THE Mazda MX-5 has been voted UK Car of the Year for 2016.

Having triumphed in the Best Open Top Car category, the latest generation of the top-selling sports car beat off strong competition in the final round of voting to claim overall victory.

The Japanese company achieved triple honours at the awards, with the Supermini of the Year title for the Mazda2 joining the MX-5's two gongs.

While contenders ranged from the Smart Forfour to the McLaren 570S, it was the MX-5 which triumphed over the Volvo XC90 with the Skoda Superb Estate taking third spot.

UK Car of the Year Awards director John Challen said: "With the latest MX-5, Mazda has created the perfect roadster. A lightweight engaging, simplistic and even practical vehicle, which is an absolute pleasure to drive."

And Mazda's UK chief Jeremy Thomson added: The MX-5 embodies all that is great about our products. Its fun to drive character has earned it a place in the hearts of driving enthusiasts the world over."

Launched in 2014, the UK Car of the Year Awards are judged by 27 of Britain's most-read motoring journalists, who pick out the top performer in 12 vehicle categories, before deciding the overall winner from their favourites in each class.

The full list of winners, announced at the Geneva Motor Show, is:

Best City Car - Smart Forfour.

Best Supermini - Mazda2.

Best Small Hatch - Vauxhall Astra.

Best Family Car - Skoda Superb.

Best Executive Car - Jaguar XE.

Best Luxury Car - BMW 7 Series.

Best Estate Car - Skoda Superb Estate.

Best MPV - Ford S-Max.

Best SUV - Volvo XC90.

Best Coupe - Ford Mustang.

Best Open Top Car - Mazda MX-5.

Best Performance Car - McLaren 570S.