Contest shortlists top SUVs

1/9

The Hyundai Kona II is a finalist in the small SUV category  

2/9

MG’s ZS is vying for the small SUV title  

3/9

Small SUV contender, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross  

4/9

The BYD Atto 3 is among the medium SUV finalists  

5/9

Kia’s Sportage is up for a gong  

6/9

The Tesla Model Y has been shortlisted in the medium SUV section  

7/9

Kia's Sorento is one of the large SUV finalists and won the category last year  

8/9

The Mitsubishi Outlander is in contention for an honour  

9/9

Toyota's Highlander completes the three large SUV finalists  

Nine of the best SUVs on sale in New Zealand have been named as finalists for honours at this year’s AA Driven New Zealand Car of the Year awards.

Mitsubishi and Kia both have two nods each across the SUV categories, with the former's Eclipse Cross in the small section and the Outlander vying for the large crown.

Meanwhile, Kia's two contenders are the Sportage and the Sorento in the medium and large SUV classes respectively.

Hyundai’s Kona II and the MG ZS have also been shortlisted for the small SUV section, while the other contender in the large class is Toyota’s Highlander.

The remaining finalists for the medium SUV prize are the BYD Atto 3 and Tesla Model Y.

The main focus of the annual awards is on cars launched in the past 12 months but judges have considered all vehicles on sale as long as they have a five-star safety rating.

There are 12 categories overall, with finalists for the other sections due to be announced over the coming weeks, and votes have opened for the people’s choice award.

Finalists

Small SUV: Hyundai Kona II, MG ZS, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Medium SUV: BYD Atto 3, Kia Sportage, Tesla Model Y

Large SUV: Kia Sorento, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota Highlander