AA car of the year awards
Cutting-edge technology alongside world-class styling and an ultimate driving experience has helped the Mercedes-Benz E-Class to pole position at the 2016 New Zealand Car of the Year awards last night. Alongside nine other top 10 finalists for the coveted award, the E-Class was a clear winner after votes submitted by the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild and the AA were collated. AA Motoring Services General Manager Stella Stocks says the E-Class offers up the next wave of technology as standard outside of its very visible and refined attributes. “The E-Class is one of those vehicles that stands out on the road, pretty much in any environment. Since Mercedes-Benz launched the all-new E-Class earlier this year, it’s made a clear impact in this market. While it’s one of the more expensive cars on the market and not for everyone, the E-Class remains a very deserving winner,” Ms Stocks says. “While the judges make their selections on a variety of elements, for me, what is under the skin of the E-Class is excellent. Mercedes-Benz is a world leader in safety technology and it hasn’t held back from ensuring this car is one of the safest on the market today, packed full of features to both avoid crashes and maximise occupant safety.” Stocks says the E-Class also brings forward a nod to the future with a range of semi-automated driving functions. New Zealand Motoring Writer's Guild president Liz Dobson says that the all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of the most technically advanced cars on our roads. "Mercedes-Benz says that this 10th generation E-Class has leapt forward two decades with its technology, and having driven it extensively at the global launch, in Australia and on New Zealand roads, I have to agree," says Ms Dobson. "But it's not only the outstanding passive and active safety features that make this car a winner, it also has a cabin and front dash that is futuristic, while the exterior styling make it a head turner." Ms Dobson said the E-Class was a stand out from an impressive line-up of contenders with the Guild members, who cover all media and are based around New Zealand. The New Zealand Car of the Year was selected from a shortlist of new models released to the market between 1 October 2015 and 30 September 2016. The finalists were:
- Holden Spark
- Honda Civic
- Kia Sportage
- Mazda CX-9
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Mercedes-Benz GLC
- Skoda Superb
- Subaru Levorg
- Suzuki Vitara
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Small car – Holden Spark
- Compact car – Honda Civic
- Medium/Large car – Skoda Superb
- Luxury car – Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Small SUV – Mazda CX-3
- Medium SUV – Volkswagen Tiguan
- Large SUV – Mazda CX-9
- Luxury SUV – Volvo XC90
- Utility – Ford Ranger
- Sports/Performance – Ford Mustang GT
- Safest car – Mercedes-Benz GLC