Honest John Awards 2019: J&J Motors Winners
Honest John is a consumer motoring site that is dedicated to helping car owners and buyers buy the right car and car-related products for their needs. It provides in-depth and unbiased advice alongside informed opinions from a panel of carefully selected experts.
Every year, Honest John selects winners across a range of categories based on the reviews that have created the most interest among readers on the site. Unlike other motoring awards, the winners aren't judged by a panel of experts or celebrity enthusiasts.
Here at J&J Motors, we have a selection of award winners from the most recent 2019 ceremony.
Suzuki Ignis: City Car of the Year 2019
Designed to look like a mini-SUV, the Suzuki Ignis was the pick of the bunch in the competitive City Car class, beating off competition from the Kia Picanto and Volkswagen Up.
Despite its dimunitive appearance, it can comfortably transport four adults with plenty of leg and head room available. While the entry level model comes with five seats, higher-specced versions have two large rear seats that can be moved forwards and backwards as well as being reclined. These seats also have easy-access ISOFIX points - perfect for a young family.
Around town it feels agile and nippy with light steering that makes manoeuvring in tight spaces a breeze. In fact, it has a super-tight turning circle that is just 1.4m wider than a London black cab.
As standard, the Ignis comes with DAB radio, Bluetooth, USB connectivity and air conditioning. However, for a little bit more money, the mid-level trim offers a touchscreen media system with satellite navigation, a reversing camera, roof rails and alloy wheels.
The frugal 1.2 petrol engine is the shared with the Swift model with a real-world miles per gallon (MPG) figure of around 50mpg. Discover the latest Suzuki Ignis offers available at J&J Motors.
Ford Fiesta: Small Hatchback of the Year 2019
Officially the UK's most popular car ever, the Ford Fiesta still regularly tops the list as the best-selling model of the year. Now in its seventh generation, the Fiesta has been on Britain's roads since 1976.
The latest Fiesta was released in 2017 with the remit to improve on its predecessor in an evolutionary rather than a revolutionary way. It retained the model's practicality, driving experience and sensible pricing while simultaneously adding extra comfort, technology and refinement.
A small hatchback needs to do everything expected of a city car but with more space for both passengers and cargo. The newest Fiesta has actually increased in size to provide rear passengers with more leg room than ever before.
While the entry-level Fiesta comes with lane keep assistance and a speed limiter, most buyers will upgrade to the Zetec trim. This mid-range model provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as well as a heated windscreen and alloy wheels.
Under the bonnet, there's a choice between the multi award-winning 1.0 EcoBoost petrol engine or the 1.5 TDCi diesel variant - both of which provide an exhilarating performance and excellent fuel economy. Discover the latest Ford Fiesta offers available at J&J Motors.
Suzuki Vitara: Small Crossover of the Year 2019
Originally released more than a quarter of a century ago, the Suzuki Vitara is arguably the original crossover SUV. Fast forward a couple of decades and it has a range of competitors including the Seat Arona and Peugeot 2008 SUV.
The small crossover class demands a car to be spacious and practical for family life as well as stylish, fun to drive and economical to run. The Vitara meets all of this criteria with a competitive price tag.
As you would expect, there's plenty of leg and head room for all passengers. Owners have also suggested that it is one of the most comfortable small crossovers to transport three adults in the back.
The driving experience has been likened to a "Swift-on-stilts" because of the raised ride height. Driver's can expect the car to grip the road and there's even a four-wheel drive option available to provide genuine off-road ability.
In 2015, the fourth generation Vitara was released and further updated in 2019 with a minor facelift and shift in engines. The 1.6-litre variant was scrapped in favour of the 1.0-litre turbocharged BoostJet petrol engine. Discover the latest Suzuki Vitara offers available at J&J Motors.
Suzuki Swift 1.0 BoosterJet: Real MPG Car of the Year 2019
The Real MPG award is given to the car that gets as close to its official fuel economy figures in the real world. According to owners, the Suzuki Swift 1.0 BoosterJet actually returns better numbers than its test figures.
As a hatchback it has some stiff competition from the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Seat Ibiza; however, it provides an exciting driving experience with precise steering and expert handling that is just as happy on a country road as it is navigating tight city streets.
The Swift is available with a choice of two petrol engines: a 1.2-litre DualJet and the 1.0-litre BoosterJet. The latter is turbocharged which delivers a punchier performance packed with character.
Undoubtedly, the BoosterJet engine is fun to drive, but it also offers excellent fuel economy over 60mpg. This is in part down to the car's light weight nature - every version weighs less than 1,000kg.
In addition to the standard version, the BoosterJet engine is available with a 'mild' hybrid system which helps to improve fuel economy further and lower CO2 emissions. You can also specify it in a six-speed automatic configuration.
This award-winning engine is not available on the entry-level model, and you'll have to stretch to the range-topping edition to be able to select the automatic transmission. Discover the latest Suzuki Swift offers available at J&J Motors.