Ford Fiesta ST named Parkers Car of the Year 2019

Fiesta ST named as the overall winner for 2019
18 category winners chosen for real-world new car buyers
Awards in partnership with Bauer Media radio stations, online titles and magazines

Volkswagen Touareg - Tow Car of the Year 2019

Volvo V60 -Large Family Car of the Year 2019

Written by Keith WR Jones, Deputy Editor Published: 20 September 2018 Updated: 5 May 2023

The Parkers New Car Awards are back, with the Ford Fiesta ST clinching victory to become the 2019 Car of the Year.

Beating-off stiff competition from its larger sibling, the all-new Ford Focus, as well as worthy contenders as diverse as the Hyundai Kona Electric, Volkswagen Touareg and Volvo V60, the Fiesta ST took the honours based on its sensational dynamics, snappy styling and design, ease of ownership and compelling PCP finance options.

For their second year, the Parkers New Car Awards were expanded to 18 individual prizes and now include the Best Off-Roader and Best Tow Car categories, with Best Used Car replacing last year’s Best Used Finance.

Also new for 2019 is the People’s Choice Award where Parkers’ readers have made their voices heard about plug-in cars, including which new model they’re most excited about.

Why the Ford Fiesta ST is a winner

Keith Adams, Editor of Parkers.co.uk, said: ‘In the second year of running the New Car Awards, we’re excited to have come up with such an interesting selection of winners. We’ve combined what we know about what our users are viewing on Parkers, with the combined team’s century of editorial expertise. We’re more than happy to have chosen a car that’s so affordable and fun to live with as the Ford Fiesta ST out of a brilliant line-up of entrants.’

He added: ‘The Ford Fiesta ST takes the overall honours because it’s an outstanding car. Not just in terms of driver interaction and enjoyment, which is a given in a modern fast Ford. Neither does it simply win because it’s astonishing value for money, offering more ability for your monthly payments than any other car in its class. No, the Fiesta ST is a landmark car – it’s a sporty model for everyone, which proves that in a world of escalating power outputs and performance figures, less really does equal more. It really is head and shoulders above all of its rivals.’

See all of the winning cars for 2019 at: www.parkers.co.uk/awards

BEST FIRST CAR in association with Planet Rock

WINNER: SEAT Ibiza

Highly recommended:

Ford Fiesta

Skoda Citigo

BEST SMALL FAMILY CAR in association with Mother & Baby

WINNER: Ford Focus

Highly recommended:

Dacia Duster

Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Rifter/Vauxhall Combo Life