Best Small Car/Business Car of the Year: MINI Cooper/ Cooper Electric 

Last year the MINI Hatch – now called the Cooper – received a high-tech makeover, but its premium feel is unchanged. The simplified exterior and interior styling looks great, with the family octagonal grille, smoother bumpers, and customisable triangular rear LED lights. 

The interior of the Cooper is heavily influenced by the iconic original Classic Mini. On top of the attractive, vertically styled, fabric-trimmed dashboard, you can’t miss the circular OLED display in the centre. Running Android-based MINI Operating System 9, all the functions of the car are operated through this or voice control. All Cooper models are great fun to drive, with light and precise steering, plus tidy and sharp handling. Choose the all-electric MINI Cooper SE and it has an excellent WLTP driving range of up to 247 miles. 

Whether you choose an EV or ICE-powered Cooper model, it’s an attractive small car package that will really appeal to fleets.  

Fleet manufacturer of the year: BMW Group

With its model range growing again in the last year – especially from the MINI side, BMW Group has its most complete offering ever for fleet and continues to build on its strong record – particularly for EVs, with the iX2. The Coupé version of the award-winning X1/iX1 SUV, and the Touring estate version of the i5 being the latest additions. 

On top of the product, BMW Group want to focus on their sustainability credentials, which they can now quantify with real data for selected models. So, if you’re a leasco, you can see how much CO2 has been generated to produce an iX2, or i5.  

Then there’s the Corporate Certified programme that was expanded last year – with a bigger network across the country and all to the same standard. So, whatever retailer the customer goes to, they all offer the same level of service.

Matt Collins, general manager corporate sales at BMW UK said: “I take great pride in our ability to maintain exceptional standards of service across our network, with each of our 130 Corporate Certified Retailers providing a tailored experience to benefit individual fleet needs. This service, alongside our award-winning product portfolio, highlights our continued commitment to business sales while exceeding the requirements of our corporate customers.”

Best Premium Car: BMW i4

Despite more EV and ICE-powered rivals, none in our opinion can touch the all-electric BMW i4, and as such it is king of the Premium Cars.  Whether you choose the eDrive35, the eDrive40, or the range-topping M50, the excellent electric range is trustworthy, it oozes driver appeal, with precise steering and tidy handling. The ride and refinement are well-judged, too. 

All current i4 models offer excellent performance, but not at the expense of efficiency. Our favourite and a key choice for fleets, is the BMW i4 eDrive40, which produces 340hp, but it combines an 83.9kWh battery and 250kW electric motor, which together equal a range of up to 370 miles, and all with BiK of just 2%.

Recently facelifted, the subtly updated hatchback, features revised head and taillights, plus a new rear diffuser on the outside. Inside, the changes are just as small – there’s a new flat-bottomed steering wheel for ‘M’ models, plus updates to the infotainment system. 

Best Executive Car: BMW i5/5 Series 

The replacement for the previous 5 Series had big shoes to fill, as whether you choose petrol, diesel or Plug-in Hybrid power, the last car was a great all-rounder. BMW have now added electric power with the i5, but despite serious competition from new rivals, the 5 is still the most accomplished Executive choice and is our pick again. So, what keeps the new 5 at the top?  Well, one of the key factors is that whatever drivetrain is chosen, it is a brilliant drive. The steering is precise, the handling is tight, with excellent body control, and models with xDrive four-wheel drive give welcome extra confidence. The 5 is also one of the most refined cars in its class – especially in electric form.

Whether you choose a Saloon or Touring, the latest 5 looks great, with sharp detailing. Inside, its well-equipped interior is impressively spacious too, with increased comfort and space. Most practical is the all-electric i5 Touring model, with up to 570 litres of boot space with the seats up.  

Best Premium Medium SUV: BMW iX1/X1

The BMW iX1/X1 makes it two years in a row as our favourite Premium Medium SUV. 

Outside, whether you choose EV or ICE power, the iX1/X1 looks sharp. The frontal design is distinctive, with the large kidney grilles, the slim LED headlights and aggressive front airdam. At the side, there’s more underbody protection, distinctive detailing around the wheelarches, and flush door handles. Move to the back of the iX1/X1, and it’s the long and high-set, three-dimensional rear lights that stand out.  

Inside, because of the iX1 and X1 being built on the bigger UKL platform, there’s impressive space front and back, and up to 540 litres of boot space. 

Key fleet choices are the Plug-in Hybrid X1 eDrive25e with 245hp and the xDrive30e with 326hp, both offering 7.4kWh charging and up to 53 miles of EV only-range, and up to 403 mpg. Both PHEV models benefit from the low 8% BiK figure. Or the fully electric iX1, with the eDrive20 capable of 204hp, and up to 293 miles of range. Or the 313hp (with boost) xDrive30, with up to 272 miles of range.