New Zealand's Car of the Year is the high-selling Mazda3, according to the Automobile Association and motoring writers.
The compact car beat nine other finalists including the Honda Jazz, which won the small car category, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which was voted both the best medium or large car and the safest car on our roads.
AA motoring services general manager Stella Stocks said the Mazda3 had become a Kiwi favourite, with a variation of models to suit a broad range of motorists.
Motoring Writers' Guild president Liz Dobson, of the Herald magazine Driven, said the Mazda3 emerged as a clear winner despite the strong impact of SUVs on the New Zealand market this year. She said that was because of its styling, fuel economy, numerous safety features, and value for money.
The top 10 finalists for the New Zealand Car of the Year 2014 were:
- Mazda3
- Honda Jazz
- Nissan Qashqai
- Nissan X-Trail
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
- Toyota Highlander
- BMW M3 and M4
- Jeep Cherokee
- Range Rover Sport
Source: NZ Herald
