As 2025 attracts to an in depth, it’s time to mirror on the 12 months that was and nominate the very best automobiles we drove over the previous 12 months.
The CarExpert staff has pushed lots of of latest fashions this 12 months, from new city-friendly electrical SUVs to fire-breathing supercars and all the things in between, so it’s a protracted record to select from.
Right here, in your festive-season studying pleasure, are what the members of our staff selected as their favorite automobiles of this 12 months.
Which is your choose? Do you disagree or agree with us? Tell us within the feedback part under.
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Alborz Fallah: Genesis GV70
The up to date Genesis GV70 stays my favorite automobile in its section.
Regardless of superb competitors from BMW with the X3, the South Koreans have produced the very best mid-size luxurious SUV, which doesn’t get the gross sales credit score it deserves.
Marton Pettendy: Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
The primary international – and the primary mid-engined – Chevrolet Corvette is a critical supercar that ticks all of the packing containers, together with design, expertise and efficiency to match and even higher a few of its extra established and extra fabled Italian rivals.
Certainly it’s a disgrace that almost all Aussies gained’t even take into account it as a result of it doesn’t put on a Ferrari or Lamborghini badge, as a result of even in entry-level Stingray guise the C8 actually is an engineering masterstroke that reveals GM is aware of easy methods to construct a top-end efficiency automobile.
However within the absence of right-hand drive ZR1 and ZR1X manufacturing, the choose of the bunch is just not the hardcore Z06 however the E-Ray hybrid, which sounds approach higher, is faster regardless of being all-wheel drive as a result of it delivers extra energy and torque, but can also be extra inexpensive.
All C8 Corvettes look attractive and particular, however the E-Ray is each essentially the most rewarding and user-friendly, making it one of the vital full – and most accessible, when it comes to each affordability and efficiency – supercars out there at present, bar none.
William Stopford: Toyota Camry
You should suppose I’m loopy. In any case, I’ve pushed all the things from V8-powered sports activities automobiles and pickup vehicles to high-tech EVs, and right here I’m saying a Toyota Camry was the very best automobile I drove?!
Sure. This newest XV80 era – regardless of being closely primarily based on its predecessor – is arguably essentially the most compelling Camry in 30 years.
It was round that point that the primary wide-body Camry got here out, shaking up the mid-size sedan section and providing really spectacular ranges of high quality and refinement. Camry generations subsequent to which have at all times been good, however arguably by no means class-leading.
This newest era affords class-leading gasoline economic system and refinement, whereas additionally being each succesful and cozy to drive. As I drove it, I questioned two issues: why would I spend considerably extra on a Lexus ES, and what would this be like if the Gazoo Racing staff had a crack at it?
All this in a household sedan. A Camryno much less. Your Uber driver may be very fortunate.
My runner-up is the Hyundai Ioniq 9, which I drove back-to-back with a Volvo EX90 – a pleasant rig itself – and ended up questioning why you’d pay 1000’s extra for the luxury-brand providing.
An ideal design, a well-packaged inside, and a surprisingly snug experience for one thing on large 21-inch alloy wheels.
James Wong: Porsche 911 GT3 Touring
It took me this lengthy to get behind the wheel of a Porsche 911so why not do it correctly?
The 911 GT3 Touring is an unbelievable piece of package, with the track-munching functionality of a 911 GT automobile combined with some on a regular basis liveability and the consolation you’d anticipate of the German marque’s excellent all-round supercar.
All it took was a couple of hours to fall in love with it: the screaming 4.0-litre flat six, the insanely correct and responsive steering and chassis calibration, and naturally the cool issue that comes with the extra understated Touring bundle.
After a few years of questioning what makes the 911 so rattling particular, and the storied automotive model nirvana for thus many purchasers and journalists, I can now say I’ve been sucked into the cult.
Damion Smy: BMW i5 Touring
What a surprising chameleon of a automobile. Like Jekyll and Hyde, the BMW i5 Touring is able to smooth-talking a nun whereas committing utter homicide with the opposite hand. If the M5 didn’t have a V8…
Ben Zachariah: Honda Civic Sort R
Whereas the most recent Volkswagen Golf R sat on the prime of my record for a lot of the 12 months, and the Ford Ranger Tremendous Obligation was mightily spectacular, I didn’t have extra enjoyable than my week within the Honda Civic Sort R.
Regardless of being described by most as a sizzling hatch – given its hot-hatch roots – the CTR has matured, and actually needs to be considered in the identical approach as a Subaru WRX STI or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. In truth, I believe Honda missed a trick by not making it all-wheel drive on this newest era.
Regardless, the Sort R is an absolute hoot, no matter whether or not you’re commuting within the metropolis or attacking a winding mountain street.
My realized colleague with the wonderful hair, James Wong, even in contrast the CTR to the 911 GT3 Touring – his selection for greatest automobile pushed this 12 months – with the Honda providing the identical type of telepathic driving response and excessive construct high quality you get from the Porsche.
Excessive reward, certainly – and I couldn’t agree extra.
Josh Nevett: Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
I spent a weekend driving an E-Ray from Sydney to Parkes and again as a part of the annual Corvette Nationals conference, and what a weekend it was!
Rednecks and bogans will scoff on the point out of an electrified Corvette, however the E-Ray is correct up there with the very best sports activities automobiles available on the market.
The addition of a front-mounted electrical motor not solely unlocks supercar ranges of efficiency, but in addition improves the Corvette’s drivability on public roads.
Chevrolet has additionally executed an important job of making a novel persona for the E-Ray by means of an intoxicating artificial soundtrack that enhances the roar of that thunderous V8, quite than distracting from it.
So certain, the Porsche 911 stays a secure selection within the premium efficiency automobile style, however the Corvette E-Ray deserves much more consideration, particularly from those that don’t thoughts turning heads.
Max Davies: Ford Mustang GT Convertible
This was a tough selection, so bear with me. I might’ve chosen a number of: this 12 months’s up to date Toyota GR Yaris is a blast; the brand new Volkswagen Tiguan is likely one of the greatest all-rounders I’ve pushed in a very long time; and placing the Toyota GR Supra Monitor Version by means of its paces was little doubt a particular alternative.
I can’t go with out mentioning the Subaru WRX tS Spec B both – spinning simply three sizzling laps of a non-public monitor within the model’s present efficiency flagship will stick to me for some time.
The purpose is that I drove loads of good automobiles this 12 months, and that’s one thing I can’t take with no consideration. However in the long run, I’ve to go along with the Ford Mustang GT Convertible.
I had the privilege of taking it for a week-long mortgage, which gave me a newfound appreciation – not just for the Mustang but in addition for convertibles usually.
The sound, efficiency, and character of the Coyote V8 are unforgettable, particularly when skilled with the roof down. I had a incredible Saturday blast by means of the nation on an excellent summer time day, and I can truthfully say there’s no automobile I’d quite have been driving.
It’s additionally dynamically partaking, and whereas actually costly, it’s not outrageously priced to the purpose the place you’re anxious to take it for a spin.
There’s lots to love about this automobile, and that’s earlier than even mentioning the beefy look of the present S650 era. Plus, brilliant firetruck crimson is a wonderful color for a ‘Stang.
Sean Lander: Toyota Land Cruiser
It’s a bit older now, however I’ll be damned if the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Collection isn’t nonetheless incredible.
Not solely is it the primary selection for farmers and automobile thieves, but it surely’s loaded with consolation, easy to drive, and has sufficient torque to tug the moon.
It’s a automobile that doesn’t do something flawed and most issues proper.
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