SUVs to the fore in finalists for NZ Car of the Year award

The 10 vehicles that are NZ Car of the Year finalist in the AA/Guild annual awards. Photo / Supplied

Reflecting the high demand for the vehicles, six SUVs are among the finalists for this year's New Zealand Car of the Year title.

The New Zealand Automobile Association and the New Zealand Motoring Writers' Guild will announce the Car of the Year at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland on December 4.

Members of the guild and AA judges who have driven the top 10 cars will independently rank each of them on several elements including value, design and quality.

The top scorer will become the 2014 New Zealand Car of the Year.

AA Motoring Services general manager Stella Stocks said this year's top 10 line-up reflected continuing growth in the SUV segment and an intensive year of new model launches.

"The six SUVs in the top 10 cover a big range from the relatively mainstream vehicle like the Nissan Qashqai to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which uses cutting-edge technology to provide excellent

fuel efficiency alongside the luxurious Range Rover Sport," said Stocks.