The new, British-built Vauxhall Astra has been named European Car of the Year 2016.

The award was decided by 58 European automotive journalists.

It was presented to Vauxhall/Opel CEO Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann by Car of the Year president Hakan Matson on the eve of the first press day of the Geneva Motor Show. 

Astra received a total of 309 points versus 294 for the Volvo XC90 and 202 for the Mazda MX-5.

Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s chairman and managing director, said: “To be named European Car of the Year by judges throughout Europe is a testament to the hard work that has gone into the Astra. This is the new model’s first full year of sales, and it has already been well-received.”

This year is the 52nd European Car of the Year awards and the Astra’s win marks the fifth Car of the Year title for Opel/Vauxhall.

The previous winners were the Astra Mk2, Omega A, Insignia and Ampera.

The Astra has also won family car of the year at the What Car? Awards and Scottish Car of the Year.