AutoBest 2018

Question: what do the new Citroën C3 Aircross, Honda Civic, Ford Fiesta, Opel Grandland X, SEAT Ibiza and Volkswagen T-Roc all have in common?

Answer, they are the six new car finalists going forward to this winter’s ‘Best Buy Car of Europe in 2018’ award, as organised by AutoBest,  the independent journalists’ group.

Yes, there are many awards these days (perhaps too many) but AutoBest is different, aimed squarely at mainstream cars on sale across Europe and with a strict price limit (up to 20,000 Euros, before tax), as here.

With those criteria in mind, let’s look at this year’s AutoBest ‘Best Buy’ contenders:

Citroën’s C3 Aircross builds on the appeal of chic C3 supermini. With neat high roof style and plenty of personalisation on offer, the C3 Aircross takes Citroën into the booming B-SUV crossover sector. Good to drive, too, according to first reviews.

Honda’s long running Civic is all new for 2017. This latest design is a real stand out. Underneath, there’s a brand new platform and engine range as Honda again strives to make the Civic the most efficient, sophisticated car in the class.

A new Ford Fiesta is always a hugely significant market force across Europe, selling in huge numbers. This time, thanks to an impressive range of high-end spec, Ford bills the new 2017 Fiesta as the most technologically advanced small car on sale.

Opel/Vauxhall joins the upscale SUV set with the Grandland X, the third member of its new ‘X’ family. Big on space, with good room for five, sporty off-road looks, the Grandland X is based off Peugeot’s hit 3008 and has plenty of appeal.

Spanish maker SEAT has long done well with its Ibiza supermini. Now here’s the latest fifth generation, with crisp ‘Leonised’ styling and strong dynamics (thanks to latest MQB AO platform). Connectivity and kit also feature extensively in the new Ibiza makeup.

In the VW camp, some might have thought the new Polo would have been a strong AutoBest contender. Instead, we have the funky T-Roc compact crossover lining up: Golf-based and certainly the more expressive and street fashionable of the two.