The Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year award was established in 1978 based on similar Car of the Year awards. It is organised and judged by the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI), comprising journalists across the country. The award was initially sponsored by Semperit and more recently by Semperit's owners, Continental Tyres.
The awards have eleven categories: Irish Car of the Year (overall winner), Compact Car, Medium Car, Large Car, Compact SUV, Medium SUV, Large SUV, Green/Efficient Car, Performance/Luxury Car, Hot Hatchback, and, since 2019, MPV.
Ford has won the competition eight times, with the Ford Mondeo winning the overall title the most times for an individual model. The winner for 2023 was the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. The awards ceremony is usually held each November in Dublin, with the awards presented for the following year. The awards ceremony for 2023 was held at the Westin Dublin Hotel.
Current rules Cars are assessed by a jury of 34 of the most experienced motoring journalists in Ireland. Each jury member road tests every car individually on the following criteria:
use of new technology/new ideas safety factors equipment level, fuel economy, practicality environmental impact (emissions, recyclability) use of space, comfort, ventilation and layout build quality, fit and finishing ride, dynamic qualities, road holding, steering, manoeuvrability engine, ease of driving, braking price, warranty, dealer network, after sales service driver/user feedback
Results The first winner of the award was the Volkswagen Golf Diesel, which debuted four years after the regular Volkswagen Golf.
The Ford Mondeo is the only model to have won the title three times, in 1994, 2008 and 2016. It was beaten into second place in 2001 by the Renault Laguna.
The 2023 winner was the Volkswagen ID. Buzz with the van version, the ID. Buzz Cargo, winning the Irish Van of the Year title.
Year Irish Car of the Year Winner 1978 Volkswagen Golf (Diesel) 1979 Volkswagen Derby 1980 Fiat Ritmo 1981 Datsun Stanza 1982 Ford Escort 1983 Ford Sierra 1984 Fiat Uno 1985 Opel Kadett 1986 Ford Granada 1987 Fiat Croma 1988 Toyota Corolla 1989 Fiat Tipo 1990 Renault 19 1991 Fiat Tempra 1992 Opel Astra 1993 Toyota Carina E 1994 Ford Mondeo 1995 Opel Omega 1996 Volkswagen Polo 1997 Peugeot 406 1998 Citroën Xsara 1999 Ford Focus 2000 Toyota Yaris 2001 Opel Corsa 2002 Renault Laguna 2003 Mazda6 2004 Toyota Avensis 2005 Ford Focus 2006 Suzuki Swift 2007 Honda Civic 2008 Ford Mondeo 2009 Citroën C5 2010 Peugeot 3008 2011 Nissan Juke 2012 Kia Rio 2013 BMW 3 Series (F30) 2014 Citroën C4 Picasso 2015 Nissan Qashqai 2016 Ford Mondeo 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2018 Peugeot 3008 2019 Volvo XC40 2020 Kia e-Soul 2021 not held 2022 Kia EV62023 Volkswagen ID. Buzz 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 2025 Renault Scenic 2026 Renault 5 E-Tech
By manufacturer Brand Award no. Models Ford 8 Escort (1982) Sierra (1983) Granada (1986) Mondeo (1994) Focus (1999) Focus (2005) Mondeo (2008) Mondeo (2016) Fiat 5 Ritmo (1980) Uno (1984) Croma (1987) Tipo (1989) Tempra (1991) Opel 4 Kadett (1985) Astra (1992) Omega (1995) Corsa (2001) Toyota 4 Corolla (1988) Carina (1993) Yaris (2000) Avensis (2004) Volkswagen 4 Golf (1978) Derby (1979) Polo (1996)ID. Buzz (2023) Citroën 3 Xsara (1998) C5 (2009) C4 Picasso (2014) Peugeot 3 406 (1997) 3008 (2010) 3008 (2018) Kia 3 Rio (2012) e-Soul (2020) EV6 (2022) Nissan 2 Juke (2011) Qashqai (2015) Renault 2 19 (1990) Laguna (2002) BMW 1 F30 (2013) Datsun 1 Stanza (1981) Honda 1 Civic (2007) Mazda 1 6 (2003) Mercedes 1 E-Class (2017) Suzuki 1 Swift (2006) Volvo 1 XC40 (2019)
See also Car of the Year List of motor vehicle awards
References
External links Irish Car of the Year Website Irish Motoring Writers Association