VAG and Toyota Clean up in 2006 Drive Car of the Year Awards

The expert team of motoring journalists at drive.com.au, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age test hundreds of new cars every year, and have pooled their automotive knowledge to nominate the four best cars in each of 12 major categories.

Those 48 nominees were scrutinised minutely and tested exhaustively by a panel of some of the most experienced judges in Australia over six long days and nights.

More than 20,000km were covered throughout the week across a broad range of disciplines that encompassed everything from roundabouts and 40km/h school zones to freeway driving and dynamic exercises in a controlled environment.

One winner was chosen in each category; the vehicle that offers the best overall package and measures up the strongest against Drive's five criteria.

And while all 12 winners are the best in their class, one car was deemed the first among equals. It was given the ultimate glory and named the 2006 Drive Car of the Year…

The drive Car of The Year is the Audi TT

Best Small Car under $20,000 is the Toyota Yaris

Best Small Car over $20,000 is the Mazda 3 Maxx Sport

Best Medium Car is the Honda Accord Euro

Best Large Car is the Toyota Aurion

Best Luxury Car under $60,000 is the Lexus IS250

Best Luxury Car over $60,000 is the Mercedes-Benz S500

Best Performance Car under $60,000 is the Volkswagen Golf GTi

Best Performance Car over $60,000 is the Audi TT

Best Convertible is the Mazda MX-5

Best People-mover is the Honda Odyssey

Best 4WD under $40,000 is the Toyota RAV4

Best 4WD over $40,000 is the Audi Q7

People's choice award is the Commodore SS-V

See all of the contenders after the jump:



Full 2006 LA Auto Show photos (click the link below)

2006 LA Auto Show Photo Gallery

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SSP350 - 11/30/2006 12:38:57 PM

+3 Boost

No BMW's, huh?

DallasMR2 - 11/30/2006 1:23:04 PM

-4 Boost

i'm sorry...i love the GTI and all...but best performance car under $60k???? i don't think so.

also...considering how the Yaris has been panned in reviews i really don't see how it can be the best car under $20k.

monkeyrun - 11/30/2006 2:24:01 PM

-5 Boost

Did you ever drive the new GTI ?

For 30k, I don't think anything could even touch it remotely.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/30/2006 2:32:46 PM

-7 Boost

Except the A3. That's the one car that drives better, and has a similar price. And that's why it's funny that they're both here in America.

I drove both before I bought the A3. The GTI is fun, but oddly, not as lithe as the A3.

dsch_iter - 11/30/2006 4:26:45 PM

-3 Boost

20,000 Australian dollar = 15,664 U.S. dollars, so it does make sense.

DallasMR2 - 11/30/2006 2:38:47 PM

+3 Boost

yes, i have driven the GTI...and to be honest i like the Civic Si better, albeit by a small margin. i'm just saying that for $60k there are TONS of better performance cars out there!

Rupert - 11/30/2006 3:02:52 PM

+3 Boost

this is australia, so they may not get as many models as the americans do. but don't forget this is an overall package, not outright performance.

Homer008 - 11/30/2006 2:53:20 PM

-1 Boost

-Best Luxury Car under $60,000 is the Lexus IS250.
Nice job again, Lexus.

BMW_DRVR - 11/30/2006 4:02:21 PM

-4 Boost

This says nothing at all because the Audi TT sucks. So i am forced to call this one BULLS**T

rocker - 11/30/2006 4:36:13 PM

+4 Boost

No, don't hold back, tell us what you really think.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/30/2006 4:55:58 PM

-2 Boost

Yes, BMW_FAN, and in your infinite wisdom, I'm sure you already know how the 2008 Audi TT drives.

matt635 - 11/30/2006 7:11:15 PM

-7 Boost

well when the 335Ci is a contender in the sub $60 Luxury car class, I'm not suprised at the rest of the results... does it make sense? no.

Does nybody here really care? no.

Are there going to be a load of flame-posts about who's best? yes.

Is there too much lexus advertising on Autospies? probably.

Are the too many idiots an Autospies? defiantley.

Just afew things I think needed to be said, now is as good a time as any I guess.

delan - 12/1/2006 1:09:55 AM

+3 Boost

"Are the too many idiots an Autospies? defiantley."

Oh, the irony!

BMW530i - 11/30/2006 7:41:37 PM

+1 Boost

The Lexus IS250 might be a good luxury car, but it's underpowered. Every review I've read has stated that. ;)

Rupert - 12/1/2006 1:39:47 PM

+1 Boost

better....a word used by many people and often not understood.

chewy - 11/30/2006 11:29:56 PM

-1 Boost

People, cars is Australia cost a lot more than in US. Almost double the price. So a 30k GTI here is 60k in Australia.

Still VAG is in the house winning.