There are three main scoring criteria, each with sub-categories:
 

  —  Pricing
  —  Depreciation Cost
  —  Fuel Consumption
  —  Running and Repair Costs
  —  Warranty
  —  Standard Features

  —  Safety
  —  Security
  —  Environment
  —  Comfort
  —  Space
  —  Practicality
  —  Ergonomics
  —  Build Quality and Finish

  —  Performance
  —  Ride
  —  Handling
  —  Braking
  —  Smoothness and Quietness
  —  4WD Ability

New vehicles are evaluated throughout the year according to standard road test procedures and are given a score of between one to ten in each of the above criteria, with ten being well above average and one being well below average. Those criteria are then weighted according to each one's importance to buyers in that particular market segment. The weightings ranged from critical (1.0) to low (0.2)

Each car's final score is then crunched by customised software to get an overall score out of ten.

The three highest scoring cars in each category will make it to the final judging each year, where nine judges take five days to choose the winners.

The judges, representing Motoring Clubs from around Australia drive each contender back to back, checking and reassessing the scores. The recreational and 4WD vehicles are put through additional testing over unsealed roads plus some serious all-terrain work.

Tell me more