The Subaru Forester Premium has been announced as a category winner and second overall in the AMI NZ Autocar Car of the Year awards today.
This family-friendly model already has an impressive trophy haul, despite only being lauched in August last year, and can now add the AMI NZ Autocar Car of the Year $45,000 - $60,000 prize to its honour’s list.
Now in its 25th year, the AMI NZ Autocar Car of the Year awards are decided after a range of vehicles are tested and given an overall score out of 100 throughout 2018. The same rating system is used on the final judging day, which took place on February 12th in Auckland. Those vehicles with the highest scores at the end of the year are awarded class wins.
The judges had high-praise for the new fifth-generation Subaru Forester, with their comments as follows.
“The Forester is purpose-built for New Zealanders who want to get out and see this great country. There's a spacious, feature-packed cabin while Subaru's AWD underpinnings give it the ability to go further. Yet it's still right at home in the city where it comforts occupants and keeps them safe with its myriad safety features. And it's got a great price tag too.”
In fact, despite winning the $45-60K category, the Forester 2.5 Sport pricing starts from $39,990. However, due to the Premium ($47,490) specification level Forester that the NZ Autocar Team tested, the Forester won in a higher category.
NZ Autocar editor and head judge, Kyle Cassidy, says: “The six category winners are chosen from more than 130 vehicles tested and come together for the final back-to-back drive-off around rural Clevedon in south Auckland, to determine the overall winner.”
“On the day each vehicle is scored on aspects of design, performance, driving dynamics, practicality and value, with a maximum of 100 points available.”
“The scoring system is weighted towards a vehicle’s particular strength in order that a supermini can be compared fairly with a six-figure luxury contender,” Cassidy adds.
Another award for the Forester was welcomed by Subaru of New Zealand Managing Director Wallis Dumper, who always picked this packed-with-technology SUV would be a winner with Kiwis.
“I first saw this latest generation Forester in Japan when it was still a concept model and even from that early stage I knew it was going to be popular. Its real stand-out feature is the class-leading Driver Monitoring System, which uses facial recognition software to personalise the driving experience for up to five drivers, and it also monitors distractions while driving. Yet, despite the high standard of technology, we managed to keep the price at a level that is appealing to Kiwis, who want a safe, capable All-Wheel Drive Subaru SUV,” Mr Dumper says.
The AMI NZ Autocar Car of the Year category award is the fifth accolade for the Subaru Forester, which was named as the 2018 New Zealand Car of the Year by the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild in December last year. It also won the AA Driven New Zealand Car of the Year Best in Class Medium SUV; was bestowed with the NZ4WD Magazine Medium 4WD SUV of the Year 2018 honours; and in October, 2018, Forester won the 2018 Stuff Motoring Top Medium SUV.
Catherine Pattison
Public Relations
Subaru of New Zealand
M +64 (0)27 44 55 389
E catherine.pattison@subaru.co.nz
subaru.co.nz