Last year’s awards haul was incredible, with key models from Aygo X to Land Cruiser being honoured by critics and motorists alike. As our cars, services and people continue to be recognised for their achievements in the automotive industry and beyond, what will this year bring? Over the next 12 months this Toyota awards 2024 article will be updated with the latest honours. So watch this space!
Toyota awards 2024:
Corolla Commercial remains Van Fleet World’s Small Van of the Year
For the second year in succession, Corolla Commercial is Small Van of the Year among the judging panel of Van Fleet World. The van’s workhorse qualities are unchanged since last year, with 1,326 litres of load space, the ability to carry a 425kg payload and tow up to 750kg. But what has been improved is the introduction of our fifth-generation hybrid technology, which delivers more power and faster acceleration while maintaining the van’s high fuel and emissions efficiency.
John Kendall, Van Fleet World editor, said: “The Toyota Corolla Commercial is an impressive car-derived van, offering an accessible load space and an easy driving experience. The latest version… is even better than the original, with Toyota’s latest generation hybrid system and excellent fuel consumption, with 60mpg easily achievable. Add in Toyota’s enviable reputation for reliability and it offers a great solution for short or long-distance work.”
Earlier awards…
Aygo judged Best Car for New Drivers
Following research with 1,000 new motorists, automotive site CarGurus has revealed its top ten best cars for first-time drivers. Topping that list is the second generation Toyota Aygo (2014-2021), which was judged “the vehicle that gets closest to ticking all of the boxes that new drivers identified.” That criteria included low purchase and running costs, low insurance costs, reliability and smartphone connectivity features. The site also recognised the value and peace of mind offered by our ten-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
Toyota’s Best Retailer in Town awards announced
Toyota recently announced the winners of its tenth annual BRIT (Best Retailer in Town) awards, which recognise the top-performing Toyota centres in the UK. A total of 18 individual awards were presented at the ceremony by actor and host Stephen Mangan, with FRF Group of South Wales (below) winning the coveted Best Toyota Group award and Vantage Toyota Scarborough (second image) winning Toyota Retailer of the Year.
and actor Stephen Mangan
Mark Radcliffe, managing director of the family-run FRF Group, commented: “This award reflects the hard work of the whole team. It’s a great recognition for us all and demonstrates our commitment to and investment in the business, and our aim to deliver the highest level of customer experience through an engaged and highly motivated team.”
In addition, three retailers from the Vantage group were rewarded with Ichiban awards for excellence in customer service. Vantage Toyota Preston (below) took the award in the Large Retailer category, Vantage Toyota York (bottom) was recognised as the best Medium Retailer, and Vantage Toyota Scarborough secured its second award of the evening in the Small Retailer category.
Andrew Mallory, chief operating officer of Vantage Motor Group, said: “Winning all three Toyota Ichiban awards is testament to the incredible teamwork and unwavering dedication of our colleagues, who prioritise customer service above all else. Each member of our team has played an integral role in achieving this remarkable feat, demonstrating their commitment to exceeding customer expectations. This achievement has inspired us to continue working together, to set new standards of excellence in customer satisfaction.”
Prius wins 2024 World Car Design of the Year award
Singled out from a list of 70 eligible vehicles, the new Toyota Prius was voted winner of the prestigious 2024 World Car Design of the Year award during the recent New York International Motor Show.
During the award ceremony, Yasushi Ueda, chief engineer of this new model, commented: “We went back to the drawing board to re-imagine the Prius, considering whether to create a commodity – turning it into more of a taxi – or creating something that would capture hearts. Ultimately, we choose to create something people can love not only for its rational benefits but also emotional experience. It is an honor to receive the Best Design award – inside and out, the new Prius is a car that not only looks great, but is also fun to drive.”
Yaris voted Intelligent Instructor’s Driving Instructor Car of the Year
For the second year running Yaris has set the gold standard among Intelligent Instructor members. The hybrid electric hatchback was praised for offering the best of both worlds: an ideal vehicle for training new drivers and a great everyday drive for instructors.
David Motton, Intelligent Instructor road test editor, said: “It’s no wonder our readers voted the Toyota Yaris their Driving Instructor Car of the Year as it’s easy for provisional licence holders to drive and packed with driver aids to help keep learners and instructor safe. The Yaris is also extremely cheap to fuel thanks to its efficient hybrid electric powertrain. It’s a car that keeps both approved driving instructors and their learners happy.”
Double honours for Toyota Professional models in 2024 Fleet News Awards
It was a cause for double celebrations in the 2024 Fleet News Awards. The legendary Hilux was named Best All-terrain Workhorse and the compact Proace City collected the award for Best Small van for the second year running.
Commenting first on Hilux, the judges remarked: “Toyota is back in the market with its updated Hilux. The facelift has revitalised it, while dealer and manufacturer support are great, with an excellent warranty. The vehicle is ‘bombproof’ – it’s competent on and off-road and is popular with drivers, with a good range of engines.”
Moving on to the Proace City, the judges commented: “[It] is a step ahead of its… stablemates, with a longer warranty, better manufacturer support and aftersales. In fleet, driver acceptance is good. Toyota is steadily upping its game, with continuous improvement, especially on reliability. The Proace City is a proven vehicle and recent upgrades mean it remains the one to beat.”
Hydrogen Hilux project wins Richard Parry-Jones Memorial Medal
Toyota has been honoured with the inaugural Richard Parry-Jones Memorial Medal for its ground-breaking efforts in advancing sustainable automotive technology. This prestigious award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers recognised Toyota’s pioneering work in the development of the prototype hydrogen fuel cell electric Hilux project, a revolutionary initiative that supports Toyota’s multipath approach to decarbonisation.
“We are deeply honoured to receive this award,” said Richard Kenworthy, managing director of Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd. “It is a testament to our unwavering dedication to driving positive change in the automotive industry. Through initiatives like the Hilux project, we are committed to leading the way not only in the development of our teams and the wider supply chain but more broadly as we move towards a more sustainable future.”
Sophie Ogunbiyi honoured in the Inspiring Automotive Women Awards
Sophie Ogunbiyi, an external affairs manager at Toyota Motor Europe’s London office, was named a winner in the Inspiring Automotive Women Awards 2024, presented by the Automotive 30% Club. She was recognised for her wide-ranging work in diversity, equity and inclusion and the great personal effort she invests in a broad range of initiatives, from formal committee memberships to creating awareness opportunities, designing and hosting workshops, and providing individual, one-to-one support.
Club founder Julia Muir commented: “Sophie Ogunbiyi is going well above and beyond her day job to make a positive and lasting difference to the automotive industry. She is using her expertise in communications and excellent collaboration skills to ensure people within Toyota and beyond are well informed about how to change the game to ensure women can thrive and succeed in the sector. I am very grateful to her for being such a strong advocate for the inclusion of women.”
Double success for Corolla in the 2024 What Car? Awards
It was a home-grown success for the UK-built Corolla in the 2024 What Car? Awards, with the Hatchback model honoured as Family Car of the Year and the Touring Sports named Estate Car of the Year. The pair impressed the judging panel with reasonable running costs, driving quality, everyday practicality and built-in reliability.
Commenting on the award for the Hatchback, What Car? editor Steve Huntingford said: “In the face of spiralling costs in many parts of the new car market, the Corolla blends still-sensible prices with outstanding real-world fuel efficiency. However, there’s more to it than just numbers. The Corolla offers reassuring handling and is one of the best-riding family cars you can buy. Its user-friendly interior feels built to last, something that’s backed up by Toyota’s superb reliability record.”
There was equally warm praise for the Touring Sports, with Huntingford adding: “Like its Hatchback sister, the Corolla Touring Sports really impresses with its ride comfort, feeling both supple and well controlled. Meanwhile, its hybrid technology delivers both gutsy performance and superb efficiency. Being an estate, none of this would matter if practicality disappointed, but passenger space is good and you get a large, square boot with a low, flat floor that’s great for lugging large loads.”
