Winner car of the year: Ford Everest

DESIGNED IN AUSTRALIA, BY FOR AUSTRALIANS. AUSTRALIANS, IT SHOWS

- ANDY ENRIGHT

THE JUDGES' quotes were telling. "Really well thought-out. Ford has not just copied best practice in SUVs; it's established best practice in many areas," noted one. "Software has been developed by Australians for our conditions. You can feel the difference, especially in the effectiveness of the ABS calibration on gravel," said another. "The chassis stability system's tuning is outstandingly effective in Australian conditions." Yep, they absolutely loved the Territory back in the February 2005 issue, marking the last time Ford walked away with the Wheels Car of the Year award.

Fast-forward 18 years and there's a strange kind of symmetry that marks the Blue Oval's long-overdue return to the top step of the podium. The Territory benefited from an eligibility change in the rules that allowed it to become the first SUV to win COTY. Prior to 1999, they were categorised as Light Trucks and, as such, denied invitation. This year, dialling back the dogma to allow hugely popular ladder-frame vehicles to enter the fray has resulted in the Ford Everest carrying home the crown.

Controversial? Maybe. It was clear right from the outset that body-on-frame SUVs and utes arriving on all-terrain tyres would occupy the wooden spoon positions in dynamic tests such as high-speed avoidance and dry braking, and so it proved Yet every judge climbed from the Everest absolutely blown away at how much this offers for the money. It hasn't so much raised the bar in this sector as elevated it to a point worthy of its nameplate.

"It feels like a large SUV designed and built to meet the demands of Aussie buyers. And it doesn't just tick the boxes; it goes above and beyond in virtually every metric," commented a clearly impressed Inwood.

"So far ahead of its segment rivals as a driving experience," claimed Spinks.