The Times and Sunday Times Best Cars of 2022

Published by 1st CENTRAL at 13th October 2022

The Sunday Times Car of the Year 2022: Mercedes-Benz EQE

Premium quality inside and out – and sparing no expense on extravagance – the Mercedes-Benz EQE takes the title for top overall vehicle. It’s the ideal executive car, giving the Tesla Model S a run for its money with its elegant flat “grille”, sumptuous seats, aerodynamic body and rapid charging capabilities.

Sunday Times Legend 2022: Honda Civic Type R

Now officially legendary is the Honda Civic Type R model, with the all–new version being released in early 2023. The model was first introduced in 1997 and has maintained its exceptional reputation for over 25 years. Rewarding to drive and impressive around a track, the Civic Type R never disappoints motor enthusiasts and is sure to stick around for the long haul.

Best Designed Car of the Year: Volkswagen ID Buzz

An instant classic, the VW ID Buzz has a design that straddles past, present, and future, featuring the two-tone cool of the original VW Type 2 as well as modern style accents nodding to its forward-thinking electric powertrain. As soon as this car reaches the UK, we’re bound to see them all over our coastal roads.

Value Car of the Year: Dacia Jogger

No premium-quality seven-seater can compete at this price. The Dacia Jogger boasts surprising levels of technology and comfort, along with practical touches such as the roof rails that swivel to become roof bars and removable third row of seats.

Family Car of the Year: Kia Sportage

A vehicle that embodies comfort, convenience, practicality and flexibility, the Kia Sportage is a true multitasker, perfect for the needs of a family. It’s also exceptional in design and high-end technology, making it the crème de la crème of its category.

Adventure Car of the Year: Land Rover Defender 130

This vehicle demonstrates ‘extreme’ at its finest. Not only can the Land Rover Defender 130 go where other cars can’t, but it stands out in terms of style, flair, and desirability while overtaking previous versions in load-carrying ability. A real force to be reckoned with.

City / Small Car of the Year: Toyota Aygo X

Compact proportions, impressive manoeuvrability and efficient powertrain – the Toyota Aygo X offers all of this and more, proving bigger isn’t always better. With practicality and style in spades, a commanding driving position and slightly raised ride height, this small car makes driving in the city a pleasurable experience.

Small SUV / Crossover of the Year: Kia Niro

Now for the UK’s most popular vehicle category – the Niro takes the prize for Small SUV / Crossover. A combination of pleasing handling characteristics, excellent build quality and a high number of electrified powertrain choices helped earn the vehicle its title. But the release of the all-new model with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric versions has cemented its place as number one.

Large SUV of the Year: Range Rover

The 5th generation of Range Rover launched this year, showing off its most luxurious, high-tech and desirable version to date. The vehicle shines for its offroad comfort, particularly in SVAutobiography form, as well as its improved road manners and agility thanks to uprated suspension and four-wheel steering. The plug-in hybrid model also has an impressive electric range of 70 miles – need we say more?

Sports Car of the Year: Lotus Emira

The Lotus Emira marks a new chapter in the manufacturer’s history as its final petrol car. The Emira’s high-tech capabilities, comfort and refinement are nothing short of exceptional, earning the vehicle the title of Sports Car of the Year – a final salute to Lotus’s combustion era.

Want to learn more about the best cars on our roads? Discover our top ten safest cars of 2022.

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