In 2020 I reviewed 60 cars from 24 marques, in a year that has been like no other. These cars were not all newly released in 2020, but we base our Car of the Year awards on the vehicles driven within the calendar year.
The judging panel consists of my family and as far as I know we are the only motoring magazine that includes children on the judging panel.
Just like last year the awards ceremony is taking place in our kitchen around the breakfast dishes. So please raise your coffee to Driven Women Magazine’s Best Cars of 2020.
My Daughter’s Car of the Year
For 2020 my daughter has chosen the Ford Mustang R-Spec as her Car of the Year. Regularly readers will not be surprised by this as she gave her Highly Commended award in 2019 to the Mustang GT. This year she has given her Highly Commended award to the Ford Ranger Raptor and when we ask her what car she will have when she grows up the answer is a Mustang and a Raptor, so congratulations to Ford I think you have a new lifelong fan!
My Son’s Car of the Year
For 2020 my son has chosen practicality over performance and luxury and awarded his Car of the Year to the Mazda CX-9 Azami AWD. Mainly because the second row has heated seats, blinds and climate control. For exactly the same reason he has given his Highly Commended award to the Mazda CX-8 Asaki AWD.
SUV of the Year
For me this was an easy choice for 2020, the Jaguar F-PACE SVR, which is essentially a Jaguar F-TYPE SVR with twice as many useable seats for half the price.
Highly Commended awards go to the Volkswagen Touareg 190TDI Adventure and the Genesis GV80 3.0D.
Fun Car of the Year
Another easy choice, the Toyota GR Yaris; I know the entire motoring media around the world is raving about it, but it is so much fun for a relatively cheap price and unless you are more than 6-feet tall you will most likely agree with me.
Highly Commended awards also go to Jaguar F-TYPE P380 Coupé, the Mazda MX-5 and the Ford Puma ST-Line V.
Performance Car of the Year
I had the pleasure this year to drive two absolutely stunning Lamborghini Huracáns, one Coupé and one Spyder. Only because I prefer a hard top over the convertible I am giving the Lamborghini Huracán Evo my Performance Car of the Year; it still gets my heart racing when I think about driving that car!
My Highly Commended award goes to the Mercedes-AMG C63S Coupé.
Eco Car of the Year
In 2020 I had the opportunity to drive a number of hybrid and electric vehicles and I am giving my Eco award to the Toyota Corolla Sedan SX Hybrid. Its ability to recharge the battery on the go and deploy it when needed provides the practicality of efficient driving without the limitation of battery-only technology.
My Highly Commended award goes to the Hyundai Kona EV Highlander for the range that this electric vehicle can achieve.
Driven Women Magazine’s Car of the Year
Drum roll please, for 2020 we have given our Car of the Year to the Mazda CX-9 Azumi AWD. It’s a seven seat SUV that can actually fit seven people; it has five child seat anchorage points, luxury for front and rear seat passengers all wrapped up in a good-looking package with an affordable price tag.
Our Highly Commended awards got the Mazda CX-8 Asaki AWD, the Skoda Superb Scout and the Kia Stinger GT-Line.
2021 has already started kicked off with some great vehicles and I can’t wait to do this all again for another year.
Happy Driving and Stay Safe!
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine