News Corp Australia’s Car of the Year revealed

Our judges have tested more than 100 new cars this year, and after an intensive final round of testing one car reigns supreme. SEE THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS.

Skoda’s new Kamiq has broken the mould to become the first city-focused SUV — and the first three-cylinder car — to win News Corp’s Car of the Year award.

Until now, small SUVs have generally been more expensive yet less accomplished than the popular hatchbacks they’re based on.

The Skoda Kamiq has been crowned the 2020 News Corp Car of the Year. Taken by Thomas Wielecki.

Despite their larger exterior dimensions, they also don’t deliver the cabin space they promise.

But the Kamiq changes the game with a roomy cabin, loads of equipment and a sharp price.

The Skoda won a closely-fought contest, edging Kia’s seven-seat Sorento SUV by a single vote when the verdicts of our seven judges were tallied.

Priced from $29,990 drive-away in automatic form, the Kamiq is competitive against both its rivals and conventional hatchbacks.

It is loaded with gear including a classy digital display in front of the driver, powered tailgate, rear air vents and four USB points spread through the cabin — stuff other brands reserve for more expensive models.

The Skoda triumphed over strong competition from the Kia Sorento and Ford Fiesta ST. Taken by Thomas Wielecki.

Affordable servicing costs and strong projected resale values help its case, while impressive driving manners seal the deal.

Expert tester Toby Hagon said the Skoda “adds a level of maturity and polish to that small SUV category.”

“It’s one of the few of those city SUVs that makes more sense than a hatchback,” he said.

Skoda’s “simply clever” touches helped the Kamiq’s cause. Umbrellas tucked into the doors, a pop-out light that functions as a rechargeable torch, shopping bag hooks and cargo nets make the SUV easy to live with.

The new Kia Sorento lost by only one vote to the Skoda Kamiq. Thomas Wielecki.

Judges praised its willing three-cylinder turbo engine, but were less convinced by its sometimes jerky seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

There were no such problems for another Car of the Year contender, the Volkswagen T-Roc.

The T-Roc’s smoother conventional auto proved popular with judges, who also liked the T-Roc’s attractive looks, strong four-cylinder engine and superior driving dynamics.

The Toyota Yaris Cross took out the best city SUV category. Photo by Thomas Wielecki.

Not so popular was the price, the compact cabin and the cheaper plastics throughout.

Cabin presentation also put paid to the chances of Toyota’s Yaris Cross Hybrid, which felt a little down-market in strong company. A lack of padded armrests spoke of coast-cutting.

Judges were also divided by its hybrid engine.

Thrifty claimed fuel economy of 3.8L/100km is achievable in the real world, and customers don’t need to buy premium unleaded. It’s also cheap to service and will have strong resale values.

But the three-cylinder engine under the bonnet felt coarse and noisy under acceleration compared to polished rivals.

Audi’s new A4 was crowned the best sedan. Photo by Thomas Wielecki.

At home in the city, the Yaris felt less suited to country roads.

It did do enough to take class victory in the City SUV category from Ford’s Puma, though.

Tested in entry-level trim, the cute little Ford’s sharp cornering ability and willing engine were let down by a jerky dual-clutch auto, poor projected resale values and a compromised cabin layout. There’s less space in the Puma than some rivals, and no air vents or power outlets for back seat occupants.

Audi’s A4 had the opposite problem.

Crisp if unadventurous styling, a beautifully finished cabin and best-in-class infotainment features worked in its favour.

But Audi’s anonymous four-cylinder engine and less than engaging dynamics counted against it, particularly at close to $90,000 drive-away for our 45TFSI quattro test car.

“The A4’s problem is that it’s not as good as the finalist we had last year, the BMW 330i,” Bill McKinnon said.

Ford’s pint-sized performance car came in third. Thomas Wielecki.

Grant Edwards felt the A4 belongs in “the friend zone”, as in “I like it, but I don’t love it”.

It’s fair to say our team were less than impressed by the best cars of 2020.

“This would be the most ordinary collection of cars that has fronted for Car of the Year, by a long way,” McKinnon says.

Two category winners — Isuzu’s D-Max ute and the Mercedes-AMG A45 S performance car — were voted standouts in their class, but too compromised to vie for overall victory.

That’s not the case for the Kia Sorento, which is loaded with toys, safety gear and family friendly touches. It came close to winning our award.

Jules Lucht is a fan.

“I thought it was well thought out,” she said.

“You’ve got USBs and cup holders for everyone, for a long trip with kids it’s just great.”

Iain Curry said “it is the benchmark in the seven-seat SUV class”.

“For value for money I don’t think there’s anything better than that.”

But a lack of full airbag coverage to the third row of seats — a flaw found in most seven-seaters — worked against the Sorento.

In the end the value-for-money equation sealed the win for the Skoda.

CATEGORY WINNERS

Best Small Car – Ford Fiesta ST

Best Sedan – Audi A4

Best City SUV – Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid

Best Small SUV – Skoda Kamiq

Best Large SUV – Kia Sorento

Best Performance Car – Mercedes-Benz A45

Best ute – Isuzu D-Max

PREVIOUS WINNERS

2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

2018 Hyundai i30 N

2017 Skoda Kodiaq

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

2015 Kia Sorento

2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2013 Volkswagen Golf

2012 Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86

2011 Kia Rio

2010 Volkswagen Polo

2009 Volkswagen Golf

2008 Ford Falcon

2007 Hyundai i30

2006 Holden Calais

2005 Suzuki Swift

2004 Ford Territory

2003 Honda Accord Euro

2002 Ford Falcon

2001 Holden Monaro

2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

1999 Toyota Echo

1998 Holden Astra

1997 Holden Commodore

Originally published as News Corp Australia’s Car of the Year revealed