Hyundai i10 from First Vehicle Leasing
Are you thinking of driving a new car under a lease or contract hire agreement in 2014? If so, picking a model that has been acknowledged by one of the UK’s major car buying websites could be the way to securing a great deal on a great car.
CarBuyer, launched three years ago, has announced its New Car awards for 2014 – and there was a surprise winner of the overall ‘best new car’. Keep reading to learn about this year’s winners…
Hyundai i10 wins New Car of the Year
The CarBuyer website is designed to provide advice to real motorists through its mix of real-world reviews, owner comments and video content. Thousands of motorists head to the site every year for advice on the best new cars, car leasing deals and for reviews of new models.
The awards recognise new cars in a range of categories as well as crowning an overall winner. This year, it was the new Hyundai i10, which not only won the best city car of the year, but was also named as Britain’s best new car buy for 2014.
The judges praised the i10’s quality, refinement, style and value – this slick city runabout starts from only £8,345. Hyundai also won in the best large SUV category with their Santa Fe model.
Steve Fowler, the editor-in-chief of CarBuyer, said: “The new Hyundai i10 is a brilliant car, offering a real grown-up feel and plenty of space at an incredibly low price. It’s fun to drive and cheap to own, too – the perfect car for cost-conscious car buyers.”
Dacia Duster from First Vehicle Leasing
A relatively new addition to the car leasing market – the Dacia Duster – took the best small SUV accolade. The stylish SUV scored high on practicality and reliability, and boasts low-running costs and fuel-efficient engines. It has a roomy cabin and huge boot to round off its tempting package, plus the bonus of rugged off-road capability in its 4×4 guises.
Mr Fowler added: “Last year’s CarBuyer Car of the Year continues to impress and remains CarBuyer‘s favourite small SUV for 2014. No wonder it’s such a sales success: we love its no-nonsense, value-packed approach. It’s great to drive and hugely practical, too – it makes you wonder why you would need to pay more for an SUV.”
Kia wins special award for warranty scheme
If you want peace of mind under your car leasing or contract hire scheme then it pays to have a good warranty. Kia’s seven year warranty celebrates its seventh birthday this month, and the Korean manufacturer won an award for this market leading scheme.
Paul Philpott, President and Chief Executive of Kia Motors (UK) Limited said: “Over the last seven years, hundreds of thousands of British motorists have benefitted from the security provided by the seven year warranty – across Europe that number rises to millions!
“And still, no-one in the European market has really matched the level of cover and the simplicity of our warranty. As we approach the warranty’s seventh birthday – and there are still cars out there from Day One with their warranties fully functional – it is a great honour that CarBuyer has recognised what a game-changer it has been for both the private and business motorist.”
BMW claimed three wins, including Best Electric/Hybrid Car for its i3. The 3-Series and 5-Series won the executive and large executive car categories. The Ford Fiesta was the best small car, with the ST version taking the award for the best hot hatchback.
Other winners included the Seat Leon (family car) and Alhambra (MPV), Mazda 6 (large family car), Skoda Octavia (estate) and Toyota GT-86 (coupe). The Volkswagen Golf was named the best convertible, while the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class took the luxury car award.