26 October 2020
Jazz FM’s Nick Pitts appointed as Deputy Chair of Radio Academy
The Radio Academy has today announced that Nick Pitts will be its new Deputy Chair starting this December.
Ford Puma SUV bags the Parkers New Car of The Year award ahead of some very tough rivals
Ford Transit Custom scoops Van of The Year while the Ford Ranger is Best Pickup
Previous-generation Ford Fiesta (2008-1017) is awarded Used Car of The Year
Out of 13 car categories SUVs dominate, with five hugely impressive winners
The stylish new Ford Puma SUV has won the 2021 Parkers New Car of The Year award after sweeping to victory in the hard-fought small family car category.
Ford’s latest model shows that the company hasn’t lost its magic touch for delivering vehicles perfectly judged for today’s buyers – reflected by the Ford Transit Custom taking the Van of The Year and the Ford Ranger scooping the Best Pickup award.
The expert reviewing team at Parkers, the UK’s biggest new car buying and advice website, love the Puma saying:
“We love the Puma’s combination of quirky styling, family-friendly practicality and some very thoughtful design and engineering touches. These include a range of powerful and efficient EcoBoost mild hybrid engines, which keep the Puma at the head of the pack – while the arrival of the ST version adds even more excitement.”
“It was always going to be good to drive as it’s based on the brilliant Fiesta. Adding to that, the Puma is incredibly practical with clever touches like completely flat boot walls, the useful Megabox and a parcel shelf attached to the tailgate where it’s out of the way.”
Speaking about the Puma’s victory, Keith Adams, Editor of Parkers.co.uk says: “Bursting on to the scene as a stylish, useful and affordable family-sized SUV, Ford has hit the bullseye with its latest – and quite brilliant – Puma. Powered by a range of economical mild-hybrid EcoBoost petrol engines, the Puma delivers all the pep most drivers need while delivering excellent fuel economy.”
“You can see that Ford has really worked hard to make this the most practical and enjoyable family car possible, a fact that helps it not only win the awards category for Best Small Family Car but for overall honours – the Ford Puma truly is a family car for now – and it’s a truly worthy Parkers New Car of The Year winner!”
Ford takes the spoils in the Van of The Year and Best Pickup awards, with CJ Hubbard, Van and Pickups editor saying: “The Ranger is a hugely impressive pickup truck, with a choice of body styles, great payload capability and a vast options list.” Meanwhile, the Transit Custom just keeps on getting better. “With a continuous programme of updates and the addition of new models to suit an even broader range of customers,” CJ adds, “this van now has so many talents it was the clear choice for the 2021 Parkers Van of the Year Award.”
Rounding out Ford’s awards haul, the previous-generation Fiesta has been crowned Best Used Car for the second year in a row. Keith Adams says: “It’s a great car to drive that’s available in myriad versions, from the super-economical EcoBoost petrols to the brilliant ST hot hatch. Prices are competitive, servicing is cheap and it’s a reliable and safe car to invest your money in.”
Other winners at the Parkers New Car Awards 2021 include SEAT which took home the Best Large Family Car award and Best Seven-Seater with the Tarraco, and BMW, which wins the Best Company Car award for the excellent 330e plug-in hybrid. Renault also wins a pair of awards with the Clio taking Best First Car and Zoe taking the spoils in the new Best Small Electric Car category.
The Best Medium Family Car is the Mercedes-Benz GLB, while the Land Rover Defender sweeps to an easy win to take the Best Off-Roader award. The outgoing Car of The Year – the Tesla Model 3 – is still impressive enough to take the win in the hotly contested Best Large Electric Car category.
Keith Adams adds: “The Parkers New Car Awards winners show just how good cars, vans and pickups are these days, as they set such an amazingly high standard all round. We’re obsessive over recommending the best vehicles for the Great British public – and choosing this year’s winners has been a very thorough and enjoyable process.”
#ParkersAwards2021
Twitter: @ParkersCars
Facebook: @ParkersCarBuying
THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Best First Car
Renault Clio
Best Small Family Car
Ford Puma
Best Medium Family Car
Mercedes-Benz GLB
Best Large Family Car
SEAT Tarraco
Best Small Electric Car
Renault Zoe
Best Large Electric Car
Tesla Model 3
Best Car for Thrill-Seekers
Porsche Cayman GTS
Best Car for Sun-Seekers
Mazda MX-5
Best Off-Roader
Land Rover Defender
Best Seven-Seater
SEAT Tarraco
Best Luxury Car
Audi A8
Best Company Car
BMW 330e
Best Pickup
Ford Ranger
Best Small Van
Citroen Berlingo / Peugeot Partner / Toyota Proace City / Vauxhall Combo Cargo
Best Medium Van
Ford Transit Custom
Best Large Van
MAN TGE / Volkswagen Crafter
Best Electrified Van
Citroen e-Dispatch / Peugeot e-Expert / Vauxhall Vivaro-e
Best New Car Finance
Vauxhall
Best Used Car
Ford Fiesta
CONTACT THE PARKERS TEAM:
Keith Adams, Editor Parkers
keith.adams@parkers.co.uk
01733 468630, 07753 452970
@Keith_Adams___
CJ Hubbard, Editor Parkers Vans and Pickups
cj.hubbard@parkers.co.uk
@ir_427
Keith WR Jones, Managing Editor Automotive Hub
keith.jones@parkers.co.uk
@KeithWRJones
– ENDS –
EDITOR’S NOTES
Parkers.co.uk is one of the UK’s biggest motoring advice websites, drawing more than three million visits a month who consume our expert car reviews, buying tools, valuations, advice, features and cars for sale (GA, August 2020).
For further information, visit www.parkers.co.uk or please contact Keith Adams on the numbers above.
About Bauer Media UK:
Bauer Media UK reaches over 25 million UK consumers through a portfolio of world-class, multi-platform media and entertainment brands including heat, KISS, Grazia, Empire, Magic, Absolute Radio and the Hits Radio Network. These brands offer commercial partners access to highly engaged audiences, with creative solutions underpinned by insight and instinct. Bauer Media UK is part of the Bauer Media Group, one of the world’s largest privately owned media businesses with media assets all over the globe.
For further press information please contact Odelia Yu:
22 October 2020
Bauer Media extends Greatest Hits Radio on FM across Greater Manchester
Bauer Media has today announced it will extend the reach of Greatest Hits Radio on FM into Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside with the acquisition of Revolution 96.2.
