The Ford S-Max has won the Car of the Year 2007 award with a margin of only two points from the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa. The winner received points from 57 of the 58 Jury members.The Citroën C4 Picasso was close in third place and was awarded top points by 17 members of the Jury, 10 more than the winner.  The nomination of eight finalists in the first vote, instead of the usual seven, emphasizes the closeness of the fight for the title.

Ford S-Max

The Jury sees the new winner as a sporty and spacious seven-seater with strong personality and design and excellent safety. The balance between family roominess and versatility and, at the same time, pleasant dynamics and driving fun, is the most praised feature of this good looking MPV that starts a new line of design in Ford. Refinement, quiet running and excellent steering are also mentioned. On the minus side, there is some criticism of the ride on the optional, oversized 18-inch wheels.

256 points
The new Clio Clio emerged as the winner with just five points more than the Volkswagen Passat. The car was especially praised for its quality, safety, comfort and space. Several described it as the new benchmark for its category. This is the first repeat win in the history of the award; the first Clio was Car of the Year 1991. A Renault model has won the Car of the Year on six occasions, the previous being the Mégane, three year before.

406 points
The pioneer Prius of 1997 set a new standard for clean emissions among petrol-powered cars but Toyota’s first hybridlackedsome refinement. TheCar of the Year 2005 is everything the original was not. It has appealing looks and good accommodation. Performance is relatively lively, with the availability of 110 hp when combining the thrust of the Atkinson-cycle engine and the electric motor. Fuel economy may be outstanding when a gentle driving style is applied, encouraged by the character of this vehicle.

281 points
This model with city-car size offers the usefulness and equipment of a much bigger vehicle. A single body style was enough for this tall mini to get general praise. Roominess and cabin flexibility , as well as the reputation of Fiat to conceive clever, practical small cars at very competitive prices, were behind the election. Driving position and high-mounted gear lever are a plus. While petrol engines go almost unnoticed, the impressive, fuel-sparing 1.3 Multijet diesel is quite unusual in the segment.

322 points
Mégane’s new generation was launched with two body styles, but Renault soon enriched the number of versions: 3 and 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon, stawion wagon, a cabrio-coupe, plus 5 and 7-seat derivatives of compact MPV Scénic. Bold looks were a major plus in the trophy-winning car for 2003. It was also praised for a number of bright aspects: active and passive safety equipment, materials and fit in the cabin, good ride, handling, brakes and the lively 1.9 dCi engine and its 6-speed gearbox.

286 points
In the new generation of hatchbacks, 307 was recognised as the one with best balance. Appealing looks similar to 206 combined with build quality and cosy interior. Cabin offered functionality, space and a versatility that would be about perfect with sliding rear seats. Compared with former Peugeots, suspensions were more oriented to ride comfort. Big windshield, low noise level and powerful brakes enhanced ease of driving. Clean 2.0 HDI Diesel engine with particulate filter, a big first in the segment.

 
238 points
Winner by a single point, the 147 impressed for its looks, a mix of retro and boldness with clear Alfa genes in its lines. Roadholding reminded its chassis derives from the 156. Alfa Romeo also offered a high-ever level of quality and a rich interior. Boot capacity and rear seat room got some criticizing. Initial range of 3-door body with three petrol engines and "Selespeed" gearbox gave soon place to 5-door derivatives (with dissimulated rear door handles) and an efficient Diesel JTD engine.

 
344 points
A new dog fight for the first place, but this time the innovative MPV Fiat Multipla would lose in front of the Toyota Yaris. The Japanese car, bound to future production in France, had also unusual but much more pleasant looks inside and out, and a certain versatility in its cozy cabin, with an sliding rear bench. The small car was also given the most brilliant and efficient 1.0 liter engine money can buy, with 68 hp. Two-box 3 and 5-door body styles had the complement of a tall Verso MPV version.

 
444 points
After trying it in less popular models, Ford gave a big role to its New Edge style in a car of the segment with most weight in Europe. The challenge was won; Focus would turn the world best-selling car, adding European and American sales. Besides courageous and fresh looks, Focus was praised for its wide range of versions, equipment, build quality and a roadholding that was the new reference in its category, thanks to multi-link rear suspension. Again a high synchrony in the Jury: 42 top marks.

 
454 points
Another case of love at first sight. This time, mostly for the appealing looks Walter da Silva masterly gave to 156. Elegant, muscular lines mixed with undeniable Alfa Romeo family airs of classic times. The perfect balance to restore the Alfa image. In top of an enjoyable engine line and much improved quality, this median saloon had new and very refined suspension layout so to offer an impeccable roadholding. In an unusual coincidence, 40 out of 56 Jury members gave their top points to the Alfa.

 
405 points
A honest average product in itself, the Mégane offer had an unprecedented variety of body styles as main asset. But almost everybody focused in one ot them, the Scénic, a pioneer in the incipient subsegment of compact multi-purpose-vehicles. Thus, this version was considered as a model of its own and won the award hands down. Voters fell in love with the clever, practical approach, while the surprised manufacturer had to make a rush effort to adjust the shy Scénic production capacity to the wild demand.

 
378 points
Fiat won again a close fight against Peugeot 406 to clinch its seventh Car of the Year award for Bravo/Brava. Differentiation of name and looks between 3-door and 5-door body styles was saluted as a fresh approach, even if 5-door Brava had a lesser acceptation than Fiat had anticipated. Very good value for money, reasonable performance, distinctive design, safe behaviour and a remarkable improvement in build quality gave the pair the winning chance.

 
370 points
Not even a hundred percent new VW Polo was an obstacle in the winning trajectory of Fiat Punto. The Italian manufacturer succeeded in offering a very stylish packaging in an small car. Ample room and big trunk contributed to a commercial success that would eventually put Punto in top of European sales for some time. For specialists appreciating energy conservation, such a compact, lightweight car with low fuel consumption was a good alternative to bigger vehicles. Prices were just irresistible.

 
290 points
Mondeo was the third and finest incursion of Ford in transversal engine/front wheel drive technique. Ambitious project of `world car`was backed by massive investments at both sides of the Atlantic. Improving dramatically the features of its predecessor —the Sierra— the range of saloon, hatchback and estate car versions was an instant success in Europe. Reasonable prices, sleek looks, good roadholding and an efficient Zetec line of petrol 1.6/1.8/2.0 engines were its winning points.

 
338 points
Even it it was assembled in Britain, Micra performed a big feat in Europe: to become the first Car of the Year designed in Japan; Primera had been second in 1991. The car gathered sympathies for its round, compact line that made it look smaller than it really was (3.7 m.); and also for its build quality, higher than usual British standards for unexpensive models. Good performer and with a brilliant fuel economy, Micra had as a technical distinction the first DOHC 16 valves engine under 1.0 litre available in Europe.

 
276 points
A best-seller from its introduction in the '70s, the Volkswagen Golf had been crucial to make the segment of compacts the gravity centre of European market. Car of the Year Jury rewarded it only in its third generation, a car full of maturity and a reference in build quality. The pleasant to drive 2.0 GTI version would have the complement of a powerful 16v engine. Conceived prior to a general trend to reduce engine size, Volkswagen also offered an impressive V6 2.8 version with 175 hp as top of the range.

 
312 points
Renault interrupted its long love affair with R5/Superfive to strike something really new. Not only an inspiring name; the new small car had also remarkable style, good quality level, generous cabin/luggage space and a richness of equipment never offered before in a model of this size from a popular manufacturer. Most of supporters appreciated the overall character of the car, the variety of range and powerful engines and, mostly, a safe and enjoyable road behaviour.

 
390 points
With top points from a large majority of the Jury, XM was a clear award winner. Spirited aerodynamics were combined this time with outstanding looks; Bertone-sourced lines gave elegance and class to the 2-box profile. A new evolution of hydroneumatic theme, Hydractive suspension with full variable control of flexibility and damping gave top ride comfort. Also 3.0 V6 with 24 valves and 200 hp was a refined performer. Initial problems with electronics would mar the commercial career of XM.

 
356 points
Tipo was quite a shock in looks. But the design boldness of this tall hatchback was addressed to a new level of spaciousness in a compact car. What is more, its well conceived floorpan and rear suspension diverging from the ubiquitous torsional axle, gave birth to a whole generetion of models inside Fiat group. Limited luggage space and petrol engines rather poor did not mar a positive perception based in the courageous style, safe roadholding and, as usual in Fiat models, good value for money.

 
464 points
Winning the award was a parade for 405, after a general praise all over Europe, and an overwhelming unanimity, with 54 top marks among 57 Jury members. Accentuating the style features started with 205, designers gave the mid-size saloon the role of new image carrier for Peugeot. With fine-tuned suspension even for basic versions, 405 was a joy to drive. Appreciable petrol engines were backed by the first advanced turbodiesel in PSA -a 90 hp 1.9-, the foundation of a big success across Peugeot/Citroën ranges.

 
275 points
There still was some room in Europe for a medium-big, rear wheel drive car not coming from an specialist manufacturer, and Opel seized the opportunity. Omega was ment for an spot lower to Senator position, but in fact it had a longer wheelbase, more room and bigger trunk than the older big Opel. Refined suspensions, good comfort and advanced aerodynamics made a very pleasant car. Displacement was polarized between the modest 1.8/2.0 4-cylinder engines and a powerful, costly 3.0i V6 with 177 hp.

 
337 points
After two generations of Granada, Ford Europe switched the approach for a medium-big car. Scorpio still was a typical fleet car, as the availability of a weak 1.8 engine showed, but looks and build quality changed for the better. New style, with a sharp nose and an rear hatch unusual for a car this size, was a refreshing point. A cozy interior, good equipment and the performance of a fuel injection 2.9 V6 gave it an edge. Real trick to clinch the award was fitting the then incipient ABS as standard for the whole range.
2nd Position: Lancia Yl0, 291 points
3rd Position: Mercedes-Benz 200-300 E, 273 points