Three EVs in top 10 cars
AN unprecedented total of three pure electric vehicles (EV) have made the cut as finalists for this year’s New Zealand Car of the Year title.
The Audi etron, Jaguar IPace and Tesla Model 3 are the EV trio in contention for the award, which is made by the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild. They are joined in the mix by the Toyota RAV4, which is available in hybrid as well as petrol form, and the Mercedes GLE, which is currently offered here as a dieselonly range, but with a hybrid version available internationally.
The conventionally powered models to make the cut comprise the latest iterations of the Ford Focus, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda 3 and Peugeot 508 and the Holden Arcadia.
The guild has already acknowledged the growing importance of electric vehicles in New Zealand, having given its Car of the Year honour to the BMW i3 in 2015.
‘‘Simply having three electric vehicles in the top 10 shows how far this technology has come, and how much New Zealand has embraced it,’’ New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild president Richard Edwards said. ‘‘Even so, with seven other incredible vehicles in the top 10 they have a challenge ahead.’’
The New Zealand Car of the Year award has been made annually since 1988 and is considered the country’s most prestigious motoring award as it has no commercial ties. The award is decided by motoring commentators from throughout New Zealand, including both the writer and Drivesouth’s Richard Bosselman.
To qualify as a finalist, a car must
have been launched in New Zealand over the past 12 months, and assessed by guild members in their local areas over an extended period.
Criteria ranges from how the car
performs; styling, interior design and accommodation; fit, finish and quality; ride and refinement; performance; roadholding and handling; value for money; active and passive safety, and
environmental responsibility.
The most affordable car this year is the Ford Focus, which starts from $31,990, and the most expensive is the Audi etron, available from $148,500.
The New Zealand Car of the Year winner will be announced in early December, with the winner to receive the Peter Greenslade Trophy. The current recipient is the Subaru Forester.