SCOTLAND'S motoring journalists have made the new Vauxhall Astra their Scottish Car of the Year 2015.

Presented by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, in Edinburgh, last week, the coveted trophy - supplied by the Bridge of Weir Leather Company - the Vauxhall brand won three category awards: family car and eco car for the Astra and the new VIVA won compact car.

Mazda also had plenty to celebrate, winning three categories with its Mazda2 (supermini), MX-5 (drop top) and the CX-3 (crossover).

Land Rover also enjoyed multiple awards and its new Ingenium engine helped the Discovery Sport win the diesel title. In the used car of the year battle, the Land Rover Defender came out on top thanks to its incredibly strong residual values and enduring appeal as a workhorse and leisure vehicle.

It was a good evening for Jaguar, Land Rover's sister company, as its XE saloon was the executive car of 2015.

Last year's overall winner, Hyundai, was back up on the stage to receive the design and innovation award for its ix35 Hydrogen fuel cell car.

Volvo proved that large SUVs can be every bit as appealing and efficient as smaller machines with its XC90, which won the SUV category, following its predecessor's overall SCOTY victory in 2003.

The Skoda Superb estate won the estate car title and the hugely versatile Ford Galaxy came out on top of the MPV grouping, which including two other Fords. Audi TT's sleek lines helped it to the top spot in the coupe category, and Honda's Civic Type R was the best hot hatch.

The President's Award celebrates those who have made an exceptional contribution and this year's trophy went to not one person but a unique couple - Gordon and Jillian Shedden. As well as lifting the 2015 British Touring Car Championship, Gordon and Jillian put in an amazing effort at Knockhill Racing Circuit to support and promote motorsport in Scotland.

Alisdair Suttie, president of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, said: "This past year has been an amazing year for new cars and made the judges' decisions harder than ever, so it is all credit to Vauxhall that its new Astra has won out. It sets new standards with the way it drives, its efficiency and the quality of its construction and materials. Not only is it a pleasure to drive, it's also a resounding endorsement of British workmanship."

The SCOTY Hall of Fame

1998: Ford Focus

1999: Jaguar S-Type

2000: Audi A2

2001: Jaguar X-Type

2002: Mazda6

2003: Volvo XC90

2004: Peugeot 407

2005: BMW 3 Series

2006: Jaguar XK

2007: Ford Mondeo

2008: Ford Fiesta

2009: Land Rover Discovery 4

2010: Kia Sportage

2011: Range Rover Evoque

2012: Dacia Duster

2013: Volkswagen Golf

2014: Hyundai i10

2015: Vauxhall Astra