The results are in, and the UK car industry has had its biggest shake-up of the year. The What Car? Awards 2025 and the Auto Express New Car Awards 2025 have officially crowned the best cars you can get your hands on right now — and the good news? Many of these award-winning models are already available to lease through National Vehicle Solutions.
These awards matter because they cut through the noise. No fancy gimmicks, no marketing fluff just real-world testing, honest verdicts, and proper head-to-head comparisons. So if you’re thinking about your next lease, these winners should absolutely be on your radar.
Let’s take a look at who topped the charts in 2025…
What Car? Awards 2025 – Full Highlights
The What Car? Awards continue to champion value, efficiency, and everyday usability — the stuff that real drivers care about.
Key Winners
- Renault Clio 1.0 TCe 90 Techno – Best Small Car 2025
Compact, affordable, and impressively refined. A brilliant choice for cost-conscious drivers. - Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid Icon – Best Family Car 2025
Loved for its hybrid efficiency, reliability, and everyday practicality. - Mercedes-AMG A45 S Plus – Best Hot Hatch 2025
A serious bit of fun. Power, precision, and all the drama you’d expect. - Kia EV3 – Best Small Electric SUV 2025
A standout newcomer in the EV world with strong range and clever tech. - Kia Sportage – Best Family SUV 2025
Consistently one of the UK’s favourite SUVs — and now officially award-winning again.
Auto Express New Car Awards 2025 – Full Highlights
Auto Express has always focused on innovation, performance, and future-ready tech — and this year’s winners show just how far the market has come.
Key Winners
- Skoda Elroq – Car of the Year 2025 & Mid-Size SUV of the Year
Practical, modern, efficient… and now officially the best car of the year. - Kia Picanto – City Car of the Year 2025
A tiny car with huge personality and unbeatable value. - Skoda Superb Estate – Estate Car of the Year 2025
Massive boot, luxury cabin, and efficient engines — a clear winner for load-lugging families. - BMW iX – Large Premium SUV of the Year 2025
Bold styling, exceptional comfort, and next-level electric performance. - Bentley Flying Spur – Luxury Car of the Year 2025
Opulence at its finest. If you want a luxury lease, this is the one. - Honda Civic Type R – Hot Hatch of the Year 2025
A driver’s dream. Raw, responsive, and unapologetically sporty.
What This Means for National Vehicle Solutions Customers
When a car wins big at What Car? or Auto Express, it’s because it delivers real-world results. Better running costs, smarter tech, improved reliability — all things that make leasing simpler and more cost-effective.
At National Vehicle Solutions, we work to secure competitive rates, flexible terms, and nationwide delivery, meaning you can get behind the wheel of these award-winning models without the dealership runaround.
Whether you're after a family EV, a city-friendly hatchback, or something with a bit more power and presence, these 2025 winners give you the confidence to choose a model that’s been tested, scrutinised, and crowned the best in its class.
Ready to Lease an Award-Winning 2025 Model?
If you want a car that’s already proven itself among the best of the best, now’s the time to act.
Explore award-winning lease deals today with National Vehicle Solutions and let us make your next car choice easy, affordable, and completely hassle-free.
Browse award-winning 2025 Car lease deals
What our customers say...
Devina P Lynn and Simon were extremely helpful, received my car within a week of being accepted.
Lynn and Simon were extremely helpful, with a very quick turnaround which I was not expecting, received my car within a week of being accepted.
Great team.Leased a Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Matt Musella Second lease with NVS and if anything the second was better despite the delays from VW. Great communication value and advice throughout the process
Second lease with NVS and if anything the second was better despite the delays from VW. Great communication value and advice throughout the process. Special thanks to Simon and Lynne.
Leased a Volkswagen Tiguan
Excellent customer service. Extremely helpful and friendly. Couldn't fault them.
Leased a Skoda Octavia
