The 2014 Corolla which is the 11th generation of the world famous model from Toyota, was officially crowned as the Middle East Car of the Year in the midsize category.

A jury comprising 14 motoring journalists from around the region selected the Corolla as the choice for the accolade to enhance its reputation, the company said, in a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The Middle East Car of the Year is one of the most coveted awards of the regional automotive industry.

It integrates a complex yet transparent nomination and scoring methodology which is developed, tested and implemented by reputed experts from the industry.

The Middle East Car of the Year provides a platform for leading motoring journalists to combine their collective experience and expertise and select the best new vehicles annually.

The section criteria for the award included 10 aspects which were used to grade the cars.

These included design and quality (exterior and interior), handling and drivability, safety and durability, performance and capability, technological innovation, emotional appeal and driver satisfaction, value for money (new purchase and resale), environmentally friendly, regional appeal, comfort and practicality. - TradeArabia News Service