The new car market can be overwhelming. Never before have Australian buyers had so much choice. From people movers, to family sedans and micro hatches.

The experts at the Australian Automobile Association – the umbrella organisation for the state-based agencies NRMA, RACV and so on – have put over 150 new vehicles through their paces to determine which is the best money can buy.

Each was assessed according to strict criteria, including value for money, design, function and on-road performance.

The result is Australia’s Best Cars 2016, a list of the top three cars in 15 categories, from micro cars, to family wagons and SUVs over $65,000 — plus one overall champion.

These are the winners…

Micro:Kia Picanto Si Light:Sazuki Baleno GL Small (under $35,000):Kia Cerato S Small (over $35,000):BMW 1 Series 125i Sport Line Medium (under $50,00):Mazda6 Touring Medium (over $50,000):BMW 330i Luxury Line Large (under $70,000):Hyundai Genesis Family wagon:Kia Carnival SLi Sports (under $50,000):Ford Focus ST Sports (over $50,000):BMW M420i Small 2WD SUV (under $35,000):Mazda CX-3 Maxx AWD SUV (under $50,000):Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium AWD SUV ($50,000 – $65,000):Land Rover Discovery Sport TD4 150 SE 5 seat AWD SUV ($65,000 – $125,000):Mercedes-Benz GLC 250d 4X4 Dual Cab Utes:Ford Ranger XLT 3.2

NSW Best Cars Judge and NRMA Digital Motoring Editor Jaedene Hudson said the awards are designed to help the public make an informed purchasing decision.

“The 15 category winners of this year’s Australia’s Best Cars awards took out their categories because they are the safest, best performing, best designed and most cost effective in their fields,” Ms Hudson said.

From this the judges pulled an overall winner, a coveted title that this year has been awarded to the popular family car Mazda 6 Touring, which starts from $37,290.

“The Mazda6 Touring is a deserving winner of the Judges’ Choice award,” Hudson said. “It is a safe, easy to drive car that perform well in all driving conditions. It’s not hard to see why this car is so popular with Australian consumers.”

Christie Hayes on the special hell that is commuting with kids. (Post continues after podcast.)

For the full list of winners, including the cars that came a close second and third in each category, visit the Australian Automobile Association website here.

It might just help you with your decision.