On Friday 20th November, the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association (IMWA) and guests gathered in Dublin to announce the winners of the Continental Irish Car Of The Year (ICOTY) 2016 awards. Rosemary Smith, ex-rally driver, announced  our overall winner for Irish Car Of The Year 2016…the Ford Mondeo!

The overall results, with weighted scores, were as follows:

  1. Ford Mondeo – 148 points
  2. Volvo XC90 – 147 points
  3. Mercedes-Benz GLE – 144 points
  4. Kia Sorento – 144 points
  5. Skoda Superb – 140 points

The category winners were as follows:

Irish Small Car Of The Year – Opel Corsa

Opel Corsa Continental Irish Small Car Of The Year 2016
Opel Corsa: Continental Irish Small Car Of The Year 2016

Irish Compact Family Car Of The Year – Honda HR-V

Honda HR-V Continental Irish Compact Family Car Of The Year 2016
Honda HR-V: Continental Irish Compact Family Car Of The Year 2016

Irish Medium Car Of The Year/Irish Car Of The Year – Ford Mondeo

Ford Mondeo Irish Car Of The Year ChangingLanes.ie
Ford Mondeo: Continental Irish Medium Car Of The Year 2016

Irish Large Car Of The Year – Kia Sorento

Kia Sorento Continental Irish Large Car Of The Year 2016
Kia Sorento: Continental Irish Large Car Of The Year 2016

Irish Executive Car Of The Year – Volvo XC90

Volvo XC90 Continental Irish Executive Car Of The Year 2016
Volvo XC90: Continental Irish Executive Car Of The Year 2016

Irish Performance/Sport Car Of The Year – Audi TT

Audi TT Continental Irish Performance/Sport Car Of The Year
Audi TT: Continental Irish Performance/Sport Car Of The Year

The Irish Motoring Writers’ Association judges awarded points on the basis of criteria ranging from design, comfort, safety, economy, handling and performance, as well as driver satisfaction, value for money and technical innovation. The awards are in their 39th year.

John Galvin, IMWA Chairman said: “The Irish motoring writers have selected an exciting model and no doubt the 2016 Irish Car of the Year accolade will provide a huge boost to the popularity of the Ford Mondeo in the Irish market, particularly in the context of the current competitive economic environment.”

The Ford Mondeo succeeds the Nissan Qashqai, which took the title last year.

Caroline Kidd