Looking to decide on which car to buy next? if you’ve decided on the type of car (supermini, SUV, convertible, etc), then why not look to the recommendations of Scotland’s top motoring writers from the Association of Scottish Motor Writers – Scottish Car of the Year 2019.
Having just held their Scottish Car of the Year Awards, you have a list of the best cars in each category to help you navigate the sea of new models from across the industry.
Although each size and shape of the car has a winner, the judges also chose an overall winner in the Mazda3:
The head-turning newcomer, which debuts the company’s highly efficient and innovative Skyactiv-X petrol powertrain, was a clear winner in its Family car class and then triumphed over the other category champions to take the top title.
Mazda has previously been highly successful in category wins, but this is just the second time in the award’s 22-year history that the brand has scooped the overall honour.
Judged by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers (ASMW) – which comprises print, broadcast and online journalists covering the length and breadth of Scotland and beyond – the Mazda’s advanced Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SCCI) petrol engine was a critical factor in the model’s appeal to the judging panel.
Presenting the award at Edinburgh’s Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club, ASMW President John Murdoch said: “Mazda’s range has consistently appealed to buyers north of the border; the cars are great looking, well built and deliver a driving experience that’s ideally suited to Scottish roads.
“The new Mazda3 ups the game again. From its unmistakable sense of style to the sizeable leap forward in interior quality fit and finish and unrivalled real-world efficiency, it’s a car that appeals to the heart and head.
“Both the Skyactiv-G petrol and Skyactiv-D diesel models impressed the judging panel when experienced on a lengthy driving route for the model’s UK launch but the latest Skyactiv-X option is a revelation. This is a 178bhp 2.0-litre petrol car that really can deliver 50mpg economy. That’s outstanding.”
The winners – Scottish Car of the Year 2019
Small: Nissan Micra
Family: Mazda3
Estate: Kia ProCeed
Crossover: SEAT Tarraco
Premium Crossover: BMW X5
Executive: Volvo S60
Luxury: BMW 7 Series
Hot Hatch: Ford Focus ST
Sports: Cupra Ateca
MPV: Peugeot Rifter
Alternative Fuel: Nissan LEAF e+
Pick Up: Mitsubishi L200
Used: Kia Sportage
Design & Innovation: Audi e-tron virtual mirror
The SCOTY Hall of Fame
1998: Ford Focus
1999: Jaguar S-Type
2000: Audi A2
2001: Jaguar X-Type
2002: Mazda6
2003: Volvo XC90
2004: Peugeot 407
2005: BMW 3 Series
2006: Jaguar XK
2007: Ford Mondeo
2008: Ford Fiesta
2009: Land Rover Discovery 4
2010: Kia Sportage
2011: Range Rover Evoque
2012: Dacia Duster
2013: Volkswagen Golf
2014: Hyundai i10
2015: Vauxhall Astra
2016: Volvo V90
2017: Land Rover Discovery
2018: Jaguar i-PACE
2019: Mazda3
