THE Oxford-built Mini has started the new year with awards from Top Gear, What Car?, BusinessCar and Parker's Car Guides.

BusinessCar magazine readers have awarded the Mini its 'Best SuperMini' accolade for the sixth time. BusinessCar editor-in-chief Tristan Young, said: "The Mini is a real favourite in the business car market, thanks to incredible residual values and a stylish image.

"It's no surprise it's picked up another BusinessCar award because Mini makes financial sense for businesses and their employees love driving them."

Top Gear magazine has awarded best small car to the Mini for the second consecutive year, but this time the new Mini Clubman has taken the top spot from the Mini hatch. The judges said: "The fact that the wheels are further apart lends a smoother ride quality too, perfectly matching up to the latest-generation Mini's more mature levels of hush and comfort inside."

The What Car? team awarded the Mini Cooper S Best Hot Hatch for a second year, once again beating all the competition. They said: "This hot hatch gets you fired up each time you drive it, yet it won't burn a hole in your pocket." According to the latest research from Parker's, Mini regained its title of Britain's slowest depreciating car, after achieving the title in 2005. It said: "Mini remains one of Britain's most sought-after cars with good reason. It looks good, is great to drive, and is easy to own as it's offered with five and eight-year servicing deals."

Andy Hearn, Mini UK general manager, said: "The awards have been a great start to the year, coupled with record new and used car sales in 2007. Mini offers premium design and build quality, low cost of ownership and a great driving experience, plus over a million different ways to personalise your car. With the new technology fitted to cars from Autumn 2007, it's also one of the cleanest and most fuel-efficient models on the road."