Four EVs recognised in 2024 NZ Autocar Car of the Year awards

The BYD Shark 6 has won the overall 2024 New Zealand Autocar Car of the Year award.

The new plug-in hybrid double cab was judged as a class winner – picking up the Ute of the Year prize – while also winning the overall Car of the Year award, edging out the other class finalists.

“The Shark 6 is something completely different for the ute market in New Zealand, something we had to recognise with a class win here. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain will impress all those who are courageous enough to try it out,” NZ Autocar editor Kyle Cassidy says.

“With a combined 321 kW and 650 Nm of torque, it’s quicker than all the diesel-powered utes on the market, yet the power rolls on smoothly and quietly, with greatly reduced emissions.”

BYD New Zealand welcomed the win, the second for the brand following the Atto 3 taking the award in 2022.

“We are thrilled to accept this prestigious award for the BYD Shark 6. This recognition is a testament to BYD’s unwavering commitment to innovation, safety, and quality. The BYD Shark 6 meets the needs of Kiwi drivers, offering practicality, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology that truly makes sense for our lifestyles,” BYD NZ head of marketing Sarah Willliams.

During the final assessment, the panel of five judges was impressed by the quality of the interior, the amount of gear on board, and just how practical it was, given the cabin space and the big tray out back.

“The interior is SUV quality, and Shark is loaded to the gunwales with tech.”

Judges couldn’t ignore the value of the offer. The spec list is long and has a lot of metal for the money, backed up by a strong warranty. Thanks to a good battery range and a reasonably economical hybrid mode, it will do the job without burning through so much fuel.

In addition to the Shark 6’s crowning achievement, the judging panel recognised a diverse range of models across multiple classes, showcasing the breadth of innovation in today’s market.

Porsche’s fully electric Macan took the Premium award, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N won the Performance and Kia’s EV5 impressed in the EV category

NZ Autocar Car of the Year Class Winners

Premium – Porsche Macan
The Macan is now fully electric, and such a powertrain suits a premium vehicle: immensely powerful, yet utterly refined and quiet. And being a Porsche, ample performance is a given, as is the interior build and execution. Importantly, this remains right at the pointy end of vehicle dynamics for an SUV.
Highly Recommended – Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Lexus LBX

Performance – Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Hyundai has set out to convince doubters that an electric car can deliver an immersive, emotional, and connected drive with its Ioniq 5 N, and it has succeeded. The performance credentials of this 478 kW monster are enough to haunt $250k European sports cars. It’s an engaging drive, yet also immensely refined, and emits no tailpipe emissions.
Highly Recommended – Volkswagen Golf GTi, Nissan Z Nismo

EV – Kia EV5
We liked the new EV5’s inspired styling, while the electric SUV doesn’t skimp on safety and driver-assistance features. The EV5 is a carefully considered package that prioritises practicality and technology without going overboard, while few can match its considerable range.
Highly Recommended – Leapmotor C10, Audi Q6

Ute – BYD Shark 6
The Shark 6 stands out in the ute segment with its plug-in hybrid powertrain delivering a combined 321 kW and 650 Nm of torque. It’s quicker off the mark than conventional diesel-powered utes, yet operates more quietly and cleanly. Judges praised its refined, SUV-like interior, extensive features, and highly practical load-carrying capability. With a smooth, efficient drivetrain and reduced emissions, the BYD Shark 6 sets a new standard for Kiwi ute buyers.
Highly Recommended – GWM Cannon Alpha, Mitsubishi Triton

A note about the NZ Autocar COTY Awards

Cars eligible are those new models introduced in the past 12 months. The class winners were gathered together for a final back-to-back test and assessed by a panel of five judges to declare a winner. Points for consideration include a vehicle’s overall value, specification, and level of after-sales service. Dynamics are important, as is performance, but this must be balanced with the impact on local air quality. Safety is vital, as is practicality — it has to be user-friendly.