Category: CoTY

The MG4 compact hatchback has claimed the 2023 New Zealand Car of the Year title, the fifth EV in a row to claim the prestigious independent award.

The first all-electric range to be launched in New Zealand by MG, the MG4 is the first of a raft of new-generation products heading our way from the now Chinese-owned brand with an English heirloom name.

When it first launched here the MG4 line-up comprised four two-wheel-drive variants, with a key differentiator being different-sized battery packs ranging from 51 to 77kWh, along with a progressively more powerful electric motor matched to the larger batteries. The MG4 line has since been augmented by a dual-motor, four-wheel-drive performance flagship, the 320kW/600Nm MG4 XPower.

The New Zealand Car of the Year is selected by members of the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild, the professional body for motoring media from around the country.

“Even before the extraordinarily powerful flagship version arrived, the MG4 was making waves here, not only amongst the buying public but also amongst the country’s professional motoring journalists,” says the Guild’s President, Robert Barry.

“As far as the MG brand is concerned, this model has ushered in a new era of fully contemporary design, on the company’s first all-electric vehicle platform, and with leading-edge battery technology that gives 77kW battery version in particular an outstanding real-world range.

“We have all admired the design, technology, and practicality of the MG4, but how it drives has also impressed the motoring writers. Part of its dynamic charm comes from the mainstream variants being rear rather than front-drive; this combines with the low centre of gravity and excellent weight distribution achieved by the positioning of its battery to give a crisp handling balance,” he says

Arek Zywot, MG New Zealand Country Manager, says the company is beyond thrilled that New Zealand Motoring Writers Guild members have deemed the MG4 worthy of Car of the Year success.

“We’re deeply honoured to receive this award for the MG4, which I consider to be a great recognition of our hard work and dedication to creating the best product on the market. It is a groundbreaking new model for the MG marque and is indicative of the future direction of attainable, electrified motoring. It has proven itself on the world stage as an international multi-award-winning model and it is now receiving similar accolades here in New Zealand.

“I challenge anyone who thinks electric vehicles are boring to take a drive in the MG4, I know it can change opinions and certainly made a positive impression on Guild members across the country,” he said.

The prestigious award, now in its 35th year, was announced live on Seven Sharp by presenters Hilary Barry and Jeremy Wells.

Candidates for this year’s award, in alphabetical order, were:

• BMW i7
• Cupra Born
• Ford Mustang Mach-E
• Hyundai Ioniq 6
• Lexus RZ
• Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan
• MG4
• Nissan X-Trail
• Peugeot 308
• Skoda Enyaq

The Guild’s voting members tested the vehicles in their home environments across the country – important for providing a ‘real world’ result. They assessed the finalists on a specified range of criteria spanning how the vehicle performs its intended role; its styling, interior design and accommodation; fit, finish and quality; ride and refinement; performance; road-holding and handling; value for money; active and passive safety and environmental responsibility.

The list of previous Car Of The Year winners is located here.

Feature image: New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild President, Robert Barry (right), hands over the trophy to Arek Zywot, MG New Zealand Country Manager.

Ten cars representing 10 brands have made the cut as finalists for the 2023 edition of the prestigious New Zealand Car of the Year, and for the first time in the award’s history, all embrace electrification.

Eight fully battery-dedicated models feature (up from six in 2022), along with two more that have hybrid options within their respective ranges. 

In alphabetical order, the candidates are: BMW i7, Cupra Born, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Lexus RZ, Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan, MG4, Nissan X-Trail, Peugeot 308, Skoda Enyaq.

Amongst the finalists, the BMW i7, Cupra Born, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Lexus RZ, Mercedes-Benz EQE, MG4 and Skoda Enyaq are fully electric and purpose-designed for batteries. The Peugeot 308 range includes a plug-in hybrid version, while the e-Power version of Nissan’s X-Tail takes an innovative approach to conventional hybrid motoring.

Seeing electric vehicles come to the fore for New Zealand Car of the Year is not in itself new, but this is the first time in the award’s history that every one of the finalists is either a pure EV, or is available in hybrid form.

The first electric-powered model to achieve New Zealand Car of the Year was the BMW i3, in 2015. That was a range extender version with small supplementary petrol engine acting as a power generator. The prize has since gone to four fully electric cars. The Jaguar i-Pace achieved the 2019 award, Mercedes-Benz EQC took the 2020 prize, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 triumphed in 2021, and the BYD ATTO3 is the current holder.

Now entering its 36th year, New Zealand Car of the Year has firm industry recognition as country’s most prestigious motoring award. It is a truly national prize without commercial ties or influence. 

To be considered as a finalist, a vehicle must have been launched in New Zealand as an all-new model in the past 12 months, 

The award’s winner will be decided by the Guild’s voting members over the coming months and announced in February next year.

Finalists are assessed on a specified range of criteria spanning how the vehicle performs its intended role; its styling, interior design and accommodation; fit, finish and quality; ride and refinement; performance; road-holding and handling; value for money; active and passive safety and environmental responsibility.

New Zealand Motoring Writer’s Guild president Robert Barry says the top 10 contenders reflect the sophisticated engineering which underpins the automotive manufacturers’ drive to full electrification of their brands.

“Although the BMW i7 is purpose-designed as an EV, the 7-Series has a common body represented by the 740i mild hybrid and the PHEV-configured 750e,” Barry says.

“Locally the Peugeot 308 is sold either with a turbocharged petrol engine or as a plug-in hybrid, and in overseas markets there is also a battery electric version available, which further reflects the flexibility of modern vehicle platforms.

“Five of the battery electric vehicles under consideration also offer variants that currently meet the threshold for the $7015 Clean Car Rebate until December 31, with the 51kWh MG4 Excite priced from $46,990 (before rebate), which shows that manufacturers are also achieving price parity with non-electrified vehicles,” he says.

NAMING of the BYD Atto 3 as New Zealand Car of the Year stands as an affirmation of China’s emergence as a powerhouse maker of electric cars, most for everyday motorists.

In announcing the compact fully-electric compact five-seater as 35th winner of its annual award, the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild believes its COTY is a global first for the ‘Build Your Dreams’  brand.

“Atto 3 has won category awards, including in this country, but our award appears to be the maiden national car of the year for this model and for BYD,” says Guild president Richard Bosselman.

“Securing the country’s most prestigious, longest-running, and important industry award is huge, but this is particularly special recognition.

“NZ was one of BYD’s first export destinations – the brand was little known, Atto 3 is their only car here and has been on sale for less than a year.

“For it to have made such a powerful impact so immediately is quite something.”

Atto 3’s affordability was a factor recognised by the judges when determining it to be the best of 12 high-quality finalists, all chosen from a much broader count of product released nationally over the past calendar year.

“Atto 3 resonates as a product competing for the attention of budget-minded buyers through offering good range from an advanced battery,” Bosselman says.

“The Guild also recognises it as a solidly-engineered car, offering good technologies and an interesting styling approach.”

In two specifications respectively pricing at just over $50,000 and just under $54,000 when the Government’s Clean Car rebate is applied, Atto 3 is in a lower spending band than the three previous electric cars honoured by the Peter Greenslade Trophy.

That’s a reminder of how bullish China’s electric car industry is, Bosselman says.

“The EV sector moves at a rapid pace and this year NZ will see some exciting new product from other global involvers, but China remains one to watch.

“Adoption of ‘new-energy vehicles’ is a domestic priority and an increasing count of makers there are exporting.

“BYD has enjoyed colossal growth and reaped spectacular rewards. It was the world’s biggest seller of battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in 2022 with a total of 1.86 million sales – the vast majority in China. It was well ahead of top rival, Tesla.”

The brand itself only founded in 1995, to make batteries for consumer electronics then branched into car production in 2002.

Key to BYD’s success has been its battery technology – known as the ‘blade’ due to the long, thin shape – which uses only lithium, iron and phosphate, materials that are all abundant in the Earth’s crust, while avoiding controversial metals such as cobalt and nickel.

“BYD Auto New Zealand is incredibly proud to receive this award,” says Warren Willmot, national brand manager.

“Our customers have taken a leap of faith with a new brand, of which most of wouldn’t have heard of seven months ago. This award cements their purchasing decision was in line with expert opinions.”

The car’s acceptance of over-the-air software updates ensures it “will get better the longer you own the vehicle. Every update brings new features and refinement. Our early customers have all now received their Vehicle to Load adapters (free with every car) and our BYD App is due to roll out shortly.

“Every BYD Atto 3 on the road potentially replaces an internal combustion engine vehicle, moving us towards a Greener future and BYD’s ultimate global goal of cooling the Earth by one degree.”

Judges considered how a vehicle performs its intended role; its styling, interior design and accommodation; fit, finish and quality; ride and refinement; performance; road-holding and handling; value for money; active and passive safety and environmental responsibility.

Also in the hunt were the BMW iX, Ford Everest, Hyundai i20 N, Kia EV6 and Kia Sportage, Lexus NX, Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Mitsubishi Outlander, Polestar 2 and Tesla Model Y.

Said Bosselman: “That we elected to consider 12 finalists for the 2022 award rather than the usual top 10 says much. There is one winner, but my sentiment is there were no poor choices.”

The award is open to all passenger vehicles launched over a 12-month period. Finalists required evaluation on a full road test by more than two-thirds of the 20 voting members.

The Peter Greenslade Trophy recognizes the memory and contribution of the late Peter Greenslade, a highly respected New Zealand motoring writer.

Feature image: Warren Willmot, brand manager BYD Auto New Zealand, with the Peter Greenslade Trophy, the New Zealand Car of the Year award, decided annually by the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild.

TWELVE cars representing 10 brands have made the cut as finalists for the 2022 edition of the prestigious New Zealand Car of the Year, most embracing electrification.

Six fully battery-dedicated models feature, along with three more that have hybrid options within their respective ranges.

Importance of battery-involved mobility has been increasingly obvious to the administrator of the annual award, the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild, says president Richard Bosselman.

“The finalist selection again underscores the rapid addition of electrified options to the country’s new car model lists.”

Competition for the 2022 prize has nonetheless seen a resurgence from the combustion engine quarter, with a hot hatch and two sports utilities, a reminder the market continues to be in transition.

In alphabetical order, the candidates are:

BMW iX; BYD Atto 3; Ford Everest Hyundai i20 N; Kia EV6 and Sportage; Lexus NX; Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class; Mitsubishi Outlander; Polestar 2 and Tesla Model Y.

The BMW iX, BYD Atto 3, Kia EV6, Mercedes-AMG EQS, Polestar 2 and Tesla Model Y are fully electric and purpose-designed for batteries.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Mitsubishi Outlander and Lexus NX all avail in mains-replenished plug-in hybrid guise. The Lexus also delivers in mild hybrid; the Mercedes and Mitsubishi also in combustion engine forms.

Contenders considered in internal combustion are the Kia Sportage, the Hyundai i20 N compact petrol performance hatchback and the Ford Everest, a seven-seater diesel sports utility wagon, related to the Ford Ranger one-tonne utility that is highly popular here.

“Seeing electric vehicles come to the fore for New Zealand Car of the Year is not in itself new – of last year’s 10 finalists, all but one ‘battery-included’,” says Bosselman.

“Having as finalists six cars that are available solely with electric power does set a new benchmark for the award.”

The first electric-powered model to achieve New Zealand Car of the Year, represented by the Peter Greenslade Trophy, was the BMW i3, in 2015. That was a range extender version with a petrol engine acting as a power generator.  

The prize has since gone to three fully electric cars. Jaguar i-Pace achieved the 2019 status, Mercedes-Benz EQC took the 2020 prize and Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the current holder.

Now entering its 35th year, New Zealand Car of the Year has firm industry and public recognition as the country’s most prestigious motoring award. It is a truly national prize without commercial ties or influence.

To be considered as a finalist, a vehicle must have been launched in New Zealand as an all-new model in the past 12 months,

Twenty judges have been involved this year, with evaluations continuing into early 2023. The winner is announced live on TVNZ One’s Seven Sharp programme in February 2023.

Guild members assess the finalists on a specified range of criteria spanning how the vehicle performs its intended role; its styling, interior design and accommodation; fit, finish and quality; ride and refinement; performance; road-holding and handling; value for money; active and passive safety and environmental responsibility.

The all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 5 has claimed the 2021 New Zealand Car of the Year title, the third EV in a row to claim the prestigious award.

The IONIQ 5 is also the first winner of the award to be available under the government’s ‘Clean Car’ scheme, with its entry-level variant eligible for an $8,650 rebate.

The IONIQ 5 is the first Hyundai built on a new, fully dedicated electric platform, and features technology that allows for a range of up to 500km for premium variants and high-speed charging able to add 85km of range in just five minutes on the new generation of hyperchargers. It’s also a powerful and brisk performer, with the flagship variant’s dual-motor electric system mustering 225kW of power and 605Nm of torque, which in turn delivers a 0-100kph sprint time of just 5.22 seconds.

Previous all-electric winners of the award were the Mercedes-Benz EQC in 2020 and the Jaguar I-Pace in 2019.

The New Zealand Car of the Year is selected by members of the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild, the professional body for motoring journalists and content creators from around the country. The Guild’s two-dozen voting members test the vehicles in their home environment – important for providing a ‘real world’ result.

New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild president Richard Edwards notes the IONIQ 5 is a game-changing vehicle.

“The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is very deserving of the New Zealand Car of the Year.”

“It is truly mould-breaking, without sacrificing efficiency, practicality or attractiveness. It is an all-round intriguing car even before you consider its exceptional all-electric drivetrain.”

Guild Secretary and DriveLife journalist, Fred Alvrez, lauded the car for its ‘clean sheet’ approach.

“The IONIQ 5 goes to show what a car manufacturer can do when they start with a clean sheet and create a car that’s an EV from the ground up. It drives brilliantly.”

David Thomson, motoring editor of the Otago Daily Times, notes the IONIQ 5’s green credentials go beyond its electric drivetrain.

“It’s easy to overlook its wider contribution to a more sustainable motoring future, most notably in the use of eco-friendly materials. These include bio-paints, the use of recycled plastics in the seat material, and by-products from sugar cane production for the roof headliner, carpet and seats.”

For locally-owned Hyundai New Zealand, the 2021 award is the first time it has claimed the New Zealand Car of the Year title. It is also the first time a Korean vehicle has claimed the trophy, which is named in honour of founding Guild member, Peter Greenslade.

“IONIQ 5 receiving this award in such a highly competitive environment is immensely rewarding”, says Hyundai New Zealand General Manager, Chris Blair.

“The IONIQ 5 eco-friendly interior, coupled with zero emissions, demonstrates Hyundai’s commitment towards leading the way in sustainable motoring”

“This model represents the new era of electric vehicles for our brand. It’s the first model to be released under the IONIQ brand line-up, and so if this announcement is anything to go by then we’re in for a real treat when IONIQ 6 and 7 reaches our shores.”

The prestigious award, now in its 33rd year, was announced live on Seven Sharp by presenters Hilary Barry and Jeremy Wells.

Candidates for the 2021 award, in alphabetical order, were:

• Audi e-tron GT
• Ford Escape
• Hyundai IONIQ 5
• Kia Sorento
• Mazda MX-30
• Mercedes-Benz EQA
• Peugeot 208
• Skoda Octavia
• Toyota Highlander
• Toyota GR Yaris

Guild members assess the finalists on a specified range of criteria spanning how the vehicle performs its intended role; its styling, interior design and accommodation; fit, finish and quality; ride and refinement; performance; road-holding and handling; value for money; active and passive safety and environmental responsibility.

Due to the alert level four lockdown in Auckland, the New Zealand Motoring Writer’s Guild will delay the announcement of the 2021 top ten finalists shortlist until November 15.

The announcement of the 2021 New Zealand Car of the Year award will take place on the week commencing February 14, 2022, rather than the usual date of early December.

Confirmation of the top-ten finalists is usually announced to the new car industry by the Guild Executive at the end of October.

The Executive says Guild members will have to complete test drives of the listed finalists by February 8, 2022 to meet the new announcement date. 

Guild president Richard Edwards says the Executive decided to push out all of the timelines to take account of the impact of lockdowns at various alert levels on the ability of car companies to distribute vehicles for test drives, and on the ability of Guild members to undertake those drives.

“While we have pushed out the cut-off date for completing test drives by roughly 10 weeks, we have kept the date for confirming the finalists quite close to the previous date,” Edwards says.

“This is because we are aware that the major challenge for the industry is likely to be circulating finalist vehicles to the more than 75% of eligible voting Guild members. The new timeline gives a massively increased opportunity for this to happen now,” he says.

Alongside Edwards, the Guild Executive that will shortlist the top ten finalists for the 2021 New Zealand Car of the Year Award includes fellow motoring writers Fred Alvrez, David Thomson, Richard Bosselman, Dean Evans and Andrew Sluys.

The all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQC has won the prestigious 2020 New Zealand Car of the Year – the second year running for an electric vehicle.

The EQC is a notable vehicle not only in its own right, but also as the first member of the vitally important fully-electric Mercedes EQ range, which is set to expand to 10 new models of various shapes, sizes and configurations within the next three years.

The New Zealand Car of the Year is selected by members of the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild, the professional body for motoring journalists and content creators from around the country. The guild’s two-dozen voting members test the vehicles in their home environment – important for providing a ‘real world’ result.

The prestigious award, now in its 33rd year,  was announced live on Seven Sharp by presenters Hilary Barry and Jeremy Wells.

Guild President Richard Edwards says the win for the Mercedes-Benz EQC sends a strong signal that the future for motoring in New Zealand will include electrification.

“The Mercedes-Benz EQC is a brilliant vehicle; offering ‘electric’ performance, handling, technology, comfort and  safety – without having to ever visit a fuel pump,” Edwards says. “And with a potential range in excess of 400km, ‘range anxiety’ is a thing of the past.”

It is also an example of how in some segments, electric vehicles are nearing price parity with their petrol and diesel counterparts. “If you look at where the EQC fits into the broader Mercedes-Benz range on size, specification and performance, its price is not out of place at all.”

“Like the 2019 winner, the EQC offers a kind of seamless performance that conventional vehicles simply can’t match. I expect many more electrified vehicles to follow it as New Zealand Car of the Year.”

Mercedes-Benz Cars New Zealand General Manager Lance Bennett says the team is honoured to accept the New Zealand Car of the Year.

“The entire Mercedes-Benz New Zealand team is incredibly proud of the EQC, and honoured to accept this prestigious award,” Bennett says. “New Zealanders love their SUVs and exploring the outdoors, and we believe the EQC offers a new way to do this with everything our customers expect from a Mercedes-Benz SUV – including refinement, safety, style and practicality – plus the added benefits of near-silent EV power.

“Mercedes-Benz is both the world’s oldest car manufacturer and New Zealand’s best-selling luxury brand, and we strive to deliver the finest automobiles to our local customers, who expect nothing but the best. The EQC is a powerful first step towards our vision of a sustainable, carbon-neutral future, and we sincerely appreciate the recognition. Please look forward to seeing a lot more from Mercedes-Benz in this space very soon.”

The win comes at a watershed time for motoring in New Zealand, with the government announcing a ‘Climate Emergency’ and pushing for an increasing uptake of electrified vehicles.

The 2019 winner was the all-electric Jaguar iPace, while the 2018 winner, the Subaru Forester, is now available as a petrol-electric hybrid.

“While the EQC is a premium option in the market, there are now new electric cars and commercials on sale for as little as $48,990. The time for businesses and the public to consider the switch is now,” says Edwards.

The Guild represents represents New Zealand’s motoring journalists, and is considered to be the most prestigious New Zealand Car of the Year award, given its longevity over more than three decades as well as being a truly independent assessment of a new vehicle’s qualities and attributes across a broad range of criteria.

The ten new vehicles in contention for the 2020 award included two small cars – the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris – and eight SUV newcomers; namely the Audi Q3, Kia Seltos, Land Rover Defender, Mazda CX-30, Mercedes-Benz EQC, Mercedes-Benz GLB, Peugeot 2008 and Skoda Kamiq.