As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the past year and nominate the best cars we’ve driven in the last 12 months.
The Daily Sparkz The team has driven hundreds of new models this year, from new city-ready electric SUVs to fire-breathing supercars and everything in between, so the choice is long.
For your festive reading pleasure, we present to you what the members of our team have chosen as their favorite cars this year.
Which is your choice? Do you disagree with us or do you agree with us? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Daily Sparkz: Genesis GV70
The updated Genesis GV70 remains my favorite car in its segment.
Despite very good competition from BMW with the X3, the South Koreans have produced the best mid-size luxury SUV, but it doesn’t get the sales credit it deserves.
Marton Pettendy: Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
The world’s first Chevrolet Corvette – and the first mid-engined – is a true supercar that ticks all the boxes, including design, technology and performance, to rival and even surpass some of its more established and storied Italian rivals.
In fact, it’s a shame that most Australians won’t even consider it because it doesn’t wear a Ferrari or Lamborghini badge, because even in entry-level Stingray form, the C8 really is an engineering masterpiece that shows GM knows how to build a top-of-the-line car.
But since there are no right-hand drive ZR1 and ZR1X models, the choice is not the hardcore Z06 but the E-Ray hybrid, which sounds much better, is faster despite having all-wheel drive because it delivers more power and torque, but is also more affordable.
All C8 Corvettes look sexy and special, but the E-Ray is both the most rewarding and the most user-friendly, making it one of the most comprehensive – and accessible, in terms of both affordability and performance – supercars available today.
William Stopford: Toyota Camry
You must think I’m crazy. After all, I’ve driven everything from V8-powered sports cars and pickup trucks to high-tech electric vehicles, and here I am to say that a Toyota Camry was the best car I’ve driven?!
Yes. This latest generation of XV80 – despite being heavily based on its predecessor – is arguably the most compelling Camry in 30 years.
Around this time, the first wide-body Camry arrived, shaking up the midsize sedan segment and offering a truly impressive level of quality and refinement. The subsequent Camry generations were always good, but probably never class-leading.
This latest generation offers best-in-class fuel efficiency and refinement while being powerful and comfortable to drive. As I drove it, I asked myself two things: Why would I spend significantly more on a Lexus ES and what would it look like if the Gazoo Racing team gave it a try?
And all in a family sedan. A Camryno less. Your Uber driver is very lucky.
My runner-up is the Hyundai Ioniq 9, which I drove back-to-back with a Volvo EX90 – a beautiful ride in itself – and ended up wondering why you should pay thousands more for what the luxury brand has to offer.
A great design, a well-packaged interior and a surprisingly comfortable ride on huge 21-inch alloy wheels.
James Wong: Porsche 911 GT3 Touring
It took me so long to get behind the wheel of a Porsche 911. So why not do the right thing?
The 911 GT3 Touring is an incredible piece of kit, with the track capability of a 911 GT car coupled with a degree of everyday practicality and comfort that you would expect from the German brand’s excellent all-round supercar.
It only took a few hours to fall in love with it: the screaming 4.0-liter flat-six engine, the insanely precise and responsive steering and chassis calibration, and of course the cool factor that comes with the more subtle Touring package.
After many years of thinking about what makes the 911 so special and what makes the venerable automobile brand nirvana for so many customers and journalists, I can now say that I have been drawn into the cult.
Damion Smy: BMW i5 Touring
What a stunning chameleon of a car. Like Jekyll and Hyde, the BMW i5 Touring is capable of molesting a nun and committing outright murder with the other hand. If the M5 didn’t have a V8…
Ben Zachariah: Honda Civic Type R
While the latest Volkswagen Golf R was at the top of my list for most of the year and the Ford Ranger Super Duty was mighty impressive, I didn’t have more fun than my week in the Honda Civic Type R.
Although described by most as a “hot hatch” due to its hot hatch roots, the CTR has grown up and should really be viewed in the same way as a Subaru WRX STI or a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. In fact, I think Honda missed a trick by ditching all-wheel drive in this latest generation.
Regardless, the Type R is an absolute hit whether you’re commuting in the city or tackling a winding mountain road.
My erudite colleague with excellent hair, James Wong, even compared the CTR to the 911 GT3 Touring – his pick for this year’s best driven car – with the Honda offering the same telepathic driving response and high build quality found in the Porsche.
Really high praise – and I can only agree.
Josh Nevett: Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
I spent a weekend driving an E-Ray from Sydney to Parkes and back as part of the annual Corvette Nationals convention and what a weekend it was!
Rednecks and bogans will scoff at the mention of an electrified Corvette, but the E-Ray is among the best sports cars on the market.
Installing a front-mounted electric motor not only increases the performance of a supercar, but also improves the Corvette’s handling on public roads.
Chevrolet has also done a great job giving the E-Ray a unique personality with an immersive synthetic soundtrack that complements rather than distracts from the roar of that thunderous V8.
Of course, the Porsche 911 remains a safe bet in the premium performance car genre, but the Corvette E-Ray deserves far more attention, especially from those who don’t mind turning heads.
Max Davies: Ford Mustang GT Convertible
This was a difficult decision, so bear with me. I could have picked several: This year’s updated Toyota GR Yaris is a blast; The new Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the best all-rounders I’ve driven in a long time; and putting the Toyota GR Supra Track Edition through its paces was undoubtedly a special opportunity.
I also can’t help but mention the Subaru WRX tS Spec B – just doing three hot laps on a private track in the brand’s current performance flagship will stay with me for a while.
The point is that I’ve driven a lot of good cars this year and that’s something I can’t take for granted. But in the end I have to choose the Ford Mustang GT Convertible.
I had the privilege of renting it for a week, which gave me a new appreciation – not just for the Mustang, but for convertibles in general.
The sound, performance and character of the Coyote V8 are unforgettable, especially when experienced with the roof down. I had a fantastic Saturday trip across the country on a gorgeous summer day and can honestly say there is no car I would have rather driven.
It’s also dynamic and engaging, and while it’s certainly expensive, it’s not so expensive that you’re afraid to give it a try.
There’s a lot to like about this car, and that’s without even mentioning the beefy look of the current S650 generation. Plus, bright fire engine red is an excellent color for a “Stang.”
Sean Lander: Toyota Land Cruiser
It’s a bit older now, but I’ll be damned if the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series isn’t still fantastic.
Not only is it the first choice for farmers and car thieves, it also offers plenty of comfort, is effortless to drive and has enough torque to attract the moon.
It’s a car that does nothing wrong and does most things right.
