380 puts Mitsubishi on the road to recovery

The Best Car Awards are a joint venture between the NRMA, RACV, RACT, RACQ, RAASA, RACWA and AANT and unlike other motoring awards, are not only open to new models. To win the award the 380 beat the new Hyundai Sonata Elite, BA II Ford Falcon XT, VZ Holden Commodore and Toyota Camry Altise Limited.

Chief judge Ernest Litera says that Mitsubishi had a lot riding on the 380 having spent over $600 million on its development. In the judges' comments, they noted that "Mitsubishi finally has a winning hand after years of spruiking tired models."

To be eligible for one of the 12 categories, a non-limited edition car must be on sale by an October cut-off date and be available for testing by the judges.

Each car is judged on all aspects of ownership from on-road performance, safety, security, space and practicality to servicing, insurance, warranty, pricing, running costs and fuel consumption.

Despite being open to all vehicles on the market, this year there were nine new cars that won their categories, which Litera says demonstrates the health of the Australian market, and underscores the number, quality and choice of vehicles now available to Australian car buyers.

Of the other winners, Honda and Ford both picked up two awards each for the Accord Euro and Odyssey and Focus and Territory respectively while Hyundai picked up the best small car award for the fourth time since the awards started in 2000.

In a sign of the times, the best luxury car award went to a diesel-engined passenger car, Audi's A6 Tdi Quattro.

For full results see www.australiasbestcars.com.au

Best Car Category Winners

Best Small Car -    Hyundai Getz 1.6 3-door
Best Mid-Size Car under $28,000 -  Ford Focus CL
Best Mid Size Car over $28,000 -  Honda Accord Euro
Best Large Car -    Mitsubishi 380
Best People Mover -    Honda Odyssey Luxury
Best Sports Car under $57,000 -  Volkswagen Golf GTi
Best Sports Car over $57,000 -   Mercedes-Benz CLK 350
Best Luxury Car under $57,000 -  Subaru Liberty 3.0R
Best Luxury Car over $57,000 -   Audi A6 TDi Quattro
Best Recreational 4WD -   Ford Territory Ghia
Best Luxury 4WD -    Lexus RX330 Sport
Best 4WD -    Land Rover Discovery 3 SE TDV6