2024 "Actual" People's Choice - Car of The Year

pegaxs on 13/12/2024 - 12:05
Last edited 18/12/2024 - 23:17

Sitting here going through work emails and got sent a link to "Car of the Year" and thought… JFC, here we go again with the paid off actors, what weird cars are the gongs going to this year? Who has paid the most to have their car get an award…

Every year, it is some "out of touch with the common consumer" car that either no one has heard of, no one knows anyone who owns one, or just an outright "yeah, they bought that award"…

  • From Drive, we have COTY '24: Kia EV9 Air, starting at a paltry $106,550 in NSW.
  • From News, we have COTY '24: BYD Shark, a vehicle that has had zero deliveries and no one owns them and expected deliveries are starting around Jan/Feb '25
  • From Wheels, we have COTY ‘24: The Hyundai Ionic 5 N, a cheap, sporty family hot hatch EV… for a measly $124,000 in loose change…

So, I want to know, what is your pick. Not what the numbers tell you, not who sold the most, not the most trusted brand/default answer, what is your honest opinion on what should be the actual overall "Car of the Year"…

NB: It has to be a 2024 vehicle, released in and sold in 2024, not a 2006 burgundy coloured Toyota Camry Altise. Also, if you have some class nominations that you think deserve a nod, ie: best sports car over $400,000, then feel free to add that.

Have added a poll with the current top 10 11 selling vehicles in Australia for 2024 to date… Pick one of them, or nominate your own… If someone posts a car you think deserves the OzB COTY gong, feel free to use their comment as a poll option and give it an upvote.

Poll Options

  • 11
    Ford Ranger
  • 6
    Toyota HiLux
  • 127
    Toyota RAV4
  • 5
    Isuzu Ute D-Max
  • 16
    Mitsubishi Outlander
  • 21
    Toyota Corolla
  • 205
    Tesla Model Y
  • 27
    Mazda CX-5
  • 9
    MG ZS
  • 9
    Ford Everest
  • 4
    Fiat 500e
  • 250
    Other/None of those/See comments
Automotive Car Electric Vehicle Fiat Ford Ford Everest Isuzu Mazda MG Mitsubishi SUV Tesla Inc Toyota Ute

Comments

      • lordofdestruction on 14/12/2024 - 22:26
        +1

        I bought my Y when i saw most Tesla owners are happy with their car. After 6 months ownership, i can say i am happy with my Tesla. Under 4s from 0 to 100 is insanely fun 😁

  • martismo on 14/12/2024 - 15:40
    +4

    MG4 wins on both the upfront cost, decent quality of drive and maintenance and "fuel" costs

  • Sensiekatie on 14/12/2024 - 15:55

    I have been looking at Nissan X-Trail, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Renault Koleos against Toyota RAV4, Honda, Mazda, and even a VW Tiguan Allspace. Haven't test driven any though.

    The Outlander is in stock locally, so that could be a factor in sales for many. A plus for me is Made in Japan (At least the variant I'm looking at). Also the deal for 10.year warranty and at one stage, 10 year capped servicing. As this will most likely be our last vehicle, then a long warranty is a good thing.

    Toyota - none in stock. Some X-trails and Koleos but limited. What we end up with will be the one that is in stock and has The longest warranty, the cargo space for my needs, the easiest to load the specific cargo in, and the easiest to get in and out of with stzxxed knees (I'm allowed to use that term because that is exactly what the doctors called it!).

    We've currently got a Koleos 2014 (with 2 Megane's before that) and were planning to go to Japanese Manufactured as Renault Australia stock very little (though this is not the case overseas) and don't care plus many mechanics don't get the European thinking (even though it's basically an X-Trail, it still has European input). A little over the hassles of updating the navigation (and the cost) and after the last upgrade, Bluetooth connection to phone not working. However the new Koleos still has some things that make us want to look again and they have a 7 year warranty now. The height is just right for easy entry and exit.

    • AngusD on 17/12/2024 - 11:21

      We had a brand new (<200kms on it) Outlander as a rental car for a weekend away about a month ago. It was goddamn awful. It's absolutely huge, but the interior space (particularly boot space, even with the back row of seats folded down) is not especially good, certainly not as much as you'd expect given the size of the car. We had what I assume was (being a rental) a base model, and that engine was woefully underpowered for the size and weight of the car it's trying to drag around. I think there is a PHEV version higher in the range which might have a bit more pep in its step, but even then you're in for a bad time once that battery runs out and you're back to relying solely on the petrol motor. In fact that will probably be worse given the added weight of the electric part of the drivetrain which becomes dead weight once the battery is drained.

      The ride was bloody awful for a car that size and with that kind of ground clearance… even the smallest bumps were bouncing everyone and everything in the cabin around. I have a Nissan 370Z that has a very low, firm right but feels more supple and composed going over a speedbump than the Outlander. The middle row of seats is excruciatingly uncomfortable for longer trips, too. They just feel like a flat, hard, horizontal bench with a similarly straight, hard backrest sticking up at exactly 90 degrees. It might be OK for kids, but we had 4 adults in the car and whoever was in the back at any given time was in desperate need of getting out and having a stretch after an hour. It's possible the higher graded models may have better seats, but the ones in the base model we had were really bad.

      Not recommended.

  • Brick Tamland on 14/12/2024 - 16:31

    Don’t these need to be cars released in 2024 for car of the year? This list is just random cars that have been round for donkeys.

  • djprima on 14/12/2024 - 19:37
    +1

    I think the car of the year isn’t about sales numbers. it’s about innovation and breakthroughs in design, performance, or tech, while still being something most people can afford

    • netjock on 15/12/2024 - 15:54

      Most heheheheh

      Something like bottom 47% of tax payers pay 5% of income tax revenue.

      Adding next 12% makes 15% of tax revenue.

      Might not be exact but there is a column graph the ATO produced as part of stage 3 tax cuts.

  • kool on 14/12/2024 - 21:59

    Model Y, especially for those who have been driving SUVs. It is smooth, quite, fast, spacious. And getting cheaper too.

  • Nippa on 14/12/2024 - 23:19
    +3

    Tesla Model 3 best car I have ever had. However if you MG4 deserves some credit for the value.and 10years warranty.

    Lots of negative EV opinions but I am on a high income and can access the car via a company FBT free.
    Combined with no servicing (22,000km so far not cost except for a puncture tyre and they said it did not need rotating) and 8cent per kw charging via origin energy.

    I love being able to to remotely turn on aircon on a hot day 5 or 10 mins before getting in the car or scheduling to turn on at the end of work.

    The speed and instant effortless one pedal driving makes driving exhilarating..

    It is also just so cheap I have spent approx $380 to travel 22,000km. 3% supercharging and 3% other network/free charging at some hotels and clubs. A recent trip to Wagga had free charging @ 11kwh charging at a great RSL

    The whole waiting hours for a charge is not a thing for us 94% plus done at home.

    I recommend test drive an EV. If it’s a Tesla you will want one. I wish Elon would depart the company however he is holding it back with weird ideas like the cybertruck. When he should have been working on std utes and vans.

    • dealsucker on 15/12/2024 - 09:28

      lol Cybertruck is the largest selling BEV truck in USA but go on and tell Elon to make a standard ute like Rivian/Ford. Its must be hard when a first mover like the F150 Lightning and the Rivian are both spanked by a rank new comer.

      I love how its unlike any other pick up available anywhere across the world or how you could just make it your own by wrapping it up or how i dont have to worry about scratches or dents or even bullets. Its such a giant middle finger to the establishment and the common. There isnt a car that I love more than the CT right now.

      • Euphemistic on 15/12/2024 - 14:10
        -1

        I reckon the cybertruck sales are going to tank after not too long. Once all the fans get one, it wont be a huge seller. The initial sales are likely those that have been hanging out to tell everyone they finally got their cybertruck.

        Its not realy suited to work so fleets are unlikely to buy. Check the tow hitch issues, cant access the side of the tray because the sides are to high, no way of putting a custom toolbox tray on the back etc.

        Plus it just looks stupid to the majority of vehicle buyer.

  • miwahni on 14/12/2024 - 23:31

    There's really nothing on that list that inspires me.
    Flicking through previous Wheels COTY I was surprised to find the LC Torana there. My first car was a 1972 LC and lordy was that car a POS. It was three years old when I got it, paid $1400 for it and spent $1500 fixing it over the next two years, including a full engine replacement.

  • spal on 15/12/2024 - 06:28

    Any thoughts on BMW iX1. Range is not too bad. Now they were offering 0% interest and I believe 4 year free basic service.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 15/12/2024 - 13:32

      There's a reason why they're offering that

  • YoursTruly on 15/12/2024 - 08:26

    Surprised no one mentioned a Volkswagen Tiguan 👍

    • BuDWiZe on 15/12/2024 - 09:40
      +2

      i drove 1 on loan recently way over priced and i actually didnt feel it was that great especially for the money.

      • YoursTruly on 15/12/2024 - 11:14

        Interesting. I find them great to drive and they look good to.

  • SuperMid on 15/12/2024 - 09:00
    -1

    This list should be called the people with no budget car of choice award.

  • Tiredman on 15/12/2024 - 11:36

    Model Y.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 15/12/2024 - 13:32

    Corollas are the oatmeal of the car world

    • netjock on 15/12/2024 - 15:55

      Oats reduce blood pressure if you eat it regularly.

  • ramb9 on 15/12/2024 - 16:59
    -1

    Surprised on all the Model Y votes. Do y'all not think its bumpy af? Suspensions absolute dog sht for the price.

    Maybe next year with the juniper but aint a chance it deserves COTY lol…

    • kool on 15/12/2024 - 19:57

      2023 model had a suspension upgrade. Not bumpy compared to 2022 model. Better than my old CRV 2014.

    • SupeNintendoChalmers on 15/12/2024 - 23:04

      Suspension is horrible, even the 2023 is unacceptable.

      My neighbour bought one and regrets it. Will switch back to the new ionic5 shortly.

      Also, in white it is the ultimate NPC car.

      • ramb9 on 16/12/2024 - 01:45

        I agree, it rides like a golf on coils. Probably has to do with what the buyers upgraded from and the lack of researching or test driving before purchase.

  • fgfash on 15/12/2024 - 17:52

    BMW X7………….

  • WR19ZZ on 15/12/2024 - 18:15

    Mazda CX-60 brand new online 6 engines, great dealer network and support (my experience anyway).

    Not only that, they listened to customers and even retrofitted suspension and gearbox changes.

    Don't get me wrong Rav 4 is an amazing car but I think it's scarcity over COVID is the one of the main reasons for its popularity.

  • thirtysixd on 15/12/2024 - 18:47

    Shark > Innovative, Disruptive, Quality, Good Value

    Rav4 >Toyota badge and reliability based on an early 2000s hilux

    Easy pick!

  • resisting the urge on 16/12/2024 - 06:50

    AU Falcon (with 2024 upgrades- USB ports and a wireless phone charger).

    Yoorak Hunt won't forgive youse all for missing that off ya list, might even call the bikies to come see ya, justifiably!

    • Jamiea on 16/12/2024 - 11:43

      Price/as tested $110,383/$112,383

      (profanity) me

      • Protractor on 16/12/2024 - 12:03

        Not exactly bargain of the year

      • dealsucker on 16/12/2024 - 17:46
        +1

        And its a one trick poney because its extremely inefficient - so much so that the real world range from full battery is less than 300 kms at highway speeds. These car reviewers neither have to live with a car long enough or be objective because they get the advertising dollars from the same companies they review cars for.

        • drprox on 17/12/2024 - 08:16

          It is certainly the downside of the Korean EV twins right now. Not even remotely close to what Byd and certainly not what Tesla (or Merc or Polestar etc) is managing from an efficiency standpoint. Most owners I suspect have rooftop solar so it isn't quite the concern it looks but it isn't great.

        • Euphemistic on 17/12/2024 - 08:56

          Extremely inefficient? Thats pushing it a bit. Sure, its less efficient than others, but 300km of range doesnt sound 'extremely inefficient'. Im sure there are less efficient vehicles on the highway out there

          • dealsucker on 17/12/2024 - 10:18

            @Euphemistic: Yes it is. Look up Bjron range test on youtube. At 120kph, its at around 300wh/km - Model Y Performance which is a much bigger car is around 205wh/km at that speed. Its a huge difference.

            For a car with 80+kwh battery, less than 300 kms from 100 to 0% is indeed poor.

            • Euphemistic on 17/12/2024 - 11:54

              @dealsucker: Its funny how we talk about efficiency for all EVs even when ionic 5n is clearly a performance car. Hardly talk about the fuel economy in a ferrari, its not what its built for.

    • R4 on 17/12/2024 - 00:53
      -1

      The Ioniq 5 is a great N car but so is my i20N - the most fun you can have on the road for just over $40k. Just been facelifted too.

  • kaleidoscope on 16/12/2024 - 15:06

    no love for vw?

  • tonsta on 16/12/2024 - 17:55

    Any Holden ending with an ‘A’

    Camira
    Astra
    Captiva
    Viva

    Golden years for mechanical workshops

  • THICKnSLOW on 17/12/2024 - 06:37

    Toyota Prius plug in hybrid.

  • OG21 on 17/12/2024 - 07:09
    +2

    MG4 EV - ozbargain car of the year!

  • Frosty17 on 17/12/2024 - 11:12

    Surprised no talk about the Volvo XC60/40s. See heaps of them around

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