(Fri 15 Jan 10)

The Peugeot 3008 1.6 HDI 110 Active has been named Car of the Year 2010 by What Car? magazine. "The 3008 oozes clever thinking," said Editor Steve Fowler at the ceremony. "It is styled in a striking and user-friendly fashion and has all the room inside that a modern family should need. Some of the features are a delight, like the full-length glass roof, the head-up display and the massive cooled storage bin between the front seats.

"Mind you, the rest of the car is pretty clever, too; the rear seats fold flat at the pull of a lever in the boot and the false cargo bay floor means you can get a long or a tall load in. And just as importantly, the 3008 is also comfortable to drive and be driven in, as well as being keenly priced and affordable to run. All of which makes it ultra-desirable and another brilliant Car of the Year."

The 3008 also won the new Crossover category, introduced for 2010, while the 5008 (in 1.6 THP Sport form) took the MPV honours. Another particularly successful manufacturer was Audi, which won the Coupé category with the TT 2.0 TFSI, the Performance Category with the R8 V10, the Readers' Award for the yet-to-be-launched A1 and the Security Award.

Mercedes-Benz won the Luxury class with its S 350 CDI BlueEfficiency, and its Attention Assist system was given the Safety Award. The Mazda6 2.2D TS had the unusual distinction of winning two categories - Family and Estate - while 1.4 SE versions of the Volkswagen Polo and Golf won the Supermini and Small Family prizes. Another double winner was BMW, whose Z4 sDrive23i and 320d ES were named the best Open Top and Compact Executive respectively.

Other awards went to the Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup (Hot Hatch), Land Rover Discovery TDV6 XS (4x4) and Jaguar XF 3.0D (Executive).

Comment on this story on Facebook or Twitter.