BYD Sealion 6 wins NZ Car of the Year
BYD’s Sealion 6 has been named the overall winner of the AA Driven Car Guide New Zealand Car of the Year 2024 and also took out the competition’s hybrid/electric vehicle (EV) title.
It won the top prize from more than 200 cars tested since October 1, 2023, which were scrutinised by a panel of judges from Driven Car Guide and the AA before awards were handed out across a number of categories.
BYD Auto NZ says it is “absolutely overjoyed” at winning the annual award and notes the Sealion 6, pictured, is the marque’s best-selling model globally, with more than 1.2 million sales.
Dean Evans, Driven Car Guide editor, helped announce the winners on November 29 and says the Sealion 6 is “simply too good not to award”.
“In a year when buyers have moved away from pure EVs, for various reasons, there is still growing demand for greener, more ecologically friendly vehicles,” he adds.
“The electrified markets have come alive with hybrids and plug-in hybrids proving supremely popular – especially in an SUV.”
Jonathan Sergel, AA’s chief mobility officer, says judges were impressed by the Sealion 6’s five-star ANCAP safety rating, performance features, and reasonable price point.
“We know Kiwis love the practicality of an SUV, and in the Sealion 6, the dual mode intelligence technology gives it a strong edge compared to its competitors, shifting into a new realm of energy innovation and range-extending capability.
“It’s a great option for consumers looking to make a more sustainable choice without buying a full EV, and a 1,100km combined range on one tank of petrol will get you exactly where you need to go.”
The AA Driven Car Guide NZ Car of the Year contest recognises the best new vehicles in 10 different sections covering SUVs, hybrids, EVs, performance, luxury, sports and more. Last year’s overall title went to the MG4.
Members of the public also got to vote for their favourite model in the People’s Choice section, which went to the Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 has won this section every year since it was introduced in 2019, except for 2022 when the Tesla Model 3 triumphed.
Award winners
City SUV: Toyota C-HR
Family SUV: Honda CR-V
Large SUV: Ford Everest
Passenger: Suzuki Swift
Hybrid/EV: BYD Sealion 6
Luxury: Range Rover Sport
Sports/Performance: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Lifestyle/Adventure: Suzuki Jimny
Safest: Tesla Model Y
People's Choice: Toyota RAV4
Overall Car of the Year winner: BYD Sealion 6
