Electric SUV wins award

The NZ Motoring Writers’ Guild has named the Jaguar I-PACE as its car of the year – the first time a fully electric vehicle (EV) has won the gong.

Steve Kenchington, general manager of Jaguar NZ, says the award caps off a great launch for the SUV, which has been a pioneer in the premium EV category.

“The I-PACE won an unprecedented three awards at World Car of the Year, and more than 70 international awards – including car of the year awards in more than a dozen countries since its launch,” he says. 

“This acknowledgement from guild members is recognition of the hundreds of hours invested by engineers and designers in developing the technology behind the I-PACE.”

The judges evaluated the EV against how it performs its intended role, styling, interior design and accommodation, fit, finish and quality, ride and refinement, road-holding and handling value for money, active and passive safety, and environmental responsibility.