Honda took a hat trick of honours at this year’s What Car? Car of the Year awards with the Civic Type R taking best hot hatch, the Urban EV taking the reader award for the most anticipated car launch of 2019 and the CR-V hybrid taking the best hybrid over £30,000.

The 2019 awards mark the second time in a row the Civic Type R has won the hot hatch of the year, demonstrating the unmatched prowess of the car. 2019 also marks the third time in five years that a Honda has won the reader award – when the Civic Type R won in 2017, it took almost half the votes. This time, the Urban EV took eight times as many votes as the car that finished in second place.

Held in association with Warranty Direct and acknowledged as the Oscars of the car industry, the annual What Car? Car of the Year awards are only given to the cars that set the highest standards in their class each year. These awards are important for both car makers and customers because of the authority and integrity of the What Car? brand.

Phil Webb, Head of Car at Honda UK, said: “Starting a new year with not one but three accolades at one of the most prestigious automotive awards ceremonies is fantastic.

“Of course, we know the Civic Type R is a winner but to have What Car? say it, and say it twice in a row, is something special. Compounding that with the overwhelming landslide of a win for the Urban EV and then a price-point win for the CR-V hybrid; we have a great 2019 ahead of us.”

Steve Huntingford, editor at What Car? said: “The Civic Type R is a hot hatch that's easy to live with, because it has a comfortable ride and averaged more than 35mpg in our True MPG fuel test? And yet when you take your sensible hat off it’s also utterly and extraordinarily magnificent to drive.

“Honda’s decision to not offer its new CR-V SUV with diesel engines was a bold one. But it's paid off, because the car is much more refined as a result, as well as spacious and good to drive. Plus, it still delivers diesel-like fuel economy.

“What Car? readers clearly can’t get enough of Honda's new electric car, because the Urban EV garnered almost eight times as many votes as the model that finished second in our Reader Award poll.

“Put simply, it’s easily the car they’re most excited about seeing in 2019, thanks to its combination of cool, retro styling and electric power.”

Honda UK has also announced the addition of a new variant to the popular Civic line up. Available in dealer showrooms now, the Civic Sport Line is available on the 1.0 129PS engine in both manual and CVT and will offer customers additional features and styling over the standard range.

The Sport Line introduces a more dynamic and sleek appearance with its lower front and side skirts, along with the rear diffuser, all finished in a high-gloss black finish. These additions are complemented by the window surrounds and door mirror caps being finished in the same high-gloss look. Inside the car, a unique and bespoke black leather seat is detailed with red stitching, exclusively available to the Sports Line models.

Based on the SR-grade variant, the new model boasts an impressive specification list as a starting point, which includes climate control dual-zone A/C, adaptive cruise control, motion adaptive electronic power steering, highbeam support, ECON mode, privacy glass, Bluetooth® hands free telephone (HFT) system, reversing camera, city brake active system and a 7” touchscreen HONDA Connect™ in-car audio and information system with Garmin navigation as well as Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, internet radio, and much more.

Available in White Orchid Pearl, Rallye Red, and Brilliant Sporty Blue, the Sport Line will be priced from £22,445, representing a significant saving on the cost of purchasing the included options on an individual basis.

Dealers have tem now and there is a 0% PCP monthly price plan of 36 instalments of just £199 (based on optional metallic paint).

Phil Webb, said: “This special edition Civic is a fantastic addition to our line up, and made for a great ending to 2018 for Honda UK. The Sport Line will be popular with those looking for something more distinctive and individual.”