An all-electric sports utility vehicle which sells for more than $130,000 and attracted less than a dozen buyers last year has won the coveted Wheels magazine Car of the Year Award.
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The Mercedes Benz EQC beat another all-electric car, the Tesla Model 3, and more conventional models from Porsche, Toyota and Mazda, to take the title for 2020, considered the most prestigious in Australian motoring.
Wheels said the car's victory reflected the changing landscape in the automotive sector with the "inevitable" transition from petrol to battery power.
"This is an SUV that affords no excuses or apologies, and one that finally refines the electric vehicle formula to such a polished degree that there are no sacrifices to the levels of quality, luxury and usability customers expect at this price point," Wheels editor Alex Inwood said.
"That's the masterstroke that's been missing until now."
He said the car also happened to be the best-riding SUV Mercedes Benz had ever made, and one of the safest vehicles in this year's field.
"Ultimately, the EQC delivered the highest score against our tough criteria of function, efficiency, technology, safety and value," Mr Inwood said.
The EQC has a range of more than 350 kilometres and scored a high five-star safety rating based on crash tests conducted by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program.
The judges also noted that its $137,900 price tag was a "significant ask" which diluted its outright value proposition.
But they said that compared to its direct competitors the EQC was either cheaper or better equipped, or both.
It beat the Tesla, the Porsche 911 sportscar, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the new Mazda 3 to take out the Wheels award which is now 57th year.
The car's win was the fourth for Mercedes Benz and the manufacturer's first since 2007 when its C-Class model took the title.
Fifty vehicles were initially considered for the 2020 crown, with that number reduced to 31 before the five finalists were selected.
In other awards, 4X4 Australia magazine named the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon the four-wheel-drive of the year while the $265,000 Porsche 911 Carrera S won Motor Magazine's performance car of the year.
The Tesla Model 3 won the WhichCar style award, essentially making it the "coolest car to have in your driveway".
"Even though we all talk about fuel economy and various other features, let's be honest, one of the most serious considerations we all have is how we'll look in the car, and how it will look in our driveway," WhichCar content director Glenn Butler said.
Australian Associated Press
