Mondeo judged best medium car over $28K

Australia's motoring associations announced the winners of 'Australia's Best Cars' awards for this year at a ceremony held in Melbourne last night.

Probably the most anticipated award for the night was the category of best mid-size car over $28,000, with the Ford Mondeo taking the honour. Mondeo was the one shining star for Ford, with the Falcon not even being named as a finalist in the large car category.

'Australia's Best Cars' is an annual award ceremony supported by state motoring associations (NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAASA, RACWA, RACT and AANT) and the Australia Automobile Association.

Vehicles are assessed across twelve categories and three finalists are chosen for each category. This year, the 36 finalists were chosen from 250 new cars.

At the awards ceremony, held in Melbourne December 4, Executive Director of the AAA, Mike Harris, said: "AAA and Australia's auto clubs represent more than 6.5 million members and these awards provide them -- and all motorists -- with an independent program that recognises vehicles for the safety, comfort, value for money and other important features they provide drivers and passengers."

Representing the RAA in the judging, Mark Borlace settled on the Mondeo as an example of continuing improvement in the market place.

"While the Mondeo name will be familiar to many people, the all-new model comes with class-winning build, comfort and safety features. It has beaten well-established names like the Volkswagen Jetta and Honda Euro," said Mr Borlace.

BMW, Honda, Lexus and Volkswagen all scored multiple hits at the awards.

'Australia's Best Cars' categories don't conform to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries' VFACTS segments, but are arguably closer to the general public's perceptions of vehicle classification. All the candidate vehicles, winners and the review process will feature in the 2008 edition of 'Australia's Best Cars' magazine, which goes on sale from December 7.

The award winners and runners-up are listed by category, as follows:

Best Small Car: Volkswagen Polo TDI ($22,990)
Mazda2 Neo 1.5 ($16,500)
Toyota Yaris YRS 1.5 ($16,990)

Best Mid-size Car under $28,000:  Honda Civic VTi 1.8 ($21,490)
Hyundai i30 CRDi 1.6, ($21,490)
Toyota Corolla Ascent 1.8 ($20,990)

Best Mid-size Car over $28,000: Ford Mondeo TDCi 5-door 2.0 diesel ($37,990)
Volkswagen Jetta TDI ($37,790)
Honda Accord Euro Luxury 2.4 ($42,990)

Best Large Car:  Toyota Aurion AT-X 3.5 ($34,990)
Mitsubishi 380 ES 3.8 ($30,990)
Holden Commodore Omega 3.6 ($34,990)

Best People Mover: Honda Odyssey Luxury 2.4 ($45,790)
Toyota Kluger KX-R, 2WD, 7 seat, 3.5 ($42,490)
Mitsubishi Grandis VRX 2.4 ($43,000)

Best Sports Car: Volkswagen Golf R32 3.2 DSG ($58,790)
Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0 manual ($39,990)
Subaru Impreza WRX 2.5 manual ($39,990)

Best Luxury Sports Car: BMW M3 Coupe 4.0 V8 ($156,000)
Audi RS 4 Quattro 4-door 4.2 ($164,500)
BMW 335i Coupe 3.0 ($108,900)

Best Prestige Car: Lexus IS250 2.5 ($56,990)
Subaru Liberty 3.0R ($50,990)
Honda Legend 3.5 ($74,500)

Best Luxury Car: Lexus GS450h 3.5 CVT ($121,964)
Audi A6 TDI Quattro 3.0 auto ($99,900)
Lexus LS 460 4.6 auto ($184,874)

Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive: Nissan X-Trail ST 2.5 ($33,990)
Honda CR-V 2.4 ($33,990)
Toyota Kluger KX-R, AWD 3.5 ($44,490)

Best Luxury Four Wheel Drive:  BMW X5 Diesel 3.0 auto ($86,800)
Lexus RX400h 3.3 CVT ($94,074)
Lexus RX350 Sports Luxury 3.5 auto ($85,374)

Best All Terrain Four Wheel Drive: Land Rover Discovery 3 SE TDV6 ($74,990)
Mitsubishi Pajero VRX CDi 3.2 ($59,590)
Toyota Prado GXL 3.0 Diesel ($57,790)