With the What Car? Awards been one of the Car Industry’s most recognized awards, scooping up the car of the year is always a big deal for the auto-maker whose car picks up the award. Congratulations are in order for Volkswagen as the Volkswagen Up has been named the 2012 What Car? Car of the year.

According to What Car? Editor-in-chief Chas Hallett “The Volkswagen Up is the best car we’ve seen this year because it combines refinement, quality, space and economy. It sets new standards for the £10,000 price bracket. It feels at home in town and copes admirably on the motorway; it is the right car for the time.â€�

Two other awards were picked up by Volkswagen including the top prize in the small family car category for the Volkswagen Golf and the Safety Award for the City Emergency Braking System on the Up. This is the fourth year Volkswagen is wining the top prize in the small family car category.

Winners in other Categories Include:

CITY CAR  – Volkswagen Up 1.0 75 High Up
SUPER MINI – Audi A1 1.4 TFSI 122 Sport
SMALL FAMILY CAR – Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr
FAMILY CAR – Ford Mondeo 1.6 TDCi 115 Eco Zetec S/S
ESTATE – Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec
MPV – Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S
HOT HATCH РRenault M̩gane Renaultsport 250 Cup
COUPE – Audi TT 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport
OPEN TOP – Audi TT Roadster 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport>
Performance car – Porsche 911 Carrera S PDK
SUV  - BMW X3 xDrive20d SE automatic
Executive car – BMW 320d SE automatic
Luxury car – Mercedes-Benz S350 CDI Bluetec
Ultra-low-carbon – Safety Volkswagen City Emergency Braking system available on the Up
Security – MG

To check out the other cars that were considered for the 2012 Car of the Year by What Car? visit http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/contenders-for-car-of-the-year-award/260212