VW Passat (Artzzz/Bigstock.com)

They could have chosen anything, we hear you say, why THAT? It's likely to be a common refrain across Europe, now that the boring old Volkswagen Passat has won the European Car of the Year Award.

But for those seeking a car that won't demand a call to one's breakdown cover provider every few months, the Passat does represent a solid, sensible, level-headed, if slightly dull choice.

But given the criteria for the ECOTY Award, it wouldn't be right to see a BMW i10 or a Jaguar F-Type in the running. Eligible cars must be all-new, and deliver value for money as well as possess technical merit.

Voted for by journalists across the continent, the ECOTY is a truly democratic choice, with a strong focus on what the general population need and want – and the Passat ticks these boxes easily. It's a good, solid, reliable vehicle – and great for families.

In second place, however, was the infinitely more adventurous C4 Cactus from Citroen, which garnered 248 points (a long way off the 340 awarded to the Passat, but respectable). This striking car is truly innovative, and would do well in any Most Innovative Car of the Year Award, should it ever exist.

In third came the Mercedes C-class (221), followed by the Ford Mondeo (203), the Nissan Qashqai (160), the BMW 2-series Active Tourer (154) and Renault Twingo (124). So there were one or two other cheekier cars in the running.

What do you think of the ECOTY judges' decision to hand the Passat the top prize?