Top passenger and sporty cars
Judges have revealed the top cars that are vying to win the passenger and sports and performance sections of the AA Driven Car Guide New Zealand Car of the Year 2023 awards.
The BYD Dolphin, MG4 and Opel Astra are the three contenders for the passenger vehicles gong, one of many to be handed out when the final results of the annual competition are announced on December 1.
The BYD and MG models have also been shortlisted in the battery electric vehicles (BEVs) category of this year’s contest.
Meanwhile, the sports and performance section is a battle between Honda’s Civic Type R and two Toyotas – the GR Corolla and GR86.
A total of 11 awards will be dished out in 2023, with more finalists set to be announced this month, plus one vehicle will be crowned overall car of the year. Last year’s top prize was won by Ford’s Ranger.
Competition organisers have already revealed the finalists for the People’s Choice awards, the small, medium and large SUV sections, and the three clean-car categories covering hybrids, plug-in hybrids and BEVs.
Finalists
Passenger vehicles: BYD Dolphin, MG4, Opel Astra
Sports and performance: Honda Civic Type R, Toyota GR Corolla, Toyota GR86
