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People talk about a Car of the Year, but for me, there was no such thing. Cars of the year? Now that's an entirely different matter. There were several. So, with a little bit of help from readers who respond to my writing, plus radio listeners, TV viewers and Motorists' Association members who've contacted me, here goes...

By Mike Rutherford

14th December 2004

Best budget model by a mile is the ΂£5,495 Kia Picanto 1.0 GS, and I also have it down as my favourite city car. The Honda Jazz (a machine for town, country, motorway and anything else you care to throw at it) is the ultimate supermini, although I use that description loosely because this vehicle is more like a proper family hatchback.

The year's biggest, most significant battle has been in the mid-size hatch sector, where Citroen's C4 just nicks it. BMW's 1-Series could have secured the crown, but only if it was a few thousand pounds cheaper. Honda does it again in the MPV category with the FR-V - a genuine multi-purpose vehicle which is as happy as a six-seater as it is as a cargo carrier. Toyota's under-estimated Corolla Verso might not be the largest, but in diesel guise, it is the best and cleverest seven-seater, with rear chairs that can be hidden in the boot.

Audi's A4 gets my vote as top saloon. And while it's far from perfect, the Citroen C5 HDi estate (avoid the the petrol engine and saloon body) sneaks in as my favourite load-lugger. But there's a proviso - only if it's less than ΂£15,000. Two relatively old gems - the Nissan 350Z and Mazda RX-8 - get the sports car and coup΃© prizes respectively.

The best executive motor I've driven in 2004 is Chrysler's 300C which, sadly, doesn't go on sale until next year and therefore cannot be included in my list - and that's why the sub-΂£40,000 Jaguar XJ wins. It's difficult to believe that there's currently a better luxury car than the big Jag, but there is such a vehicle. If you're spending more than 40 grand, it's the Audi A8. No apologies from me for ruling out Mercedes and BMW.

Clearest winner of the lot is the off-roader of the year - the all-new Land Rover Discovery. This model could have quite easily taken the luxury, estate, executive and MPV prizes, too. It's that good. Top soft-roader is the capable Kia Sorento D, which is also great value. The Aston Martin DB9 is easily my supercar champ, the concept prize goes to the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve, while my hybrid king is the Toyota Prius.

And if you allow me a little self-indulgence, my drive of the year was the enchanting Audi Le Mans concept. Coming back down to earth, I struggled to get too excited about any convertibles, so the ΂£12,000 Fiat Barchetta gets my vote. The used car pick is the outgoing Ford Focus, which deserves to be transformed into a modern classic.

I make that five Japanese models picking up class wins, three Brits and Germans (all Audis), two French, two Americans (assuming Ford and its Focus are from the US) and one Italian. As I said, I can't honestly say that one motor stands out as the Car of the Year. But if I had to opt for three covering the bottom, mid and top ends of the market I'd go for the Picanto, Corolla Verso and Discovery. They're the best of the best.

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