With over 240 years of automotive knowledge between them, when it comes to new cars our
judges are the ones to trust.
They will assist you these 28 contenders, taking into account buyer expectation, cost
of purchase and value for money.
There’s no barrier here; I don’t think that’s very safe.
With a record number of electric vehicles this year, innovation takes centre stage.
Looks really nice.
I like it.
I don’t like it, it’s not clear enough.
Although consumers tell us that style and design are top of the list, as we know, it’s
safety first.
It doesn’t matter how well it goes or turns if it doesn’t stop it’s a lethal weapon.
This is the ultimate comparison guide for anyone in the market for a new car.
This is car sales car of the year, proudly presented by Shell V Power.
First up, our qualifying vehicles will be assessed for practicality and presentation.
For a lot of buyers they’re looking for that detail in the car so that’s what we’re
really kind nutting out now.
What’s the surprise and delight features?
What has been added to this car that perhaps is unique in its market?
We’re also looking at what provision the manufacturer has given for spare tyre.
So, is there a full-size, is there a space saver?
Is it just inflator kit?
Is it a run-flat tyre?
A lot of these things probably don’t occur to the buyer when they’re in the show room.
They’re the things that really matter once the car’s on the road.
And, we’ve got a wagon here, we’ve got a couple of SUVs and we’ve got this hatch
as well.
So, we’re comparing a hatch and we’re looking at how does that perform within its
segment?
You mean the Veloster has three doors.
It’s very stylish but how practical is it?
I’ve got no problem with it.
I think it’s quite a clever design.
I quite like it.
You are in a minority of one on this planet.
I know.
Well, you know, the The Veloster that we’ve just jumped out
of has caused a little bit of contention.
I think there are some of us that really like that asymmetrical styling.
There’s others that aren’t so impressed.
I guess it’s one of those things about giving the buyer’s choice.
Next, the judges assess for dynamics and safety.
People care about a lot of things when they buy a car.
The look predominantly, but breaking is probably lowest on the list and yet it’s the most
important and dynamic aspect of the car.
Doesn’t matter how well it goes or turns.
If it doesn’t stop it’s a lethal weapon potentially.
What we’re doing here is we’re testing the distance that cars can pull up from a
100km’s an hour in.
And, like we’re seeing variances here of up to ten metres and that’s the difference
between life and death.
Trying to really replicate what people do in an emergency stop.
So, the EV’s are typically a bit heavier so that’s really coming into play.
We’re seeing that in the breaking distances.
And, all the cars we’ve tested this has probably been one of the worst.
I think something like the battery, low rolling resistance, tyres, weight were both big factors.
And, yes it just brings discord down.
This car did nothing overly bad or dangerous; it just took longer to stop on the road.
So, we’re testing for innovation and technology.
Where do I start with the Tesla model three?
This thing is festooned with cool stuff.
I mean it’s got one of the biggest screens in this entire test.
But, one of the interesting things about it that I really like is the bonnet.
It makes the car look kind of ugly, but because it slopes down really low, the view of the
road is impressive.
So, we’re not only looking at the infotainment, how things work, but we lift the car up on
the hoist and we look at what they’re doing in an engineering sense.
The cool thing about hoisting the car is you get to really see the nuts and bolts.
Not a lot of people get to see what’s under the car.
Yes.
I like this.
This is really nice.
This sort of attention to detail is something that not all car of the year awards will do
and we get right into the nitty-gritty and I think it’s important.
There is no shielding.
If you take this off road half of these electronics are going to get smashed to pieces.
At this point we’ve got to tally up our scores and bring in the red book data, which
looks at really hard facts around ownership costs, service warranty.
Our resale value is something people don’t really think about.
So, the red book data is incredibly important for those reasons.
With 18 vehicles now out of contention these are our ten finalists.
Three BMWs rising to the top of the pack.
Could you repeat that please?
BMW.
It’s a nice smooth, comfortable ride, isn’t it?
It’s gorgeous at it should be.
The Toyota Supra.
What do make of it?
A six cylinder for the price of a four cylinder.
Which is a really good thing.
Yes.
Do you think the 330i presents a strong enough case to purchase a sedan over an SUV?
Got space, flexible space, decent boot and the right handling has got to be up there
with one of the best here.
It’s a great engine in this car.
This inline six cylinder diesel I really love it.
I want it to death.
Yes, and I think it’s a terrific engine matched to an absolutely fantastic and capable
chassis.
This is the best driving SUV here.
Oh, and by a fair margin too.
Yes.
It doesn’t feel like a truck.
Yes.
And, the other thing is the dreaded head toss is not present.
Now, that’s the biggest thing for me with SUVs is you can tell they’re rubbish when
they throw your head around.
This thing handles so well and for a massive SUV.
Considering how wide it is and how heavy it is, 2.2 tons.
I know, it just pulls.
It feels like a go-cart like it’s sitting flat on the road.
I love it.
This car is really about comfort, isn’t it?
It is absolutely.
It just has a reasonably, well, it’s the opposite of the Tesla, isn’t it?
It’s like it’s all pretty familiar whereas the Tesla’s the shock of the new.
I got into it so I didn’t really know what to expect and I found it…
I’m an old bloke, but to be honest, I found it a bit confronting.
I think this is a car that you have to learn to use it rather than just jump in and drive.
It does its best to hang on.
It does.
It’s a car that’s suited more for long distance touring and a lot of people don’t
necessarily want the cornering, that sort of thing.
Yes, I absolutely agree.
And, this is probably Volkswagen’s best luxury offering to date.
One of those rare mixes of being practical, nice to look at, functional, comfortable and
tech savvy as well.
And, we’re completely spoilt for choice because any of these cars at car of the year
is a great car.
Yes.
And, we’ve done two really full days and back to back driving and that feels like the
intense part, but the deliberation is actually the part that really take a lot out of you.
Perhaps the biggest question is is Australia ready for electric cars?
Yes.
There’s a few things you’ve really got to have sorted out before you go, right, I
can go here.
You’ve got to download an app; you’ve got to make sure the plug fits.
I had an experience with another electric car the other night.
I had to drive home at night, in the rain with no wipers and no headlights.
Well, that’s hardly user-friendly.
That is dangerous.
I think they will work for some people.
I think you just have to sort of plan your life around that.
Yes, you need to be far more planned.
I’ve hear a lot about EVs and the potential battery life of only eight years, but in reality
a lot of modern vehicles are not being designed to be kept on the road for more than that
time anyway.
How many of us would be happy to own just an EV as our only car?
Yes.
I’d get away with it.
Less than half.
How many people would own it as a second car?
Times are changing.
So, it’s been a big week and we’re all survived just.
And, how two highly commended cars for this year are the Volkswagen Touareg and the BMW
X3.
Oh, really?
Not bad.
And, the car sales car of the year for 2019 is…
BMW 3 series.
Yes.
And, it’s not an SUV.
That’s a strong top three.
That car doesn’t alienate anyone.
It’s really easy to drive.
It’s a level up on all its competitors.
It has the perfect of ride comfort and handling prowess.
Doesn’t matter where you sit in that car.
It’s spacious.
You don’t have to compromise yourself to get in or out.
I’m really excited that this is one of our car sales car of the year.
Enjoyable as a driver’s car.
It’s safe.
It’s loaded with tech.
So, for a car to do well it needs to stand out in every area and the 330i has done that
this week.