Sponsored in collaboration with Macklin Motors, the annual Scottish Car of the Year Awards was held at the Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club, nestled on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
The evening was filled with excitement and anticipation as we gathered together to celebrate automotive excellence.
The Scottish Car of The Year 2023, held on the esteemed St Andrews Day, unfolded in grandeur. The evening began with a performance from the Stockbridge Pipe Band, invoking the spirit of Scottish tradition. Followed by a speech from Association president, Al Suttie, setting the tone for an evening dedicated to automotive excellence.
Attendees enjoyed a dinner that showcased the flavours of Scotland including a sampling of Haggis. ASMW member Ken Fletcher presented the dish complemented by the enchanting tunes of a piper. Given the auspicious date of the awards on the 30th of November, we made sure to celebrate St Andrews Day in style with the presence of King Robert the Bruce, who bestowed honours upon the guests.
Celebrating the annual SCOTY awards, the ASMW reflects on a remarkable journey marked by a great variety of winners over the years. The association takes great pride in the Scottish Car of the Year Awards, and manufacturers tell us how delighted they are to win a category let alone the main accolade.
The main event unfolded with a total of 17 categories, among which 7 were dedicated to special awards as a further 10 categories progressed to the overall winner vote. This year’s awards saw incredibly close competition, in some categories just a single point determined the winner and the runner-up.
The evening blended tradition, culture, and recognition of outstanding automobiles, creating a memorable milestone in the history of the awards.
Category Winners
Best Small Car: Dacia Duster
Small cars continue to be big news and this segment is larger than ever with a growing number of SUVs entering the scene. The ASMW’s top choice for 2023 is a new version of a previous SCOTY favourite. It’s a car which delivers huge improvements in quality, refinement and style yet retains outstanding value as a core attribute.
Best Family SUV: Renault Austral E-Tech
Family SUVS are undoubtedly where the action is right now and 2023 has seen the segment offer an array of talented machines. The car taking the segment honours this year though wowed the judges with its bold design, attention to detail, lively yet frugal powertrain and overall flair.
Best Family Car: Suzuki Swace
There’s something about the 2023 Family Car of the Year which struck a chord among all the judges. A subtle makeover and a little more power has made all the difference and we love the way this well-packaged and solidly-built family holdall goes about its business quietly and efficiency.
Best Executive/Premium; Lexus RX450h
Quality and reliability is absolutely key to a premium ownership experience and one manufacturer has been delivering this consistently for more than four decades. On top of this, the 2023 Executive Car of the Year boasts an exquisite cabin and a decent turn of speed without hurting at the pumps.
Best Large SUV: Mazda CX-60 Diesel
The winner of this category comes from a manufacturer which has always refused to follow the herd. Think sports saloon dynamics with a huge yet cossetting cabin, 40+mpg economy and a glorious six-cylinder soundtrack. It had to be the Mazda.
Best Performance Car: KIA EV6 GT
2023’s Performance Car favourites this year came in all shapes, sizes and powertrains However our victor is a 577bhp tyre-shredding all-wheel-drive rocketship which delivers lightning-like acceleration, a 162mph headline top speed and shifts its maker straight into the premier league.
Best Utility/4×4: Ford Ranger
Scotland has always been a strong market for tough and capable Utility and 4×4 vehicles. The 2023 shortlist witnessed three of the best battle it out for top honours. Ultimately, one all-new 4×4’s combination of model choice, pricing and mix of on and off-road prowess enabled it to edge ahead of the rest.
Best Small/Mid-size EV: Hyundai Kona Electric
The star of this category is a model which really does everything right and is nicely integrated into its maker’s line-up among a range of petrol and hybrid alternatives. Our champion looks good, has a fabulous interior and offers a choice of trim levels and battery capacities.
Best Hybrid: Suzuki Swace
Bridging the gap between petrol and full-on electrification, there were more hybrid vehicles than ever on the 2023 voting sheet. And it’s impossible not be impressed by our top choice due to the improvements in power delivery, low emission, exceptional real-world economy and high quality but fuss-free cabin environment.
Best Large EV: Hyundai IONIQ 6
In the large EV category, things start to get ultra-competitive. Succeeding here means being top of the charts in a number of areas – design, technology and range just for starters. This year’s winner has it all by the bucketload and triumphed to glory over is peers by a magnificent margin.
Best Used Car Under £15,0000: Mazda MX-5
A limited budget doesn’t have to mean limited fun, as our category winner proves. With four generations to choose from, there’s a version to suit every budget and with its legendary status as one of the most fun cars of the last 35 years, nothing offers more bang for your buck.
Best Used Car Over £15,000: BMW 520d
Our winner in the £15,000 and above used car category is the definition of a great all-rounder. Its effortless blend of a luxurious, spacious and high-tech interior, impressive driver involvement and wallet-friendly economy come together in a complete package that’s hard to beat.
Best Motability Car: MG HS-11
The Motability Scheme is a hassle-free means of leasing a new car and there are a wealth of great vehicles to choose from. Our 2023 winner stands out from the crowd thanks to its affordability, easy access, practicality and unrivalled level of standard equipment.
Overall Winner: Hyundai IONIQ 6
The overall winner Scottish Car of the Year was a clear front-runner in its category.
It’s a car that captivated our members when it was on the ASMW rota. They praised its handsome look; its well laid-out, elegant and technology-packed interior; and its excellent practicality. In addition, it has top notch ride quality and refinement, and an ability to cover long distances without any range anxiety.
ASMW President Al Suttie said “We have never known a year so closely fought for category winners and the overall title. For the IONIQ 6 to emerge as a clear winner is testament to how good it is as a car for families to embrace EV driving.”
Congratulations to Hyundai for this outstanding achievement! Here’s to another incredible year of celebrating automotive excellence, we want to say a massive thank you to all participants and enthusiasts who made this event unforgettable. Plus, a special mention to Macklin Motors for sponsoring the evening.
STOP PRESS! A date for your diary, SCOTY 2024 will be held on 28th November. More details to follow.
