At the iconic Silverstone race circuit, the Autocar Awards 2023 were held to celebrate the best new cars and high achievers in the automotive world.

The Duke of Richmond was presented with Autocar’s most prestigious award, the Issigonis Trophy, an award named after Mini inventor Sir Alec Issigonis for individuals who have made a historically significant contribution to our industry.

Motorsport at Goodwood was started by his grandfather Freddie Richmond, who opened the Goodwood Motor Circuit in 1948. After 1966, almost 30 years without racing passed before the Duke made it his mission to reopen the circuit in the 1990s, initiating the annual Festival of Speed event, which first ran in 1993. It is one of the highlights of the British automotive calendar and brings thousands of people together who have one thing in common: their passion for cars. John Marcar was recently present at the Goodwood Members Meeting, one of the many other significant events held there every year, to speak to the Duke himself, ‘Lifetime Achievement’ winner Andy Wallace of Bugatti and various other figures from the automotive world.

Adrian Newey’s tremendous work at Red Bull Racing was recognised, as he took home the Motorsport Award. The team which won last year's Driver’s and Constructors F1 Championship has now added more silverware to its cabinet, with Newey particularly earning special praise for his ability to perform and adapt to the ever-changing regulations in Formula 1.

Another big winner was the MG4 EV, which won ‘Best Electric Car’, adding to its ‘UK Car of the Year’ win in March and ‘Best Everyday EV’ at the TopGear.com Electric Awards 2023.  The electric hatchback has been key to MG’s impressive growth in sales since arriving in the UK in September 2022, with over 5,200 sales. In the first quarter of 2023, the MG4 EV was the UK’s second best-selling electric car, starting at just below £27,000.

‘Best Fun Car’ went to the Honda Civic Type R, a big win for Honda’s iconic ultimate hot hatch. Developed using the success of its predecessors from the past 25 years, the sixth generation Civic Type R launched in late 2022, with Autocar’s Deputy Road Test Editor Richard Lane praising it for being “faster and more capable than its forebear”.

Following on from its treble win at the World Car of the Year awards, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 took home another gong, winning Best Company Car. Autocar praised its efficiency, long-range and generous rear seat space.

And finally, BMW M3 Touring was named ‘Best Dream Car’. John Marcar recently drove one, and you can read our Driven review and watch a video review here.

The full list of winners:

Issigonis Trophy – The Duke of Richmond, Goodwood
Sturmey Award – Denis Le Vot, Dacia
Editor’s Award – Paul Philpott, Kias
Lifetime Achievement – Andy Wallace, Bugatti
Mundy Award for Engineering – Tim Woolmer, Yasa
Design Hero – Matt Weaver, Nissan Design Europe
Motorsport Hero – Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing
Outstanding Leader – Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Outstanding UK Leader – Lisa Brankin, Ford
Outstanding UK Leader – Darren Edwards, Sytner Group
Innovation – Lord Bamford, JCB

Autocar’s Best Cars of 2023

Five-Star Car – Ferrari 296 GTB
Five-Star Car – Porsche Cayman GT4 RS
Britain’s Best Driver’s Car – Porsche 911 GT3
Autocar-Beaulieu Future Class – Toyota GR86
Best Company Car – Hyundai IONIQ 6
Best Fun Car – Honda Civic Type R
Best SUV – Range Rover Sport
Best Dream Car – BMW M3 Touring
Best Electric Car – MG 4
Best Budget Car – Dacia Sandero
Best Small Car – Jeep Avenger
Best Large Car – Volkswagen Multivan
Best Family Car – Dacia Jogger
Best Manufacturer - Kia