Motoring: A right racquet over the choice of Best Car

THE new benchmark for executive motoring has been set this week with the Mercedes E Class being named Best Business Car in the 2016 Telegraph Cars Awards.

Such awards always provoke controversy and while I’m sure many people will agree with the decision, I’m equally sure many won’t.

Only last week the new Jaguar F-Pace was named Car of the Year in the Auto Express Awards.

Therefore, does that make it better than the E Class?

Not really – it’s just different.

Such is the nature of automobile ownership.

Choosing a car is a very emotive experience which can often have little to do with logic or the badge on the bonnet – as we’ll see lower down this week’s column.

But for now, back to the E Class.

Judges assessing the Telegraph’s awards tested hundreds of cars before arriving at their decision, which I’m sure will please Mercedes no end.

The judges’ conclusion was: “The new E-Class is a real tour de force, with one of the best interiors of any car at any price, plus low running costs from the new Mercedes-Benz 2.0-litre engine.  Comfort over long journeys is outstanding.”

They said the E-Class boasts a host of technical innovations enabling comfortable, safe and efficient driving of the very highest order. Ground-breaking assistance systems make the E-Class the most intelligent business saloon.

Rob East, Head of Fleet, said: “We are delighted that E-Class continues to impress and has been recognised as Best Business Car by Telegraph Cars.  This is now the tenth generation of the E-Class and it boasts the efficiency, style and technology that every business user demands today.”

The E-Class Saloon is available from £35,935 OTR for the E 220d SE and will be joined later this year by the E-Class Estate.

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Andy Murray’s second Wimbledon title was greeted with understandable enthusiasm by an ecstatic public this week.

Whether his win was down to a new coach or an early exit by No 1 seed Novak Djokovic cannot be determined.

However, one organisation which may have played a part in the win is Jaguar Land Rover.

A fleet of Jaguars was used throughout the tournament to whisk the players into The All England Lawn Tennis Club in chauffeur-driven comfort.

So, to celebrate Murray’s latest title the company created a bespoke logo designating the F-Pace as ‘The Official Car of The Champion’.

Scott Dicken, marketing director at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “It is an absolute honour to be partnered with such a British icon and celebrate this historic win with him. We congratulate Andy on a fantastic performance throughout the Championships and we hope he looks forward to driving the F-Pace for himself.”

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While in a different league to Mercedes and Jaguar, Škoda nevertheless has its loyal supporters.

And it’s clear to see why.

While lacking the badge prestige of the German and British marques, the Czech manufacturer has nevertheless carried off a major award of its own – and one arguably more important than those bestowed on the Big Cat and three pointed star.

It has recorded back-to-back victories in the J.D. Power UK Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) – with two models topping their sector for quality and reliability.

The study, now in its second year, measured problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of vehicles in the UK after 12-36 months of ownership. The findings were based on responses from more than 13,000 owners of 2013-2015 models.

J.D. Power examined 177 problem symptoms across eight categories: engine and transmission; vehicle exterior; driving experience; features/controls/displays (FCD); audio/communication/entertainment/navigation (ACEN); seats; heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC); and vehicle interior. Overall dependability was determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

Škoda ranked the highest for vehicle dependability with a score of 66 PP100 – an even better result than the brand recorded in 2015, and 13 points clear of the next manufacturer. The overall industry average was 113 PP100.

The 2016 survey also studied vehicle dependability in key sectors and, once again, Škoda models were at the top of two categories. The Fabia (pictured) was ranked at the most dependable car in the Small Car category, while the Yeti finished top of the Compact SUV sector. The Octavia also performed well, finishing second in the Compact Car category.

The awards will also please Škoda’s parent – Volkswagen, whose recent woes have been well chronicled.