The Kia EV9 has been named Australia’s best motor vehicle in the annual 2024 Drive Car of the Year awards.
The fully electric seven-seater SUV also took out the title of the best family electric car under $100,000.Drive.com.au’s director of content James Ward said the EV9 had the space and equipment of any large SUV, with the added benefit of being electric.
“Anything your family wants to do this car will answer,” Ward said.
The annual awards recognised stand-out vehicles across 18 different categories, with those in the top of their class proving electric and tech are big in 2024.
“This is the first year that we’ve been able to say electric and affordable in the same sentence,” Ward said.
If it’s space for a growing family you’re after, the Kia Carnival wins best family car under $80,000.
Drive.com.au consumer editor Susannah Guthrie said for families on a budget, the Carnival was a no-brainer.
“It also takes home the official prize of most child seats at once, so you can fit five child seats at the one time in this vehicle,” she said.
“Plus you throw in that really frugal diesel engine, it’s going to mean less trips to the petrol station as well.”
Australia’s best-selling car, the Ford Ranger, also made the list this year, taking out best dual cab Ute over $50,000.
“It’s a great work ute, it’s a great adventure ute, it’s a great family ute and I tell you what as a jack of all trades car, the ranger still has it,” Ward said.
There’s a new kid on the block too and it’s marked its entry into the awards, taking out two categories.
The MG4 won best urban and best electric car under $50,000.
“It is a brilliant way for people to electric for the first time, makes a great second car, makes a great city car,” Ward said.
And if budget is on your mind, Drive has a winner for that too in the Volkswagen Polo – awarded best urban car under $30,000.
“This is the sort of car, if you’re on a budget and you want something new that’s a bit nice, that’s going to look after you Polo is still a ripper place to start,” Ward said.
The Polo has had a full equipment upgrade including front and rear parking sensors.
Read Drive’s full list of winners here.
9NEWS
