Clean cars chase gongs

1/12

Clean and green: BEVs – MG ZS EV  

2/12

Clean and green: BEVs – Peugeot e-208  

3/12

Clean and green: BEVs – Tesla Model 3  

4/12

Clean and green: PHEVs – Ford Escape  

5/12

Clean and green: PHEVs – MG HS  

6/12

Clean and green: PHEVs – Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross  

7/12

Clean and green: Hybrids – Honda Jazz e:HEV  

8/12

Clean and green: Hybrids – Toyota Highlander  

9/12

Clean and green: Hybrids – Toyota RAV4    

10/12

LCV: Isuzu D-Max  

11/12

LCV: LDV eDeliver3  

12/12

LCV: Toyota Hilux  

The finalists for a new category recognising low and zero-emissions vehicles in the AA Driven New Zealand Car of the Year awards have been named.

The clean and green class is fresh for 2021 and is broken down into three sections – battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and conventional hybrids.

Models from MG and Toyota appear twice on the shortlist, while cars from Ford, Honda, Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Tesla also make the cut.

The top selections for the light commercial vehicle (LCV) category have also been revealed, with the Isuzu D-Max , LDV eDeliver3 and Toyota Hilux set to battle it out for the gong.

The focus of the awards is on cars launched in the past 12 months but all vehicles on sale with a five-star crash rating have been considered.

There are 10 categories this year with the finalists for a number of sections having already been announced, along with the models vying for the People’s Choice Award.

Contenders for the sports and performance, luxury, and safety categories are also due to be announced soon.

The awards are making a comeback after Covid-19 forced their cancellation in 2020 and an overall winner will be crowned the AA Driven NZ Car of the Year.

Finalists

Clean and green:

BEVs – MG ZS EV, Peugeot e-208, Tesla Model 3

PHEVs – Ford Escape, MG HS, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Hybrids – Honda Jazz e:HEV, Toyota Highlander, Toyota RAV4

LCV: Isuzu D-Max, LDV eDeliver3, Toyota Hilux