A field of 32 candidates for the Irish Car of the Year 2024 awards, in association with Continental Tyres, was announced today. The winners from the 2024 Irish Car of the Year awards programme will be revealed at a gala event in The Conrad Hotel, Dublin, on Friday November 3rd.
Jury members are drawn from the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI), a group made up of over 30 of Ireland’s most experienced motoring journalists – including Caroline Kidd, editor of this website.
The Irish Car of the Year awards highlight for Irish motorists the best cars that have been launched in the country this year, taking account of the particular requirements of the Irish market.
MMAI Chairman, Joe Rayfus, and Tom Dennigan of awards sponsor, Continental Tyres, with four of the new brand models competing for an award for the first time in this year’s programme: Ora Funky Cat, Maxus Mifa 9, INEOS Grenadier and BYD Atto 3.Joe Rayfus, Chairman of the MMAI, said:
“With 32 cars launched here in the past year, we have a very strong line up of models for this year’s awards. Slightly down on last year’s field of 37 models, it demonstrates the continued impact of the semi-conductor and supply shortage issues that affected the industry over the last year or so.
However, the record number of new brands entering the market provides us with genuine optimism in the short term. We have seen four new marques launch models onto the Irish market this year and all are in the running for awards – BYD, INEOS, Maxus and Ora. It is a foretaste of things to come as a raft of new brands will launch here in the next couple of years. However, alongside the offerings from those new names, we have some really excellent models from the more familiar automotive brands – as ever, trying to predict who will win out in each category will not be an easy ask!”
Tom Dennigan of awards sponsor, German premium tyre brand Continental Tyres, said:
“We are excited to again support the Irish Car of the Year awards, which recognises the best cars launched in Ireland each year. It is a welcome sight to see such a range of new brands extending the breadth of options for Irish motorists – increased choice and more competition can only be a good thing. We wish them all, old or new brands, the best of luck in the race for an Irish Car of the Year award”.
The winner of the 2023 Irish Car of the Year award was the all-electric Volkswagen ID Buzz, the third occasion that an electric car has won the overall title. To find out if the overall winner for 2024 is again an electric model, motorists in Ireland will have to wait until the awards event on November 3rd.
The full field of candidates for the Irish Car of the Year 2024 awards is as follows:
| Alfa Romeo Tonale | Citroen e-C4 X | Maxus Mifa 9 | Peugeot 408 |
| Audi Q8 E-Tron | Hyundai Ioniq 6 | Mazda CX-60 | Polestar 2 BST |
| Audi RS 3 | Hyundai Kona | Mercedes-Benz GLC | Renault Austral |
| BMW i7 / 7 Series | INEOS Grenadier | Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV | Subaru Solterra |
| BMW M2 | Jeep Avenger | Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV | Toyota bZ4X |
| BMW X1 | Kia EV6 GT | MG4 | Toyota Corolla Cross |
| BMW XM | Lexus RX | Nissan X-Trail | Toyota Prius |
| BYD Atto 3 | Maserati Grecale | Ora Funky Cat | Volkswagen e-Up |
An Irish Van of the Year 2024 will also be awarded, along with a number of category winners.
The Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI) is a professional membership organisation, bringing together many of Ireland’s leading motoring journalists across print, broadcast, and online media.
MMAI members vote annually for Irish Car of the Year and Irish Van of the Year, Ireland’s most prestigious and widely recognised motoring accolades for over 40 years.
Since 2010, Irish Car of the Year and Irish Van of the Year have been sponsored by Continental, the tyres and automotive technology multinational company.