It’s an SUV world, which makes the once-mainstream Passenger segment (hatches, sedans, wagons, people-movers… and basically anything else that isn’t a high-riding SUV) pretty niche these days. Although we’re happy to say that the rise of electrification and flexible platforms means some of these body styles are making a comeback.
Our finalists here are a pretty diverse bunch in terms of size, genre and therefore application. But they share a common aim to provide the best possible blend of on-road driving, passenger space and efficiency by sitting that little bit closer to the tarmac and packaging the essentials into a relatively compact footprint.
Don’t let it be said that Passenger cars are one-dimensional in terms of powertrain tech: below we have a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), pure-electric and mild-hybrid.
BMW 2-SERIES ACTIVE TOURER
People movers used to be a really big thing in Europe: one-box body shapes similar to a van, but thoroughly modern in terms of platform and powertrain technology, with spacious cabins configured to prioritise occupant comfort and flexible cargo options. They came in all sizes: large, “midi” (medium) and compact.
The $78,500 BMW 225e belongs to that midi-people mover tradition, although the German maker prefers to call it an Active Tourer. Based on the same platform as the BMW X1 and Mini Countryman, it boasts a high-quality cabin and some very clever packaging, with rear seats that slide and can have their backrests locked in various positions.
The brilliant PHEV powertrain is a bonus: it pairs the marque’s full-of-character 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with a generous battery pack that gives up to 87km EV range. Petrol drives the front, electric the back, meaning this car can be FWD, RWD or AWD. No matter which way you look at it, the 225e Active Tourer is a versatile vehicle.
MG4
We voted the MG4 the overall winner of last year’s AA DRIVEN Car Guide NZ COTY, so it’s only right that it emerges a return-contender for the 2024 Passenger category and overall award.
The MG4 remains a landmark car. Not the brand’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV), but certainly the first on a bespoke electric platform, which means it forms the base of many new MGs to come, not to mention the just-launched Cyberster roadster.
Aside from future-facing technology, family-friendly ride and fun RWD handling, the MG4 impresses for the sheer choice it offers. The entry $42,990 Excite trades off some battery capacity for a sharp price, but still offers a healthy 350km range; the $52,990 Essence is the most rounded, with increased range and lots of extra equipment; and those wanting the ultimate in distance between charges can choose the $59,990 long-range model, with the biggest battery.
There’s even a super-fast performance AWD model, the $64,990 XPower: it can hit 100km/h in just 3.8 seconds.
SUZUKI SWIFT
Suzuki’s evergreen small hatchback (the most popular privately purchased car in NZ for nearly two decades) was launched in its fourth generation this year.
On the surface, it doesn’t seem a whole lot different. However, small but significant changes have helped it rise to the challenge of a new generation of motoring.
Mild hybrid technology was offered in the previous model, but in this version it really comes to the fore. The petrol engine has become even more efficient: it’s now a 3-cylinder across the range. The hybrid tech is simple, with a starter-generator helping take the load off the engine for short periods and a regen system recapturing energy to feed the 12-volt electrical network. It makes the Swift astonishingly economical, with official figures of 4.0-4.3l/100km. And yes, you can achieve similar in the real world.
But aside from the tech, we just love the car. The interior is vastly improved, it’s so much fun-to-drive – and it’s one of the few new models in NZ to still offer a manual transmission!