Volvo XC90 NZ Car of the Year 2015...

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"Volvo's XC90 has cleaned up at the AMI Autocar Car of the Year Awards, winning not just the top prize, but also the title of New Zealand's safest car and the Luxury Car of the Year too.

The judges were impressed by its European crash test scores – the highest for any car tested in 2015.

NZ Autocar magazine editor and chief judge Kyle Cassidy said the Volvo was hard to fault when it came to marking criteria.

"When scoring the Volvo it was hard to mark it down for design, with its striking presence and top safety credentials. Being a big, seven-passenger wagon with a well-conceived seating arrangement and AWD capabilities, its practicality scores were close to perfect.

"It was even hard to mark it down for value. The XC90 gained praise for its driving dynamics, with its well-balanced handling, faithful steering and its compliant ride. Topping off a fine, all-round performance, its diesel was described as 'a rip snorter', an engine that punches well above its capacity."

However, the clincher was the car's ability to avoid accidents altogether.

Every XC90 is fitted with a radar and camera system, which can spot cyclists and pedestrians as well as other cars.

The Volvo will also steer itself to stay in the correct lane.

Research has shown 78 percent of New Zealanders identify safety as an important factor when buying a new car.

Last year's winner of the Car of the Year award was the Peugeot 308."
http://www.3news.co.nz/business/volv...ard-2015120218