Five-star Falcon named Australia’s top family car
The Australian made six-cylinder petrol sedan – the first locally made vehicle to be awarded a top five-star safety rating – edged out the Toyota Aurion and Honda Accord V6 to take top prize as the most popular large car in Australia’s Best Cars awards.
The Falcon was one of 12 category winners unveiled in Brisbane today at an awards ceremony hosted by Queensland’s peak motoring body.
RACQ vehicle technologies executive manager Steve Spalding said Australia’s Best Cars awards were judged by a panel of experts from the RACQ and other constituent motoring clubs belonging to the Australian Automobile Association.
“The Ford Falcon award is a great result for local manufacturing,” Mr Spalding said.
“The XT helped overcome a tumultuous year for Ford, including massive changes within the Australian automotive industry, and now picking up the major Australia’s Best Cars award.
“It represents a concerted effort on product advancement, delivering a new and safer body structure with significantly re-engineered suspension and steering plus engine improvements that provide better performance and fuel economy.
“The improved ride and handling package feels more like the quality cars we would expect to come out of Europe, without compromising on space, touring ability and towing that Australians also often look for.”
The Best Cars winner in the popular Small Car category was the Mazda 2 Neo. The Hyundai i30 SX took out the award for best mid-size car under $28,000 and the Mazda6 Classic won the top award for best mid-size car over $28,000. Best recreational four-wheel drive award went to the Volkswagen Tiguan TDI..
Mr Spalding said Australia’s Best Cars was the nation’s most thorough, independent, consumer-oriented new car awards program and the 12 category winners were awarded following an exhaustive assessment of more than 280 vehicles.
Judges short-listed 36 finalists across 12 categories, which were then extensively road tested during an intensive week of assessment before the winning vehicles in each category were decided.
“These cars have been assessed against three criteria – value for money, design and on-road performance,” Mr Spalding said.
“The judges are seeing a steady improvement in the quality of vehicles on the Australian market – particularly in the area of safety equipment and crash test results alongside their on-road performance.
“They have to perform well in crash tests conducted by Australia’s leading crash test and vehicle safety advocate, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program, and the ANCAP results show vehicles are definitely safer today without compromising performance.
"These are consumer awards where every score on every vehicle is made available to help buyers make informed purchasing decisions. The finalists are a good set of cars – we are very pleased with what’s come on to the Australian market this year.”
On the Best Small Car, the Mazda2 Neo, Mr Spalding said the car provided all the attributes consumers were looking for in today’s small car category.
“The Mazda is an affordable price, has good fuel economy, is a ‘zippy’ performer, and actually feels a lot more like an up-market vehicle,” he said. “It is an around-town sort of car with some real quality in it.”
Buyers looking for a mid-size car under $28,000 were spoiled for choice, with more than 30 models in the offing. “Value for money has always been Hyundai’s strength and the category winning Hyundai i30 is no exception,” Mr Spalding said.
“This car has generous equipment levels, competitive running and repair costs and a still-impressive five-year unlimited kilometre warranty. It also provides solid on-road ability, plus the choice of petrol or diesel variants.”
A comprehensive report on Australia’s Best Cars winners will be published in the December edition of the RACQ’s magazine, The Road Ahead. All vehicles assessed can be viewed on www.australiasbestcars.com.au and Australia’s Best Cars magazine will be on sale at newsagents and participating outlets.
AUSTRALIA’S BEST CARS 2008 WINNERS
Best Small Car
Mazda2 Neo
Best Mid-Size Car
under $28,000
Hyundai i30 SX
Best Mid-Size Car
over $28,000
Mazda6 Classic
Best Large Car
Ford FG Falcon XT
Best People Mover
Hyundai iMax
Best Sports Car
BMW 135i Coupe Sport
Best Luxury Sports Car
Audi TT-S TFSI Quattro
Best Prestige Car
Audi A4 TDI
Best Luxury Car
Lexus GS450h
Best Recreational 4WD
Volkswagen Tiguan TDI
Best Luxury 4WD
BMW X5 3.0d
Best All-Terrain 4WD
Land Rover Discovery 3SE TDV6
