Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan wins NZ 2024 Car of the Year
Mercedes-Benz NZ general manager Joerg Schmidt.(left) and Robert Barry. Photos: Supplied
Mercedes-Benz New Zealand couldn’t ask for a better Valentine’s Day gift than its E-Class sedan taking out the award for 2024 Motoring Writer’s Guild Car of the Year.
Facing tough competition, the E-Class beat 10 rival finalists to lift the trophy, awarded by the professional body for motoring media from around the country, including AutoMuse’s Liz Dobson
The previous generation E-Class won the 2016 title for NZ Motoring Writers’ Guild COTY and the latest generation was awarded the “Best Performer” in 2024 by the European NCAP safety assessors.
“World-leading safety credentials are but one of many features that helped the new E-Class stand out from very talented rivals for our 2024 Car of the Year crown,” says NZ Motoring Writers’ president Robert Barry.
“In an era when many new cars feature blunt, assertive styling, the E-Class is sleekly styled to achieve top-tier aerodynamic efficiency. This and its mild-hybrid powertrain optimise fuel efficiency, but not at the expense of performance, which is more than adequate to fill its brief as an effortless long-distance tourer,” said Barry.
“Add in outstanding refinement, a sumptuous interior, and the latest in AI-enabled driver support systems, and the E-Class is, above all else, a great all-rounder.”
There were 10 finalists for the 2024 NZ Car of the Year Award
“We are honoured to receive this award and sincerely thank the Guild members for recognising the exceptional qualities of the new E-Class. This accolade is a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to delivering unparalleled design, cutting-edge technology and award-winning safety. We appreciate the Guild’s recognition for everything the new E-Class offers,” said Mercedes-Benz New Zealand general manager, Joerg Schmidt.
The Guild’s voting members tested the vehicles in their home environments across the country, which is essential for providing a ‘real-world’ result. They assessed the finalists on a specified range of criteria, including how the vehicle performs its intended role, its styling, interior design, and accommodation, fit, finish, and quality, ride and refinement, performance, road-holding and handling, value for money, active and passive safety, and environmental responsibility.
The finalists for this year’s award, in alphabetical order, were:
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Santa Fe
Kia EV9
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
MG 3
Polestar 4
Subaru Solterra / Toyota bZ4X
Suzuki Swift
Toyota C-HR
Volvo EX30
