It’d sound cliché, however this yr was in all probability CarExpert’s greatest yr but.
The group drives so many various vehicles on any given yr, however with so many new autos coming to the market – and that’s set to proceed in 2025 – it takes a correctly good factor to face out.
Right here, the members of our group select their favorite automobile of the yr. Which is your decide? Do you disagree or agree with us?
Learn extra beneath, and share your ideas with us within the feedback!
Marton Pettendy: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
One of the best automobile I drove this yr couldn’t be extra totally different from one of the best automobile I drove final yr, the newest 992-series Porsche 911 GT3 RS – the world’s best street-legal race automobile and the unrivalled zenith of naturally aspirated big-bore flat-six petrol energy.
I by no means thought I’d say it, however my decide of vehicles launched within the final 12 months isn’t solely an SUV, however an EV.
Few all-new fashions reside as much as the hype that precedes their launch, but Hyundai’s first high-performance electrical N-car continues to draw plaudits from clients and journalists greater than six months after its native launch in March.
Now I can see why, after lastly driving it at this yr’s Hyundai N Fest final month.
No, there’s no escaping its vital mass, and its suspension felt a little bit mushy when pushed to the restrict across the testing Morgan Park Raceway, the place its massive 84kWh battery could possibly be emptied in only a few dozen laps at full noise.
However with outputs of 478kW and 770Nm (about 100kW/300Nm greater than the Porsche), and a rear-biased all-wheel drive system full with drift mode, the Ioniq 5 N simply cracked 200km/h on the quick primary straight and effortlessly devoured up each different N-car on the way in which out of all 12 corners across the 3km circuit.
And it did it persistently, lap after lap, on a baking scorching Queensland day, for 3 consecutive days (when it wasn’t on the fast-charger) with none reliability points – that’s one thing even Porsche could be impressed with.
Positive, Porsche’s top-shelf Taycan Turbo GT is perhaps faster, quicker and extra partaking, and it’s nonetheless one of the best EV I’ve pushed, however the German sports activities sedan prices nearly 4 instances as a lot as this high-tech Korean household SUV, and the GT3 RS is sort of 5 instances pricier.
Imagine the hype, as a result of the Ioniq 5 N is a real driver’s automobile that rewards you extra richly the tougher you push it, demonstrating a depth of engineering beforehand unseen from a mainstream EV maker and previewing an thrilling electrical efficiency automobile future that everybody ought to stay up for.
MORE: Purchase a Hyundai Ioniq 5
Jack Fast: Lexus LC500 Convertible
I’ve pushed a good few iconic autos this yr, however by far the one that stands proud was the Lexus LC500 Convertible.
It’s such a beautiful-looking automobile that doesn’t shout over-the-top like numerous different sports activities vehicles do. As a substitute it exudes refined luxurious whereas nonetheless turning heads like nothing else, particularly with Infrared exterior paint.
Then there’s the Yamaha co-developed 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8. I hadn’t skilled an engine fairly 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 vehicles like this anymore, and that’s one of many primary the reason why I’m so grateful I received the chance to drive it.
MORE: Purchase a Lexus LC
Jordan Mulach: Audi RS7 Efficiency
The record of vehicles I’ve pushed this yr has been restricted in comparison with a few of my colleagues, however 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, till the Audi RS7 Efficiency utterly blew away my expectations.
Sure, I’ll by no means be capable to personal one, however there are many individuals prepared to spend their cash on vehicles equivalent to this, and also you’d be silly to not contemplate it.
In all honesty, driving round in consolation mode it appears like a V6 turbo-diesel A7, with a particularly comfy journey, easy gear adjustments and sufficient torque to drag into any hole.
Wake it up in RS mode nonetheless, and it turns into a weapon worthy of the badge. This merely doesn’t really feel like a automobile that’s as massive as it’s, and it has one of the vital menacing exhaust notes on the market – viva la V8!
It is a automobile which is simply as at house on the monitor as it’s touring Australia’s highways, and although 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 local weather management touchscreen and infotainment system, each of which require a bit extra drive to make use of than typical shows.
Regardless, the RS7 is greater than a formidable little bit of equipment, it’s probably one of the vital underrated vehicles on sale now.
MORE: Purchase an Audi RS7
William Stopford: Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
To paraphrase Vanessa L. Williams, 2024 went and saved one of the best for final.
On my birthday week, I received behind the wheel of two Chevrolet Corvettes (the E-Ray and the Z06 with the Z07 Efficiency Bundle) plus the Audi RS7 Efficiency. Fortunate boy…
All three had been enjoyable in numerous methods, however I’ll single out the Corvette E-Ray which, regardless of being a hybrid, manages to sound lots higher than the Australian-spec Z06. The E-Ray’s 6.2-litre V8 is totally superb to take heed to.
Alas, fixed rain through the week meant I used to be driving these autos extra gingerly than regular – you may’t have all of it, I suppose. Nonetheless, I felt extra comfy behind the wheel on this climate because of the additional traction of all-wheel drive, whereas it was much less of a ache to park than the Z06 I had with its in depth carbon-fibre exterior trim.
Both Corvette can be pretty comfy as a commuter, each when it comes to journey and inside area.
However the E-Ray is cheaper and sounds higher, whereas the instance we had was in a completely gorgeous spec with heat, shimmering silver paint with surprisingly tasteful blue stripes and chrome wheels. I didn’t need to give it again…
MORE: Purchase a Chevrolet Corvette
Max Davies: Audi RS e-tron GT
There have been some actual 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 a couple of.
Plain and easy although, I can’t neglect the RS e-tron GT – and there are a few causes for that. One is the very fact it’s been a hero automobile of mine for fairly a while, given it’s a $250,000+ German electrical grand tourer that appears completely gorgeous, notably from the entrance.
However the different has to do with the circumstances by which I used to be capable of drive it. I used to be fortunate sufficient to attend Audi’s Media Drive Expertise at Sydney Motorsport Park in late September, and naturally it was there.
The day began with a sequence of laborious acceleration and laborious braking defensive driving workouts within the GT, by which the automobile’s capabilities turned brutally obvious.
However after spinning laps in a few different Audi RS fashions, the day’s remaining problem concerned a motorkhana on the circuit’s moist skid pan.
A decent and twisty course was laid out, and naturally the problem concerned navigating the immensely highly effective RS e-tron GT via it as quick as attainable.
Of the journalists there I ended up with the quickest time, which received me an Audi R8… keyring. Nonetheless, I’m in some disbelief that we received the chance to do one thing like that with such a particular (and costly) automobile in any respect.
The entire expertise was undoubtedly a spotlight of the yr, and the RS e-tron GT was the cherry on prime.
MORE: Purchase an Audi e-tron GT
Josh Nevett: Lexus LC500
Because it seems, one of the best automobile I drove this yr was one of many very first. A 30-minute spin throughout certainly one of our routine automobile swaps was all it took for me to fall in love with the Lexus LC500, a automobile the likes of which we’re unlikely to see once more.
In any case, the trade isn’t precisely ripe for six-figure V8 grand tourers proper now. Certainly, Lexus has struggled to promote the LC500 regardless of its breathtaking styling and engineering prowess.
But when something, the low-volume nature of the LC500 makes it simply that little bit extra particular, if that’s even attainable.
With that stated, I’d like to see a couple of extra on the roads. The LC500 isn’t essentially a stupendous automobile from all angles, however that lengthy 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 proper notes, in line with its ties to the music world, and goes like stink.
To prime it off, the LC500 is an excellent low-speed cruiser, dripping with refinement and luxurious. I’ll in all probability by no means be capable to afford one, however I’ll without end cling to these valuable moments from again in March.
MORE: Purchase a Lexus LC
Paul Maric: BYD Shark 6
I used to be genuinely shocked on the value level of the BYD Shark 6, however then much more shocked once I truly drove it.
The cabin feels prefer it’s from a automobile value double the value – in actual fact, you may pay nearly double the value for a Ford Ranger Raptor and its inside doesn’t really feel anyplace close to as premium because the Shark 6.
It’s loaded with tech and options, and it’s surprisingly fast and agile regardless of its 2710kg mass. Furthermore, it provides the flexibility of vehicle-to-load (V2L) and ticks the bins for a cheap novated lease.
It does have its downsides – there are edge instances the place you run into torque limitations on inclines, and if you’re towing at capability on an incline, you’ll finally run the battery right down to rely solely on the petrol engine.
However, should you don’t must do quite a lot of off-road driving otherwise you’re not towing often, it does every thing costlier dual-cabs do – simply higher and for cheaper.
MORE: Purchase a BYD Shark 6
James Wong: Aston Martin Vanquish
There are a selection of autos and experiences which have highlighted this yr, but it surely’s fairly laborious to prime residing a lifelong dream.
Attending to drive the all-new third-generation Aston Martin Vanquish ticks off a bucket record merchandise I wasn’t certain I’d ever be capable to do, and even higher I received to do it with the picturesque backdrop of the island of Sardinia, Italy.
Like many automobile fanatics I’ve that single dream automobile I’d like to personal and/or drive if cash was no object, and the Vanquish (in all three of its iterations) has been my all-time favorite since I unlocked the unique in Gran Turismo 3 again once I was a little bit tacker racing vehicles nearly on my Ps 2.
Whereas not all heroes are value assembly, the Vanquish actually lived as much as, if not exceeded my expectations. The brand new twin-turbo V12 is an absolute monster, rocketing you in the direction of the horizon faster than any Vanquish earlier than it.
The winding roads of Sardinia made for what felt like a scene out of a film, with sunny skies and gorgeous Sardinian mountain surroundings. I actually felt like I used to be on a type of previous Prime Gear episodes the place every host selected their very own supercar.
Anyway, I nonetheless pinch myself about it. I might nearly retire after that… at my ripe previous age of 30…
