A total of seven models from six brands have made it to the final round of the 2019 Thailand Car of the Year.
They include (in alphabetical order) BMW X3, Honda Accord, Mazda 3, MG HS, Subaru Forester, Toyota Camry and Toyota Corolla Altis.
The winner, which will be announced on Nov 15, will earn its merit based on various parameters ranging from the vehicle’s engineering, driving characteristics and value-for-money factors.
Now its fifth year, the annual award is presented by the Thai Automotive Journalists Association. Judges comprise car journalists from various media outlets in Thailand with at least three years of testing experience.
Eligible candidates for the award must be all-new cars that have been launched in the Thai market from Oct 1, 2018 to Sept 31, 2019. As well, they have to be assembled in Asean.
BMW X3
The X3 is the only model from a premium brand that has made the cut this year and comes in the form of the highly popular SUV body. The circa-3.5 million baht X3 is powered by 190hp 2.0-litre diesel-turbo and eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Honda Accord
Now in its tenth generation, the Accord is sold with just two engines in the country: 190hp 1.5-litre petrol-turbo and 215hp 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid. For the first time, the Accord sedan has been penned with a fastback-style silhouette.
Mazda 3
The fourth generation 3 sits on a new platform with a more cost-effective, simplified torsion beam rear suspension. The 165hp 2.0-litre petrol engine and six-speed automatic are carried over items. It’s available in both sedan and hatchback forms.
MG HS
Designed as an indirect replacement for the short-lived GS, the HS is now a proper contender for the C-segment SUV market. There’s only one powertrain available for the HS in Thailand: 162hp 1.5-litre petrol-turbo, seven-speed dual-clutch auto and front-wheel drive.
Subaru Forester
The Forester is the first model to roll out from Subaru’s new factory in Thailand. It’s another C-segment SUV to make the final round this year highlighting all-wheel drive as standard. Power is courtesy of 156hp 2.0-litre petrol and CVT automatic.
Toyota Camry
The Camry is the other mid-size sedan to be redesigned in new-generation form. There are three petrol motors on offer in the Thai market including 167hp 2.0-litre, 209hp 2.5-litre and 211hp 2.5-litre hybrid. All three have different types of automatic transmissions.
Toyota Corolla Altis
The country’s most popular C-segment sedan enters another generation and, like its Camry bigger brother, sees three engines to choose from: 125hp 1.6-litre, 140hp 1.8-litre and 122hp 1.8-litre hybrid. New to the Corolla is the GR Sport spec, available only in the regular 1.8.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/auto/news/1787839/2019-thailand-car-of-the-year-finalists-revealed