Recognised for excellence

This morning’s announcement of the 2017 carsales Car of the Year awards has seen Audi triumph in two categories, taking out the Best SUV over $50,000 with the new Audi Q5, and the A4 has again impressed the carsales judges, winning the Best Luxury Car under $100,000 for the second year in a row.

The carsales Car of the Year awards are recognised as one of of the country’s leading automotive award programs, exhaustively testing all new vehicles available for sale in Australia up until September 1st, before whittling down the various contenders in their respective categories for further testing and evaluation. 

The categories are based on commonly searched vehicle lifestyle segments and align with search options on the carsales website and a shortlist of finalists from throughout the year are selected based on a number of lifestyle and segment criteria and extensive road testing in a variety of real life conditions.

From here, the experienced team of experts apply the stringent industry standards to each vehicle to arrive at category finalists that ‘define excellence, innovation, class-leading safety, performance and value for money’.

Indeed the carsales awards are unique in that they not only look at the key vehicle factors such as performance, safety, comfort and equipment, but also place importance on real world considerations such as running costs, retained value and affordability assessments.

The combination of this stringent criteria and critical evaluation and testing determines the winners to these coveted awards. 

Audi A4 – Best Luxury Car under $100,000 2017

Backing up its win in the same category last year, the Audi A4 again impressed the judges across the board in what is one of the most hotly contested segments in the market.

The A4’s combination of luxury ride, efficiency and its suite of safety and driver assistance systems, along with its elegant styling again struck a chord and saw it dominate the class again.

“Audi’s A4 is best in class not only due to its engaging drive and fuel efficiency, but also because it integrates technology and luxury in the most elegant of manners.”

Judges praised the A4’s ‘elegant, understated styling’, the increased power and efficiency of both the petrol and TDI powerplants, as well as the superb ride quality – calling the A4 an ‘impressive all-rounder’. 

The interior too was praised for what carsales described as ‘equal parts technology and elegance’, singling out the impressive Audi virtual cockpit as a highlight in a cabin that was class leading in terms of its design and layout.

The A4 impressed in all areas and was deemed a very deserving winner once again, displaying the characteristics, ride quality, appointment and technology that only years ago would have been the province of vehicles three times more expensive.

Another comprehensive win to the Audi A4.  

Audi Q5 – Best SUV over $50,000 2017

The new Audi Q5 had a lot to live up to after the tremendous success of the original Q5 released in Australia in 2006, but live up to expectation it has, according to the carsales judges. In fact the new Q5 has not only taken up where its predecessor left off, but raised the bar significantly to take the class win for Best SUV over $50,000.

“The latest Q5 is roomy and delivers the driving position and ambience premium SUV shoppers are looking for. With its Virtual Cockpit instrumentation and Audi’s famed cabin attention to detail, there’s also wow factor aplenty.”

The carsales team made special mention of the new quattro with ultra system, which provides all of the outstanding grip and stability of all-wheel drive, with the more efficient fuel use of two-wheel drive.

The Q5’s petrol and TDI powerplants impressed, while also singled out for special mention was the Q5’s stunning interior and additional room afforded occupants as a result of its new modular platform. Additional marks were also awarded for the Q5’s state-of-the-art driver assistance and safety systems which carsales described as being ‘top of the game’. ‘Comfort and refinement are key attributes’ and the combination of all of these factors comfortably put the Audi Q5 out in front to secure the carsales award for 2017.