This year’s awards were dominated by several repeat winners and some outstanding newcomers that have raised the bar in key categories. By Andrew Kerr
The Australia’s Best Cars concept is as enduring as it is exhaustive. This is the tenth year of the program and almost 300 vehicles were evaluated before the 2009 finalists were named.
After painstakingly whittling down each segment of the new car market to 12 groups of three finalists, the ABC judging panel tested the category frontrunners together, under the same conditions, by applying the same rigorous test criteria.
In effect, the judges conducted a dozen three-car comparison tests at Anglesea, Victoria, in the space of a few days. As always, the nine-strong judging panel – this year made up of eight males and a female judge – represented the Australian Automobile Association and constituent motoring clubs.
Once again, NRMA’s contribution to came from motoring specialist Tim Pomroy and Member Motoring manager, Scott Nargar. Judges evaluated individual models rather than model ranges, which added to the enormity of their task, and new model releases were rated alongside cars that might have been on the market for some years.
Scott Nargar insists the Australia’s Best Cars program has stood the test of time: “It has grown from a 120-car program 10 years ago to one in which we have just analysed and tested almost 300 cars. This program is one of the most comprehensive in the world, as we publish every score on every car from the winners to the tail-enders.”
Nargar says scores are checked and double-checked and are open to scrutiny from car manufacturers and consumers alike. “The motoring clubs of Australia pride themselves on being able to justify every individual score.”
Five of this year’s dozen winners also won their ABC categories in 2008, which points to the consistency of judging as well as the quality of these vehicles. The Land Rover Discovery took the Best Recreational SUV award for the fifth year in a row. Both winning sports cars also took the chequered flag last year and the Hyundai i30 hatch and iMax are repeat winners, too.
The category pricing was simplified for 2009: Best Small Car contenders were new vehicles with a recommended retail price under $20,000; cars in the $20-30,000 and $30-50,000 brackets were split into two mid-sized categories, unless they were deemed to be large cars; and sedans costing between $50,000 and $80,000 fell into the Prestige category.
One of the mid-sized category winners from 2008, the base model Hyundai i30 SX, didn’t cost enough to compete in the $20,000-$30,000 category this year, so – in what is arguably a win for consumers – Hyundai responded by fitting six airbags and ESC as standard to all i30 models to lift both their safety performance and RRP above the $20K threshold. The i30 took category honours, this time with the turbo-diesel CRDi model.
Ford this year nominated the high-performance XR6 as its volume-selling Falcon, which meant it differed significantly in specification and price from the base model Commodore and Aurion it competed against in the Large Car class. In the biggest boil-over of the year, the Aurion AT-X won the category – repeating its 2006 and 2007 Best Cars successes – but one wonders what the result might have been had Ford instead put forward last year’s victorious Falcon XT as a finalist.
Premium manufacturer Audi scooped three awards with the TT-S, new A6 sedan and Q5 compact SUV models. Subaru fared best among the Japanese makers – its new Outback and Liberty models each won categories with a compelling combination of value, safety, quality and performance.
Two other debutants triumphed: the new Ford Fiesta LX out-pointed the Mazda2 to be named Best Small Car and the Mk VI Volkswagen Golf 118 TSI was voted Best Mid-Sized Car over $30,000.
The winning vehicles were announced at a gala dinner hosted by RACV in Melbourne on December 1. The following are the judges’ summaries for all 12 of Australia’s Best Cars for 2009.
Best Small CarNew to the market this year, the mid-spec Ford Fiesta LX toppled the entry-level Mazda2 Neo and Honda Jazz in the small car class. This year, the list price ceiling was raised from $18,000 to $20,000 for small cars but that still wasn’t high enough to allow the inclusion of the 2007 winner, Volkswagen’s Polo TDI.
The Fiesta’s interior space is as about as good as it gets in a car of this size. Fiesta also stands out in the comfort stakes, despite there being no lumbar support or cushion tilt for the front seats. There is an accommodating boot, however, and judges were impressed with the redesign of what were already user-friendly ergonomics.
Performance-wise, the 1.6-litre Fiesta is a little powerhouse. Where many others run out of puff, Fiesta continues to pull away convincingly in fourth and fifth gears. In fact, the Fiesta LX is such an entertaining and rewarding drive that a ‘Sport’ badge would not be out of place on its backside.
But straight-line prowess is only part of the story. Fiesta also impresses with crisp, fast steering and firm but compliant damping that eases out all but the most aggressive back road bumps, making for an accomplished ride.
An optional safety pack, which includes side and curtain airbags, driver’s knee airbag and ESC with brake assist and traction control, is recommended.
The Fiesta overcame stern competition from last year’s winning Mazda2 and the superbly packaged Honda Jazz to take the honours in an increasingly important category as more new car buyers look to downsize.
Price $18,990
On sale since: January 2009
Five-door, 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol, five-speed manual; 6.1L/100km
ANCAP: 4
GVG Rating: 4
2nd place: Mazda2 Neo
3rd place: Honda Jazz GLi
Previous winner: Mazda2 Neo 1.5
Best Mid-Size Car $30-50,000With its combination of high-tech engines and transmissions, better-than-average depreciation, decent running and repair costs, and high levels of build quality and finish, the Volkswagen Golf has been a consistent Best Cars performer. The sixth-generation Golf launched in 2009 came with a host of mechanical changes housed in a cleaner-looking body.
The 118TSi Comfortline features a 1.4-litre petrol engine, which puts out an impressive 118kW of power thanks to both a turbocharger and a supercharger. The combination results in 15kW more than the previous Golf’s 2.0-litre engine could muster.
But to be a winner in a class that has 49 entries, you need more than a great engine, and the Golf rates highly in the critically weighted areas of safety, ergonomics and environment. The Comfortline is also now demonstrably better than its predecessor in terms of ride quality, hence its perfect 10s for ride and handling.
Although smaller than its main mid-size rivals, the Golf is never going to be out-muscled on the road. Limpet-like levels of grip and sharp, responsive steering convey all the right messages to the driver, making this Golf almost as much fun to drive as its sporty GTI cousin. A bonus is excellent fuel consumption; with the seven-speed DSG transmission fitted to the test car, Volkswagen claims combined cycle consumption of just 6.2L/100km.
Price: $32,990
On sale since: March 2009
Five-door, 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol with turbo and supercharger; seven-speed DSG; 6.2L/100km
ANCAP: 5
GVG Rating: 4.5
2nd PLACE: VW Jetta
3rd PLACE: Mazda6
Previous winner: Mazda6 Classic
Best Mid-Size Car $20-30,000In a reversal of last year’s Hyundai i30 one-two, the Korean-built i30 SX CRDi with five-speed manual transmission nosed ahead of the 2.0-litre petrol i30 SX. Open Road tested the Crosswagon version of the turbo-diesel i30 during the year and highlighted the many strengths and excellent value of that model, so the result is no great surprise.
In Australia’s fastest-growing vehicle category, the i30 continues to offer excellent quality, plenty of standard features, improved safety and solid value for money.
Last year’s winning car had a safety package consisting of electronic stability control, dual front airbags, electronic brakeforce distribution and traction control, although it missed out on side and curtain airbags. Through the advocacy of Australia’s Best Cars, this year the base model SX had four additional airbags as standard gear, moving the entire i30 range to a five-star ANCAP safety rating, while remaining at the budget end of the category.
The diesel i30 hits home with top marks for fuel consumption, achieving a claimed 4.7L/100km on the combined cycle (7.2L/100km for the petrol). This is supported by class-leading running and repair costs and a generous five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.
At 1.6 litres, the diesel engine achieves peak power of 85kW at 4000rpm, which sounds unremarkable, but with a thumping 255Nm of torque available in the meat of the rev range, hill climbing or highway cruising is always effortless. The diesel is also extremely quiet and could teach a few valuable lessons to more expensive Euro manufacturers.
Handling dynamics are solid if not outstanding, steering feel is progressive and ride quality above-average. The interior is surprisingly spacious for driver and passengers and the rear seat split-folds and tumbles to form a flat cargo area.
The i30 range continues to impress as a cleanly styled, quality offering that delivers plenty of bang for the buck.
Price: $22,890
On sale since: October 2007
Five-door, 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, five-speed manual; 4.7L/100km
ANCAP: 5
GVG Rating: 3.5
2nd place: Volkswagen Polo TDI
3rd place: Mitsubishi Lancer ES
Previous winner: Hyundai i30 SX 2.0 petrol
Best Large CarA sound value-for-money package, the Aurion has reclaimed the large car crown it lost to the base model FG Falcon last year. Named Australia’s Best in 2006 and 2007, the Aurion again led the pack in 2009 by offering high levels of safety equipment and standard features in an entry-level car.
Its chief rivals this year were the revised (and more economical) Holden Commodore Omega with its new 3.0-litre, direct-injection engine and Ford’s FG Falcon XR6. Ford nominated the high-performance XR6 as its volume-seller for the final judging at Anglesea in favour of the XT model that won last year and competes more strongly on list price.
The Aurion AT-X starts with a retail price well below its major rivals. Backed up by sound resale values, it beat all comers on pricing and depreciation. Thanks to Toyota’s fixed-price servicing, it was also ahead of the competition for ownership and operating costs, and despite its size, Aurion delivers impressive fuel economy of 9.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
The cabin is easy to access and very spacious, with the front-wheel drive configuration enhancing rear-seat space. The large boot is capable of swallowing vast amounts of luggage.
Aurion has a sophisticated V6 engine pulled from Lexus, Toyota’s luxury division, and this remains a standout for strong performance that is efficiently delivered via a slick six-speed automatic. And while the Toyota might not have the towing capacity of a Falcon or Commodore, it gives little away in terms of handling and chassis dynamics. Safety also remains a strong point of a big car that commands much respect.
Price: $35,490
On sale since: October 2006
Four-door, 3.5-litre six-cylinder petrol, six-speed auto; 9.9L/100km
ANCAP: 5
GVG Rating: 4
2nd place: Ford Falcon XR6
3rd place: Holden Commodore Omega
Previous winner: Ford FG Falcon XT
Best People-MoverFor the second year running, Hyundai’s iMax people-mover has beaten strong competition from an upgraded Honda Odyssey and a newcomer, the seven-seat Ford Territory Ghia. The big drawcard for the iMax, which is derived from a commercial van, is its enormous space, especially the luggage area behind the third row of seats that makes it a class leader for practicality.
It’s also comfortably appointed and can seat eight without a problem. All passengers get well-padded seats and the safety of three-point lap/sash seatbelts. Where it trails purpose-built competitors like the Odyssey is in versatility and standard features.
And while build quality is good, the iMax’s commercial origins are still apparent.
Improvements since last year’s model include a new four-star ANCAP safety rating, steering wheel audio controls and armrests for the front seats.
Hyundai has successfully created a modern-looking large people mover that’s spacious and user-friendly. Backed up by Hyundai’s strong reputation, value for money, low operating costs and one of the best warranties in Australia, the iMax is a deserving winner.
Price: $42,490
On sale since: February 2008
Five-door, 2.5-litre four-cylinder diesel; five-speed automatic; 9.8L/100km
ANCAP: 4
GVG Rating: 2.5
2nd place: Honda Odyssey Luxury
3rd place: Mitsubishi Grandis VR-X
Previous winner: Hyundai iMax CRDi
Best Sports Car under $80,000The BMW 135i Coupé certainly delivers in ear-to-ear grin fashion, and is a worthy category winner for a second year against some very capable machinery.
The 135i is a scintillating performer thanks to its 225kW twin-turbo, direct-injection, 3.0-litre straight-six. It’s a delight to drive hard, revving sweetly to the redline while delivering peak torque of 400Nm in a broad band between 1300 and 5000rpm.
The front seats offer excellent support and adjustability and even the rear seats are well shaped, although space in the back is only fair. Together with a well laid-out cabin, the 135i scores top marks for comfort and ergonomics.
BMW’s rear-drive coupé has almost ideal 50:50 weight distribution for enhanced chassis balance and lively, nimble handling. Combined with terrific grip levels, communicative steering and a powerful braking system, it’s easy for a driver to feel completely connected with the 135i.
Price: $72,800
On sale since: May 2008
Three-door, 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol; six-speed manual; 9.2L/100km
ANCAP: 5
GVG Rating: 3.5
Read the NRMA Drive Impression
2nd place: Volkswagen Golf R32
3rd place: Subaru WRX STi
Previous winner: BMW 135i Coupé
Best Luxury Sports CarAlthough it does not have the muscle-straining cornering grip or neck-wrenching acceleration of the new Nissan GTR, the TT-S does offer the best overall package in this high-end sports car category.
Most of the group tested start at $100,000 and the performance focus means that comfort and city drivability are often compromised. The Audi allows for both fun and function in a sports car that delivers decent value, and good fuel economy, too. The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine is the smallest in the class but a lightweight body combined with a superb six-speed DSG transmission sees the TT-S whistling up to 100km/h in just over five seconds. Audi’s quattro four-wheel drive system deals with the power effectively and ride and handling are well managed by clever adaptive damping.
Price: $98,900
On sale since: July 2008
Two-door, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol; six-speed DSG; 7.9L/100km
ANCAP: 5
GVG Rating: 3.5
2nd place: Audi S4 TFSI
3rd place: BMW M3
Previous winner: Audi TT-S TSFI
Best Prestige Car $50-80,000The discerning buyer who is prepared to spend between $50,000 and $80,000 for the quality, precision and comfort of a prestige car will find the Subaru Liberty 3.6R Premium has plenty to offer while still providing great value.
This all-new six-cylinder Liberty is a real surprise packet. At just over $50,000, it comes with many desirable standard features that would be costly options in some of the higher-profile European models in this class. These include leather trim, sat-nav with DVD, reversing camera, Bluetooth compatibility, xenon headlights, a premium sound system and an electric sunroof.
On the road, the Liberty is much quieter than its predecessor. Mechanically, the boxer engine is now 3.6 litres in capacity (previously it was 3.0), and in combination with a responsive five-speed automatic transmission, it delivers strong, smooth-flowing performance. Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system provides secure road holding in all weather conditions. Also standard is the 3.6R’s Intelligent Drive system which allows drivers to alter engine and transmission response via a switch on the centre console. Build quality and overall finish meet the standards expected in this category.
Price: $51,990
On sale since: September 2009
Four-door, 3.6-litre six-cylinder petrol; five-speed auto; 10.3L/100km
ANCAP: 5
GVG Rating: 3.5
2nd place: Audi A4
3rd place: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Previous winner: Audi A4 TDI
Best Recreational 4WDThe new, fourth-generation Outback has ousted strong European rivals with its class-leading design and functionality, which is what recreational 4WD buyers demand.
Based upon the newly revised Liberty, the Outback enjoys much more space than the previous model, a more refined drivetrain and additional equipment. It also boasts class-leading handling thanks to a low centre of gravity and an excellent AWD system.
The combination of reasonable power, smooth CVT transmission and 213mm of ground clearance ensured the Outback was all but unstoppable on the Anglesea
test course.
The improved 2.5-litre ‘boxer’ engine has also seen performance gains while using a litre less fuel every 100km compared with the previous model.
Rear leg and head room are now exemplary and the interior finish and logical presentation also rated very highly, contrasting with some rivals whose interior layouts were comparatively fussy. Numerous cargo boxes and trays make the Outback a family-friendly weekend warrior that is as happy on the road as it is off the bitumen.
Price: $37,990
On sale since: September 2009
Five-door, 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol; CVT; 8.4L/100km
ANCAP: 5
GVG Rating: 3.5
2nd place: Volkswagen Tiguan
3rd place: Audi Q5
Previous winner: Volkswagen Tiguan TDI
Best Luxury 4WDThe Q5 scored strongly across all sections, with maximum points for fuel economy in the diesel version. But it was its best-in-class overall effort, its exceptional interior design and its inherent functionality that cemented the win in a class of 29 competitors, many of which had similar features and car-like driving qualities. On the road, the Q5 matched last year’s winner, the seasoned BMW X5, and proved very capable off-road as well. The torque-rich 3.0-litre turbo-diesel was well suited to Audi’s optional seven-speed S-tronic transmission and impeccable safety credentials and value for money sealed the victory.
Price: $71,900
On sale since: March 2009
Five-door, 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel; seven-speed DSG; 7.5L/100km
ANCAP: 5
GVG Rating: 3.5
Read the NRMA Drive Impression
2nd place: BMW X5
3rd place: Volvo XC60
Previous winner: BMW X5 3.0d
Best All-Terrain VehicleThe new land rover Discovery 4 has followed the back-to-back winning ways of its series 3 predecessor, and in the process sets a record for Australia’s Best Cars.
It’s now five wins in a row for the popular Disco.
The new model proved more than ever that being engineered to tackle serious off-road treks need not come at the expense of comfort, refinement, performance or road manners. The winning Discovery features a brilliant 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel. Power is up 29 per cent over the previous diesel unit while torque has jumped 36 per cent, to a massive 600Nm. On-road the engine impresses with smooth, effortless performance, while off-road prowess has been improved by revisions to the Terrain Response system. A twin-bonus is the improvement in fuel economy (9.3L/100km) and reduction in emissions.
The new version’s revised steering, suspension and brakes saw it again dominate in the ride, handling and braking departments and it secured the win with class-leading safety and security and a comprehensive standard equipment list. It’s a versatile and sophisticated vehicle that can happily take you almost anywhere in style and comfort.
Price: $81,990
On sale since: November 2009
Five-door, 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin turbo-diesel; six-speed auto; 9.3L/100km
ANCAP: not yet tested
GVG Rating: 2.5
2nd place: Toyota LandCruiser
3rd place: Mitsubishi Pajero
Previous winner: Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6
Best Luxury CarIt takes something special for a newcomer to upstage a three-time consecutive champion like the Lexus GS 450h, and that’s precisely what the all-new Audi A6 3.0 TFSI quattro has done. Powered by a supercharged V6 engine pumping out 213kW and 420Nm of torque, the A6 outpointed the Lexus in a host of areas, including pricing, running and repair costs, security, comfort, space, practicality, ergonomics, handling, performance and braking.
It also matched the luxury Japanese hybrid for standard features, safety, build quality and finish, and even smoothness and quietness, putting up a truly compelling argument. The A6 3.0 TFSI is $20,000 cheaper than the GS 450h and nearly $17,000 less than the highly-rated Mercedes-Benz E350 (another new arrival in 2009), although its standard equipment list is less comprehensive.
Audi interiors are often class benchmarks and the A6 maintains the standard with outstanding seat comfort, ergonomics and cabin ambience. The driving experience is also first-rate: tickle the throttle and the V6 responds with an enthusiastic, lag-free surge and crisp, rapid changes from the six-speed DSG transmission. The combination combines to deliver a commendable 9.5L/100km.
Price: $112,500
On sale since: March 2009
Four-door, 3.0-litre six-cylinder supercharged petrol; six-speed DSG; 9.5L/100km
ANCAP: 5
GVG Rating: 3.5
2nd place: Jaguar XF
3rd place: Lexus GS
Previous winner: Lexus GS 450h
Open Road January/February 2010
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