With 2011 quickly drawing to a close, it's about time we take a look back at the last 12 months and pick out some of the best cars around.
This year has been a fantastic one for the South Korean manufacturer Kia, with a number of its models picking up awards at the various events held by the leading motoring publications and organisations.
The manufacturer itself was also singled out for some well deserved praise for its design strategy, its commitment to boost economy and the environmentally-friendly nature of its vehicles by slashing CO2 emissions in the majority of its models.
Kia's pint-sized Picanto was singled out for a great deal of praise this year, and despite its diminutive appearance the latest model certainly packs a punch.
It's punch may not be the traditional one you expect from one of the leading cars of the year – high speed, revving engines and superb cornering – but the Picanto has masses of what the average car buyer wants and needs.
Typically for a car from Asia, it's one of the most reliable on the market, while it also providers drivers with practicality, safety and a vehicle that is well crafted.
It may not be the most expensive car in history, but it certainly packs a punch for it pricetag and when you factor in the manufacturer's seven-year warranty there is no doubt the Picanto is one of the cars of 2011.
A special mention must also go to the Rio, a stablemate of the Picanto, which took on the more established Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Polo in one of the toughest segments of the UK market. While it still lags behind its competitors in sales figures, it has made a significant dent in the market.
Volkswagen has also had a successful year in 2011, with its BlueMotion technology receiving seemingly never-ending praise.
The Golf BlueMotion has been the main headline maker this year for the German manufacturer, picking up What Car?'s Small Green Family Car accolade, the Gold Award for Larger Family Cars and the overall Green Champion at the Green Apple Environment Awards.
A comfortable interior and superb CO2 emissions of just 99 g/km and a fuel economy of 68.9 mpg add further fuel to the Golf BlueMotion fire and secure it a spot among the leading contenders for the car of 2011.
Other VW grabbing the headlines in the last 12 months were the Golf Cabriolet and the brand-new up!, which were both recognised for their safety and how fun they are to drive.
The entry-level VW up! was recently awarded a class-leading 1E insurance group rating, with the Move up! and Move up! with BlueMotion Technology, which feature a range of added extras, are also in group 1E.
Meanwhile the Passat Estate has continued to win consistent sales with its understated but stylish approach to motoring, through efficient engines, space and refinement – characteristics that recently saw it named the Caravan Times Towcar of the Year award for its price bracket.
Ford got 2011 off to a fine start with the arrival of its all-new third generation Focus, which thrilled car enthusiasts all over the UK and maintained Ford's grip on the sales leaderboard as the new model slotted right in where the old one left off – consistently in the top two for monthly sales figures throughout the year.
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Ford Focus also rated highly in safety tests and racked up the highest score of 2011 when it came to pedestrian protection, but its score of 72 per cent means that Ford and other manufacturers are working hard to try to improve pedestrian safety measures.
Posted by George Davis