Driven readers have their chance to win an eight-night cruise for two to Fiji, simply by picking their choice to win the AA Driven New Zealand Car of the Year Award.
Choose your winner from the 10 finalists — the Holden Commodore, Hyundai i30N, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Kona, Kia Stinger, Mazda CX-8, Mercedes A-Class, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Swift Sport, and Volvo XC-40.
Visit aa.co.nz/peopleschoice now and register your vote. By entering, you go in the draw to win the cruise.
All cars have been put through their paces during two days of testing, at Pukekohe Raceway and on urban and rural roads.
The winner of the award will be announced at an industry function in Auckland in December.
AA motoring services general manager Stella Stocks said as a member-led organisation, it’s important for the AA that all Kiwis get a chance to have their say. “The People’s Choice Award gives New Zealand motorists the opportunity to get involved and voice their opinions by voting for their favourite. Tens of thousands of Kiwis did exactly that last year, and it’s a great way for manufacturers to hear direct from their customers what they appreciate in a car.
“We know how much New Zealanders love their cars, and how opinionated they are about what makes one the best.
“Voting for a favourite from the top 10 AA Driven New Zealand Car of the Year finalists is open until 30 November, and one lucky voter will win an eight-night Fiji cruise for two in an ocean view cabin,” Stocks said.
The new European Commodore Calais-V wagon is a new European take on a Holden icon, and has been praised by the judges for its levels of safety and brilliant driving experience.
Hyundai has three models among the finalists, including the i30N which has been praised as a lively sports hatchback that is challenging the traditional hot hatch models such as the VW Golf GTI and the Ford Focus ST.
Hyundai’s new Santa Fe SUV is loaded with new technology features while the brand’s first compact urban SUV, the Kona, also features among the finalists.
The Kia Stinger is a slickly styled rear-wheel drive sports sedan, aimed at buyers who yearn for traditional rear-wheel drive Australian-sourced Commodores and Falcons. It also scored highly on value for money.
The Mazda CX-8 has been praised for its quality, while the model’s 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine is refined and frugal.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class takes aim at the premium hatchback segment of the market, and impresses with segment-leading infotainment systems and a particularly stylish interior.
The Subaru Forester SUV delivers on its boast to upgrade your fun with its revitalised new 136kW engine and more efficient CVT gearbox.
The Suzuki Swift Sport raises the bar in the small car segment by providing a well-balanced compromise between driving fun and everyday practicality.
Volvo’s first entry into the crowded premium compact SUV market, the XC40, is roomy, practical and a quiet cruiser on the motorway.
In alphabetical order, the top 10 finalists for the 2018 AA Driven New Zealand Car of the Year are:
Holden Commodore wagon
Read more: Holden high-ride ZB Commodore: Multi-tasking master class
Hyundai i30N
Read more: Hyundai i30 N: Pre-production K-pop hot hatch tested
Hyundai Santa Fe
Read more: First Drive: a touch of class with new Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Kona
Read more: Hyundai Kona: Intrepid journeys
Kia Stinger
Read more: Kia Stinger GT road test: a Korean world beater?
Mazda CX-8
Read more: Mazda CX-8 road test: The same, but different
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Read more: First drive: Small Mercedes-Benz A200 debuts with big tech
Subaru Forester
Read more: Subaru Forester review: Can-do attitude for Forester
Suzuki Swift Sport
Read more: An instant classic? We thrash the new Suzuki Swift Sport