After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions, the annual CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards are back to honour cars that have impacted the local motoring scene.

At the awards presentation at the M Resort Kuala Lumpur here last night, Perodua, Honda and Mercedes-Benz, which each won one of the three main categories, were the big winners.

Perodua’s Alza AV won the Local Car of the Year, Honda’s HR-V e:HEV RS was the Asian Car of the Year, and the Mercedes-Benz C 300 AMG Line scored with the Continental Car of the Year.

Volvo’s XC40 Recharge Pure Electric was presented with a Special Recognition Award as the country’s first locally assembled electric vehicle (EV).

The XC40 EV has seen strong demand, with the allocation for 2022 being fully sold out. Volvo Car Malaysia is expected to introduce the 2023 model soon, featuring updates.

In the 2022 edition of the CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards, 28 categories were up for grabs for 50 cars shortlisted from brands such as BMW, Ferrari, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jaguar, Kia, Lexus, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Perodua, Peugeot, Porsche, Proton, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Other categories are Best Sub-compact Hatchback, Best Mid-size Sedan, Best Mid-size Luxury Sedan, Best Mid-size SUV, Best Small Electric SUV and Best 4X4 Lifestyle Pick-up Truck, among others.

To be shortlisted for the awards, the vehicles must have been launched in Malaysia from Jan 1, 2021, to Sept 30, 2022.

Cars were evaluated for features in safety, performance, comfort, fuel economy, handling, and styling, as well as their individual “wow” factor.

Vehicles were also judged for outstanding advancements and innovations in design, smart features, and green technology.

The awards presentation, organised by Star Media Group, was sponsored by M Resort Kuala Lumpur and Carlsberg.

Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Isham Ishak, who was the special guest of the event, said car makers were pushing the boundaries of innovation and advancing the art of automobile development.

“Cars today are sleeker, smarter and more eco-friendly. It is highly encouraging to see more and more car makers placing greater emphasis on their environmental and safety targets,” he said.

Star Media Group chief executive officer Alex Yeow said consumer demand for vehicles has been increasing despite the challenges of the past two years.

“While demand is there, consumers have the privilege of being more selective. This is where CarSifu has been playing its part in connecting auto brands with their consumers by showcasing what sets each car maker apart.

“These awards are a celebration of the finest cars and the brilliant people driving the automotive industry forward.

“From compact cars and hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs, to hybrid and electric vehicles – the StarCarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards pay tribute to the invaluable contribution and positive impact that car makers have made,” he added.

Other winners included the Toyota Camry 2.5V, which won the Best Large Sedan; the Peugeot 3008 Allure (Best Mid-size SUV); the Proton X70 1.5TGDI Premium 2WD (Best Large SUV); the BMW iX xDrive40 (Best Mid/Large-Size Electric SUV); and the Porsche Cayenne V6 CKD (Best Large Luxury SUV). For the full winners’ list, go to carsifu.my.