EIGHT car makers are vying for the UK Car of the Year title after judges whittled down the numbers in the first round of voting.

The most successful winner at this year's awards was Porsche, which won with petrol and electric powertrains with the 911 voted Best Cabriolet and the Taycan EV came out on top in the Best Performance category.

In all, there are nine categories in this year's awards with the overall winner being announced at the end of February.

There was further endorsement for electric vehicle technology from the judging panel as Tesla triumphed in the Best Executive category.

It's the first win at the UK Car of the Year Awards for the relatively young manufacturer - and an impressive one in what is a fiercely competitive sector.

Kia made it a trio of wins for battery powered vehicles - reflective of an improving technology and a changing market - as the e-Niro was named Best Crossover.

One manufacturer returning to winning ways at the UK Car of the Year Awards was Land Rover, as the Range Rover Evoque was crowned Best Premium Crossover - it's the brand's first win since the inaugural awards in 2004 when the Range Rover Sport triumphed.

Elsewhere at the premium end of the market, Bentley made it back-to-back wins, with the Flying Spur named the judges' choice in the Best Luxury category, hot on the heels of the Continental GT's win in 2019.

At the smaller end of the market, Renault's Clio was chosen as the Best Supermini, while the Best Small Hatch category was won by the Mazda3.

BMW, which has claimed more UK Car of the Year titles than any other auto manufacturer, came out on top in the Best Estate category, with the 3 Series.

This year's judging panel, which comprises 29 motoring journalists based all over the UK, were asked to choose their winners in vehicle classes ranging from Best Supermini to Best Crossover to Best Performance.

Full list of UK Car of the Year Awards 2020 category winners:

Best Supermini - Renault Clio

Best Small Hatch - Mazda3

Best Executive - Tesla Model 3

Best Luxury - Bentley Flying Spur

Best Estate - BMW 3 Series

Best Crossover - Kia e-Niro

Best Premium Crossover - Range Rover Evoque

Best Cabriolet - Porsche 911

Best Performance - Porsche Taycan