BMW H2R Hydrogen Record Racecar

The best car in New Zealand has been unveiled and there were a few surprises in store for those who think size is everything.

Car-makers are cottoning on to a changing market where being small, smart and efficient counts.

Whether it is performance, style or safety that catches your eye in a car, there is a new consideration that is driving manufacturers – size.

Large cars have dominated the AA Motoring Excellence Awards since they began, but that is all changing, with more smaller cars and a lot more diesel vehicles.

“I think there’s more awareness of fuel efficiency and the environment and manufacturers are now changing their vehicles to suit those conditions,” says Stella Stocks, technical manager from the Automobile Association (AA).

13 winners were announced out of 89 entries, including a double triumph for a car that used to be a figure of fun, but keeps on going from strength-to-strength.

The Skoda Roomster won best compact car and the Skoda Octavia Scout was best small crossover car.

If safety is your thing, then you might want to take a look at the Subaru Impreza.

It won the award thanks to its five star score for occupant safety and it’s the first vehicle to win a maximum four stars for pedestrian protection.

“Often what you find is that the safety features are on the top of the range. But with this model it’s across the whole range, so that’s a really good result,” Stocks says.

The environmental award went to the VW Bluemotion.

But what everyone really wants to know is this year’s supreme winner.

A good year for Subaru and if you want to get your hands on its winning top of the range Impreza you’ll need to fork out just under $65,000.