The zero-emissions MG4 hatchback has been voted UK Car of the Year 2023 after judging by 27 of the nation’s top motoring journalists.

MG’s newest addition to its affordable electric vehicle (EV) line-up secured the annual automotive awards’ overall accolade after winning the Best Family Car title in the earlier market category round.

And cost-conscious motoring emerged as the top priority for judges conscious of the current cost-of-living crisis as the Dacia Jogger – the market’s most affordable seven-seat vehicle – secured second place.

Third place went to Toyota’s GR86, which had earlier claimed the Best Coupé category in this year’s awards.

A combination of affordability, practicality and driving range were what won the day for the MG4, though.

Top Gear’s Tom Ford said: “In a world where practical electric cars are priced to the sky, the MG4 offers genuine value-for-money.”

John Challen, director of the UK Car of the Year Awards, said: “The MG4 proves that electric cars can be affordable, practical and appeal to all areas of the automotive market.

“Fully charged, it offers more than enough miles for most journeys, while the design and driving dynamics tick two other important boxes for consumers. A deserved winner for the electric future.”

Alisdair Suttie, also a UK Car of the Year Awards director, added: “MG has come up with the perfect car for our times.

“With plenty of range and quick charging, it takes the chore out of EV ownership and makes it a desirable way to travel. It's simply a fantastic all-round family car.”

At the launch of the MG4 in August last year MG UK's commercial director Guy Pigounakis told AM that the brand’s franchised car retail network would have capacity to fulfil the brand’s future target “in excess of 90,000 sales” by the end of last year.

It eventually ended last year as the UK’s fastest-growing car brand, with registrations that had swelled by 66.8% to 51,050 units during the 12-month period.

MG’s success came in a year that benefited from sales of updated versions of the MG ZS SUV and MG 5 estate car, along with the addition of its new MG 4 EV hatchback.

Receiving this year’s UK Car of the Year award Pigounakis said: “The MG4 has proved to be a hit with both existing and new customers since it arrived in September last year  – and it is also hugely encouraging that so many expert reviewers hold the same opinion as well.

“We'd like to thank everyone at UK Car of the Year for this award – this is a significant achievement for MG.”

Chris Evans, head of sales at heycar UK – sponsor of the UK Car of the Year Awards – said: “Congratulations to MG for its very deserved win with the fantastic MG4.

"With an impressive range of up to 281 miles, coupled with striking styling and design, MG has struck an excellent balance of desirability, practicality and performance. With consumers facing economic pressures more than ever before, it also proves that EV ownership doesn’t have to be prohibitive.

"The MG4 represents fantastic value for money.”

Full list of UK Car of the Year Awards 2023 category winners:

• Best City – Toyota Aygo
• Best Family – MG4
• Best Large Family – Dacia Jogger
• Best Crossover – Kia Niro
• Best Large Crossover – Range Rover
• Best Coupé – Toyota GR86
• Best Performance – Lotus Emira