AT the end of March every year multi-marque leasing company CW Lease, part of the ING Group, elects its lease car of the year.

This year, however, on the 10th anniversary of the awards, the company selected not one, but three cars for the title, each in a different category: economy, business and executive.

In economy, the Fiat Punto went head-to-head with the Toyota Yaris, the European Car of the Year. The Yaris won with 258 points out of a maximum 300, thanks to its better scores on lease rates, availability, and the quality of its importer and dealers.

Citroën Xsara Picasso and Opel Zafira were shortlisted for the business class award, with the Zafira winning due to its better fuel economy and the higher service quality of its importer and dealers.

Finally, Volvo's V70 won with a 260/300 score from the Peugeot 607 in the executive class through its greater availability and better service from its importer and dealers.

The CW Lease jury bases its decisions on objective criteria such as the ratio between catalogue price and residual value, repair and maintenance budget, business image, dealer and importer quality, ecology, fuel economy, security level, availability, driving impressions and overall comfort.

  • Philippe Quatennens is general manager of Fleet Management, Belgium's leading fleet magazine. (May 2000)