Range Rover wins Autocar Asian Car of the Year Award

The Range Rover has won the Autocar Asian Car of the Year Award for 2014.

The trophy was handed over to Jaguar Land Rover boss Dr Ralf Speth by Autocar brand editor Chas Hallett and Autocar China editor in chief Qin Minghua at a ceremony at the Beijing motor show.

The British-made SUV beat competition from the Volkswagen Golf,Mercedes-Benz A-class, Mazda 6, Jaguar F-type and Citroën DS5. That shortlist was drawn from an initial selection of 34 cars. Each was rated on criteria including design, comfort, safety, economy, handling, performance and driver satisfaction.

Autocar India editor and judge Hormazd Sorabjee said the latest-generation Range Rover "is everything a Range Rover should be, only better. It pampers you more than some of the best luxury cars in the world and has the go-anywhere capability of a hardcore off-roader. Its sheer breadth of talents have rightfully earned it the title of this year’s Autocar Asian Car of the Year."

Speaking at the award ceremony, Dr Speth said: "To win an award judged by so many experienced and respected journalists is a huge honour for the company. Asia is a fast-expanding market for us. We’ve listened to our Asian customers and developed tailor-made solutions to address our customers’ values and enhance their experiences. “We’re delighted the car’s excellence has been recognised."

Autocar's Asian Car of the Year Award is the only trophy of its kind to recognise success across the Asian car market, and was created in 2012. The overall winner is judged by editors of Autocar magazine in China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The award organisers said: "Asia is home to some of the world's biggest automotive markets. Car sales and local market design, manufacturing and production are growing at an unprecendented pace as consumers across Asia take to the road."

Previous winners of the award include the Audi A6 and BMW 3-series.

Photograph: Autocar brand editor Chas Hallett presents the award to JLR chief Dr Ralf Speth alongside Autocar China editor in chief Qin Minghua.