The best diesel vehicles currently available in the UK have been ranked by DieselCar magazine.

In its second ever annual awards, the monthly publication has named the Peugeot 3008 as the number one diesel car on sale in 2017, following the model’s radical reinvention from an anonymous mid-size MPV to a slick and stylish SUV.

SEAT’s first ever SUV – the Ateca – ranked second, followed by the much-loved Kia Sportage.

The next three places were grabbed by the Jaguar XF, Skoda Kodiaq and Land Rover Discovery, which were also considered the best in their respective executive car, large SUV and luxury SUV classes.

Elsewhere in the list, the eighth-place Skoda Superb was named best large car and best large estate, while the Volkswagen Golf in ninth was deemed to be the best medium car and best plug-in hybrid.

Twelfth place Ford Focus won best hot hatch – presumably for its petrol-powered ST and RS variants – while the Tesla Model S in 13th clinched the token best electric car award in light of no other electric cars being included in the list.

In other categories, the Skoda Octavia was best medium estate car, Ford Fiesta won best small car and the even smaller Volkswagen Up was deemed to be the best sub-100g/km CO2 petrol car.

Citroen’s C4 Picasso in 20th was best medium MPV, while the Ford S-Max was considered to be the best large MPV.

Kia’s Niro was named best hybrid, and finally, the Nissan Navara – down in 50th – picked up the best pick-up prize.

Reacting to the 3008 topping the list, Peugeot UK managing director David Peel said the brand had “long been synonymous with diesel engines that set the bar for efficiency and sophistication”.

“The 3008 SUV remains true to this reputation with a range of powertrains that offer the blend of performance, economy and driving enjoyment that today’s motorist demands,” he commented.

“The car’s many other refinements – notably its class-leading interior quality and technology – combine to make it a highly competitive package. The acclaim that has been bestowed upon the All-New 3008 SUV is a fantastic achievement in what is a new segment for us, and we are genuinely thrilled to receive this recognition from the industry experts.”

Ben Robb, brand manager at The Fuelcard People, adds: “Almost every new car that enters showrooms today is offered with a diesel engine, but it doesn’t work for every model. Each car in this top 50 list demonstrates exactly how a diesel car should be.”