the backrest and pull forward. This movement activates a clever mechanism, causing the seat base to flip up and the headrest to drop down in one seamless operation. The result is a completely flat and unimpeded load space. Quite simply, no other estate features such attention to detail.
But the reason the Accord wins lies as much with the rest of the package as the boot alone. The Tourer benefits from Honda’s predictably excellent build quality (the clunk as you shut the doors is one particular highlight) and the driving environment is as polished and cosseting as the best executive saloons.
Couple all this with Honda’s excellent engines and a chassis that is more than capable of dealing with whatever heavy loads you throw at it, and you’re left with the best estate car we’ve driven in years, let alone the past 12 months.
NISSAN X-TRAIL SCORES A HAT-TRICK
The Nissan X-TRAIL has been voted "best 4x4 recreational vehicle" for the third year running by top selling weekly motoring magazine Auto Express, beating off competition from the BMW X3 and the Toyota RAV4. It was a hat-trick for the Nissan brand too, with the highly acclaimed 350Z triumphing in the Sporting Car category and the Micra collecting the award for Best Compact diesel for the 1.5dCi version.
The awards were held at the Waldorf in London on 29 June, where Simon Thomas, Nissan’s sales director, picked up the award for the third time.
David Johns, Editor of Auto Express said: "Nissan has facelifted the X-TRAIL since last year’s New Car Honours and guess what? This year’s victory is more emphatic than either of the last two. True, the changes have done little more than sharpen the styling a fraction, but the X-TRAIL has lost none of its power to impress. It’s a well rounded performer that leaves its class rivals floundering."
Auto Express described the 350Z as "a thrilling driving experience which sets it apart" and to prove the point, the 350Z was the recent winner in the magazine’s annual Greatest Drives feature.
But choosing a winner in the Compact Diesel category was a more difficult task for the road testers at the magazine. Describing the Micra 1.5dCi as "the pick of the bunch" combined with "fine dynamics, cheeky styling and build quality" the Micra relegated the Audi A3 2.0 TDI and Citroën C2 1.4 HDI to also rans.
Bill Bosley, Managing Director for Nissan Motor (GB) Limited, said: "We are delighted to collect three honours from Auto Express. The X-TRAIL has been collecting awards since it was launched back in 2002 and the 350Z has picked up several trophies since it went on sale last October.
With several new models being launched over the next 12 months, we look forward to adding more Auto Express New Car Honours trophies to our cabinet."
NEW VOLVO S40 AND XC90 WIN AUTO EXPRESS NEW CAR HONOURS 2004
Compact Executive class – Volvo S40 beats BMW 3 Series & Jaguar X-TYPE
4x4 Off-Roader class – Volvo XC90 beats BMW X5 and Range Rover
Two of Volvo's latest models beat tough competition to win both the 'Compact Executive' and '4x4 Off-Roader' classes in Auto Express magazine's New Car Honours 2004, published in its issue of 28 July.
Auto Express has put the all-new Volvo S40 saloon straight to the top of the 'Compact Executive' class in its New Car Honours 2004 awards, leaving the BMW 3 Series and Jaguar X-TYPE commended as runners up. In addition, for the second year in succession, the Volvo XC90 won the 4x4/Off-Roader class, beating the BMW X5 and Range Rover.
According to Auto Express, the new S40 is, "…Volvo's best small saloon ever", with build quality that is, "a match for the best of the Germans".
Auto Express also said: "… the S40 is a fine driver's car. There's little body roll through corners, turn-in is good and there's fun to be had on back roads.
When you consider all these facets with the sharp styling and an image that's going from strength to strength, it's clear the S40 is a deserving winner".
In the 4x4 Off-Roader class, Auto Express described the XC90 as "the best there is" in the large 4x4 sector and said: "…there simply isn't another car with as many neat touches or intelligent design features".
Commenting on these prestigious awards, Hugh Reid, managing director of Volvo Car UK said: "We are particularly proud to see the new Volvo S40 saloon win its first prestigious award so soon after its launch and over such a significant and popular rival as the BMW 3 Series. This, and the XC90's successive victory, is further recognition of the design and desirability of Volvo's latest models."
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Fiat Auto’s new Panda, which went on sale here at the start of the year, has swept the board at Auto Express magazine’s Annual New Car Honours, coming away not only with top spot in the Budget Car and City Car categories, but also winning the coveted overall supreme honour of Auto Express Car of the Year.
New Panda, voted Car of the Year 2004 by a wide ranging international jury of senior motoring journalists late last year, has already attracted a string of awards from the media, which has been repeatedly impressed by its winning combination of build quality, space, refinement, big car feel, comfort, driving pleasure and value for money. Now comes the ultimate accolade from Britain’s biggest selling weekly car magazine, Auto Express, which was unstinting in its praise:
"It’s not every day that a new model comes along and sets such high standards that many rivals instantly appear obsolete. However that has been the case this year. Despite stiff competition for this coveted award, the Panda stood head and shoulders above its opponents. So what makes it so good? Well, it’s a small car that thinks big, acts tough and puts some zest and fun back into your daily driving.
"Undoubtedly the Italian firm’s best small car since the original Fiat 500 in 1957, the Panda represents a giant leap forward. This is a city car that excels on the open road, and a budget car that feels anything but cheap. The styling is neat and eye-catching, the interior quality impressive and despite extended testing, we couldn’t find any trace of loose or poor quality trim. The cabin is not only spacious, comfortable and attractive, but you feel secure and well protected despite the car’s diminutive size. Nor does this impression fade when you start driving. The Panda is effortlessly easy to drive. Better still is the way it behaves out of town. On motorways it’s as stable and refined as cars costing twice as much, the ride is impressive and along twisting B-roads it feels keen and eager.
"And all this for less than £7000? Packed to the gunnels with character and mature enough to cope with the stresses of British motoring, the Panda is a huge return to form for Fiat."
It is not just the media which has been impressed by new Panda, however, as Fiat Auto’s new supermini is a huge sales success throughout western Europe. In the nine months leading up to the end of June this year, 154,000 had been sold. Over 5000 new Pandas have been sold in less than six months since the vehicle went on sale here in the UK.
In June this year, Fiat Auto’s European market share reached 6.7%, an increase of 7.4% in comparison to June sales last year, while in the first six months of 2004 Fiat Auto’s registrations have increased by 5% in comparison with the same period last year. In the European city car segment, (A), new Panda is at No.1 with 32.2% of the segment. In B segment the Fiat Punto is at No.6, while in the new compact MPV segment, the Fiat Idea is at No.2.
TRAIL-BLAZING NEW GOLF GRABS YET ANOTHER TOP AWARD
Volkswagen’s new Golf has been presented with another top UK award – this time from the best-selling motoring weekly, Auto Express, during its annual New Car Honours. The latest version of Europe’s most popular car charged ahead in the hotly contested Compact Family Car category to beat the previous winner, the Ford Focus, as well as the new Vauxhall Astra.
The award joins the accolade of ‘Best Hatch’ from the BBC Top Gear Awards 2004, as presented by Jeremy Clarkson at an exclusive event in London earlier this year. And it doesn’t stop there: the fifth generation of Volkswagen’s iconic hatchback forged ahead of tough competition in January to win outright the most important award in the UK motor industry: the prestigious What Car? Car of the Year title.
Oliver Marriage, road test editor at Auto Express, summed up the reasons for the Golf’s success: ‘With the Mk V, Volkswagen has taken all the strengths of the old car and wrapped them up in an even more desirable package. The new car isn’t just a great ownership prospect, but good to drive and practical too.’
The latest Golf is a completely new vehicle compared with its predecessor, with a new chassis, new engines and exciting new technology such as FSI (direct injection petrol) engines and DSG (direct shift gearbox). The expert Auto Express judging panel was particularly impressed with the new generation’s dynamic behaviour: ‘The new car’s chassis is superb – it absorbs bumps well at speeds, yet corners with real confidence. There’s a compliance and maturity to this car not seen elsewhere in the class. Coupled with direct steering, it allows you to have fun but cruise in comfort.’
The magazine also praised the Golf’s spacious interior, commenting that ‘build quality is as good as ever and the cabin is still classically appointed, with a superbly laid out centre console’.
Since its launch on 30 January, the new Golf has surpassed sales expectations in the UK, and is on course for one of its best years of sales to date – even without the highly anticipated GTI model, which is set to go on sale in January next year. The Golf’s popularity has grown steadily since the first generation hit the showrooms in 1975, when 19,069 examples were sold. Ten years later, the figure was 31,145, which increased to 44,111 in 1995 and 72,362 in 2002. Even in 2003 – the previous generation’s final year on sale – the Golf enjoyed its second best year so far.
Auto Express New Car Honours: Honda takes Four!
Supermini Award for Jazz (third consecutive year)
Family Car Award for Accord (second consecutive year)
Estate award for Accord Tourer (second consecutive year)
Diesel award for Accord i-CTDi
Honda has confirmed its status as one of Auto Express’ favourite car brands by winning more awards in the publication’s 2004 New Car Honours than any competitor.
Britain’s best selling car weekly title has this year selected the Jazz and Accord as the best Supermini and Family Car choices, with the Accord Tourer winning the Estate Car class. The Accord i-CTDi joins the winners’ circle, taking the magazine’s Diesel award in its debut year.
Commenting on this success, Auto Express’ Editor David Johns said: "Honda’s recent offerings have impressed us. Previously we saw Honda as a maker of worthy but dull cars – cars which were well built, easy to drive and reliable, but models which were simply not that desirable to own. But beginning with the current Civic, their cars have started to show some sparkle, have a bit of an edge and become much more interesting. The Jazz was a real landmark with Honda simply tearing up the small car rule book. And the Accord, while not as radical, now shows real class and is becoming a serious challenger in the premium saloon sector. But while the cars are exciting Auto Express’ test team, they are also proving very popular with their owners: our Driver Power survey earlier this year revealed that Jazz and S2000 owners were amongst the most satisfied of all car customers."
Honda’s success in the Auto Express New car honours reflects a determined strategy by the company to elevate itself above the mainstream. In Britain, Honda wants to compete in the medium to upper echelons of the market presently occupied by the likes of Alfa Romeo, Saab, Volvo and Volkswagen.
Honda’s Head of Marketing Simon Thompson explains: "Through our products and advertising, we are making a concerted effort to distance ourselves from the volume brands and exploit Honda’s ability to do things better than competitors. Among other things, this means shifting the focus away from special editions, cheap consumer offers and gimmicks, to promote the core strengths of our product. And it’s working. Honda is starting to be seen as cool and dynamic – and our products are now not being purchased solely on price, but on other more important attributes."
Each year Auto Express tests more than 350 new cars. Its verdicts are based on thorough objective and subjective assessments by a team of experienced testers. They take into account styling, driving characteristics, safety, quality, equipment and, not least, value for money. The Auto Express New Car honours represent the very finest products tested by the publication each year within a range of categories.
What the Auto Express judges said
Jazz – Supermini winner
The Honda Jazz is turning into the Ford Focus of the supermini world. It’s been on sale for nearly three years now, yet no car launched since has come close to beating it. Our 2002 Car of the Year is now celebrating its third year at the top.
What’s its secret? Practicality, in a word. Re-inventing this competitive sector of the market is notoriously difficult, yet Honda managed it with the amazingly innovative Jazz interior. Not only does the rear seat fold totally flat, but the squab also flips up like a cinema chair, freeing up a second boot area between it and the front seats. Honda has dubbed it ‘Magic’ and they’re not wrong. Combine that with acres of head and legroom in the back, not to mention the usual Japanese build quality, and the Far Eastern firm is on to a winner.
But it doesn’t stop there for the Jazz. It might only come with a 1.4-litre engine, but it’s a cracker. Predictably, it revs well and is much quicker than you’d expect from a 1,339cc unit. This makes it a doddle in traffic (helped by a tiny turning circle), yet it also copes well with motorway journeys. That’s without taking into account the minimal running costs and low CO2 outputs.
Accord i-CTDi – Diesel winner
Compared to other mainstream marques, the Japanese firm has taken a while to develop diesel technology, but this is definitely an engine worth waiting for. The 2.2-litre four cylinder engine has a tempting specification, including a variable nozzle turbocharger and intercooler. But the most radical thing about it is the construction technique. The metal is cast and moulded when semi-solid rather than completely molten, producing an engine block that is both more rigid and compact than rivals.
In terms of power outputs it’s good, but not extraordinary, producing 140bhp and 340Nm of torque at 2,000rpm. This translates into strong, linear, muscular acceleration from tickover to redline. But that’s not the best thing about this motor – refinement is the key to appreciating the Accord. Quite simply, we’ve never driven a quieter or more vibration-free diesel. Even from outside you’re hard pushed to hear a tell-tale rattle.
Neither is that the end of Accord diesel benefits – it emits just 143g/km of CO2, has averaged 53.6mpg in our hands, and during our recent jaunt to John O’ Groats, managed to cover over 750 miles without refuelling. Add in the delightful driving characteristics, the light and precise clutch and gearbox, and the smooth power delivery and you have a wonderful family car. Make no mistake, this engine isn’t just good for a diesel, it’s one of the very best powerplants on sale in any car.
Accord – Family Car winner
The new car market seems intent on diversifying into new areas. However, the expansion and popularity of various MPVs and off-roaders still hasn’t come close to killing off the traditional family car. Whether appealing to private or fleet buyers, this segment is as hard fought as ever. It’s therefore a testament to the all round excellence of Honda’s Accord that it takes the top spot for a second year.
Whether it’s the mirror mounted indicators, the chunky door handles or the tightness of the shut lines, the Accord displays a level of quality that can compete with premium brands. The high-class feel continues inside - the seats are excellent, the driving position faultless and passenger accommodation first class. It’s also well equipped and nicely appointed with a luxury feel that ups the ante for its rivals.
What’s more, as you would expect Honda doesn’t disappoint with the Accord’s engines, as the 2.0 and 2.4-litre VTEC petrol units are both smooth and powerful, and better still the range is now enhanced by the fantastic new diesel.
Furthermore, the Accord driving experience still impresses whatever the journey. With excellent body control and fine composure over bumps, combined with slick steering, the Accord offers nimble handling and driver involvement. Class-leading ride and refinement round off the package, leaving you with a car that’s fun, easy and relaxing to drive.
Accord Tourer – Estate winner
This is the bread and butter end of the market. You can have all the toys and gadgets you want, but without a decent-sized boot and practical features, an estate car just isn’t worth its salt.
So it doesn’t come as a shock to find this year’s winner, the Honda Accord Tourer, has a cavernous back end – at full stretch it’s capable of swallowing 1,707 litres of luggage. However, even before you raise the electric boot door, the flat roof line and upright tailgate tell you that this is a car with space on its mind.
However, it’s the process of folding the seats flat that is the Tourer’s best party trick. All you have to do is pull a single lever on the backrest and pull forward. This movement activates a clever mechanism, causing the seat base to flip up and the headrest to drop down in one seamless operation. The result is a completely flat and unimpeded load space. Quite simply, no other estate features such attention to detail.
But the reason the Accord wins lies as much with the rest of the package as the boot alone. The Tourer benefits from Honda’s predictably excellent build quality (the clunk as you shut the doors is one particular highlight) and the driving environment is as polished and cosseting as the best executive saloons.
Couple all this with Honda’s excellent engines and a chassis that is more than capable of dealing with whatever heavy loads you throw at it, and you’re left with the best estate car we’ve driven in years, let alone the past 12 months.
NISSAN X-TRAIL SCORES A HAT-TRICK
The Nissan X-TRAIL has been voted "best 4x4 recreational vehicle" for the third year running by top selling weekly motoring magazine Auto Express, beating off competition from the BMW X3 and the Toyota RAV4. It was a hat-trick for the Nissan brand too, with the highly acclaimed 350Z triumphing in the Sporting Car category and the Micra collecting the award for Best Compact diesel for the 1.5dCi version.
The awards were held at the Waldorf in London on 29 June, where Simon Thomas, Nissan’s sales director, picked up the award for the third time.
David Johns, Editor of Auto Express said: "Nissan has facelifted the X-TRAIL since last year’s New Car Honours and guess what? This year’s victory is more emphatic than either of the last two. True, the changes have done little more than sharpen the styling a fraction, but the X-TRAIL has lost none of its power to impress. It’s a well rounded performer that leaves its class rivals floundering."
Auto Express described the 350Z as "a thrilling driving experience which sets it apart" and to prove the point, the 350Z was the recent winner in the magazine’s annual Greatest Drives feature.
But choosing a winner in the Compact Diesel category was a more difficult task for the road testers at the magazine. Describing the Micra 1.5dCi as "the pick of the bunch" combined with "fine dynamics, cheeky styling and build quality" the Micra relegated the Audi A3 2.0 TDI and Citroën C2 1.4 HDI to also rans.
Bill Bosley, Managing Director for Nissan Motor (GB) Limited, said: "We are delighted to collect three honours from Auto Express. The X-TRAIL has been collecting awards since it was launched back in 2002 and the 350Z has picked up several trophies since it went on sale last October.
With several new models being launched over the next 12 months, we look forward to adding more Auto Express New Car Honours trophies to our cabinet."
NEW VOLVO S40 AND XC90 WIN AUTO EXPRESS NEW CAR HONOURS 2004
Compact Executive class – Volvo S40 beats BMW 3 Series & Jaguar X-TYPE
4x4 Off-Roader class – Volvo XC90 beats BMW X5 and Range Rover
Two of Volvo's latest models beat tough competition to win both the 'Compact Executive' and '4x4 Off-Roader' classes in Auto Express magazine's New Car Honours 2004, published in its issue of 28 July.
Auto Express has put the all-new Volvo S40 saloon straight to the top of the 'Compact Executive' class in its New Car Honours 2004 awards, leaving the BMW 3 Series and Jaguar X-TYPE commended as runners up. In addition, for the second year in succession, the Volvo XC90 won the 4x4/Off-Roader class, beating the BMW X5 and Range Rover.
According to Auto Express, the new S40 is, "…Volvo's best small saloon ever", with build quality that is, "a match for the best of the Germans".
Auto Express also said: "… the S40 is a fine driver's car. There's little body roll through corners, turn-in is good and there's fun to be had on back roads.
When you consider all these facets with the sharp styling and an image that's going from strength to strength, it's clear the S40 is a deserving winner".
In the 4x4 Off-Roader class, Auto Express described the XC90 as "the best there is" in the large 4x4 sector and said: "…there simply isn't another car with as many neat touches or intelligent design features".
Commenting on these prestigious awards, Hugh Reid, managing director of Volvo Car UK said: "We are particularly proud to see the new Volvo S40 saloon win its first prestigious award so soon after its launch and over such a significant and popular rival as the BMW 3 Series. This, and the XC90's successive victory, is further recognition of the design and desirability of Volvo's latest models."
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