Skip advert
Advertisement

New Car Awards 2020: the winners

Against all odds, the car industry has produced some great new cars in 2020. These are the very best...

It’s been an unusual year in the motor industry so far. With an enforced shutdown and dealers closed for months, it means the cycle of new products coming through the pipeline and hitting the pages of Auto Express has been skewed towards the end of 2020.

But the pipeline has started flowing again and we’ve now driven, assessed and reviewed the host of new cars we’d been waiting for, so we can recommend to you the best buys in 24 different classes, as well as crown our overall Car of the Year for a turbulent 2020.

Advertisement - Article continues below

From city cars to luxury models, alternative-fuel vehicles (including mild-hybrid, hybrid, plug-in and full-electric models), sports cars, family cars, SUVs and pretty much every sector of the new car market – plus pick-ups and vans – we’ve picked our favourite in each area.

While the world has felt the full force of Covid-19, the automotive sector hasn’t stood still. The cars we feature highlight the innovation, technology and engineering on offer today. That’s why these are our favourite new cars, the winners of our 2020 New Car Awards…

Click through the menu below to find out which cars won at the 2020 New Car Awards, and why...

New Car Awards 2020: the winners

  • New Car Awards 2020: introduction
  • Car of the Year 2020: Skoda Octavia
  • City Car of the Year 2020: Volkswagen up!
  • Supermini of the Year 2020: Renault Clio
  • Compact Family Car of the Year 2020: Skoda Octavia
  • Family Car of the Year 2020: Skoda Superb
  • Compact Executive Car of the Year 2020: Tesla Model 3
  • Executive Car of the Year 2020: Mercedes E-Class
  • Small Premium SUV of the Year 2020: Mercedes GLA
  • Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year 2020: Land Rover Defender
  • Luxury Car of the Year 2020: Bentley Flying Spur
  • Coupe of the Year 2020: Alpine A110
  • Affordable Electric Car of the Year 2020: Renault Zoe
  • Premium Electric Car of the Year 2020: Tesla Model 3
  • Premium Hybrid Car of the Year 2020: Mercedes E-Class
  • Driver Power Award 2020: Lexus

Special edition of Auto Express

For the full experience, make sure you pick up a copy of our special New Car Awards collectors' edition of the Auto Express magazine in the shops from tomorrow morning.

You can buy individual issues of Auto Express or subscribe for even bigger discounts on the magazine cover price. Click here to subscribe and get 6 issues for just £1.

If you’re not heading to the shops, you can get the digital magazine through the links below...

Stay right up to date with the latest from the world of cars in 2021 and beyond, follow Auto Express on social media...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Auto Express New Car Awards: all the previous winners
Auto Express New Car Awards 2025

Auto Express New Car Awards: all the previous winners

A look back at previous winners of the Auto Express New Car Awards
Awards
30 Jun 2026

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Volvo XC60 Black Edition offers mean looks for mighty value
Volvo XC60 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Volvo XC60 Black Edition offers mean looks for mighty value

Family-favourite Volvo XC60 is looking like tremendous value for money right now. It’s our Deal of the Day for 31 July.
News
31 Jul 2026
New BYD Ti7 offers PHEV power for £25k less than a Land Rover Defender
New BYD Ti7 - front 3/4

New BYD Ti7 offers PHEV power for £25k less than a Land Rover Defender

High-end seven-seat SUV is available to order now, with UK deliveries starting in January 2027
News
31 Jul 2026
Forget the Jaecoo 7! The Zeekr 9X is a real Chinese Range Rover lookalike
Zeekr 9X - front 3/4

Forget the Jaecoo 7! The Zeekr 9X is a real Chinese Range Rover lookalike

Move over Bentley, this is the high-end SUV Zeekr thinks buyers are looking for
News
29 Jul 2026

Find a car with the experts