People's Choice winners

The Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ twins that claimed the 2012 COTY has been voted as Australia’s Overall Best car.

The car took 21 per cent of the votes in the Carsguide.com.au People’s Choice competition – 14 per cent with people who put the Toyota first as the 86/BRZ and 7 per cent with Subaru fans who preferred to select it as the BRZ/86.

From there it was a sizable gap to the Ford Falcon Ecoboost in second place with 11 per cent, and another stretch to the Holden Commodore on 6 per cent. They’d both overtaken the Toyota Camry and also the Mazda CX-5 – which had held second place in the early days of the poll. The Overall Best win crowned a triple success for Toyota, which took out three of the five categories in People’s Choice.

It shared again with Subaru in the Sports/Luxury section, where the 86/BRZ held a strong lead from the start in and crossed the line with 31 per cent, leaving the other contenders to jostle for second place. That became a war among the German brands, with positions changing every week and coming down almost to a photo finish with the Audi RS5 on 19.3 per cent – a nose ahead of the BMW M3 on 19.1.

Toyota also claimed the Best Trade/Commercial segment with the Hilux getting a whopping 40 per cent of the vote, fending off a late rally from the Ford Ranger/Mazda BT50 which finished on 26 per cent. The newest brand to the ute showroom, Volkswagen, saw fourth place for their Amarok with 17 per cent.

Toyota’s Camry forced its way past the Ford Falcon Ecoboost’s earlier lead in the Best Family Car section, with the Camry finishing on 29 per cent to the big Ford’s 27, and the Subaru Liberty on 19 per cent snatching third place from the Holden Commodore on 17.

However Ford had a winner – and the biggest margin – in the Fiesta, which blitzed the Best First Car with 46 per cent of the votes. From there it was a long stretch back to the Hyundai i20 on 22 per cent and the Kia Rio on 15 per cent in third.

Close voting in the Best SUV/Recreational section saw the Subaru Forester gain on the Mazda CX-5, with the two sitting level at the start of the final week. However the Forester put on a burst in the last few days and nudged ahead with 29 per cent, leaving the CX-5 on 27 and several lengths ahead of the third-placed Mitsubishi Pajero on 16 per cent.

BREAKOUT

Winner of the $5000

It was a hard to choose a winning entry among so many great comments about why particular cars are your favourites.  But in the end, we felt Chris Mitchell of Queensland had written the best justification for his choice (the 86/BRZ) with: Subaru meets Toyota = heart, soul, and speed.

WHAT YOU SAID

BEST OVERALL AND BEST SPORTS/LUXURY

Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ

It is hard to go past this pairing as they are arguably the most complete package to enter the market. - Pete Petrass

Driving pleasure and value for money at a price that is affordable to all. - Puay Sim

It’s quite simply the car we have been begging for since the turn of the century. - Ryan Reynolds

BEST FIRST CAR

Ford Fiesta

Economical, affordable, attractive, easy to drive, easy to park and reliable. - Karen Ekholm

Cute, easy, can still carry a full load and so easy to drive. The perfect car. - Courtney Dettman

Great fuel economy, stylish little car. Very zippy & full of great options. - Baden Kelly

BEST FAMILY CAR

Toyota Camry

Total reliability. Outlasts competitors. Years of trouble-free motoring. Overall outstanding. True value. - Nichole Mealing

The Camry has very well thought out features that make driving safer and more enjoyable. - Tony John Waite

Reliable, family friendly and economical. - Lisa-Marie Sandery

BEST TRADE/COMMERCIAL

Toyota Hilux

Unhook boat, hose the fish smell off (yourself too)...and this fancy pants is ready for the ball.  - Elizabeth ELlis

Work, Play, Family. Hilux gives me versatility, flexibility and reliability. - Paul Jarman

It’s the best of both worlds: a family car and a workhorse.  - James McDonnell

BEST SUV/RECREATIONAL

Subaru Forester

Superb Urban Beast, All Round Ultimate winner. - Caroline Shanks

Smart choice for a go anywhere vehicle for anytime. - Richard Lwin

Because it’s a great family car as well as a car to take out bush. - Rebecca Costa