Carbuyer.co.uk named its best cars of the year with judges presiding over 18 different categories. The company, which launched in 2010 is the only automotive website approved by the Plain English Campaign and is notable for its easy to understand reviews and helpful advice.

The annual Carbuyer Best Car Awards celebrate the best new cars on sale in the UK. To be considered for a Best Car Award, a model needs to have excelled in the areas of running costs, safety, technology, performance and practicality. To win, it’s not enough to do well in just one or two of these areas; it must be a consummate performer across the board.

Winning the coveted prize of Car of the Year was the BYD Dolphin, and was one of two wins for the Chinese manufactured car.

Here’s a selection of the winning cars…

Carbuyer Car of the Year - BYD Dolphin

Named as Car of the Year, Carbuyer’s judges were impressed by the Dolphin’s practical cabin, solid build quality, plentiful in-car tech, and impressive overall value for money. Available for between £26,195 and £31,695, the car has a 265 mile range thanks to its highly efficient 60.4 kWh BYD Blade Battery.

The Carbuyer judging panel said: “Compact on the outside, spacious on the inside, the BYD Dolphin is efficient, good to drive, loaded with tech and, with the bigger of the two batteries, comes with a sensible real-world range. It might not be pocket change, but the Dolphin costs a good chunk less than its mainstream rivals.

“It really is quite extraordinary how a brand you’ve never heard of – albeit one that sells millions of cars in its home market – can so drastically undercut the competition and still offer such a compelling package. The BYD Dolphin isn’t a cheap car, it’s a great-value car. There’s a difference.”

As well as being named Carbuyer Car of the Year, the electric hatchback also scooped the Best Small Electric Car award.

Best Family Electric Car - MG4

It seems that not a week goes by when I’m not reporting on an award win for the MG4. Since its introduction just over a year ago, the car has racked up nearly 30 award wins, including eight Car of the Year prizes. I see plenty on the roads near where I live and its latest win in the Best Family Electric Car category goes to show that it is equally as popular with judges as it is with consumers.

Highlighting the MG4 EV Long Range’s capability of up to 281 miles on a single charge, its practicality, interior comfort, and quality, the popular electric family hatch was a stand-out winner in its category.

The judging panel commented: “The base car’s a bargain and the hottest XPOWER model is a riot on the right road. Yet it’s the Long Range that’ll make more sense to most; almost 300 miles on a charge, plus strong cabin comfort and decent practicality – there really is no better family EV than the MG4.”

Best Large Electric Car - Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Taking home Best Large Electric Car, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz has added to its What Car? Car of the Year award earlier this year and is part of an extensive and diverse line up from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

With the ability to travel up to 258 miles on a single charge and offering plenty of storage, the judges were suitably impressed.

Carbuyer judges said: “Cool as you like, but with the goods to back up its striking looks. Throw everything you need in the back for a week away and you'll still have room for five up front – the Volkswagen ID.Buzz is a fantastic big EV. You want one, and so do we…”

Best Family Car - Dacia Jogger

Named as the best car for families, the Dacia Jogger is a car familiar to Driven readers having been previously reviewed by Graham Courtney.

On awarding the Jogger, the Carbuyer judges commented: “Massive inside and with seating for up to seven, the Dacia Jogger is an honest family car that’s more appealing than ever now it comes with the option of a hybrid powertrain and an automatic gearbox. Want one car to do it all? This could be it.”

Competitively priced from just £18,295, Graham was full of praise for the Jogger in his review, calling it a “terrific 7-seater” and the award wins and positive reviews are an addition to growing sales figures for the Romanian marque.

Best Small Company Car - CUPRA Born

Part of a double with for the Spanish marque, the CUPRA Born took the title of Best Small Company car for the second consecutive year.

Building on its success thanks to its cool styling, nimble performance, and premium comfort, the first all-electric car in the CUPRA lineup achieves a range of up to 343 miles and was commended for its range of specs and batteries.

Richard Ingram, Editor of Carbuyer, said: “To many, a company car is a status symbol. Cool, quick, comfortable, and with a load of specs and batteries to choose from, the CUPRA Born is our favourite small company car for the second year in a row.”

Read Graham Courtney’s review of the CUPRA Born here.

Best Hot SUV - CUPRA Formentor 

The second of CUPRA’s wins came thanks to the Formentor, which won Best Hot SUV for the third year in a row.

Praised for hitting the perfect balance between performance and usability, Formentor offers a broad range of powertrains and trim levels.

Commenting on the Formentor’s win, Richard Ingram added: "If you want the firepower of a sports car, plus the usability of a crossover, then the CUPRA Formentor is the best of its type. Negligible trade-off versus a traditional hot hatchback, plus that all-important SUV style.”

Marcus Gossen, Director of SEAT and CUPRA UK said: “It's brilliant to see Born and Formentor once again succeed in Carbuyer's Best Car Awards. Both models offer striking design and premium comfort without compromising on performance, and it's hugely satisfying for everyone here at CUPRA UK when they are recognised for these attributes.”

It was recently announced that Seat’s long term future lay away from being a mainstream car maker and that CUPRA would take on that role instead. With continued critical acclaim, this is already proving to be a shrewd move by the Volkswagen Group, which will now ramp up its investment in CUPRA.

Best Plug-in Hybrid - Mercedes-Benz C 300 e

For the second successive year, the Mercedes-Benz C 300 e has been named Best Plug-in Hybrid. Marrying a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 25.4 kWh high-voltage battery and 95 kW (129 hp) electric motor, the car’s output is 313 hp and 550 Nm of torque meaning 0-62mph takes 6.1 seconds. In electric-only mode, the mini Mercedes can travel 71 miles, perfect for those doing short trips or city driving.

Available as either a Saloon or Estate, prices start at £52,025 and £60,585 respectively with AMG specifications able to be added.

Full list of winners:

Best Small Car: Skoda Fabia
Best Small Family Car: Hyundai Kona
Best Family Car: Dacia Jogger
Best Large Family Car: Skoda Kodiaq
Best Estate Car: Skoda Octavia Estate
Best Small Company Car: Cupra Born
Best Company Car: Tesla Model Y
Best Sports Car: BMW 2 Series Coupe
Best Hot Hatchback: Hyundai i20 N
Best Hot SUV: Cupra Formentor
Best Convertible: MINI Convertible
Best Pickup: Ford Ranger
Best Small Electric Car: BYD Dolphin
Best Family Electric Car: MG4
Best Large Electric Car: Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Best Hybrid: Honda Civic
Best Plug-in Hybrid: Mercedes C-Class
Best Large Plug-in Hybrid: Lexus NX
Carbuyer Car of the Year: BYD Dolphin

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: BYD UK, MG Motor UK Limited, Volkswagen, Dacia, CUPRA & Mercedes.