2016 Australia's Best Cars

By NRMA Motoring on 23 February 2017
2016 Australia's Best Cars Judges
Car Reviews
Australia's Best Cars, Australia's most comprehensive car awards program, is conducted by the NRMA and six other state auto clubs - RACV, RACQ, RAASA, RACWA, RACT and the AANT.

The 2016 Australia's Best Cars Awards winners have been announced, with a total of 15 cars judged to be the top in their respective categories in the country.

The awards are conducted by expert judges from auto clubs around Australia, including the NRMA.

In addition to the 15 category winners, Australia's Best Cars also selects a Judges' Choice. This award recognises an affordable vehicle (priced under the luxury car tax threshold) that has made the greatest contribution to the Australian market or is deemed as a stand-out winner either through technology, safety, innovation or ability to meet or exceed consumer expectations. It must offer good fuel efficiency relative to its class and perform its intended function well.

In total, 165 cars were assessed this year and, of these, 45 finalists were chosen to undergo rigorous testing over five days.

The result is the nation's most comprehensive guide to buying the best new car. Whether you're looking for a micro city car, a sports car or a dual cab ute, Australia's Best Cars will help ensure you make an informed decision when you buy your next car.

And the 2016 Australia's Best Cars winners are ...

2016 Australia's Best Cars    

2016 Judge's Choice
Mazda6 Touring

mazda6

Best Micro Car
Kia Picanto

Finalists
Suzuki Celerio
Nissan Micra ST

Kia-Picanto-front

Best Light Car
Suzuki Baleno

Finalists
Kia Rio S
Mazda2 Neo

Suzuki-Baleno-front

Best Small Car under $35,000
Kia Cerato

Finalists
Ford Focus Trend
Mazda 3 Maxx

Kia Cerato

Best Small Car over $35,000
BMW 125i Sportline

Finalists
Volvo V40
Mercedes Benz A 180

BMW-125i-Sportline

Best Medium Car under $50,000
Mazda6 Touring

Finalists
Subaru Liberty 2.5i Premium
Kia Optima GT

mazda6

Best Medium Car over $50,000
BMW 330i

Finalists
Mercedes-Benz C200
Jaguar XF 2.0T Prestige

bmw-330i

Best Large Car under $70,000
Hyundai Genesis

Finalists
Holden Commodore SV6
Lexus ES 300h

Hyundai-Genesis

Best Family Wagon
Kia Carnival

Finalists
Honda Odyssey Vti-L
Kia Sorento

Kia-Carnival

Best Sports Car under $50,000
Ford Focus ST

Finalists
Ford Fiesta ST
Renault Clio RS

2016 Ford Focus ST

Best Sports Car $50,000 - $100,000
BMW M240i

Finalists
Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG
Ford Focus RS

BMW-M240i

Best 2WD SUV under $35,000
Mazda CX-3 Maxx

Finalists
Honda HR-V VTI-S
Nissan Qashqai

Mazda CX-3

Best AWD SUV under $50,000
Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium

Finalists
Kia Sportage Platinum
Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport

2016 Subaru Outback

Best AWD SUV $50,000 - $65,000
Land Rover Discovery Sport TD4

Finalists
Kia Sorento Platinum
Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander CRDi

Land-Rover-Discovery-Sport

Best AWD SUV $65,000 - $125,000
Mercedes-Benz GLC 250d

Finalists
Volvo XC90 Inscription
Jaguar F-Pace R-Sport 30d

merc-glc

Best 4x4 Dual Cab Utes
Ford Ranger XLT 3.2

Finalists
Toyota HiLux SR5
Holden Colorado LT

Ford-Ranger