Car News Articles

It’s very rare that a group of nine motoring journalists drive 46 cars and come to the same conclusion about which is best.

But that’s what happened at this year’s Car of the Year, where the discussions about the overall winner were tamer than a meeting of the local historical society.

So why did it win so convincingly? The answer lies underneath the bonnet.

It had the smallest capacity engine of the entire field (a 1.4-litre the same size as the Ford Fiesta) but was quicker in the 0-100km/h sprint than three of the four six-cylinder family cars.

Compared with the Mazda3, a quality competitor that has won the small car category for three years running, its numbers are even more impressive. It was more than two seconds quicker in the 0-100km/h sprint, but uses roughly 20 per cent less fuel by the official label.

Inside, it feels a class above the opposition, while on the road it is comfortable and composed, with accurate steering and predictable handling. It also managed one of the highest occupant protection scores in independent NCAP crash testing.

As an all-rounder, it’s in the Adam Gilchrist class.

The Golf’s 1.4-litre engine also points to the future. Its rare combination of turbocharging and supercharging is an innovative answer to the problem of global warming and changing consumer attitudes to conspicuous consumption.

Others are following VW’s lead, using forced induction to extract more power from fewer cylinders to meet stringent new emission laws around the globe.

The Golf beat a total field of 46 cars, including 13 other category winners, to scoop the prize.

So what of the other category winners?

The BMW 135i coupe and Holden SS ute were ruled ineligible because they were carryover category winners from last year and didn’t win the main 2008 prize.

Four judges voted against the Mazda6 in its category and they argued it wasn’t good enough for the major gong.

The Porsche Boxster and Volvo XC60 also narrowly won their categories and didn’t have much backing for the overall prize. Honda’s Odyssey didn’t make the cut because some judges felt the cabin had taken a step backwards against the previous model.

The Volkswagen GTI lost out because the judges thought the 118TSI was better value, while the Ford Fiesta’s breathless automatic version cost it a place in the final.

Jaguar’s XF missed out because while all the judges were impressed by its new 3.0-litre diesel, none were impressed by the hefty price rise that came with it.

Volkswagen’s Passat was cruelled by a lack of rear head and leg room, while some cabin foibles cost the Land Rover Discovery a win. The Outback won admirers for its cavernous interior and punchy yet frugal four-cylinder engine, but lost them with its hard cabin plastics and awkward looking exterior.

The Nissan Maxima’s incredible value proposition and its surprisingly spirited 2.5-litre V6 were impressive, but it lacked the fun factor to be an overall winner.

In the end, the Golf’s hot hatch thrills, fuel efficiency and cabin quality added up to a winning formula.

Not everyone will agree with the result, but we’re confident we’ve got it right. What do you think?