IT'S been a busy year for car launches, with 120 hitting the market. Here Simon Donohue hands out a few gongs to the good, bad and downright ugly of 2006.

T HE GOOD: There was something good for everyone in 2006, with outstanding models from budget brands and luxury marques alike.

In the FORD GALAXY and S-MAX, the people behind the blue oval badge managed to make cars which were stylish, practical AND drove well.

Other notable drives were the KIA SORENTO, a stylish, well-built and value for money off-roader; the PEUGEOT 207, an impressive big-sister to the popular 206; and the LEXUS IS, an exclusive and understated BMW 3 Series-baiter.

When it came to sheer driving exhilaration, it had to be the PORSCHE 911. The leaner and meaner new AUDI TT was among my favourites when it came to cars designed with a purpose in mind. Not only does it drive better than its predecessor, but it looks neater too.

Similarly, the BMW 3-SERIES COUPE more than provided a respectable replacement for its predecessor. And if this were a competition judged on kerb appeal alone, my winner would have to be the beautiful M4 Coupe.

I loved the latest version of the BMW MINI even more than the German manufacturer's first effort. But it wasn't quite different enough to make it my favourite motor of the year.

When it came to choosing my favourite, I opted for something which is opulent, stylish, sporty and unmistakably English. And that's why the JAGUAR XK bags my gong for the best of the good stuff in 2006.

THE BAD: Unlike the bad old days when Britain boasted its own motor industry, there are very few poor cars on the roads these days.

This section is therefore reserved for cars which failed to live up to their kerbside charisma. I dearly wanted to like the HYUNDAI TERIOS. Based on looks alone, the relatively inexpensive soft-roader should have been a real winner.

Unfortunately, the devil of the detail was in the driving and the Terios was badly let down by its slow and ponderous ways on the open road.

As for off-road ability, I think you'd be better off in a big pair of wellies.

But probably the most disappointing car for me this year was the absolutely beautiful ALFA ROMEO BRERA. Then with looks like that, who cares if it's any good to drive.



THE UGLY: Let's face it, most cars are bought on looks alone. It's a style statement which tells the world something about the person cool enough to be sitting in the driving seat.

Unfortunately, some manufacturers of very respectable motors still manage to get it horribly wrong when it comes to aesthetic values. The overblown CITROEN C6 is the vehicle which proves that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The SKODA ROOMSTER is a car which shows what can happen when somebody accidentally wipes the words "stylish" and "desirable" off the design room whiteboard.

And the VAUXHALL ASTRA CONVERTIBLE looks to be the motoring equivalent of allowing a chimpanzee to add a few finishing touches to the Mona Lisa.

But by far the ugliest car of the year is the SUBARU B9 TRIBECA, an off-roader which makes the Porsche Cayenne look like Miss World.

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