AWD SUV $50k-$65k winner: Kia Sorento Platinum - 2015 Australia's Best Cars

Drivetrain options for the Sorento remain similar to before. A 3.3L, 199kW and 318Nm petrol V6 engine replaces the old 3.5L V6, while the Platinum's 2.2L diesel is the same size as before but now punches out 147kW and 441Nm - slightly more than the previous model.

The new Sorento also gets improved safety kit, including a rear-view camera as standard across the range. All model grades also get six airbags (including curtains all the way to the third row), hill start assist and brake assist. There are also seatbelt reminders for all seats. Additional safety systems on the Platinum include lane departure warning, active cruise control, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. Autonomous emergency braking isn't available though. Sorento has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, although overall it is outpointed in this critical area by the two minor place-getters.

With its increased size, refinement, equipment and powerful but efficient turbo-diesel, it's no wonder the Platinum is the most popular Sorento. Its long-awaited win in Australia's Best Cars is well deserved.

Second: Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander CRDi

Although the Hyundai Santa Fe was pipped at the post by its Korean cousin this year, it still thoroughly deserves to be near the front of the pack.

At more than $60,000 drive-away, this top-of-the-range Highlander model requires a sizable outlay, but the raft of new equipment on this Series II makes it one of the best-value SUVs. Exterior and interior styling has also been sharpened.

But significantly it now has important safety technology such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot warning, active cruise control, lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

Auto parking was standard on the previous Highlander spec but only for parallel parking - the Series II can now also assist with 90-degree reverse parking. Hence the Hyundai has a class-high standard features score.

The judges noted the Santa Fe's diesel was a little noisier than that of the Sorento, although the Santa Fe did make up some ground in depreciation despite its similar purchase price.

Most other scoring areas, such as handling, ride, performance and seating comfort, were lined up with those of the Sorento, indicating the closeness of the pair, which for many years were clones of each other.

Third: Land Rover Discovery Sport SD4 SE

Class leading safety credentials and build and finish quality sent the all-new Land Rover Discovery Sport straight to the pointy end of this category.

A replacement for the Freelander, the Discovery Sport was a long-overdue update to the British marque's line-up.

The Disco Sport's interior is a beautiful place to be and its quietness will have you basking in its serenity.

It drives well on the road, and given it's wearing a Land Rover badge it also has to be better than average off the bitumen. Land Rover's now-renowned Terrain Response programmable off-road modes have seen to that.

Its 2.2L diesel is also best in class for smoothness and quietness, and it's more frugal than the same-sized engines in Sorento and Santa Fe.

With all that good news, there has to be some bad. And that includes the price, which is well above average for the category, and the vehicle's depreciation score also takes a hit.

The cost of spare parts affected running and repair costs, as did dealer access.

The Landy's three-year warranty also got nowhere near those of the KIA and Hyundai, which are covered for seven and five years respectively.