If you're on the lookout for a car to use for business, you're probably considering lots of different factors, such as how the vehicle looks, how comfortable it is to drive and how affordable it is to run.
One model that might tick all of your boxes is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which was the big winner at the recently held Company Car Today CCT100 Awards.
'A powerful combination'
The A-Class took home two prizes from the event – the main Car of the Year title and also the Premium Lower Medium Car of the Year award.
Judges singled out the popular Mercedes-Benz hatchback for its interior comfort, low running costs and the range of innovative technologies on offer to drivers.
All models in the A-Class range come as standard with twin seven-inch digital displays including a central touchscreen with MBUX multimedia system. Tech fans will enjoy the 'Hey Mercedes' intelligent voice control function.
In an added bonus, Mercedes-Benz's premium hatchback is about to become the first car to beat the British government's RDE2 regulations, which will place a tax penalty on diesel company cars that don't meet certain environmental standards.
Ultra-efficient RDE2-compliant engines are due to join the A-Class range in the spring.
Paul Barker, editor of Company Car Today, said this will build on the foundations the range has already established with its "classy design, high-quality cabin, advanced technology and top-line residual values".
He added: "It's a powerful combination that has set new levels for premium small cars, and the fact that Mercedes is the first company to launch new engines that will wipe out the four-band company car tax surcharge for fleet drivers is the icing in the cake. It's a very deserving winner of our overall 2019 CCT100 Car of the Year award."
Browse some of the latest business and personal leasing deals for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Other winners
Mercedes-Benz wasn't the only manufacturer recognised for the quality of its company car offerings at the awards event.
Also among the winners was the Nissan LEAF, which was named Electric Car of the Year based on criteria including price, running costs, emissions, practicality and driver appeal.
Mr Barker said the LEAF deserved to be singled out for being the "number one car driving forward the adoption of electric vehicles by UK businesses". He also highlighted the new model's "striking styling", which complements its extended range.
Volvo was another manufacturer celebrating at the Company Car Today CCT100 Awards, after the XC40 was announced as Premium Crossover of the Year.
The XC40 overcame competition from five other cars on the shortlist on the strength of its design, efficiency and advanced technology. It offers standard features including the Sensus nine-inch touchscreen and a voice control system.
In the Lower Medium Car of the Year category, Honda enjoyed more success as the Civic took home the top award for the second year running. The other nominees were the Ford Focus, Hyundai Ioniq, Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf.
Mr Barker said the Civic was distinguished by its "efficient engine range, practicality, good looks and great driving experience".
If these sound like the sort of cars that fit your criteria for work, take a look at some of the latest business leasing deals for the Nissan LEAF, Volvo XC40 and the Honda Civic.