It would sound cliché, but this yr was probably CarExpert’s biggest yr yet.
The team drives so many alternative cars on any given yr, but with so many recent vehicles coming to the market – and that’s set to proceed in 2025 – it takes a properly good thing to face out.
Here, the members of our team select their favourite automotive of the yr. Which is your pick? Do you disagree or agree with us?
Read more below, and share your thoughts with us within the comments!
Marton Pettendy: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
The most effective automotive I drove this yr couldn’t be more different from the most effective automotive I drove last yr, the most recent 992-series Porsche 911 GT3 RS – the world’s best street-legal race automotive and the unrivalled zenith of naturally aspirated big-bore flat-six petrol power.
I never thought I’d say it, but my pick of cars launched within the last 12 months isn’t only an SUV, but an EV.
Few all-new models live as much as the hype that precedes their release, yet Hyundai’s first high-performance electric N-car continues to draw plaudits from customers and journalists greater than six months after its local release in March.
Now I can see why, after finally driving it at this yr’s Hyundai N Fest last month.
No, there’s no escaping its significant mass, and its suspension felt a little bit soft when pushed to the limit across the testing Morgan Park Raceway, where its big 84kWh battery could possibly be emptied in only just a few dozen laps at full noise.
But with outputs of 478kW and 770Nm (about 100kW/300Nm greater than the Porsche), and a rear-biased all-wheel drive system complete with drift mode, the Ioniq 5 N easily cracked 200km/h on the short primary straight and effortlessly devoured up every other N-car on the way in which out of all 12 corners across the 3km circuit.
And it did it consistently, lap after lap, on a baking hot Queensland day, for 3 consecutive days (when it wasn’t on the fast-charger) with none reliability issues – that’s something even Porsche could be impressed with.
Sure, Porsche’s top-shelf Taycan Turbo GT could be quicker, faster and more engaging, and it’s still the most effective EV I’ve driven, however the German sports sedan costs almost 4 times as much as this high-tech Korean family SUV, and the GT3 RS is nearly five times pricier.
Imagine the hype, since the Ioniq 5 N is a real driver’s automotive that rewards you more richly the harder you push it, demonstrating a depth of engineering previously unseen from a mainstream EV maker and previewing an exciting electric performance automotive future that everybody should sit up for.
Jack Quick: Lexus LC500 Convertible
I’ve driven a good few iconic vehicles this yr, but by far the one that stands out was the Lexus LC500 Convertible.
It’s such a beautiful-looking automotive that doesn’t shout over-the-top like quite a lot of other sports cars do. As an alternative it exudes refined luxury while still turning heads like nothing else, especially with Infrared exterior paint.
Then there’s the Yamaha co-developed 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8. I hadn’t experienced an engine quite as orchestral as this in my life. Wringing it out near redline had me grinning from ear-to-ear just like the Smile monster.
There aren’t many cars like this anymore, and that’s certainly one of the primary the explanation why I’m so thankful I got the chance to drive it.
Jordan Mulach: Audi RS7 Performance
The list of cars I’ve driven this yr has been limited in comparison with a few of my colleagues, but my winner got here within the dying moments of the yr.
I had initially submitted the Ford Everest Wildtrak and Cupra Leon VZx as my favourites, until the Audi RS7 Performance completely blew away my expectations.
Yes, I’ll never give you the chance to own one, but there are many people willing to spend their money on cars equivalent to this, and also you’d be silly to not consider it.
In all honesty, driving around in comfort mode it appears like a V6 turbo-diesel A7, with a particularly comfortable ride, effortless gear changes and enough torque to drag into any gap.
Wake it up in RS mode nonetheless, and it becomes a weapon worthy of the badge. This simply doesn’t feel like a automotive that’s as large because it is, and it has one of the crucial menacing exhaust notes on the market – viva la V8!
It is a automotive which is just as at home on the track because it is touring Australia’s highways, and despite the fact that its 22-inch wheels have rubber bands for tyres, there isn’t a bump that it doesn’t take in.
If I had any complaints about it, it’s the climate control touchscreen and infotainment system, each of which require a bit more force to make use of than conventional displays.
Regardless, the RS7 is greater than a powerful little bit of kit, it’s possibly one of the crucial underrated cars on sale now.
William Stopford: Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
To paraphrase Vanessa L. Williams, 2024 went and saved the most effective for last.
On my birthday week, I got behind the wheel of two Chevrolet Corvettes (the E-Ray and the Z06 with the Z07 Performance Package) plus the Audi RS7 Performance. Lucky boy…
All three were fun in alternative ways, but I’ll single out the Corvette E-Ray which, despite being a hybrid, manages to sound lots higher than the Australian-spec Z06. The E-Ray’s 6.2-litre V8 is completely glorious to hearken to.
Alas, constant rain throughout the week meant I used to be driving these vehicles more gingerly than usual – you’ll be able to’t have all of it, I suppose. Still, I felt more comfortable behind the wheel on this weather because of the additional traction of all-wheel drive, while it was less of a pain to park than the Z06 I had with its extensive carbon-fibre exterior trim.
Either Corvette can also be fairly comfortable as a commuter, each by way of ride and interior space.
However the E-Ray is cheaper and sounds higher, while the instance we had was in a fully stunning spec with warm, shimmering silver paint with surprisingly tasteful blue stripes and chrome wheels. I didn’t want to present it back…
Max Davies: Audi RS e-tron GT
There have been some real gems I’ve had the privilege of driving this yr, however the Audi RS e-tron GT has to take the cake.
After all there are some honourable mentions: the Lexus UX300e and GX550, Mazda MX-5, BMW M135 xDrive, and Ford Mustang GT to call just a few.
Plain and straightforward though, I cannot forget the RS e-tron GT – and there are a few reasons for that. One is the very fact it’s been a hero automotive of mine for quite a while, given it’s a $250,000+ German electric grand tourer that appears absolutely stunning, particularly from the front.
But the opposite has to do with the circumstances through which I used to be in a position to drive it. I used to be lucky enough to attend Audi’s Media Drive Experience at Sydney Motorsport Park in late September, and naturally it was there.
The day began with a series of hard acceleration and hard braking defensive driving exercises within the GT, through which the automotive’s capabilities became brutally apparent.
But after spinning laps in a few other Audi RS models, the day’s final challenge involved a motorkhana on the circuit’s wet skid pan.
A decent and twisty course was laid out, and naturally the challenge involved navigating the immensely powerful RS e-tron GT through it as fast as possible.
Of the journalists there I ended up with the fastest time, which won me an Audi R8… keyring. Still, I’m in some disbelief that we got the chance to do something like that with such a special (and expensive) automotive in any respect.
The entire experience was definitely a highlight of the yr, and the RS e-tron GT was the cherry on top.
Josh Nevett: Lexus LC500
Because it seems, the most effective automotive I drove this yr was certainly one of the very first. A 30-minute spin during certainly one of our routine automotive swaps was all it took for me to fall in love with the Lexus LC500, a automotive the likes of which we’re unlikely to see again.
In any case, the industry isn’t exactly ripe for six-figure V8 grand tourers straight away. Indeed, Lexus has struggled to sell the LC500 despite its breathtaking styling and engineering prowess.
But when anything, the low-volume nature of the LC500 makes it just that little bit more special, if that’s even possible.
With that said, I’d like to see just a few more on the roads. The LC500 isn’t necessarily a lovely automotive from all angles, but that long bonnet and webbed grille is chef’s kiss.
As is the 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine co-developed with Yamaha. The 2UR-GSE sings all the precise notes, in line with its ties to the music world, and goes like stink.
To top it off, the LC500 is an excellent low-speed cruiser, dripping with refinement and luxury. I’ll probably never give you the chance to afford one, but I’ll eternally cling to those precious moments from back in March.
Paul Maric: BYD Shark 6
I used to be genuinely surprised at the value point of the BYD Shark 6, but then much more surprised after I actually drove it.
The cabin appears like it’s from a automotive value double the value – in truth, you’ll be able to pay almost double the value for a Ford Ranger Raptor and its interior doesn’t feel anywhere near as premium because the Shark 6.
It’s loaded with tech and features, and it’s surprisingly quick and agile despite its 2710kg mass. Furthermore, it offers the flexibility of vehicle-to-load (V2L) and ticks the boxes for an economical novated lease.
It does have its downsides – there are edge cases where you run into torque limitations on inclines, and if you happen to are towing at capability on an incline, you’ll eventually run the battery all the way down to rely solely on the petrol engine.
But, if you happen to don’t must do an excellent deal of off-road driving otherwise you’re not towing repeatedly, it does every part costlier dual-cabs do – just higher and for cheaper.
James Wong: Aston Martin Vanquish
There are quite a lot of vehicles and experiences which have highlighted this yr, however it’s pretty hard to top living a lifelong dream.
Attending to drive the all-new third-generation Aston Martin Vanquish ticks off a bucket list item I wasn’t sure I’d ever give you the chance to do, and even higher I got to do it with the picturesque backdrop of the island of Sardinia, Italy.
Like many automotive enthusiasts I actually have that single dream automotive I’d like to own and/or drive if money was no object, and the Vanquish (in all three of its iterations) has been my all-time favourite since I unlocked the unique in Gran Turismo 3 back after I was a little bit tacker racing cars virtually on my Ps 2.
While not all heroes are value meeting, the Vanquish really lived as much as, if not exceeded my expectations. The brand new twin-turbo V12 is an absolute monster, rocketing you towards the horizon quicker than any Vanquish before it.
The winding roads of Sardinia made for what felt like a scene out of a movie, with sunny skies and stunning Sardinian mountain scenery. I actually felt like I used to be on certainly one of those old Top Gear episodes where each host selected their very own supercar.
Anyway, I still pinch myself about it. I could almost retire after that… at my ripe old age of 30…
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
