Our NZ Car of the Year

Driven and the AA are gearing up to put new vehicle technology under the spotlight as part of New Zealand’s most comprehensive Car of the Year Awards, giving Kiwis fresh insights on the best this year.

Backed by a panel of judges drawn from the country’s finest motoring journalists and the AA, this year’s awards will pinpoint the country’s 10 top finalists, with winners announced at a cocktail event in December.

AA Motoring Services’ general manager Stella Stocks says though it’s the second year the New Zealand Automobile Association and NZME’s Driven are partnering for the awards, the new year brings a fresh perspective.

“This year more electric vehicles than ever before have been launched into the New Zealand market and we believe it’s important to really test them out and give the best advice to AA Members and Driven readers on how they stack up,” says Stocks.

“We know Kiwis buying more traditional vehicles want to be sure their choice is truly fuel efficient and that will also be a consideration for the judges, alongside all the other variables we look at in real world conditions.”

Driven editor at large and chief judge Liz Dobson said Kiwis will be part of the behind the scenes action across print, digital and video as the judging panel puts each car through its paces.

“Each of the contenders for the AA Driven New Zealand Car of the Year awards goes through multiple on and off-road stages which gives the judges the opportunity to score from the driver’s seat — and we believe that is the only true test.

“We’re also bringing back the People’s Choice Award powered by Driven this year, after receiving the biggest public motoring vote to date for the award in 2018.”