It may sound cliché, but that was probably the case this year From AutoExpert biggest year yet.
The team runs so many different cars every year, but with so many new vehicles coming onto the market – and that will continue into 2025 – you have to be pretty good to stand out.
Here the members of our team choose their favorite car of the year. What is your choice? Do you agree or disagree with us?
Read more below and share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Marton Pettendy: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
The best car I drove this year couldn’t be more different from the best car I drove last year: the latest Porsche 911 GT3 RS from the 992 series – the best road-legal race car in the world and the unrivaled pinnacle of naturally aspirated engines with big bore flat-six petrol power.
I never thought I’d say it, but my pick of cars launched in the last twelve months isn’t just an SUV, it’s also an EV.
Few all-new models can live up to the hype that precedes their release, yet Hyundai’s first high-performance electric N car continues to receive rave reviews from customers and journalists more than six months after its local release in March.
Now I understand why, after finally driving it last month at this year’s Hyundai N Fest.
No, there’s no escaping its considerable mass, and the suspension felt a little soft when pushed to its limits around the testing Morgan Park Raceway, where the big 84 kWh battery could be drained at full power in just a few dozen laps are emptied.
But with outputs of 478kW and 770Nm (about 100kW/300Nm more than the Porsche) and a rear-wheel drive all-wheel drive system complete with drift mode, the Ioniq 5 N easily reached 200km/h on the short straight and swallowed it up effortlessly. every other N car on the way out of all 12 corners around the 3km circuit.
And it did so consistently, lap after lap, on a sweltering day in Queensland, for three consecutive days (when not on the fast charger) without any reliability issues – even Porsche would be impressed by that.
Sure, Porsche’s Taycan Turbo GT may be faster, faster and more engaging, and it’s still the best electric car I’ve driven, but the German sports sedan costs almost four times as much as this high-tech Korean family SUV, and the GT3 RS is almost five times more expensive.
Believe the hype, because the Ioniq 5 N is a real driver’s car that rewards you more richly the harder you push it. It demonstrates a depth of engineering previously unseen from a mainstream EV manufacturer and portends an exciting future of an electric performance car that everyone should look forward to. Unpleasant.
MORE: Buy a Hyundai Ioniq 5
Jack Quick: Lexus LC500 Convertible
I’ve driven quite a few iconic vehicles this year, but by far the one that stood out was the Lexus LC500 Convertible.
It’s such a beautiful looking car that doesn’t shout overly like some other sports cars do. Instead, it exudes refined luxury, while still attracting attention like no other, especially thanks to the infrared exterior paint.
Then there is the 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 co-developed by Yamaha. I had never experienced such an orchestral engine in my life. When I wrung it out close to the red line, I was grinning from ear to ear, as was the Smile sample.
There aren’t many cars like this around anymore, and that’s one of the main reasons I’m so grateful I had the chance to drive one.
MORE: Buy a Lexus LC
Jordan Mulach: Audi RS7 performance
The list of cars I drove this year was limited compared to some of my peers, but my winner came in the final moments of the year.
I initially submitted the Ford Everest Wildtrak and Cupra Leon VZx as my favorites, until the Audi RS7 Performance completely blew my expectations away.
Yes, I’ll never be able to own one, but there are plenty of people willing to spend their money on cars like this, and I’d be foolish not to think about it.
Frankly, driving around in comfort mode feels like a V6 turbodiesel A7, with an extremely comfortable ride, effortless shifts and enough torque to drive into every hole.
However, if you wake it up in RS mode, it becomes a weapon worthy of the badge. This simply doesn’t feel like a car as big as it is, and it has one of the most menacing exhaust notes around: live the V8!
This is a car that’s as at home on the track as it is on Australia’s highways, and even though the 22-inch wheels are fitted with rubber bands for tires, there’s not a bump it won’t soak up.
If I had any complaints, it’s the climate control touchscreen and infotainment system, both of which require a bit more power than conventional displays.
Either way, the RS7 is more than an impressive package; it’s possibly one of the most underrated cars on sale today.
MORE: Buy an Audi RS7
William Stopford: Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
To paraphrase Vanessa L. Williams, 2024 passed by and saved the best for last.
During 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. Happy boy…
All three were fun in different ways, but I’ll mention the Corvette E-Ray which, despite being a hybrid, sounds a lot better than the Australian-spec Z06. The E-Ray’s 6.2-liter V8 is absolutely wonderful to listen to.
Unfortunately, the constant rain throughout the week meant I was driving these vehicles more carefully than normal – you can’t have everything, I guess. Still, I felt more comfortable behind the wheel in this weather thanks to the added traction of the all-wheel drive, while it was less of a pain to park than the Z06 I had with its extensive carbon fiber exterior trim.
Both Corvettes are also quite comfortable as commuters, both in terms of ride quality and interior space.
But the E-Ray is cheaper and sounds better, while the example we had was absolutely stunning with warm, shimmering silver paint with surprisingly tasteful blue stripes and chrome wheels. I didn’t want to give it back…
MORE: Buy a Chevrolet Corvette
Max Davies: Audi RS e-tron GT
There have been a number of real gems that I have had the pleasure of driving this year, but the Audi RS e-tron GT takes the cake.
Of course, there are some honorable mentions: the Lexus UX300e and GX550, Mazda MX-5, BMW M135 xDrive and Ford Mustang GT to name a few.
But it’s clear: I can’t forget the RS e-tron GT – and there are a number of reasons for that. One is the fact that it has been a hero car of mine for quite some time, as it is a $250,000+ German electric grand tourer that looks absolutely stunning, especially from the front.
But the other thing has to do with the conditions in which I was able to drive it. I was lucky enough to attend Audi’s Media Drive Experience at Sydney Motorsport Park in late September, and of course it was there.
The day started with a series of defensive driving exercises with hard acceleration and hard braking in the GT, where the car’s capabilities were brutally demonstrated.
But after doing laps in a few other Audi RS models, the final challenge of the day involved a motorkhana on the track’s wet skidpan.
A tight and winding course was set out, and the challenge was of course to get the immensely powerful RS e-tron GT through it as quickly as possible.
Of the journalists there, I finished with the fastest time, which earned me an Audi R8… key ring. Still, I can’t believe we even got the chance to do something like this with such a special (and expensive) car.
The whole experience was definitely a highlight of the year, and the RS e-tron GT was the icing on the cake.
MORE: Buy an Audi e-tron GT
Josh Nevett: Lexus LC500
It turns out that the best car I drove this year was one of the very first ones. A 30-minute spin during one of our routine car swaps was all it took to fall in love with the Lexus LC500, a car unlike any we’ll ever see again.
After all, the industry isn’t exactly ripe for six-figure V8 grand tourers at the moment. Indeed, Lexus has struggled to sell the LC500, despite its stunning styling and technical prowess.
But the low volume of the LC500 certainly makes it that little bit more special, if that is even possible.
That said, I’d love to see a few more on the road. The LC500 isn’t necessarily a beautiful car from all angles, but that long hood and webbed grille are. kiss from the chef.
Just like the 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine, which was developed together with Yamaha. The 2UR-GSE sings all the right notes, in keeping with its ties to the music world, and goes like a rocket.
To top it all off, the LC500 is a beautiful low-speed cruiser, dripping with refinement and luxury. I will probably never be able to afford one, but I will forever hold on to those precious moments from March.
MORE: Buy a Lexus LC
Paul Maric: BYD Shark 6
I was honestly surprised by the price of the BYD Shark 6, but even more surprised when I actually drove it.
The interior feels like it came from a car worth twice as much. In fact, you can pay almost double the price for a Ford Ranger Raptor, and the interior doesn’t feel nearly as premium as the Shark 6.
Packed with technology and features, it is surprisingly fast and agile despite its 2710kg weight. Additionally, it offers the versatility of vehicle-to-load (V2L) and meets the demands of a cost-effective renewed lease.
It does have its drawbacks: there are edge cases where you’ll run into torque limitations on slopes, and if you’re towing on a slope at full capacity, you’ll end up draining the battery relying solely on the gas engine.
But if you don’t need to do much off-roading or regular towing, it does everything more expensive double cabs can do – only better. And for cheaper.
MORE: Buy a BYD Shark 6
James Wong: Aston Martin Vanquish
There are a number of vehicles and experiences that are in the spotlight this year, but it’s quite difficult to achieve a lifelong dream.
Getting to drive the all-new third-generation Aston Martin Vanquish is a tick on a bucket list item that I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to do, and even better, I got to do it with the scenic backdrop of the island Sardinia, Italy.
Like many car enthusiasts, I have that one dream car that I would love to own and/or drive if money were no object, and the Vanquish (in all three versions) has been my all-time favorite since I unlocked the original in Gran Turismo 3 when I was a small pusher, I raced cars virtually on my PlayStation 2.
While not all heroes are worth meeting, the Vanquish really met or exceeded my expectations. The new twin-turbo V12 is an absolute monster and will shoot you to the horizon faster than any Vanquish.
Sardinia’s winding roads provided what felt like a scene from a movie, with sunny skies and beautiful Sardinian mountain scenery. I really felt like I was sitting on one of those old ones Top equipment episodes in which each presenter chose his own supercar.
Anyway, I’m still pinching myself for it. After that, I could almost retire… at the ripe old age of 30…
MORE: Buy an Aston Martin Vanquish
