Holden takes best family car award

HOLDEN has emerged the biggest winner from the inaugural Australia's Best Cars awards, conducted by the combined state-based motoring clubs.

The newly launched VX Commodore Acclaim picked up the Best Family Car gong, ahead of the TJ Mitsubishi Magna and Toyota's Avalon, while the Astra was judged best mid-sized car under $25,000, edging out the new Pulsar.

Mitsubishi was the only other car-maker to win more than one category. The total list of winners was: Best Small Car: Hyundai Accent Best Mid-Size Car under $25,000: Holden Astra Best Mid-Size car over $25,000: Subaru Liberty RX Best People-Mover: Mitsubishi Nimbus Best Family Car: Holden VX Commodore Acclaim Best Sports Car: Honda S2000 Best Luxury Car under $56,000: Volkswagen Passat V6 sedan Best Luxury Car over $56,000: Mercedes-Benz E320 Elegance Best Recreational Vehicle: Subaru Forester Limited Best Four-Wheel Drive: Mitsubishi Pajero 3.5-litre V6 GLS The award is judged by the RACV, NRMA, RAASA, RACQ, RACT, RANT and RACWA. It followed the merger in 1999 of RACV and NRMA's car award programs.

The judging for Australia's Best Cars was based on the purchasing criteria identified from consumer calls, from new car buyer survey results and the motoring clubs' year-round extensive road testing programs.

Australia's Best Cars contenders were scored on the areas buyers identified as important to them. These include safety, price, running costs, comfort, performance, security and retained value. The Commodore Acclaim scored solidly against each of the 18 criteria, earning the maximum score of five in two instances and four in nine others.

Ford's beleagured Falcon failed to make the final judging list.