Australia's Best Cars winners announced
03 December 2009
The Volkswagen Golf and Subaru Outback have won two of the most popular categories in the Australia’s Best Cars awards, presented at a gala industry dinner in Melbourne last night – the 10th year the consumer oriented awards have been presented.
The Golf 118 Tsi Comfortline won the award for Best Mid Size Car over $30,000, while the Outback 2.5i picked up the popular Best Recreational 4WD category in Australia’s Best Cars, an independent awards program conducted by the AAA and constituent motoring clubs including the RAC in WA.
Judges noted other highlights among the winners was the improved quality of small cars, with the Ford Fiesta LX winning the Best Small Car and Hyundai continuing its emphasis on safety across its range with the i30 SX again picking up Best Mid Size car under $30,000.
Australia’s Best Cars awards program assessed more than 280 vehicles across 12 categories throughout the year before naming the category winners.
In the Prestige Car categories, Audi continued its Best Cars’ success of last year to win the Best Luxury Sports Car, Best Luxury Car and Best Luxury 4WD while the BMW 135i Coupe won the Best Sports Car award.
The Land Rover Discovery 4SE TDV6 became the most successful Best Cars’ winner in history, picking up its fifth consecutive award in the Best All Terrain 4WD category.
AAA Chief Executive, Mike Harris, congratulated the winners and also the judging panel, which is drawn from the motoring clubs in each state.
“These cars are assessed against three important criteria for consumers – value for money, design and on-road performance,” Mr Harris said.
“Each year we are seeing better produced, safer and more affordable vehicles on the Australian market and we congratulate the winning manufacturers and all finalists.”
RAC WA judge Aaron Harding said the quality of cars being assessed for the awards continued to improve.
“People want good, reliable information to use in making their choice of a new vehicle, and Australia’s Best Cars is an awards program where every score on every vehicle is made available to help buyers make informed purchasing decisions,” he said.
“It is pleasing to see manufacturers focussing on improved features and amenities in vehicles, including an emphasis on safety.
“The judges, who come from each of Australia’s motoring clubs, have had a tough job settling on the top three category finalists this year – there are a lot of good cars on the Australian market.”
View winners list
Download the release (pdf)