cinch Car of the Year Awards 2024
Our team of experts dish out gongs to the motors that made us smile the most in 2024
2024 has been a stellar year for new cars, with tough choices for anyone after their next motor – whether it’s the latest performance model or a sensible SUV.
Over the last 12 months, we've driven a whole range of new and exciting cars, but there are some we think stand out above the rest.
Below, we reveal our Cars of the Year for 2024, plus a few used models from previous years that you can snap up today on cinch.
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Winner: Nissan Qashqai E-Power
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Winning our hybrid Car of the Year award is the Nissan Qashqai E-Power. It’s proof that hybrid cars don’t need to be boring to look at or to drive.
And what makes the Qashqai E-Power so good is another way it breaks the mould – how its hybrid system works.
Nissan’s ‘E-Power’ cleverly uses the engine as a ‘generator’ for the electric motor. So, you always get the serene quiet of driving an EV, but you never need to plug it in.
Our motoring editor Sam Sheehan says: "It feels like an electric car with zippy acceleration and one-pedal driving, and yet it's as convenient as a petrol car because it doesn't need to be plugged in."
You had us at 53.3mpg in a full-size SUV.
Runners-up: best hybrid
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2nd: Renault Clio Hybrid
With plenty of character and a competent hybrid system, the Renault Clio Hybrid helps take this small hatchback name to the next level.
3rd: MG HS PHEV
Thanks to an attractive £31,495 starting price, it’s no wonder the MG HS PHEV is one of the best plug-in hybrids on the market, and it sits comfortably in third place.
Sam's honourable mention:
"If you don’t want to buy the newest of the new, I'd go for the Kia Sportage Hybrid from 2022 because of its bold looks and impressive 51.4mpg."
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Winner: MG HS
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The PHEV might have been pipped at the post in the hybrid category, but the petrol MG HS takes our crown for best family SUV of 2024.
There aren’t many brands making affordable cars as well as MG at the moment – this coming in from just £24,995 – and it looks the part too.
As a family car to get you from A to B, and with a 507-litre boot, there's lots to like with the MG HS.
Sam adds: "Put simply, it represents arguably the best value for money of any car from any segment. At £25,000 from new, it offers proper SUV practicality, but for crossover money. It drives nicely too."
We’re witnessing a brand comeback for the ages.
Runners-up: best family SUV
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2nd: Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is on the bigger end of the scale in the family car segment. With its super comfortable ride and plush interior, it’s up there with the best. Attractive prices and tech above its station make it worthy of this second-place spot.
3rd: Renault Scenic
Ever since the Renault Scenic went electric, it’s blown most of its competition out of the water. With a 379-mile range and plenty of space for the kids, it deserves a spot on this list.
Sam's honourable mention:
"You can pick up a low mileage 2021 Tiguan for even less than a 2024 MG HS. It houses a gargantuan 652-litre boot and the reassurance that comes with owning a VW. It's a great option for families looking for a reliable used SUV."
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Winner: Mini Countryman JCW
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Want something that ticks all the boxes in a small SUV? Look no further than the full-fat John Cooper Works (JCW) Mini Countryman.
It’s a Mini, so it looks great and has bags of character. And it’s essentially a BMW X1 underneath, so the quality is top-notch. How could we choose anything else?
Sam says: "Yep, everyone can enjoy the thrill of the Mini Countryman JCW because it has a racy 300 horsepower output, all-wheel drive, and enough space for the whole family."
Runners-up: best small SUV
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2nd: Peugeot 2008
Peugeot’s making some really exciting cars at the moment, and the 2008 is a prime example of a small SUV done right. Let's just say it wasn't easy putting this at number two.
3rd: Citroen C3
Transitioning from hatchback to SUV was a huge step for the Citroen C3, but it’s all the better for it, adding even more style and greater interior tech to its existing French flair.
Sam's honourable mention:
"Taking the reins from the Ford Fiesta was never going to be easy, and it had a cult favourite name to live up to, but the Puma SUV handles it all like a true champ. And the used deals have a real bite."
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Winner: Renault Clio Hybrid
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The Clio has been around for decades, but we don’t think it’s ever been better than the latest one – especially not in its seriously impressive hybrid form, placing it as our best hatchback of 2024.
As you’d expect, it looks great and drives just as well, but it’s well-rounded enough to pip its rivals to the post and come out on top as the best hatchback of the year.
"Its compact footprint makes it easy to park, and yet inside, there's a cabin to rival the Mini's for that premium feeling, and it definitely beats it when it comes to space," adds Sam.
And yes, we loved the Clio so much that it made the podium in two of our Car of the Year 2024 categories.
Bravo, Renault.
Runners-up: best hatchback
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2nd: Mini Cooper Electric
For something a little more fun, the Mini Cooper Electric is spot on. It’s not as practical as the winner but offers sporty handling and a quirky interior.
3rd: Peugeot e-208
Another cracking car from Peugeot, the e-208 is a worthy contender. It falls short of the Renault and the Mini in a couple of ways, but it’s still damn good.
Sam's honourable mention:
"Ford stopped selling the Fiesta in 2023, so it can’t be hatchback of the year 2024, but we know it would give the Clio a run for its money if you could still buy one new."
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Winner: Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
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Ah, the four-leaf clover. If you’re in the market for the best performance car, you won’t feel luckier than in an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
It’s an Alfa Romeo. And it has a V6. But if that doesn’t mean anything to you, just look at the thing.
If you need any more convincing (we know you don’t), just drive one. It’s like a puppy when you’ve just got home from work, all over the place in the best way possible.
When driving the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, Sam said: "It's exactly the type of performance car we've always loved. It looks drop-dead gorgeous, has a vocal, powerful V6 engine and it steers like a true sports car through the bends."
Runners-up: best performance car
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2nd: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
The Ioniq 5 N, being as good as it is, makes it hard to put it in second place, but we think the Alfa just pips it in terms of overall performance. This EV still puts up a good fight, though.
It’s hard to beat a growling 2.9-litre V6.
3rd: BMW Z4 Handschalter
BMW threw us a curveball with this one. Whacking a manual gearbox in the existing BMW Z4 that, luckily for us, resulted in a superb driving experience.
Sam's honourable mention:
"Nothing in the world of front-wheel drive cars has come close to the Honda Civic Type-R recently. I've been in awe of this monster since I drove one back in early 2023."
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Winner: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
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2024 has seen more new electric car releases than Taylor Swift concerts, but one car stands out above them all – the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
From its gimmicky ‘engine’ sounds to a being proper handling machine, the 650hp 5 N points to an exciting future in the world of EVs.
Sam said, "I was blown away by its ability to mimic a petrol car despite being electric. It really is impressive.
"But it's the fact the Ioniq 5 N isn't just a gimmick. It's also a genuinely engaging and fun-to-drive performance car in its own right."
Runners-up: best electric car
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2nd: Renault 5
Probably the most anticipated car of 2024 was the Renault 5, and, oh boy, did it deliver. The finished result actually looks like the concept car.
Fantastique.
It’s another retro-futuristic design with a great powertrain and bags of character – unlucky to lose out to the Hyundai if we’re honest.
3rd: Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce
Whoever said electric SUVs weren’t fun to drive has clearly never taken the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce for a spin.
Maybe it shouldn’t work, but it just does. It must be the added Alfa charm that puts it right at the top of fun-to-drive EVs that are easy to live with.
Sam's honourable mention:
"A bit of a departure from the Ioniq 5 N, yes, but for many EV drivers, the Tesla Model 3 is the best you can get. And the price of a used one sweetens the deal that bit more."
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Winner: Renault
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"Renault really found its va-va-voom in 2024, and it's brought out some reborn classics like the Renault 5 and the incoming Renault 4. Even the Renault Twingo is coming back," added Sam.
From the reborn Renault 5 to the Symbioz SUV to the Clio hybrid – our hatchback of the year – the French manufacturer hasn't missed a beat.
For years, Renault was relatively under the radar, but its revival as a stylish, smart, and trustworthy brand has put it back on the map with UK motorists.
We can’t wait to see what the Renault group does going forward because we're in for a treat if this year's anything to go by.
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