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SME Company Car of the Year Awards 2017: Shortlist

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17 February 2017

Company Car of the YearEstate cars, Crossovers, SUVs – large, small and medium – there’s never been more choice in the UK car market, especially in niche segments.

Then there’s the extraordinary rate of change in how these vehicles are powered: electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, Euro 6 diesel with AdBlue, and the emergence of hydrogen fuel cell technology. There is a lot happening and it’s sometimes difficult to keep up with the pace of change.

If that’s not enough, the government seems to be constantly changing the company car tax system too. What was once considered a low tax car is now… well, simply not. It’s all very complicated: past certainties are no guide to present day realities.

Therefore we’ve designed the SME Company Car of the Year Awards to make it easier for small businesses and SME small fleets to choose, by highlighting the best company cars available for them, the best company car programmes that provide the business car manager assistance they require and in addition, the support back up once the car has been leased or purchased.

The judges are completely independent and are experts in the SME field. Judges used criteria  such as company car tax and whole life costs as well as the manufacturer’s entry forms to judge and rank each entry.

Best Value SME Company Car

We want to find the best value company car for SMEs. What do we mean by value? That winning combination of competitive P11D price, low benefit in kind taxation, excellent running costs, and great specification.

  • Vauxhall Astra 1.6 CDTi Design 110PS ecoFLEX 5dr
  • Skoda Octavia Estate 1.6 TDI CR SE Technology 110PS
  • SEAT Ateca 1.0 TSI Ecomotive S 115PS
  • Renault Kadjar 1.5 dCi 110 Dynamique
  • Jaguar XE 2.0d R-Sport 163PS Auto

Last year’s winner was: Mercedes C 350e PHEV Sport Auto Saloon

Car of the Year Awards 2017
Mercedes C350 PHEV

Best Compact SME Company Car

When small businesses and SME firms look for staff company cars, they keep it simple. It’s either a compact car or a large car. So we want to find the best car that is sub 4.5m in length that combines fitness for business purpose while also doubling up as a suitable lifestyle car at the weekend. Qualifying cars must be efficient on benefit in kind company car tax, have excellent fuel-efficiency and have good running costs and provide the SME business motorist with a great all-round package.

  • Infiniti Q30 1.5d Business Executive
  • Vauxhall Astra Hatchback New 1.6 CDTi SRi 110PS S/S ecoFLEX
  • SEAT Ateca 1.6 TDI Ecomotive SE Technology 115PS
  • MINI Cooper Hatch 1.5 D 5 door
  • Audi Q2 1.4 TFSI Sport 150PS S Tronic

Last year’s winner was the MINI 1.5 Cooper D 5dr Hatch.

Car of the Year Awards 2017
MINI Cooper D 5-door hatch

Best Large SME Company Car

If it’s not a small car, then managers of SME small fleets are looking for a larger car to suit technical or sales staff on the road or more senior personnel in the organisation. That means a car that is longer than 4.5m and conveys a level of seniority and aspiration for SME business drivers. Must satisfy all the key attributes of being practical, desirable, good on company car tax and low on running costs.

  • Audi  A4 Saloon 2.0 TDI ultra Sport 150PS
  • Mercedes E-Class Saloon E 220 d AMG Line 9G-Tronic
  • Vauxhall Insignia Hatch 1.6 CDTi Design 136PS Start/Stop ecoFLEX
  • Jaguar XE 2.0d R-Sport 163PS
  • Range Rover Evoque 2.0L eD4 SE Tech 2WD
  • Hyundai Tucson 1.7 CRDi SE Nav 116PS 2WD ISG

Last year’s winner was the Jaguar XE 2.0d R-Sport 163PS.

Car of the Year Awards 2017
Jaguar XE 2.0d R-Sport 163PS

Best Director’s SME Company Car

What sort of company car would a director of an SME want to run? It would need to be something prestigious, well specified but also not too heavy on benefit in kind company car tax or on running costs – especially if it’s for the FD!

Qualifying cars will cost more than £30,000 and are open to all body configurations – SUV, crossover, estate as well as more traditional saloon.

  •  Jaguar XF 2.0d R-Sport 180PS AWD Auto
  • Jaguar F-Pace 2.0 R-Sport 180PS AWD Auto
  • Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro S Line 218PS Tiptronic
  • BMW 7 Series 730d Auto

Last year’s winner was the Jaguar XF 2.0d R-Sport 180PS Auto.

Car of the Year Awards 2017
Jaguar XF 2.0d R-Sport 180PS Auto

Best Green SME Company Car

Green cars – or ultra low emission vehicles – are increasingly gaining credence with SME small fleets thanks to low running costs, low benefit in kind taxation and the relaxed nature of the driving experience. And with the recent changes to benefit in kind taxation percentage tax bands and the changing of the 100% write down threshold to 75g/km, those ultra low emission vehicles are really making their case for inclusion in any SME small fleet. But which is best – electric car, range extender, plug-in hybrid, or maybe hydrogen?

To qualify for this award, cars must have CO2 emissions that do not exceed 75g/km.

  • Renault Zoe Electric Car Dynamique Nav 65kW Auto
  • Mercedes C-Class Saloon C 350e PHEV Sport Auto
  • BMW i3 94Ah with Range Extender Auto

Last year’s winner was the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron.

Car of the Year Awards 2017
Audi A3 Sportback e-tron

Best SME Company Car Programme

Small businesses and SME small fleets don’t have fulltime fleet managers. It’s usually part of the MD’s remit or falls to one of the other directors. So SMEs need help to run their company cars. Which company car programme does that best?

Which really delivers to SMEs in terms of consultancy, test drives, finance packages and external ‘fleet manager’ expertise that SMEs require?

  • BMW/MINI Business Partnership
  • Vauxhall
  • Skoda

Last year’s winner was the BMW | MINI Group Business Partnership programme.

Car of the Year Awards 2017
BMW | MINI Group Business Partnership programme.

Best SME After Sales Programme

Delivering the sale of a new company car to an SME is one thing; it’s quite another to support the car ‘in-life’ with servicing and operational support.

We’re looking for the best after sales programme that’s as capable of looking after two company cars as it is for 25+.

  • Renault
  • Hyundai
  • Vauxhall

Last year’s winner was Hyundai’s After Sales Programme.

Car of the Year Awards 2017
Hyundai 2016 champions for after sales

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