2019 What Car? Car of the Year Awards – the contenders
This evening we'll name the best new cars on sale in the UK, and crown one overall champion as our Car of the Year for 2019. These are the cars in contention for our top accolade...
The winners of the 2019 What Car? Car of the Year Awards have been announced. Prior to the Awards 61 new models were in contention for our top award: the What Car? Car of the Year.
The winner was announced at What Car's annual Car of the Year Awards ceremony, held in association with Warranty Direct and BNP Paribas Cardif.
What Car? is renowned for its thoroughness when assessing new cars, with all vehicles driven back-to-back with their rivals on road and track, and practicality, equipment, running costs and What Car?’s unique True MPG fuel economy figures all factored into the final verdicts.
As a result of this exhaustive testing over 46 years, What Car?’s judgements are widely regarded as the most influential on Britain’s car buyers.
To qualify for the overall Car of the Year Award, a car has to have been launched in the previous 12 months, and it needs to be available to order by the time the award is announced.
Below and over the next few pages you'll find information about every car that was in contention for the Car of the Year title at this year's awards.
And don't forget, in each case you can either read our review of that car, or find a great deal through What Car? New Car Buying. Or, if you'd rather lease your next car, take a look at the offers available through What Car? Leasing.
What Car? Car of the Year 2019 contenders
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
This go-faster version of the already potent Alfa Romeo Stelvio is powered by a 503bhp 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine. And the results speak for themselves, with the 0-62mph sprint covered off in just 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 176mph.
Read our full review, or find a great deal.
Alpine A110
The A110 is one of the most entertaining and rewarding sports cars you can buy today, with involving handling, a brilliant driving position and rapid performance.
Read our full review, or find a great deal.
Aston Martin Vantage
A Porsche 911 is a better all-round sports car, but this Aston Martin has a fantastic engine, engaging handling and jaw-dropping looks.
Read our full review, or find a great deal.
Audi A1
The brand new A1 is here to bring the fight to premium small car rivals such as the Mini hatchback and Volkswagen Polo. It offers a smooth ride, remains quiet at high speeds and should hold its value very well.
Read our full review, or find a great deal.
Audi A6
The A6 is a quiet and comfortable luxury saloon, despite not being the best car in its class to drive. It offers a range of quiet engines, a spacious interior and excellent build quality.
Read our full review, or find a great deal.
Audi A6 Avant
Plush executive estate offers a high-quality interior, lots of space and a decent range of engines.
Mixing the luxury of the Audi A8 with the sleek looks of a coupé, the A7 is beautifully made and very comfortable for crossing huge distances. It's also loaded with equipment and has a strong range of engines.
Read our full review, or find a great deal.
Audi Q3
The Q3 is Audi's premium family SUV, and a rival for the BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA among others. It's suitably plush inside, and offers a comfortable ride with a smooth range of petrol and diesel engines.
Read our full review, or find a great deal.
Audi Q8
The stylish Q8 is Audi's newest SUV model, and aims to blend the luxury and space of the Q7 with the svelte shape of a coupé. It's quiet and spacious inside, with fantastic build quality.
Read our full review, or find a great deal.
Bentley Continental GT
The Bentley Continental GT is a fine grand tourer that gets the balance between sports car and luxury car just about spot on.
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