It’s time to name the NZ Autocar Car of the Year. While the market had a rough time last year in the face of tough economic conditions, there was still the usual flurry of new vehicle activity to keep us busy. We had some 90 new vehicles to check out and here we recognise those that were the best in their class.
These are chosen from the new vehicles that launched on to the New Zealand market in the past 12 months, encompassing all newcomers from our March 2024 issue through to the February 2025 edition.
This year we gathered the finalists, each a winner in its respective class, for one last outing to determine the overall winner. It remains the most objective means of determining a worthy recipient.
A team of five judges cast their collective critical eye over each contender this year. We had Managing Editor, Richard Edwards, who has been reviewing cars for multiple decades, as has Senior Editor, Peter Louisson. Editor Kyle Cassidy was along as well as our art director, Alex Schultz who is also a weekend club racer. And our special guest judge was Stefni Baigent. She is also a great judge of car dynamics given she competes in the Open Class of the BMW Racing Series.
The judges score each vehicle on aspects of design, performance, driving dynamics, practicality and value. The team moved throughout the assembled six vehicles, poked and prodded the trim, sat in all the seats, checked out the boot, tapped and swiped at the infotainment screens and checked the all-important oddments storage areas.
Once the marks were doled out for practicality, design and value, it was time to take each vehicle for a drive to evaluate dynamics and performance. To remove the variables, each was driven over the same loop by all judges, swapping from one straight into another.
When it comes to awarding points for design, we assess each car’s styling inside and out, while safety is part of this area too. That involves acknowledging the standard fit features and also assessing the active driver aids during the road test; are they helping or hindering the process? Out on the road we check the ride quality and test aspects of the dynamics like steering precision and cornering stability. For performance, we review the powertrain response balanced with refinement while also assessing this against its environmental impact. When it comes to value we pore over the spec sheet to see what the vehicle offers against the price asked, including its aftersales back up.
Our scoring system is weighted towards a vehicle’s particular strength so that a family SUV can be compared fairly with a six-figure premium contender.
This year, we mixed things up a little however. After the day’s judging was complete, the scores were tallied and the top two were revealed. We then put this pair through another round of assessment and a final drive before debating the overall winner. The outcome was rather interesting.
Here we name our class awards and how they warranted the win, while also recognising a couple of highly recommended vehicles in each class; something to check out if you don’t quite agree with our choices. There’s also a rundown on each finalist from our judges after the ultimate test day.
Prices continue to steadily rise in the new car market, so the Value award is a key one for the times. And it was hard to go past the new MG HS. Here’s a well styled family SUV that kicks off at $36,990. Even the range-topping Essence, at $42,990, is good value considering it has high spec items like a panoramic sunroof, heated leather seats, wireless charging and a 360-degree camera on offer. And there’s the 10-year/250,000km warranty.
We like MG’s effort to ramp up the quality feel of the interior with more soft furnishings while the substance is there too. As is safety with a five-star rating. It’s practical, and a little larger than the previous model, which benefits rear seat passengers. They do well for space and there’s a big 507L boot. With a turbopetrol engine, it has decent low-end torque for everyday driving, and returns good economy, a stated 6.9L/100km.
Read more 2024 MG HS Essence review
Jaecoo J7 – Another good value SUV from China, this newcomer has ample safety systems and lots of goodies on board. Looks urban cool as well.
Suzuki Swift – After something small and economical? The Suzuki Swift still delivers good fun behind the wheel. And it’s a vehicle that can be had for under $30k, even the up spec RSC. Read more 2024 Suzuki Swift RSC review
While the judges weren’t expecting the MG to wow them with feats of dynamism, they were impressed with what the HS offered at the price; ‘I was impressed with the overall quality of HS. Interior plastics are quality for the money’.
This is where the new generation of MG products has shown the biggest improvement with a better attention to the details and finishing. The design also caught the eye of some; ‘the new styling is a leap forward in the right direction’.
Judges were also quite surprised with the space on offer, both in the back seat and the boot; ‘MG has produced a better looking, more practical, value-led, family-sized SUV in its second generation’.
While the panel thought it rode quite well, with road noise not too intrusive, its dynamics were underwhelming; ‘Handling and performance are only average for the genre’. One judge commented; ‘It really needs a hybrid powertrain option to round out the line-up, and that’s coming’.
Despite slow EV sales last year, there was still life in the segment with many new electrified wheels to test. Of those, we liked Kia’s EV5, judging it the best of the bunch. We liked its EV9-inspired styling, and also its fitment of a robust 88.1kWh LFP battery (made by BYD’s FinDreams subsidiary), providing a WLTP range of 555km. The EV5 range starts at $67,990 and extends up to the GT-Line AWD at $85,490.
The EV9 design ethos carries over inside with plenty of screen inches on display. It features Kia’s new ‘Connect’ app and doesn’t skimp on safety and driver assistance specification. The emphasis is on practicality here, where the rear seat is a spacious effort, particularly in width, with plenty of legroom and a convenient luggage hold.
The EV5 is a carefully considered package that prioritises practicality and technology without veering into excess, while few can match its considerable range.
Read more 2024 Kia EV5 Light+ review
Leapmotor C10 – This well specified five-seater electric SUV is a bit of a bargain at $54,990, especially considering the space offered inside and its useful 420km range. The dynamics are sorted too thanks to its rear-motor layout.
Audi Q6 – A close relative of the Porsche Macan, this also looks good and is a pleasure to drive. It’s easy to operate, suitably premium and offers a good range and fast recharge times.
The judges approved of the EV5’s styling; ‘this looks sensational and so does the interior design’. However, it was the practical space inside that got the most plaudits; ‘this is so practical with excellent interior space, a useful frunk and clever split folding system out back’. The little extras were also appreciated; ‘There are chargers everywhere, and a 240V outlet (want one in my car) while the interior is so inviting’.
Judges rated its refinement and comfort, though the modest 160kW/310Nm output and the substantial weight were also noted; ‘This is quiet and the ride and handling balance is good but the steering kicks back and there’s a few too many safety warnings going on.’
For the family on the move, Hyundai’s bold looking Santa Fe is a class act in the large SUV segment. Its striking design gets people taking a second look.
Prices for the Santa Fe range have risen, starting at $84,990 and topping out at $104,990, though all models are packed with additional features as standard. Santa Fe is now only offered with a petrol hybrid powertrain but don’t let that put you off. The response and refinement of this petrol-electric combo is preferable to the old diesel. And it’s economical for a big bus, rated at 6.2L/100km (7.9L/100km on test). The trade-off is a reduction in towing compared with the old diesel, down to a modest 1650kg. Santa Fe is quiet on the go but also hard to unsettle with its progress being composed and calm.
Practical storage is in good supply in the cabin while out back there’s room for everyone and the extras with a well conceived second and third row of seating. And there’s room for the dog as well in the big boot.
Read more 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD review
BYD Sealion 6 – This smart plug-in hybrid has a useful all-electric range for commuting and also does more than 1000km on a tank if you have distance to cover. The series hybrid arrangement means the power delivery is EV smooth and instant. Being a BYD, the quality is tops and spec is high.
Volkswagen Tiguan – The new model has a more assertive look but still has its air of quality and prestige about it. Tiguan remains a family-friendly ride, with loads of room for all occupants. Up front, it’s rather flasher than before and replete on the tech and safety fronts. Ride comfort is grand and it corners nicely as well.
Santa Fe’s interior space and design were liked by the judges; ‘loads of space for the family, a comfortable tourer with plenty of tech and handy storage’.
Its seating layout is smart and family friendly; ‘This is a smart design, especially in the rear where the second-row seats move fore and aft, meaning the third-row pair can accommodate adults at a pinch. There’s plenty of luggage capacity too, at least with five seats in use.’
The family conveniences were liked; ‘So many cup holders and power points while the double phone chargers are likely to please’.
The panel found the Santa Fe
a competent drive; ‘This hybrid set-up works well with pleasing performance, and the Santa Fe has a well considered ride and handling mix’.
While the quality and interior design were acknowledged, the overall consensus was that perhaps the price was too high for a family vehicle; ‘It has lots of things that I’ll never use (like the UV-light sanitising compartment) so its value quotient isn’t amazing. The entry-level Active model seems like a better idea, but that’s still $85k!’
What? An EV winning performance car of the year? Calm down, it’s not some DEI initiative. Hyundai has set out to convince EV haters that an electric car can deliver an immersive, emotional and connected drive with its Ioniq 5 N,
and it has succeeded. Configure this 5 N in a certain way and you can almost forget you’re driving an electric car. This does a darn good rendition of being motivated by an internal combustion engine with all the nuances that petrol heads say gives an ICE machine more character than an EV. Yet the 5 N can also be a quiet, refined and powerful EV at the click of a button.
If you like the ability to tailor the set up to the nth degree, this is your car. It even has the N Drift Optimiser for sideways track antics.
Not cheap at $134,990 but the performance creds of this 478kW monster are sufficient to haunt $250k Euros. And it has all the practicality of a large, five seater hatch/SUV type of thing, safety gadgets galore and attention-grabbing looks.
Read more 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N review
VW Golf GTI – A reboot of a favourite, the latest GTI brings added power and improved dynamics while keeping the price in check, rare in today’s market. It’s still a practical performer while the latest update to the Golf also brings the GTI into line from a tech and safety perspective.
Nissan Z Nismo – The Z the way it should be, the Nismo turns everything up a few notches when it comes to dynamics. It’s more focused than the standard model and looks more up for it too. A bit pricey, but a darn good drive.
The Ioniq 5 N let its dynamic character do the talking on the day; ‘The engineers at Hyundai’s N division have used some kind of black magic that makes you forget what’s making the axles turn and you just enjoy the pleasure of driving’.
They all liked the 5 N’s split personality; ‘The synthesised ICE power sounds are truly convincing, especially with the heady ‘rev limit’ and shifts from the imaginary transmission’.
And the dynamics impressed; ‘The drive was involving, like driving a rally car at times’… ‘this doesn’t hang around either. It felt secure, despite a lively rear end. The more I drove it the more I liked it.’
Some didn’t appreciate the overreaching hand of the safety systems and that its pricepoint made it harder to truly fall for its charms. Some voiced concern over the fact the cost of performance EVs like the EV6 GT and Mach-E GT has tumbled dramatically on the second-hand market.
The Macan is now fully electric but such a powertrain suits a premium vehicle; immensely powerful yet utterly refined and quiet. And being a Porsche, ample performance is a given. The Macan range kicks off at $162k and climbs up to the $225k Turbo with 470kW and 1130Nm. A big battery gives Macan good touring legs, with a range of between 516-612km, depending on the model. We reckon the Macan 4 ($168k) is good, but the quicker 4S ($184k) is even better. This new Macan has more of a coupe look about it while inside, it is definitely a Porsche in its build and execution. Practically speaking this has decent luggage capacity in the boot and more up front. Rear seat leg room isn’t staggering however. But importantly, this remains right at the pointy end of vehicle dynamics for an SUV while its air suspension pampers.
Read more 2024 Porsche Macan 4 review
Mercedes-Benz E 300 – Luxury done in the traditional manner. A fine sedan with a conservative mix of style and substance, with just enough power to justify its premium ambitions.
Lexus LBX – Proves you don’t need to be large to be luxurious. This well-styled urban crossover layers on the luxury in a smaller yet still practical package. Its hybrid powertrain blends refinement and economy in perfect measures.
The Porsche really aced the drive aspect of the judging day, garnering such comments as ‘the steering feels bang on and this simply carved up the road’…
‘This blazes through corners yet the ride on air suspenders is only ever plush’ and ‘a super impressive drive, smooth yet insanely fast (loved the launch).’
It gained admirers for its looks and its premium feel; ‘stunning inside and out, with typical Porsche quality’…‘with a coupe-style roofline this looks great. It was my overall favourite for style.’
This certainly was the most ruthlessly efficient on the drive, quick but also easy, a Premium drive in every sense. While judges felt the Turbo was a little expensive, even for a Premium winner, they took into account you could obtain a less dramatic but similar drive and quality experience with the $168k Macan 4.
The Shark 6 is something completely different for the ute market in New Zealand, something we had to recognise with a class win here. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain will impress all that are courageous enough to try it out. With a combined 321kW and 650Nm of torque, it’s quicker than all the diesel-powered utes on the market, and yet the power rolls on smoothly, the bulk torque summoned instantly.
With a 29.58kWh battery underneath, BYD says it has a range in engine off/EV mode of ‘up to 100km’. It can be charged with both AC (7kW) and DC (55kW) while it offers a big touring range thanks to its hybrid mode, where fuel economy is stated at 7.9L/100km. While there is no low range for this 4×4 ute, you get a selection of modes (mountain, snow, sand, mud) to prime the traction control for off-road action while ground clearance is quoted at 200mm.
The interior quality is tops for the class, almost too good for a ute, and the specification list is long. Oh, and there’s also a big wide tray out the back for your workload, and a trio of 240V power outlets.
Mitsubishi Triton – A good value for money ute capable of mixing it with Hilux and Ranger. But Mitsubishi delivers it at a more attainable price point. It has all the usual capabilities with enough refinements and features to keep the family happy too.
GWM Cannon Alpha – This is another high-end pick-up with its near luxury fitout in the cabin. And it’s big, larger than the usual double cabs with masses of interior space and a big tray.
While utes might be thought of as a ‘man’s type of car’, I feel this Shark 6 will also appeal to women drivers, especially those like me who tow a horse float.’
The Shark 6 was perhaps the biggest surprise on the day. When running over the vehicles in the car park, judges were impressed by the quality of the interior, the amount of gear on board and just how practical it was given the cabin space and the big tray out back.
‘The interior is SUV quality and Shark is loaded to the gunwales with tech’ … ‘that’s an enormous wellside and a damped tailgate too’… ‘inside, it has a premium vibe but its real point of difference is PHEV status.’
During the drive, all came away suitably impressed. ‘I had to check the rearview mirror to remind myself I was driving a ute. Dynamically it’s best in class, maybe excluding another apex predator, the Ranger Raptor. However this fish is much less thirsty’… ‘this is a huge ute but it doesn’t drive like a tank. It’s quite nimble and corners well with solid power. While utes might be thought of as a ‘man’s type of car’, I feel this Shark 6 will also appeal to women drivers, especially those like me who tow a horse float.’
After the initial round of judging, the Macan and the Shark 6 were the top two cars, which the judges piled into again to take on one last drive, debating amongst themselves on the go. And after this, it was fairly unanimous that the Shark 6
should get the gong.
What nailed the win for the Shark on the day was that the judges couldn’t ignore the value on offer here. Not only is the spec list long, but it is a lot of metal for the money, and backed up by a strong warranty. It’s hard to argue against a ute’s practicality too. What was interesting was that judges reckoned the BYD wasn’t giving much up in terms of interior quality to the more than twice as expensive Porsche. On reflection, some thought the Porsche should be better at the price it asks.
While the Macan has commanding performance and is a sublime handler, the judges didn’t think the BYD was utterly outclassed, as its powertrain delivers such a smooth and quiet progress. And there wasn’t the need to add ‘for a ute’ to the end of that statement.
While the 2500kg tow rating was raised, those on the panel that regularly haul race cars and horse floats felt that was enough. They also reckoned that the way the torque flows so easily, the Shark 6 should be a competent tow vehicle within its limits. The point was raised that BYD is ‘looking at increasing payload and towing capabilities if that’s what’s stopping you’.
That the judges felt comfortable in both the front and back seats gave it more kudos, while those in the back of the Porsche wanted more space. The BYD’s active safety features weren’t too intrusive, a point worth noting for a Chinese origin vehicle. It’s a ute that will also do the job without burning through so much fuel, having a good range on the battery and then being fairly economical in its hybrid mode. And there’s the added benefit of no recharging worries when you’re out in more remote locations.
The BYD Shark 6 is a worthy overall NZ Autocar Car of the Year winner.
