Ford took four honours at this year’s What Car? Used Car awards including top prize for Ford Fiesta – which is also the UK’s top-selling new car.
The five-door Ford Fiesta 1.25-litre Zetec was voted best in the used supermini class – retaining the title from last year – while also taking the prestigious overall Used Car of the Year award. Judges praised its value for money as a pre-owned vehicle, refinement and ability to put a smile on any driver’s face.
Chas Hallett, What Car? editor in chief, said: “Ford Fiesta more than deserves the 2012 Used Car of the Year award, which was a unanimous decision by the judging panel. At launch it was named the overall What Car? Car of the Year and since then Fiesta has proved to be the ultimate used purchase. It is stylish, well equipped, practical, economical, safe and drives better than any rivals.”
Also taking home a What Car? trophy was the Ford Mondeo, winner of the family category for the second year running. Rating the Mondeo 2.0-litre TDCi Zetec as best in class, the judges said: “Other cars could rival it for interior space, refinement and practicality, but nothing else did it all at such an incredibly low price”.
Ford’s popular S-MAX in 2.0 TDCi 140PS Zetec guise was Used MPV of the Year. It was praised for being “that rarest of things, an MPV that’s fun to drive”.
Mark Ovenden, Ford Britain managing director, said: “Ford’s leadership position in the new car and van market means an equally strong choice of Fords for buyers of used vehicles. This is a vibrant market, especially in the current economic climate, so thanks to What Car? for endorsing the Ford Fiesta and our other winners.”
Ford’s record in the What Car? Used Car of the Year awards is impressive, having won at least one category for the past five years. Focus was top family car in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The Ford Fiesta, launched in 2008, was the winning used supermini by 2011. S-MAX has been class runner-up three times and the winner twice.
