THE FINALISTS
Audi etron
On sale since the middle of this year, the etron is a new midsized luxury SUV crossover from Audi. It features a 95kWh lithiumion battery powering a 300kW/664Nm twin electric motor system and allwheel drive, and has a rated range between recharges of 328km. Pricing here opens at $148,500.
Ford Focus
The fourthgeneration Focus made its debut here in autumn. Larger and stronger than the previous Focus, but lighter, it features a frugal 134kW/240Nm 1.5litre threecylinder turbopetrol engine, and an eightspeed automatic transmission. The $41,990 Titanium model secured a 4.5 out of 5 rating on our Drivesouth test.
Holden Arcadia
Reengineered from lefthand drive especially for Australasia, this Tennesseebuilt sevenseater is a midsized SUV in its home market, and so counts as a large one here. Prices open at $49,990 and — depending on the model — its 231kW/367Nm V6 petrol engine drives either the front or all four wheels.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Released late last year, the fourthgeneration Santa Fe secured four stars when we tested it just before Christmas. Boldly styled and available with a choice of fourcylinder turbopetrol (138kW/241Nm) or turbodiesel (147kW/440Nm) engines, this Santa Fe features fourwheel drive even on the entrylevel $59,990 model.
Jaguar I Pace
The allelectric allwheel drive sports SUV has already secured the World and European Car of the Year trophies, as well as a rare fivestar Drivesouth test rating. It features a 90kWh Lithiumion battery powering a 249kW/696Nm twin electric motor system, and has a rated range of 377km.
Pricing opens at $144,900.
Mazda 3
In our current SUV and EVfocused world, it’s easy to overlook the impressive new Mazda 3. It is currently offered in hatch and sedan guise from $36,595 and with a choice of 114kW/200Nm 2.0litre or 139kW/252Nm 2.5litre petrol engines. The radical SkyActivX combustion system is due in 2020.
Mercedes GLE
Beautifully engineered, packed with technology, and substantially bigger than the model it replaces, the latest GLE sport utility could just be a better big allrounder than its conventional saloon and wagon counterparts. Prices open at $128,300 with 180kW/500Nm 2.0litre and 243kW/700Nm 3.0litre turbodiesel engines offered.
Peugeot 508
Large saloon sales have plummeted here in recent years, but they remain an important class internationally. Enter the latest Peugeot 508, evidencing ample French chic in its sleek coupelike styling. Just one model is offered here, the 169kW/ 300Nm 1.6litre turbopetrol GT. It carries a $55,990 price tag.
Tesla Model 3
The long local wait for the most affordable and compact Tesla yet finally ended in August, when the first Kiwi customers took delivery of their cars. Range, performance and price increases through the three model lineup, which opens with the $73,900 Model 3 Standard Range Plus and topsout with the $101,100 Performance.
Toyota RAV4
Including a hybrid version for the first time, the latest version of New Zealand’s topselling SUV has attracted plenty of interest since launching midyear. Along with the 163Kw allwheel drive hybrid — a 4.5 star Drivesouth test performer — there’s a 2.0litre (frontwheel drive) and 2.5litre (4WD) model. Pricing starts at $34,990.