Business Car Awards 2023

Manufacturer Awards

Best Electric Car (under £40,000): MG4

The MG4 looks great, drives well and is keenly priced. For example, the long-range version in SE spec is priced under £30,000, yet it has a WLTP driving range of 281 miles. Inside, the MG4 is spacious and well-equipped.

Highly commended: Kia Niro

Best Electric Car (over £40,000): BMW i4

Despite the choice of models in this class growing massively over the past year, we felt none of them could match the i4’s reliable electric range, driver appeal, and practical hatchback design. Incoming eDrive 35 versions will open the i4 up to new drivers because of their lower entry price.

Highly commended: Polestar 2

Best Small Car: Toyota Yaris

The Toyota remains our choice for the third year in a row, as it seems that the Yaris’s package of efficiency from its hybrid drivetrain, plus its full suite of safety systems, can’t be bettered. It also drives well, looks sharp and boasts impressive residual values.

Highly commended: Skoda Fabia

Best Family Car: Vauxhall Astra

With the addition of more versions and body styles, Vauxhall has strengthened the Astra’s position. Hatch or estate, this Vauxhall’s design is eye-catching and attractive. PHEV and new EV models keep running costs low and all are well-equipped.

Highly commended: Toyota Corolla

Best Executive Car: BMW 5 Series

The current 5 Series goes off sale shortly, to be replaced by all-new 5 and i5 EV models. However, in our judges’ eyes, the outgoing car ‘is still the best in its class,’ and as such is our Best Executive Car again for 2023.

Best Value Car: Dacia Jogger

We feel that the Jogger still can’t be beaten for value, when considered against rivals. The rugged good looks haven’t changed, but Dacia has added a Hybrid 140 version – to further cut running costs. Still great to drive and well-equipped, this Dacia’s interior remains spacious and practical, and it’s significantly cheaper than any other seven-seat rival.

Best Premium Car: BMW 3 Series

Facelifted in the last year, but we just think this strengthens this BMW’s position, as the 3 Series remains head and shoulders above the competition in the premium class. The combination of a comprehensive choice of engines, low total cost of ownership figures and driver appeal still impresses.

Best Compact SUV: Ford Puma

The Puma makes it four years in a row as our favourite Compact SUV. Impressive, when you consider this is one of the busiest sectors of the market. The reasons why it remains a winner in our eyes, are the Ford remains a brilliant drive, is cheap to run with its choice of frugal mild-hybrid petrol engines and, considering its size, is impressively practical.

Highly commended: Toyota Yaris Cross

Best Medium SUV: Kia Sportage

The Sportage offers a wide choice of versions, with ICE, mild and plug-in hybrid options, all with a modern design and really good to drive. As such, it’s our Medium SUV choice for another year.

Highly commended: Toyota RAV4

Best Premium Medium SUV: BMW X1

The latest X1 impresses with its extra practicality, its performance, plus the electric range for EV and plug-in hybrid models. On top of the added space, all X1s are well-equipped and good to drive.

Highly commended: Lexus NX

Best Premium Large SUV: Genesis GV70

The GV70 covers all fleet bases with the choice of petrol, diesel, and even electric power. Outside, the modern styling attracts positive comments from other drivers. Inside it has a stylish, well-equipped, and high-quality interior with a premium feel. Yet compared to rivals, Genesis pricing is competitive.

Highly commended: BMW X5

Driver’s Choice: Range Rover Sport

Slightly smaller and sporty sister to last year’s Driver Choice winner – the Range Rover. The Range Rover Sport impresses, as despite its size and weight, it drives and handles like a smaller SUV. Still not an affordable choice, but the impressively low BIK for plug-in hybrid versions will prove attractive to fleets.

Highly commended: BMW M3 Touring

Most Improved Manufacturer: JLR UK

JLR has achieved an impressive 35% sales growth in fleet and business channels during the first six months of 2023. Furthermore, it has shown a commitment to customer satisfaction by achieving a 40% improvement in client satisfaction scores when their car is handed over at a Fleet & Business Centre.

One to Watch: Ford Explorer

The Explorer is Ford’s first EV designed for Europe, and the first model resulting from a tie-up with Volkswagen. When it goes on sale next year, it is sure to shake up the mid-size EV SUV market with up to 335hp, ranges up to 305 miles and prices expected to start at around £40,000.

Supplier Awards

Leasing Company of the Year (Under 25,000 Vehicles): Ogilvie Fleet

Ogilvie Fleet impressed our judges because it offers an industry-leading, one-stop-shop range of services for SMEs, with the unique Mifleet Showroom tool that makes fleet management easy. The result is a fleet that has grown 7% in the past year, with customer base growing by 11%.

Highly commended: SG Fleet

Leasing Company of the Year (Over 25,000 Vehicles): ALD Automotive/LeasePlan

The merger of two of the world’s largest vehicle funders offers innovations such as TCO+, which analyses vehicles’ actual performance, and Journey Profiling, identifying the most cost-effective EVs based on customer needs. Free EV knowledge and resources are also provided.

Highly commended: Novuna Vehicle Solutions

Customer Service Award: Grosvenor Leasing

Grosvenor Leasing has championed cost control to mitigate the cost of living. For example, it secured free interim vehicles from manufacturers during unplanned repairs and achieved a 12% reduction in accident repair downtime thanks to its cost reduction task force.

Highly commended: The AA

Best Eco Initiative: SG Fleet

SG Fleet has launched eManage, a pioneering solution for efficient and sustainable EV fleet management. It harnesses the power of real-time data, holistic charging infrastructure and extensive operational experience, supporting organisations in making informed, eco-friendly decisions.

Highly commended: Lightfoot

Best Fleet Management Company: Fleet Operations

Fleet Operations’ strength is that it does not do off-the-shelf service provision – rather it works closely with customers to deliver highly tailored, end-to-end world-class solutions. The result is a client retention rate of 97%, and an average relationship length of more than 10 years.

Highly commended: IFC Fleet Services

Best Fleet Management Software: Fleet Operations

Fleet Operations’ MOVE platform attracted the attention of our judges, as it transcends traditional fleet management software by providing a transformative, holistic ecosystem. Its emphasis is on user experience, data consolidation, actionable insights, and
cost efficiency.

Highly commended: Runyourfleet.com

Best Fleet Software: Engineius

Engineius continues to be a game-changer, by providing fleet clients with greater control. It delivers a better service to its customers, via its tech-enabled one-stop-shop for vehicle movement. As such, Engineius customers save time, reduce costs and emissions, yet are still able to access comprehensive real-time online data and reporting.

Highly commended: Paua Tech

Best Fleet Website: Vauxhall

Vauxhall’s bright website design was praised by our editorial team. The content too, is so much more considerate of fleets than any other top 10 OEM. As such, it wins our Best Fleet Website for 2023.

Best Innovation: UVeye

UVeye’s solution to end-of-life vehicle damage in fleet management is innovative, quick, and transparent, and takes away many of the human factors that cause problems. It also deals with potential safety issues in the same process and gives a simple way to manage this issue.

Highly commended: Chevin Fleet Solutions

Risk Management Award: VisionTrack

VisionTrack impressed our judges by using AI technologies to transform how fleets protect their drivers, improve road safety, and mitigate risk. A complementary range of products and services can be used to meet a car fleet operator’s precise requirements.

Highly commended: Lightfoot

Best Remarketing: Aston Barclay

Aston Barclay wins because of its customer-centric approach, flexibility, and pioneering use of new technology as it becomes available. It also recognises the need to give special attention to the EV market, marketing these vehicles in a more focused way.

Highly commended: BCA

Best Rental Company: Enterprise

Enterprise was identified by the judges because it continues to offer a wide portfolio of both vehicles and additional services and is a key innovator in the future mobility space. This, when combined with rapid acceleration to EVs, makes the company stand out against the opposition.

Highly commended: Europcar Mobility Group UK

Best Telematics Product: Bridgestone Mobility Solutions

Bridgestone Mobility Solutions’ unwavering commitment to continual innovation impressed our judges. Its unrivalled and extensive R&D over the past 12 months has resulted in a raft of groundbreaking new products, including the PRO M, a compact
driver device.

Highly commended: Geotab

Wellbeing Award: Leasys

Leasys supports its employees and colleagues wholeheartedly. A Mental Health Ambassador regularly presents to the company’s network to highlight any significant information, deliver messages or just to check in with the team. The company also has Mental Health First Aiders for employees to talk to in complete confidence.

Highly commended: Engineius

Headline Awards

Hall of Fame: Lorna McAtear, National Grid

Lorna McAtear is head of fleet at National Grid and has previously won the Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award. However, we probably know her best as a regular contributor at industry conferences and round tables; she has also become deputy chair of the Association of Fleet Professionals.

Editor’s Choice: Runyourfleet.com

Runyourfleet was the very first business to offer a subscription-based fleet management service to help businesses of any size save time and costs and to remain compliant from a duty of care perspective. Its platform delivers rich functionality in a 24/7 cloud-based secure environment.

Fleet Manager of the Year: Sarina Vale, Aggreko

Sarina impressed our judges as she has recognised and acted on the key areas of fleet management (environment, safety, and operational efficiency) in a positive and engaging way and has delivered very good results in a relatively short space of time.

Highly commended: Tony Murphy, J Murphy & Sons

Fleet Manufacturer of the Year: BMW

We continue to be impressed by BMW’s choice of models, which build on its strong fleet record – particularly the choice of EVs that continues to grow at pace. Then there’s support for company car drivers, with innovations like the ‘Inside Edge’ rewards programme, and the launch of ‘Corporate Certified’ this year.

Fleet Supplier of the Year: AA

Judges were impressed that the past year for the AA has been one of its most successful and rewarding. It’s got even closer to its fleet customers, prioritised customer service initiatives, invested in research and insight and maintained a position as the leading provider of EV support services.