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Wheels Car of the Year

COTY: Past winners

The annual Wheels Car of the Year is one of the world’s longest-running automotive awards, with a history that stretches back to 1963.

That makes our award the grand old age of 60 and in that time a broad spectrum of cars have earned the title, ranging from obvious choices to properly left-of-field. Holden Camira, anyone?

The common thread among all of them, however, is that they were good enough to be judged the best of their time by a panel of Australia’s most seasoned motoring journalists. Here’s the list.

All COTY stories

COTY 2008 - Carmageddon
COTY

2008 Car of the Year: Carmageddon

Michael Stahl looks over the auto mania and mysticism that was Car of the Year 2008.

Ping!
COTY

Ping!

You wrote to us about a problem with our 2008 Car of the Year, and we have responded …

COTY 2008 - BMW 1 Series Coupe and Convertible
COTY

2008 Car of the Year Finalist: BMW 1 Series Coupe and Convertible

COTY success evades BMW again despite engaging dynamics and refined drivetrains.

COTY 2008 - Audi A4
COTY

COTY 2008 – Audi A4

Law of diminishing returns sees Ingolstadt’s COTY challenge end at final four.

COTY 2008 - Smart ForTwo
COTY

2008 Car of the Year Finalist: Smart ForTwo

Much improved, but needs a broader skill set to make sense in Oz.

World Car of the Year 2009
COTY

World Car of the Year 2009

There were no surprises at this year’s WCOTY announcement in Detroit for awards judge Samantha Stevens …

COTY 2008 - Jaguar XF
COTY

2008 Car of the Year Finalist: Jaguar XF

A welcome return to form but let down by sub-standard petrol V6 powerplant.

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF - WHEELS CAR OF THE YEAR
COTY

Volkswagen Golf: 2010 Car of the Year Winner

Six generations and 33 years later, the Volkswagen Golf has again claimed Australia’s WHEELS Car Of The Year

COTY 2008 - Peugeot 308
COTY

2008 Car of the Year Finalist: Peugeot 308

Premium European pricing, but lacking the requisite je ne sais quoi.

In pictures: Wheels Car of the Year Covers
COTY

In pictures: Wheels Car of the Year Covers

Wheels Car of the Year – the world’s longest running continuous car of the year award – is entering its 48th year. We look at past magazine covers that show the compelling history.

Wheels magazine, new, all-new, best cars 2013, car of the year, COTY
COTY

Wheels COTY 2013: The finalists

Presenting your 2013 Wheels Car Of The Year contenders

Wheels magazine, motoring news, Wheels Car of the Year, COTY, motoring awards
COTY

Wheels COTY 2013: The countdown is on

Six days remain before the 2013 Wheels Car Of The Year is unveiled. Which of the 49 eligible new cars compete for the most prestigious motoring title in Australia?

Mazda CX-9 short stay - April 2009
Reviews

Mazda CX-9 short stay – April 2009

Space, the final frontier.

BMW 135i Coupe
Events

PCOTY 2008: BMW 135i Coupe

This will set tongues wagging: BMW’s 135i