Toyota Corolla Named What Car? Car Of The Year

There was British success last night at the motor industry ‘Oscars’, although the name of the winner has a distinctly foreign ring to it.

The new Toyota Corolla, built at Burnaston in Derbyshire, was named Car of the Year 2002 by What Car? at a prestigious ceremony in London’s Grosvenor House.

The latest incarnation of what is the world’s best-selling car beat off strong competition from other Brits including the new Mini, Range Rover and Jaguar X-type, as well as newcomers such as Ford’s Fiesta and Volkswagen’s Polo to take the title of Car of the Year. In addition to the overall crown, the Corolla also won the award for Best Small Hatchback.

“The new Corolla is a fantastic achievement for Toyota,” said editor Steve Fowler. ‘From bottom of the class to top of the world, this new Corolla is great to drive, fantastic to be in and makes real sense to own.

“The quality of cars the Corolla had to beat to win our Car of the Year award is the clearest indication of its all-round excellence.”

Accepting the award, Dr Shuhei Toyoda, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe Manufacturing, said: “It is especially significant and pleasing to receive this award in Britain, with the Corolla made at our Burnaston plant near Derby and its engine made at our Deeside plant in north Wales. It’s a great start to the tenth anniversary of Toyota production in the UK.”

What Car? editor Steve Fowler said: ‘These awards have been the toughest to judge in the 25 years of What Car? Awards. Today’s cars offer levels of comfort, refinement, safety, security, enjoyment and value across all categories that buyers could only dream of just a few years ago.’

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Over the past 12 months, What Car? has assessed more than 250 different cars
• The testing has involved nearly a million miles of driving and thousands of hours assessing every last detail
• Each car tested by What Car? covers over 1000 miles with their team of testers, who look at practicality, ride, handling, economy, finance, safety, security and ergonomics
• Testing includes loading with luggage and people, checking all features and accessories, ensuring reliability, investigating running costs and shopping for the best prices via dealers, the internet and even abroad
• What Car? was launched 29 years ago and this is the 25th annual Car of the Year Awards
• Independent research shows that a quarter of all new-car buyers read What Car? before making their buying decision