Toyota’s multi-award winning Prado and Starlet

The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) is the country’s second largest motoring organisation.

Starlet scored its second win in the Best Light Car category, while Prado took a hat trick in RACV’s main 4WD class, adding a win in the realigned Best Large 4x4 category to its Best 4WD wagon awards from 1996 and 1997.

Prado’s "clear advantage in parts pricing and fuel economy" and Starlet’s "unquestioned reliability" were key criteria in earning them their 1998 Best Buys awards, according to the RACV judges.

They put the Prado at the head of a "broad and exciting range of models and prices".

The judges commended Prado for its convenience and practicality as well as its "clear advantage in parts pricing and fuel economy".

Prado is available with a choice of two multi-valve, fuel-injected petrol engines - a 2.7 litre four-cylinder in the RV model and a 3.4 litre quad cam V6 in the RV6, GXL and Grande models.

All Prado models have seating for eight occupants.

Starlet was a convincing repeat winner for the fiercely contested Best Light Car award, where the RACV paid particular attention to running costs, warranty and industry reputation.

"Toyota’s Starlet continues to strike the best balance of cost and quality," the RACV said.

"Current pricing (of $13,990 drive away) includes air conditioning and driver’s SRS airbag.

"Good on-road dynamics, unquestioned reliability and consistently high marks for cost of repairs and fuel economy have ensured Starlet its second consecutive Best Buys win."

All Starlets are powered by a Twin-Cam. 16-valve, 1.3-litre engine and come in a choice of three-door and five-door body styles, with the option of five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission.

RACV Best Buys Chief Judge, Ernest Litera, said the awards were determined by a broad-based team of judges placing emphasis on factors considered most important to real-world buyers.