First ever tie for Australias Best Cars

Mazdas sporty RX8 and Subarus Impreza WRX share best sports car category honours in this years Australias Best Cars national motoring award.
This is the first ever tie for the awards which are run by NRMA
Motoring & Services in partnership with motoring clubs from
around Australia.
Other highlights of this year's awards include first ever
wins for luxury marques Lexus and Audi and three awards each for
Toyota and Subaru.
NRMA's Vehicle Policy Specialist Mr Jack Haley, said
Australia's Best Carsare the nation's most consumer
focused motoring awards. The awards are judged using a unique
objective scoring system and take into account value for money,
design and function, and on the road perfromance.
"Due to the objective scoring system the Subaru Impreza WRX
and Mazda RX8 are so close in points that it comes down to personal
taste. While they don't perform in exactly the same way and their
designs are quite different both are good enough for the award," Mr
Haley said.
"Similarly the Toyota Prado GXL diesel was the winner in the
All Terrain class, but the petrol version also scored highly."
The Ford Falcon BA - XT makes it back-to-back wins in the
Family Car category. Mazda also had back-to-back wins - and it's
second 2003 award - with the Mazda 6 Classic in the best Mid-size
over $28,000 class.
Subaru Impreza GX takes the Mid-size under $28,000 category
while Toyota Avensis GLX was the Best People Mover with consecutive
wins.
Honda Accord V6 won the Luxury under $57,000 category while
Audi A8's win in the Luxury over $57,000 category is its first in
Australia's Best Cars. At the other end of the
affordability scale, Hyundai Getz edged out last year's winner
Renault Clio in the Best Small Car category.
Lexus RX330 Sport won the Luxury Four Wheel drive class, a
first for this model, while Subaru Forester X took out the
Recreational Four Wheel Drive category.
The car that sets the pace in the Best Sports car over
$57,000 award remains the BMW M3, untouchable three years in a row.
Representatives from all of Australia's motoring clubs
including NRMA, RACV, RACT, RACQ, RAASA, RACWA and AANT judge
Australia's Best Cars.
2003 Australia's Best Cars WinnersBest Small CarHyundai Getz GL 3D
Best Sports Car Over $57,000BMW M3
Best Mid Size Car Under $28,000Subaru Impreza GX
Best Luxury Car Under $57,000Honda Accord V6
Best Mid Size Car Over $28,000Mazda 6 Classic
Best Luxury Car Over $57,000Audi A8 3.7 Quattro
Best Family CarFord Falcon BA-XT
Best Recreational Four Wheel DriveSubaru Forester X
Best People MoverToyota Avensis GLX
Best Luxury Four Wheel Drive Over $45,000Lexus RX330 Sport
Best Sports Car Under $57,000Subaru Impreza WRX
Mazda RX8
Best All-Terrain Four Wheel DriveToyota Prado GXL