First Annual TMR 'BEST DRIVE, BEST VALUE' Award

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Dec 31, 2008
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THE MOTOR REPORT is proud to launch its first ever ‘Best Drive, Best Value’ Car Awards.

This will be an annual Award, conferred each New Year’s Eve and granted to the car that, in the view of our road testers and writers, wins on a ‘best drive, best value’ comparison.

This year, the inaugural year of the TMR Awards, there are two categories:

• Best Drive Best Value Light / Small Car

• Best Drive Best Value Medium / Large Car

In each category, both a winner and runner-up will be announced.  Click through for the criteria a car must meet to achieve this award, and for TMR's Best Drive Best Value Awards for 2008.

To be in contention for The Motor Report ‘Best Drive, Best Value’ Award, a car must:

  • Be enjoyable at the wheel
  • Have ample power and sharp driving dynamics
  • Be well-finished inside and out
  • Be comfortable and capable in the driving environment for which it was designed
  • Offer sharp value for money
  • Be a ‘best buy’ in its category for the totality of the package
  • Have been released in the preceding calendar year

So readers, if a car is not good value, if it does not make you feel good when you slide behind the wheel, if it does not bring a smile to your face when driving, then it will not get a look-in to this Award.

What is the ‘Best Value, Best Drive’ light / small car and medium / large car of 2008?

The inaugural winners and runners-up are:

Winner: ‘Best Drive, Best Value’ Light / Small Car

– 2008 Mazda2 3-door

Winner: ‘Best Drive, Best Value’ Medium / Large Car

– 2008 Falcon XR6 Turbo

Runner-up: ‘Best Drive, Best Value’ Light / Small Car

– 2008 Hyundai i30 diesel (auto)

Runner-up: ‘Best Drive, Best Value’ Medium / Large Car

– 2008 Honda Accord Euro 2.4-litre


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Comments

  • say_ahhhh [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    The FG is a banger a cracker and a corker. If only a few more aussies would buy them. Good choice for a winner, particularly the XR6T, what amazing value for money.
  • ThomasR [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    With all due respect lads, you really haven't road tested all that many cars.

    How can you possibly compare the winners to their competitors if you haven't driven them...?

    It's a bit of a half-***d attempt at an award to get attention.
    • gary [reply]
      2 years ago 0 points
      Some inteligent choices made by the TMR guys I think. What cars in these classes are better than the two winners ThomasR?

      The missus has the Mazda2 3-door and I'm more than happy to drive it myself, fantastic little car and clearly a step above the competition or at least it was when we were shopping a few months ago. Dont think much has changed since.
    • Frogger [reply]
      2 years ago 0 points
      I don't disagree with the choices made but it would be nice to see a shortlist of contenders for each category. It would make the award seem more heavily contested and let readers know which cars were given due consideration.
  • jack [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    WTF where is the Sportwagon!!!
    • stevo [reply]
      2 years ago 0 points
      Where it should be...not in the winners circle. FG turbo is much better value.
  • Ellimist [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    With the exception of the honda i don't think any of these cars are particularly good once you get a couple years down the track. I hope you like spare parts.
    • Andy Wana [reply]
      2 years ago 0 points
      And how do you back that claim, my friend?
  • Rick Harris [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    FG XR6 is by far the best car made here by FORD. (not including FPV F6) It has the lot . Bang for your buck nothing comes close and the surprising thing is how economical it is when i drive it normally or on a long trip. It has the looks style inside and out and refinement that should be only for much more expensive cars. It puts a smile on my face everytime i drive it. Sportwagon? Unfortunatley it has all the problems of the VE range. Poor fuel economy average performance and driveline refinement horrible interior and handbrake and poor build quality.
  • Adam [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    +1

    I think the awards have nailed it, although I'm soon buying a Mitsu Lancer Ralliart, the Mazda2 and Ford FG Range are top notch vehicles I'd be looking at if the Ralliart wasn't around.
  • Leon [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    I was considering the Lancer ralliart also, but having owned a lancer before, and the lack of manual option.
    Definitely no go. Could go the Evo, but then its not financially acceptable.
    FG XR6T it is for me, hope the wait isn't too long, since there's no manuals around.
  • macca [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    Wheels has just awarded the Accord Euro their COTY. I wonder what happened to the FG Falcon, maybe Ford wasn't spending enough with News Limited?
    • auto [reply]
      1 year ago 0 points
      forget about the falcon,after all its face lifts,nips and tucks,it is still like the original. maybe ford australia should kidnap the designer of the new ford taurus for a while and he may be able to wake falcons designers out of a deep sleep. recession or not ,they will sell if they are like the taurus.

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