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Hatchback reigns supreme

Posted on 23 November, 2017

The Honda Civic Type R has beaten more expensive vehicles to be named Supreme Winner in the 2017 AMI Insurance New Zealand Autocar Car of the Year Awards.  The Honda chosen from more than 40 entries across six categories, out-scoring higher priced vehicles, many in the $100,000-plus Luxury category.  Award entries are critiqued on a number of variables including design, performance, practicality and value.  The cars are also rigorously checked for their ANCAP safety ratings and on-road reviews, before being assessed on their safety features to ascertain the AMI New Zealand Autocar of the Year scores. “The Civic Type R was one of the most exciting cars we drove all year,” Kyle Cassidy, Editor of New Zealand Autocar says. “It delivers blistering performance and soulful driver interaction, then with the flick of a button it’s a calm, family-friendly five-door hatchback with equal measures of practicality and safety.” “Anyone who says Honda makes boring cars needs to drive the Civic Type R,” Cassidy says. “Priced under $60k, its thrilling performance doesn’t cost the earth.” Volvo's XC60 mid-size SUV wont the AMI Insurance New Zealand Autocar Safety Award. It is the second time in three years that a Volvo has taken out the award. The award recognises vehicle performance in New Zealand's unique driving conditions.  “Safety should be a contributing factor in any car purchase, so we rigorously critique our finalists on international safety standards before they are tested on New Zealand roads,” Cassidy says.  “The judges praised the Volvo’s impressive advanced safety features – with 37.25 out of a possible 38 points for adult occupant protection it is the safest car on the road." For the first time in the awards history, electric vehicles were recognised with the Hyundai Ioniq winning the EV of the year. • Supreme Winner: Honda Civic Type R • Performance: Honda Civic Type R • Luxury (over $100,000): Land Rover Discovery • From $60,000 to $100,000: Volvo XC60 • From $45,000 to $60,000: Mazda CX-5 • From $30,000 to $45,000: Subaru XV • Under $30,000: Suzuki Swift • AMI Insurance Safety Award: Volvo XC60 • Bike of the Year: Triumph Street Triple • EV of the Year: Hyundai Ioniq