Last Friday’s Irish Car of the Year awards marked the third year in a row for an EV to take the title, with the 2023 winner announced as the Volkswagen ID. Buzz.
In a double celebration for Volkswagen, their ID. Buzz Cargo also took the Irish Van of the Year title.
The Irish Car and Van of the Year awards, in association with Continental Tyres, are voted on by members of the newly formed Motoring Media Association of Ireland. The new group was established when the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association and the Association of Professional Motoring Press agreed to merge earlier this year.
Some 32 members were eligible to vote, having driven newly launched cars all year and taken part in two refresher days in Trim, Co Meath last month.
Volkswagen, in taking the top award with its latest all electric ID. Buzz model and the van version, the ID. Buzz Cargo, taking the van title, makes a first in the history of the awards.
Chairman of the MMAI, Joe Rayfus: “The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a really worthy winner of the Irish Car of the Year title, it is a truly stand-out vehicle. As the third electric vehicle to win the title, it really does confirm the onward march in Ireland towards an electric motoring future. Just look at our field of runners for this year’s awards, more than half of the contenders are available as either partial or full electric vehicles”.
Tom Dennigan of awards sponsor, Continental Tyres said: “After the Covid disruption that impacted on the Irish Car of Year awards over the past couple of years, we are delighted to be back with these awards for 2023. The MMAI jurors provide a great service to Irish motorists in providing a really helpful insight into the broad range of increasingly sophisticated car models that are launched here each year. No doubt, the Irish Car and Irish Van of the Year titles will be a huge boost to the popularity of the ID. Buzz in the new vehicle market in January and throughout 2023.”
The Irish Car of the year category winners:
1. Irish Small Car of the Year: Fiat 500e
2. Irish Compact Car of the Year: Opel Astra
3. Irish Compact Executive Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
4. Irish Compact Crossover / SUV of the Year: Kia Niro
5. Irish Medium Crossover / SUV of the Year: Kia Sportage
6. Irish Large Crossover / SUV of the Year: Citroen C5X
7. Irish MPV of the Year: Volkswagen ID. Buzz
8. Irish Luxury Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz EQS
9. Irish Large Executive Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz EQE
10. Irish Performance Car of the Year: BMW i4 M50
