2023's top vehicles

2023's top vehicles

We wanted to have a final look at the vehicles we drove in the previous year before the new one arrived. And the automobiles on this list are the ones that really captured our hearts. Even while they may not be the most useful, the best deals, or the most reasonably priced, they all have a little something extra that truly appeals to us. These are the vehicles that excite us for the little things, like the interiors or the feel of the steering wheel, or even for some of the larger things, like a truly fantastic engine. Check out whether any of your picks made this year's list below. — Joel Stocksdale

Editor in Chief Byron Hurd: V6, hydraulic steering, six speeds—am I hearing Nirvana and Nine Inch Nails? Since it has a striking resemblance to the 1990s. Some of my favorite cars from that decade are the Dodge Viper, the Acura NSX, the FD RX-7, and the C5 Chevy Corvette, to name a few. In their own unique ways, each of them attracted enthusiasts despite being underdogs. Thirty years on, the Emira still feels like a combination of those devices. The Emira provides a six-figure sensation, no matter how "meh" 400 horsepower from a supercharged V6 is in comparison to today's six-figure sports cars. Of course, the 718 and Corvette are more comfortable to live with, but the Porsche's sophistication

Editor of Road Tests, Zac Palmer: During the last five years or so, if you had asked me, "What new car would you buy as a daily?" I would have said, "Honest Civic Type R." I have a different response now, and it has to do with the Acura Integra Type S. In essence, it's the slightly more opulent Civic Type R "Touring" that manages to sacrifice very little performance in exchange for being more comfortable to live with on a daily basis. For a more comprehensive analysis, I recommend reading my Type S Road Test; in summary, the Type S is nearly the ideal vehicle for me. A superior manual transmission does not exist on the globe. When in use, its torque steer-defying suspension architecture is incredible; the manner that

Joel Stocksdale, news editor: The fact that this and the Integra were so dissimilar made it even harder for me to choose between them. However, since Zac chose the Acura, I assumed I would choose the BMW. And I have no regrets about that. As much as I like driving the Integra, this year I really didn't want to return to the fleet and instead wanted to drive the i7. That excites me greatly because, in general, I find these flagship sedans to be uninspired and disengaged in their quest of comfort. The i7, meanwhile, is remarkably comfortable for cruising and yet surprisingly agile and ready when needed. Additionally, the electric powertrain is ideal for both of those qualities.

Electric, Senior Editor John Beltz Snyder Joel might have been attempting to avoid making the same decisions twice, but I won't. There should be more compliments for the i7. This executive electric sedan is really well-executed. Driving it was an absolute pleasure, with lots of power delivered smoothly and quickly. It was very flexible in terms of turning and switching between curves. It collected all of the debris and muck from our Michigan roadways.

Its interior is just as spectacular. The i7's captivating and luxurious materials, expert craftsmanship, painstaking attention to detail, and creative use of lighting made it feel more like a lounge than a computer. I enjoyed the back seat for more reasons than only the gigantic theater screen that lowers from the ceiling and the fascinating computer screens that control it. It was only a comfortable spot to hang out. It's a nice area, but I would still rather be in command.

Jeremy Korzeniewski, senior editor: Compared to Joel, Zac, and Byron, I didn't drive as many automobiles this year. However, I did drive an Ineos Grenadier, which no one else on the squad owns (yet). I won't lie to you and tell you that this body-on-frame, boxy SUV with solid axles and fossil fuel-burning engines is the car of the future. It is, in fact, purposefully deeply entrenched in the past. We often say, "They don't make 'em like they used to," although I suppose they do occasionally. The Grenadier is positioned somewhere between expensive luxury utes like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Range Rover and purpose-built off-road vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. That it was motivated by

Editor in Chief James Riswick: Most unexpected vehicle for 2023? Without a doubt, the Buick Envista is unexpectedly good. The Chevy Trax, which shares the same chassis, is undoubtedly the greatest, most competitive, and most useful new vehicle I have driven this year. Still, the word "favorite" eliminates all possibility of significance. It therefore came down to the first electrified Rolls-Royce and an incredibly rare, top-of-the-line Porsche, both of which are available in pink paint. I'll go with the Porsche 718 Spyder RS that almost broke my eardrum, even though I left the Roller thinking, "I think that's the nicest car I've ever driven." I have very few memories of that car that compare. It's the ideal Boxster, which is among the best in its own right.

 

Chief Editor Greg Migliore: I drove a number of amazing automobiles in 2023, but the Maserati MC20 was surpassed by the Rolls-Royce Spectre as my favorite. Impressive but ambitious were the Roller's distinctive two-tone paint job, relaxed electric power, and opulent cabin. Although developing an electric coupe is a bit of a gamble for Rolls-Royce (maybe developing a car for a different market group would have been more clear), the Spectre is a well-executed concept that shows the company's direction. This electric car is exciting to drive and still has the feel of a Rolls-Royce, with a range of 260 miles and enough power to reach 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.