New awards hail NZ’s best

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The BMW iX1 won the best EV small SUV category  

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The GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV was named the best electrified ute  

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Ford’s Ranger was judged the best ute  

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The Chevrolet Corvette took out the best luxury sports car section  

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Chery’s Tiggo 4 was crowned the best affordable small SUV  

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The Ford Transit Custom won best van at the inaugural awards  

BMW has emerged as the big winner in the inaugural CarExpert Choice Awards with five of its models taking out category honours.

The awards, announced at CarExpert.co.nz on July 1, aim to recognise manufacturers delivering “the most compelling new vehicles in the New Zealand market”. 

Contenders for the 21 categories were evaluated by CarExpert’s editorial team against criteria such as safety, comfort, practicality, technology, efficiency, value for money, driving dynamics and overall ownership appeal.

Prize categories cover luxury, affordability, EVs, utility and off-road vehicles, and design. 

The BMW iX1 won the best EV small SUV section and the German brand also took the luxury small SUV crown with its X1. 

BMW’s three other wins were with the X3 in the luxury mid-size SUV section, the X5 for best luxury large SUV and the 3 Series was named best luxury mid-size car. 

Other successful marques included Chery, Ford, Honda, Volvo and Zeekr as they each claimed two category wins.

This is the first time the awards have been held in New Zealand but the annual programme is established in Australia where it recognises manufacturer excellence and provides consumers with independent information over consecutive years. 

Damon Rielly, CarExpert chief executive officer, says: “Competition across virtually every segment has never been stronger. 

“This year's winners showcase a diverse mix of established manufacturers and emerging brands that continue to reshape the competitive landscape through innovation, advanced technology and increasingly strong value propositions. 

“Their success reflects a deep understanding of what today’s motorists value most, from safety and practicality, through to efficiency, technology and overall ownership appeal.” 

The introduction of a New Zealand awards programme is part of CarExpert’s drive to provide manufacturers, distributors and industry stakeholders with an independent benchmark of excellence tailored specifically to the local market.

Mat McNay, CarExpert New Zealand country manager, adds: “The brands recognised in this year's awards should be incredibly proud. Their success reflects a commitment to delivering products that resonate with Kiwi motorists while continuing to raise standards across the industry.

“The inaugural New Zealand programme highlights the depth of competition in today’s market and recognises the manufacturers that are setting the benchmark in their respective segments.” 

Award winners

Best Luxury Small Car: Winner – Honda Civic. Finalists – Volkswagen Golf, BMW 1 Series

Best Luxury Mid-Size Car: Winner – BMW 3 Series. Finalists – Lexus ES, Audi A5

Best Luxury Sports Car: Winner – Chevrolet Corvette. Finalists – BMW M2, Porsche 911

Best Luxury Small SUV: Winner – BMW X1. Finalists – Volvo XC40, Cupra Formentor

Best Luxury Mid-Size SUV: Winner – BMW X3. Finalists – Audi Q5, Volvo XC60

Best Luxury Large SUV: Winner – BMW X5. Finalists – Porsche Cayenne, Lexus RX

Best Luxury PHEV SUV: Winner – Volvo XC90. Finalists – Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5

Best Affordable Small SUV: Winner – Chery Tiggo 4. Finalists – Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona

Best Affordable Mid-Size SUV: Winner – Honda CR-V. Finalists – Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson

Best Affordable Large SUV: Winner – Hyundai Santa Fe. Finalists – Skoda Kodiaq, Kia Sorento

Best Affordable PHEV SUV: Winner – BYD Sealion 6. Finalists – MG HS, GWM Haval H6

Best Affordable Mid-Size Car: Winner – Skoda Octavia. Finalist – Toyota Camry

Best EV Small SUV: Winner – BMW iX1. Finalists – Leapmotor B10, Kia EV3

Best EV Mid-Size SUV: Winner – Zeekr X7. Finalists – Tesla Model Y, Skoda Elroq

Best Luxury EV: Winner – Volvo EX90. Finalists – Porsche Macan, BMW i5

Best Electrified Ute: Winner – GWM Cannon Alpha. Finalists – Ford Ranger, BYD Shark 6

Best Van: Winner – Ford Transit Custom. Finalists – Volkswagen Transporter, Hyundai Staria Load

Best Ute: Winner – Ford Ranger. Finalists – Kia Tasman, Volkswagen Amarok

Best People Mover: Winner – Zeekr 009. Finalists – Ford Tourneo, Kia Carnival

Best Off-Road SUV: Winner – Land Rover Defender. Finalists – Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Ford Everest

Best Design: Winner – Chery Stockman. Finalists – Honda Prelude, BMW iX3