- Here are the three finalists from the Large SUV category for the 2024 AA DRIVEN Car Guide NZ Car of the Year!
Over the next three weeks we will reveal the top three finalists for each of the 10 categories, but in the meantime you can check out the other SUV category finalists, namely the City SUV finalists and the Medium SUV finalists.
The large SUV segment may not be as active as the Small and Medium segments, selling about one-third of each of the smaller SUV segments, it’s still an important and popular part of the SUV triumvirate that caters to almost any and every buyer, especially the family on the large/larger side needing a bit more: more space, more seats, more tech or just more car. Combined, SUVs make up 51% of the NZ new car market.
There are some remarkably good cars that reside in the Large SUV segment, but we’ve pared them down to what we think are the best three for 2024.
Ford Everest
As one of just two 2023 finalists back to defend their class title win, the Ford Everest is a fantastic all-rounder, offering the key attributes from NZ’s number-one selling vehicle, the Ford Ranger; yet made better for families, with a more compliant coil-spring rear suspension, shorter wheelbase helping agility, and of course the added comfort, capability and practicality of an SUV that offers loads of rear seat space and third row-7-seating. It tows 3.5 tonnes, runs either the 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel or the 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6, and still manages to be reasonably efficient while doing so.
Large and spacious (the Ranger’s size affords that) and with four keys models - Trend, Sport, Wildtrak and Platinum - Ford Everest offers plenty of choice, and plenty of range for plenty of budgets, spanning $75k to $89k for the local line-up.
A rugged, reliable family car with lots of luggage space, technology and practicality, the Ford Everest sets a standard for not just large SUVs, not just seven-seaters, but affordable ones that offer modern features and convenience that shouldn’t be taken for granted in a large very-sub-$100k large SUV.
Hyundai Santa Fe
A new model for 2024, gone is the venerable 2.2-litre turbo diesel that became a staple for almost 20 years, in its place a 1.6-litre petrol four-cylinder with hybrid assistance. On paper, it shouldn’t work, but the drive exceeds expectations. The hybrid has been a lesser-known part of the range, of course, but now it’s the hero: impressively faster, more efficient and without the hassle of diesel RUCs, the new Santa Fe Hybrid brings updated technology in its super different, clean and boxy styling.
With Santa Fe-signature seven seats, there’s also a six-seat option that adds captain’s chairs comfort to the second, row, plus improved access to the third row – home to things is basically practical as Isofix mounting points. Up front is the latest widescreen infotainment displays and a few fun tricks and ways to drive, be efficient or entertained.
The hybrid aspect is mostly meek and mild, doing its thing with little more than a hybrid badge and light on the dash, while inside is space and space, from the cabin width and depth to the large boot, even with the third row seats raised.
Volkswagen Touareg
Some vehicles have fanfare and controversial styling, some whacky tech and unique tricks, and or a combination of them all. And some just get on with the job of being a solid, dependable SUV; such is the Volkswagen Touareg (twa-regg). With a facelifted model, there is a lightbar that spans the front end, and updated infotainment tech, and three models cater to the market with a turbo-diesel V6, V6S R-Line version with more power and torque, and the top-spec R model, that’s the most powerful production vehicle VW has ever produced, with 340kW/700Nm thanks to its added PHEV plug-in hybrid technology. And it offers 53km on EV-only driving from its full charge.
A large, premium five-seat SUV package, the Touareg’s updated-for-2024 model offers range, economy and performance, or a model with it all, in a price that’s typical of the Volkswagen group range, providing a more price-friendly alternative to its Audi and Porsche siblings. And in this company, in this year, that’s what’s helped the Volkswagen stand out.
