THE Toyota Yaris has been named the 2021 European Car of Year being voted best out of a field of 38 models.

The fourth generation Yaris received the award 21 years after the then innovative first generation model was given the honour in 2000.

Since then the Yaris has been recognised consistently by the Car of Year judges, with each new generation of the car making the award's shortlist.

This year the jury praised the Yaris's hybrid electric technology for its smooth driving, low emissions and accessible price point, illustrating why more than 80 per cent of European Yaris customers choose the hybrid powertrain.

In the UK, the French-built Yaris is an all-hybrid model range.

The jury also praised Toyota's success in re-igniting passion for the hot hatch market across Europe with the launch of the GR Yaris.

The 2021 European Car of the Year award comes just a few days after the new Yaris became the best-selling car in Europe for the first time.

Matt Harrison, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Europe, said: "This is a great honour for Toyota and I thank the jury for their consideration and recognition.

Toyota has now won the European Car of the Year award three times with the first generation Yaris in 2000, the second generation Prius in 2005 and now the fourth generation Yaris in 2021.

The Jury of 59 members from 22 European countries placed the all-electric new Fiat 500 in second place with the Cupra Formentor in third spot.

The Volkswagen I.D. 3 was fourth ahead of the Skoda Octavia, the Land Rover Defender and Citreen C4.

Others on the shortlist included the Aston Martin DBX, the Bentley Flying Spur and the Vauxhall Mokka.