The Tesla Model 3 has been crowned the 2020 UK Car of the Year.
It was also the overall winner in the Best Executive vehicle category and is the second EV to win the top honour after the Jaguar I-Pace collected it in 2019.
Eight other new cars were in the running with the Model 3 for the overall title, including another two EVs.
The Kia Niro EV won the Crossover category and – at just a point behind – “ensured the closest-ever winning margin in the history of the UK Car of the Year Awards”, UK COTY says.
The Porsche Taycan won the Performance category and came joint third overall with the BMW 3 Series Touring.
UK Car of the Year Awards director John Challen says the Tesla Model 3 has shaken up the executive segment and got many brands thinking.
”Electric vehicles attract a broad spectrum of opinions, but it’s clear that with its technology, performance and range, the Model 3 is converting a lot of people.”
EVs compete directly against internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles at the awards, 21 of the 29 votes going to battery-powered vehicles.
Launched in 2014, the UK Car of the Year Awards are judged by 29 of Britain’s leading motoring journalists. Each judge selected the top performer in nine vehicle categories for the 2020 awards, before deciding the overall winner from their favourites in each class.
UK Car of the Year Awards 2020 category winners:
- Best Supermini – Renault Clio
- Best Small Hatch – Mazda3
- Best Executive – Tesla Model 3
- Best Luxury – Bentley Flying Spur
- Best Estate – BMW 3 Series
- Best Crossover – Kia e-Niro
- Best Premium Crossover – Range Rover Evoque
- Best Cabriolet – Porsche 911
- Best Performance – Porsche Taycan
