One of the best cars the CarExpert team drove in 2023

2023 is coming to an in depth and it’s time to begin reflecting on the yr that has passed.

The CarExpert editorial team have driven countless recent cars during this yr, starting from small city hatchbacks to large pickups.

The next are what each member of the team deem the very best automobile they drove during 2023.

Anthony Crawford: Honda Civic Type R

While we’re all so lucky nowadays to have so many inexpensive performance cars to select from, including the Hyundai i20 N, i30 Sedan N and hatch, GR Corolla and Yaris, and Subaru BRZ, the standout of 2023 was the Honda Civic Type R.

There are such a lot of reasons including its more resolved design, its exemplary chassis and engineering, in addition to its incomparable driver feedback it delivers on road or track. It’s utterly superb in either Championship White and even Sonic Grey Pearlescent.

I believe I summed it up higher in my launch review verdict:

“The Civic Type R is an attainable engineering triumph and a far greater achievement that the sum of all its incremental revisions. How they may ever higher this thing, I do not know.”

Honourable mentions:

At the opposite end of the size, it’s simply unimaginable to separate any of the cars above as they’re all winners but in barely alternative ways.

The Aston Martin DB12 will go down in history as considered one of the best grand tourers ever to return out of the UK, period.

Its drop-dead gorgeous design is as much art because it is hand made form, while its ride and handling skills are up there with the best supercars.

The Ferrari 296 GTB/GTS is doubtless one the very best models ever to roll out of the Maranello factory.

Its V6 hybrid powertrain should on no account be considered a step back on the previous V8 turbo models, slightly it’s a step up when it comes to performance, ride and handling.

It’s also one other stunningly beautiful automobile from Flavio Manzoni design team and wickedly quick at any time when you give it the beans. The handling is off the charts as is the motive force feedback.

The McLaren 750S makes the previously incomparable 720S one way or the other feel inferior. On the right track, on the international launch on the Estoril circuit in Portugal, every journalist got out of the automobile utterly speechless.

Not only for the automobile’s insanely fast acceleration out of a corner, or the late breaking at 280km/h down the major straightaway, and even the neurone-firing feedback from the pedals and steering wheel.

It was as much in regards to the insane levels of science and engineering that also allows the most recent McLaren to drive on age-old cobblestones with a level of subtleness equal to that of a Bentley Continental. And that’s what it might do right out of the box.

Paul Maric: BMW M3 Touring

I realize it’s not precisely the most reasonable automobile on this planet – neither probably the most attainable or purposeful, however the BMW M3 Touring.

I like that it exists in 2023 and that BMW still has its enthusiast pulse racing. Say what you’ll about BMW’s design strategy but it surely’s a automobile I thoroughly enjoyed for every little thing that it was.

Scott Collie: Honda Civic Type R

I’ve been lucky enough to drive some pretty special cars this yr, however the Honda Civic Type R is the one that stands out.

It’s expensive for a Honda hatchback, however the range of things it might do for the value is remarkable. Our launch review showed you could possibly drive it on daily basis because of its supple ride and practical interior, and it’ll demolish a back road like few cars this side of a Porsche 911.

On the right track, it offers near the proper mix of approachability and capability. It flatters from the second you allow pit lane, and pushing harder just reveals increasingly capability.

There’s greater than just a touch of Porsche GT in regards to the way all of the controls feel, which is in regards to the highest compliment you may give a automobile.

Jade Credentino: Hyundai Sonata

I don’t think I’ve ever sat in a automobile and immediately thought, “Yes, I can see myself buying considered one of these”.

It ticked plenty of boxes for the approach to life I live but is sufficiently big in order that when “I become older” it might grow with me.

Even though it’s a bit of greater than what I’d wish to pay for the sedan, I’m still impressed by the kit and the worth.

Jack Quick: Mazda CX-30 G20 Pure manual

It has now unfortunately been discontinued, but I grew really keen on the Mazda CX-30 with its sweet-shifting six-speed manual transmission.

We had a red Mazda CX-30 G20 Pure manual for a few weeks and I got to spend a good little bit of time with it. Jade also learnt to drive a manual in it.

I’ve driven loads of cars, trucks and tractors with many various varieties of manual transmissions, however the CX-30’s manual is top-of-the-line I’ve experienced so far.

I like how short the throw is between gears, how precise it’s, in addition to how stubby the actual manual shifter is. It’s also wild to me that it has engine idle stop/start, in addition to an auto-hold function.

Sure you may still get a manual transmission within the MX-5 roadster, but you may’t get one in a more passenger-friendly Mazda SUV anymore in Australia.

William Stopford: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

I’ve driven loads of competent, competitive electric vehicles (EVs) this yr but none have stirred me quite as much because the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

The dynamics of Hyundai’s petrol N cars can already be tailored extensively to your tastes, and this electric N takes it to the subsequent level.

Need to send 100 per cent of torque to the rear? Press a button. Make it sound like an i30 N? There’s a button for that. You should firm up the suspension, add weight to the steering, add simulated gearshifts? Press, press and press.

You would possibly think the thought of faux engine sounds and simulated gearshifts in an EV is absurd gimmickry. But ultimately, if I’m going to be shuffled from a petrol-powered automobile to an EV, I would like something that may offer some level of engagement.

Individuals who say “the very best a part of an EV is how quiet and smooth it’s!” are missing the purpose of the Ioniq 5 N entirely.

James Wong: Honda Civic Type R

I believe the automobile that left the most important mark on me was the brand new Honda Civic Type R.

The past iteration left me quite cold as while it was very capable at tearing up a B-road or a race track, it lacked the character and cohesion that I personally prefer in performance cars. This recent generation hits different.

Not that I’ve driven a Porsche 911 GT3 on target – or in any respect – but that is what I imagine a more attainable version of that formula seems like based on the recounts from colleagues. It truly is the very best driver’s automobile under $100,000.

Honda has been steadily getting its mojo back with its latest range of products, and nothing says it quite in addition to this Type R. It’s really, really hard to fault.

Possibly someday I’ll buy one.