Honest John Awards 2014: The winners
You've seen the shortlists - and now we've announced the winners of the 2014 Honest John Awards. Click through the gallery below to find out which cars won in each of the categories and to find out which model won Car of the Year 2014.
City car of the year 2014: Hyundai i10
We were mightily impressed when we drove the new i10 and it seems our users are similarly as keen. Despite the review only going live towards the end of 2013, the amount of users viewing it has been nothing short of phenomenal.
It's gone straight to the top in our list of city cars and we expect it to be similarly successful in the sales charts thanks to its blend of refinement, handling and quality – not to mention the usual Hyundai reliability and a five-year warranty.
Small hatchback of the year 2014: Dacia Sandero
Dacia has made a big splash in the UK with its affordable model range and our users have shown what an appetite there is for low priced yet good quality cars.
Its 'function over frivolity' image has huge appeal at a time when car buyers are looking to keep running costs down. The fact that the Sandero has proved more popular on the site than many established hatchbacks is a mighty impressive feat.
Small family car of the year 2014: Volkswagen Golf
The small family car category is hotly contested - Volkswagen even has stiff competition from within its own family with the SEAT Leon and Audi A3 popular with visitors to honestjohn.co.uk.
However the Golf is a known quantity to many and it's long been regarded as the benchmark family car. It's no surprise, then, to see it take the top spot for the second year running.
Large family car of the year 2014: Skoda Octavia
When it comes to choosing the perfect family car, few models can compete with the spaciousness and affordability that the Skoda Octavia offers.
According to our users, the Octavia ticks all of the hatchback boxes, with high praise for its refinement and excellent range of efficient engines. That's reflected in its popularity on the site with it coming out top in the fiercely contested Large Family Car category.
Click to see what it's like to live with the Octavia day-to-day
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Compact executive car of the year 2014: BMW 3 Series
The popularity of the BMW 3 Series shows no signs of abating. Last year the previous generation model won the award and for 2014 the new generation model is picking up where its predecessor left off.
With its renowned handling, sharp looks and a premium interior, the 3 Series is one of the best selling cars in the UK and its appeal is reflected among our users.
Large executive car of the year 2014: Jaguar XF
The British-built Jaguar XF competes in a tough market and is up against several of the German manufacturers, but honestjohn.co.uk users clearly love the style and class of the Jaguar, with it coming top in the Large Executive category.
We're also fans of the XF due to its luxurious interior and immense refinement, so it's no surprise to see it winning this award for the third year running.
MPV of the year 2014: Ford C-MAX
The Ford C-MAX proves its popularity among users of honestjohn.co.uk and shows its dominance in the MPV category with an incredible fourth win in a row.
The fact its nearest competitor was the Ford B-MAX shows just how much our users like Ford people carriers. And that's little surprise given how versatile, well built and family-friendly they are.
Crossover of the year 2014: Skoda Yeti
We're big fans of the Skoda Yeti, it's one of the cars we recommend most to users and it's easy to recommend thanks its compelling blend of family practicality, impressive engines and quirky style.
Our users clearly agree, with the Yeti winning in the crossover category, one of the most fiercely contested of all our awards. The fact Skoda has won two awards – and is the only brand to do so – proves just how popular the brand is with our users.
SUV of the year 2014: Volvo XC90
The XC90 proves that it's not always the new kid on the block who is the most popular. It may have been on sale since 2002 but year after year it has proved a consistently strong performer with users on honestjohn.co.uk , ranking higher than many newer SUVs.
It represents good value for money and with impressive ride comfort and the usual Volvo safety systems, it's a popular car with growing families.
Convertible of the year 2014: Mazda MX-5
The MX-5 has long been regarded as the most enjoyable and engaging open top car, building up a huge following over the years. So it's perhaps no surprise to see it coming out as the most popular Convertible on honestjohn.co.uk.
Its combination of buzzy performance and superb handling, combined with an affordable price tag has clearly found favour among our users.
Performance car of the year 2014: Toyota GT86
With a genuine sports car feel, superb handling and the ability to always put a smile on your face, the GT86 is the car we've been waiting several years for Toyota to build. We love the driver-focussed feel, the boxer engine and, while it may not be the fastest performance car around, not much else can match it for sheer enjoyment.
It seems our users love it too, with the GT86 review proving very popular once again, winning the Performance Car award for the second year running.
Luxury car of the year 2014: Audi A7 Sportback
When it comes to quality and luxury, the A7 Sportback has both in spades. The interior finish is impeccable but there's more to the A7 than just impressive refinement. It handles superbly well for what is a substantial car while Its svelte lines and stylish design mean it can still turns heads.
When it was first launched it created plenty of interest among the motoring public and that's translated to its popularity on honestjohn.co.uk, with it claiming the crown in our new Luxury Car award.
Van of the year 2014: Ford Transit Custom
Changing a winning formula is never easy, but Ford has excelled itself with the Transit Custom. Built on the DNA of the iconic Transit, the Custom has raised the benchmark in the one tonne van market, with a practical and load area and strong range 2.2 TDCi engines.
Its interior quality is unrivalled too. Over the last 12 months users of honestjohn.co.uk have viewed the Transit Custom more than any other van review on the site.
Classic car of the year 2014: Mercedes-Benz W124
It's refreshing to see that the readers of our brand new classic car site have chosen the Mercedes-Benz W124 as their car of the year and not something more obvious.
It's classless, usable, tough and reliable. It's also a great ownership proposition - as people recognise it as a classic car, but it's not outclassed in modern traffic.
Best Real MPG performer of 2014: Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC (66.2mpg)
We rate the Honda 1.6 i-DTEC engine as the best small diesel on the market with its refined nature and impressive performance.And further enhancing its appeal is its real world fuel economy.
Figures submitted to Real MPG over the last 12 months show a realistic economy figure of 66.2mpg. At a time when running costs are a key factor in choosing a car, the Civic 1.6 i-DTEC makes a very strong case for itself.
Most highly rated car of 2014: Ford Mondeo
With more positive reviews than any other car on the site, the Mondeo has proved a big success with users of honestjohn.co.uk.
They're particularly positive about its smooth and comfortable ride as well as the practicality of the large boot describing it as the best car in its class and beyond. With a series of five star ratings from owners, the Mondeo is proving to be much loved by owners.
Overall car of the year 2014: Volkswagen Golf
Winning Car of the Year for 2014 and Small Family Car shows the enduring popularity of the Volkswagen Golf. It sets the quality benchmark in its class and is a great all-round hatchback with the usual Volkswagen build quality and refinement.
We think it's a very impressive car and our users clearly agree, with the Golf getting more views than any other review on the site.
