A total of 52 cars were nominated for the 2009 AA Motoring Excellence Awards, the 'Oscars' of the New Zealand motoring industry.
Six judges spent six days testing and scrutinising each car at Taupo's Motorsport Park. The judges included motoring writers Brian Cowan, Jacqui Madelin, Dave Moore, Mike Stock and Richard Bosselman, plus rally driver Emma Gilmour.
The 2009 AA Motoring Excellence Awards were presented at a gala dinner in Auckland in March 2009.