It’s been a busy year at CarExpert. Between the usual reviews, launches, comparisons and tests, we filtered through hundreds of cars in our three offices.
However, a few cars in particular stand out from the pack. Here are our highlights from 2022.
Scott Collie
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Can’t miss the hottest Porsche Cayman ever to be my highlight this year.
According to Andreas Preuninger, head of Porsche’s GT division, the GT4 RS project “started with a car, not with a PowerPoint presentation”. Instead of convincing the finance department with numbers, his team got RS’s approval by putting a big smile on the board’s face.
If that first mule was anything like the finished product, it’s easy to see how the project got the green light.
It’s not the handling (accessible but challenging, deliciously balanced) or straight-line handling (appropriately impressive), or even the styling (angry but not the best). too much), imprinted the car in my mind. That is noise.
Growling at low speed, complete with a continuous hiss and hissing from the air intake at the back of your head, the sound transitions from a purposeful mid-range bark to a howl, before developing (or should develop). ?) into pure thrash metal driving the engine to its peak of 9000 rpm.
The first time I let it go up to $9,000 was when I was in number one on the road, passing a Smart car driving out of a village in Portugal, and I had to slow down and calm down because I’m giggling like a deranged child. That’s that kind of car.
THAN: Review Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Anthony Crawford
CHEAP Honda Civic
I’ve driven some epic cars like the Lamborghini Urus Performante on the track in Rome, the Aston Martin DBX 707 on the twisty roads in Sardinia and the 296 GTB (best Ferrari in a decade) in Spain on several The most beautiful road in the world, but the car that ranks first is the latest Honda Civic Type R.
In my mind, there isn’t a better or better technical sports car under $80,000 on the planet. This is next level engineering that manages to dial more feedback than the Porsche 911.
Throttle control, steering, brakes, transmission, body control are all off the charts, making it a car you drive over the limit with ease and confidence.
But don’t just take my word for it, take a test drive and tell me I was wrong.
THAN: Review of Honda Civic Type CHEAP
Alborz Fallah
It’s a tough one, but it will have to be the Lamborghini Huracan STO that I’m forced to use when launching the new Huracan Tecnica.
Although it has been squished by the European nanny committee with its sound, the STO is still an enchanting car to drive on the track and I love the originality of the V10 roaring in the back. while the chassis, suspension, wheels and all the fancy electronics remained in place I looked like a hero during the ordeal.
This is the ultimate naturally aspirated Lamborghini V10 race car for the road. The next one will be the hybrid and potentially much faster but not as rough and furious. Goodbye.
If I could name an affordable car, the GWM Ute… I don’t know why, but I love driving it and it has attracted a lot of attention from curious ute owners. This is a really reasonable and well priced Chinese made ute.
Imagine where that brand will be in a few short years!
THAN: Lamborghini Huracan STO review
William Stopford
Anyone who knows me will know I’m not much of a ute person, but the car that impressed me the most this year was a ute.
I’ve had the chance to drive the Ford Ranger Raptor off-road a few times, and naturally, it’s weathered tough terrain like no other. But I was also impressed with how comfortable it was to ride, with SUV-like ride quality, maneuverability and an impressive ride for such a large car.
The ability to adjust individual settings like exhaust mode via simple buttons on the steering wheel is also getting a refresh in an industry that’s more generally about touchscreens and touchscreens.
All of the Ranger’s core strengths are also there, such as stellar in-car technology and aggressive styling, dialed up to 11 in the guise of the Raptor.
Defect? It certainly sounds better than the old turbocharged diesel but I still wouldn’t call the twin-turbo V6 petrol smooth. The interior is a bit different from the standard Ranger, but it doesn’t feel like the cabin of an $85,000 car.
But then what else will you buy? Ranger Raptor is a class of its own. Just as some competitors were starting to close the gap between their flagship products and the Raptor, Ford went ahead and pushed the game forward once again while finally (hallelujah!) delivered one of twin-turbo V6 gasoline engines it arranges half of its American lineup.
If I were going to buy any car on sale in Australia today, it would be the Ranger Raptor. Mind you, an Everest Raptor would suit my style better…suggestion, Ford.
An honorable mention belongs to, believe it or not, another pickup truck: the Ford F-150 Lightning.
I only had one limited drive in one in Michigan earlier this year, but it ignited me to want to drive it more thanks to its peak torque and comfortable, familiar pickup truck packaging. Now, if only Ford Australia brought it here.
THAN: Ford Ranger Raptor Review
Mike Costello
I had some time watching the Toyota GR Corolla at its US global launch in September. As delicate as a sledgehammer, the GR Corolla is not your Nanna’s savings box.
Instead, it is a four-wheel-drive, honed, hand-only, WRC-inspired, fiercely uncompromising, all-wheel-drive pocket rocket that has all the attributes to pull people off. Their Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai i30 N or Subaru WRX.
An honorable mention goes to the Maserati MC20, the return to form of the Trident brand.
THAN: Review of Toyota GR Corolla
Quick Jack
The most memorable car I drove this year was undoubtedly the Lamborghini Huracan STO on the wet Phillip Island Circuit.
This car now holds a dear place in my heart as it was the first car I ever drove on the track. It was also the first left-hand drive I drove.
When I saw the Huracan STO with my own eyes, I couldn’t believe how small and low it was. It’s funny to see how Scott swings into the driver’s seat (I have video proof).
Even though it was raining heavily, I was still able to take part in a few tracking sessions on the Huracan STO.
I managed to get around 260-270 km/h on my way home, which makes me feel a bit jittery behind the wheel of a $600k rear-wheel drive supercar. la.
I know I’ll never actually own a Huracan STO because I’m always worried about damaging it, but it’s been amazing to get to experience it in such a short amount of time.
James Vuong
We drive a lot of cars during a given year, and for me, the ones that stick with me are the ones that I would consider buying for myself.
For me, it’s a close juxtaposition of two standout products from the Volkswagen Group launching this year – the Audi RS3 and the Cupra Formentor VZx.
The Audi is an epic car and being able to experience it in the wonderful rolling hills of Adelaide and then on The Bend has truly proven this car’s all-round ability.
It’s a fast supercar that looks like a young racer’s dream, but still has all the technology and comfort to get you to and from work every day.
As for the Formentor, I was eager to test drive the Cupra in large part due to my Catalan heritage, and was not disappointed when I drove the brand’s sportiest crossover.
It has a childish Urus feel, and feels like an upgraded and improved Golf R. The Spanish brand’s products have a taste and flair that really injects some personality and drama into VW’s underpinnings.
THAN: Cupra Formentor VZx . Review
THAN: Compare Audi RS3 with AMG A45 WILL
Paul Maris
Perhaps less surprised here with this answer, but the Ford Ranger Raptor.
The fact that Ford had the guts to build a twin-turbo V6 convertible that could outdo anything in 2022 tells you everything you need to know about the Ranger Raptor.
I had the opportunity to join Ford in several pre-launch Ranger Raptor developments, and all of this reinforced the reason I went ahead and bought one for myself.
It’s such a versatile medium and as a comprehensive vehicle it’s hard to go wrong. Do I need a double cab in my life? Absolutely not (and stop sounding like my wife). But do I want one? Totally agree.
