The Telegraph Car Awards

THE Annual Car Awards from the Telegraph were revealed with a panel of expert road testers and readers combining to select the broadsheet’s favourite cars in different categories.

The highest accolade of Car of the Year was won by the functional Mazda MX-5 which always delivers.

Head of Motoring, Chris Knapman said “the Mazda MX-5 is thoroughly deserving of the overall Car of the Year title. Our judges all loved the way it delivers such back-to-basics simplicity without sacrificing any of the modern safety or connectivity that buyers expect.

That it is also so affordable to buy and run only adds to its appeal.” The Mazda joins previous winners the Jaguar XE, Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Golf in the Telegraph hall of fame.

Volkswagen picked up their own award with the Volkswagen Up claiming first in the best car under €10,000 category thanks to its ‘classy interior,’ while the Honda Jazz won Best Small Hatchback for its reliability and surprising volume of space. The Skoda Superb won Best Family Car courtesy of safety credentials, smooth driving and low running costs, while the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer nabbed the Best Estate Car award.

As ‘the very essence of luxury motoring’ the Rolls-Royce Dawn secured the Best Luxury Car spot as the ‘versatile’ and ‘formidable’ Porsche 911 Targa was named Best Convertible.

‘One of Ford’s very best’ the Focus RS was recognised as the Most Fun Car as judges revelled in its easy driving and affordable price, while Toyota won the Best Eco car with its latest Prius.

The Mazda also won Best Sports Car for it ‘100 per cent nailing what a small, simple two-seat sports car should be,” while the new Mercedes-Benz E-class won Best Business Car for its low running costs, great interior and comfort over long journeys.

A poll of thousands of readers aimed at discovering the most hotly anticipated 2016 release saw the Audi Q2 compact SUV win the Reader’s Choice award narrowly beating the Tesla Model X and Ford GT into first place.