Nissan has scooped the prestigious Auto Express Car of the Year 2022 with its all-new pure electric Ariya.
British engineers at Nissan’s European technical team in Cranfield have played a big role in the development of the new Ariya, resulting in what judges describe as “a comfortable ride and superb refinement with impressive agility for a big car”.
The Ariya is Nissan’s second mass-market EV following its pioneering Leaf, arguably the EV that first made electric driving affordable.
The annual Auto Express Awards are “the most customer-focused car awards in the UK”, recommending models across categories that are set, like the judging criteria, following research into the wants and needs of real UK buyers.
As well as specific EV category wins, there was success for electric cars in traditional car categories, too. The new all-electric Fiat 500 scooped the best City Car trophy and the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric was named Best Company Car.
“The new Nissan Ariya is quite simply a fantastic new car – it just so happens to be an EV, too,” said Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of Auto Express.
“It’s so cleverly thought through, buyers will find it really easy and enjoyable to live with, while it drives superbly, looks great and is the most premium-feeling Nissan we’ve ever seen.”
Auto Express Car of the Year 2022 winners
City Car of the Year – Fiat 500
Supermini of the Year – Renault Clio
Family Car of the Year – Dacia Jogger
Estate Car of the Year – Skoda Octavia Estate
Small Company Car of the Year – Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric
Mid-size Company Car of the Year – Nissan Ariya
Large Company Car of the Year – BMW 5 Series
Small SUV of the Year – Kia Niro
Mid-size SUV of the Year – Hyundai Tucson
Large SUV of the Year – Skoda Kodiaq
Small Premium SUV of the Year – Mercedes-Benz GLA
Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year – Lexus NX
Large Premium SUV of the Year – Land Rover Defender
Luxury Car of the Year – Range Rover
Hot Hatch of the Year – Hyundai i20 N
Coupé of the Year – BMW 2 Series
Convertible of the Year – MINI Convertible
Performance Car of the Year – Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Affordable Electric Car of the Year – MG ZS EV
Premium Electric Car of the Year – BMW i4
Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year – Toyota Yaris
Premium Hybrid Car of the Year – Mercedes-Benz C 300 e
Pick-up of the Year – Ford Ranger
Electric Van of the Year – Ford E-Transit
Van of the Year – Fiat Ducato
Technology Award – Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX
Auto Express New Car of the Year – Nissan Ariya
Source: automotiveblog.co.uk
Darrell
