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 e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace 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 diesel-only 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 Acadia.
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 e-tron, 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.
THE FINALISTS
Audi e-tron
On sale since the middle of this year, the e-tron is a new mid-sized luxury SUV crossover from Audi. It features a 95kWh lithium-ion battery powering a 300kW/664Nm twin electric motor system and all-wheel drive, and has a rated range between recharges of 328km. Pricing here opens at $148,500.
Ford Focus
The fourth-generation Focus made its debut here in autumn. Larger and stronger than the previous Focus, but lighter, it features a frugal 134kW/240Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbopetrol engine, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The $41,990 Titanium model secured a 4.5 out of 5 rating on our Drivesouthtest.
Holden Acadia
Re-engineered from left-hand drive especially for Australasia, this Tennessee-built seven-seater is a mid-sized 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 fourth-generation Santa Fe secured four stars when we tested it just before Christmas. Boldly styled and available with a choice of four-cylinder turbopetrol (138kW/241Nm) or turbo-diesel (147kW/440Nm) engines, this Santa Fe features four-wheel drive even on the entry-level $59,990 model.
Jaguar I Pace
The all-electric all-wheel drive sports SUV has already secured the World and European Car of the Year trophies, as well as a rare five-star Drivesouthtest rating. It features a 90kWh Lithium-ion 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 EV-focused 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 2.0-litre or 139kW/252Nm 2.5-litre petrol engines. The radical SkyActiv-X 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 all-rounder than its conventional saloon and wagon counterparts. Prices open at $128,300 with 180kW/500Nm 2.0-litre and 243kW/700Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel 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 coupe-like styling. Just one model is offered here, the 169kW/ 300Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol 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 line-up, which opens with the $73,900 Model 3 Standard Range Plus and tops-out with the $101,100 Performance.
Toyota RAV4
Including a hybrid version for the first time, the latest version of New Zealand’s top-selling SUV has attracted plenty of interest since launching mid-year. Along with the 163Kw allwheel drive hybrid — a 4.5 star Drivesouthtest performer — there’s a 2.0-litre (front-wheel drive) and 2.5-litre (4WD) model. Pricing starts at $34,990.
- David Thomson
Images: Supplied
