My judgement is based on following grounds:

None of this year’s finalists is distinctly better or worse than the others. None of them is average either, for that matter. All of them represent a very good standard. The VW Polo receives the highest score (5 points), but this is only a half of the maximum possible. Although the innovative character of the concept, the technical solutions applied or a catchy slogan are not among the strengths of the car, the product as a whole is very good indeed. From the quality of workmanship, through the spaciousness of the interior and ergonomics, to driving comfort and road handling, the VW Polo has no weaknesses. The long list of its virtues even includes the price, which cannot be said about an overwhelming majority of the other finalists. The second place (4 points each) goes to the Citroën C3 and the Toyota iQ, although each is distinct in its own way. The Citroën because of its design and the clever use of its interior, in which both passengers and luggage will find as much space as in higher class vehicles. It’s a pity though that its road handling and driving comfort on roads with a worse surface are not on par with its other characteristics. The Toyota iQ – not only when compared to the VW Polo or the Citroën C3, but to other cars in general – is noteworthy for its innovative concept of the urban car, technological firsts and an audacious design. Unfortunately, these are only accompanied by a very average quality of the materials used to finish the interior, a weak design of the driver’s space (the iQ is the only car in this group in which I find myself unable to comfortably sit down behind the steering wheel, because the seat is too high and the wheel column is adjustable in one plane only) and an exorbitant price. If the Toyota Auris, which stands two classes higher in rank, may be had for less than the iQ, this means that the price positioning of the latter is probably slightly off the mark. The Opel/Vauxhall Astra, the Skoda Yeti, the Peugeot 3008 and the Mercedes E-class get 3 points each. Two of them, the Astra and the Mercedes, are perfectly refined models, which have always been set to dominate in their respective classes and are particularly well suited to do just that. The Astra focuses on dynamism and emotions, while the Mercedes on peace and comfort. The Yeti and the 3008 have other distinguishing characteristics – they are supposed to attract new customers to the Skoda and Peugeot makes. They seem to be doing quite well, although I’m not sure whether their slightly exaggerated prices may not be found offputting by some potential buyers.