The auto industry may have faced a bumpy road this year, marked by supply chain issues, chip shortages and record-setting inflation, but innovation continues to accelerate. We asked our main contributors to pick their favourite cars of 2022 and a close runner up. These are the vehicles that stood out from the rest.
Winner: 2023 Honda Civic Type R
“The Civic Type R needs no introduction. We’ve only received the last two generations of it in North America, but both are spectacular to drive. The 2023 somehow manages to be even sharper and more powerful. The styling is much tamer on the new model; you can actually consider it a good-looking car now. The performance, approachability, and the practical five-door hatchback body style make this one of the most usable and fun sports cars on the market.”
Runner up: 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
“With a 9,000-rpm naturally aspirated flat-6 mounted amidships, and the airbox in the cabin, rides don’t get much more thrilling or visceral than this.”
—Kunal D’souza
Winner: 2023 Nissan Z
“Sure, it’s built upon a dated chassis, has a borrowed motor and the cabin is still a bit cramped but the Z is a front-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car — with a manual transmission — in 2022. That alone is worthy of praise. Power spools from the twin-turbo V6 with immediacy and grunt. The clutch is well weighted and the shifter communicates only a little bit of mush to it. Plant your foot and Z will squat a touch before it squirts, but it hustles with impressive eagerness.”
Runner up: 2022 Lexus IS 500F
“Trailing ever so slightly was the Lexus IS 500 F. A raucous reminder that the fast saloon is still an ambition worth striving for.”
—Matthew Neundorf
Winner: 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
“The Blackwing is remarkable not only for its immense performance credentials, but also because with the rise of electric vehicles, rear-wheel drive sedans with big V8 engines and manual transmissions have almost gone extinct. From its meticulous carbon fibre detailing inside and out, to its fighter-jet cockpit with pin-sharp digital displays and bulging bodywork, the Blackwing represents truth in advertising: looks fast, is fast. It’s a thrilling car to drive.”
Runner-up: 2022 Audi RS e-tron GT
“The flip side of the Blackwing is Audi’s flagship EV sports sedan, a car that suggests all-electric performance is indeed something to look forward to.”
—Lee Bailie
Winner: 2023 Genesis G80 Electric
“This EV shares many of its underpinnings with the gas-powered Genesis model — and that’s a very good thing because these are some sterling underpinnings. The ride is top-drawer even on stylish 20-inch wheels, the interior materials feel of the highest grade and everything is spectacularly subtle. Add some avant-garde exterior styling, an EV powertrain with over 500 km of range and a colossal 516 pound-feet of torque, and the want is very strong.”
Runner up: 2023 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE
“The Z/28 is gone, so the 2SS with 1LE track pack and 455 hp V8 plus six speed manual ‘box, magnetic dampers, fat tires and cool aero touches is as close as you can get for 2022/23. Its straight-line speed is obvious, but the fact that it handles like a much smaller vehicle is the real kicker, makes for an absolutely addictive drive.”
—Dan Heyman
Winner: 2022 Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo
“The Turbo still embodies Porsche elegance under normal circumstances. But mash the go-fast pedal and you’ll swear it was the hyperspace throttle on the Millennium Falcon. It makes everything else feel slow. Best of all, the Taycan Turbo will make your passengers scream and laugh like they’re on a roller-coaster. Which means this EV can do the most important enthusiast car trick of all: leave you with fond memories.”
Runner up: 2023 Toyota GR Corolla
“The GR Corolla is possibly the most fun and rewarding car I’ve ever driven. The manual gearbox is worth tales of its own. Which is to say nothing of the superb steering, grip, chassis and powerband — all packaged into a compact hatchback. This is Toyota delivering on their ‘no more boring cars’ promise. However, while the GR Corolla’s MSRP is positioned as a bargain, it’s difficult to overlook its economy interior and extreme compromises in noise, vibration and harshness versus some competitors.”
—Chris D’Alessandro
Winner: 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning
“While most EV owners embrace their status as early adopters, for many motorists the new technology is bewildering. And you won’t find a more traditional bunch than pickup truck owners. Knowing this, Ford delivered their very first all-electric truck wrapped in the comforting cloak of familiarity. The brilliant Ford Lightning offers refined handling, a wealth of new tech, and impressive power and capability in a traditional pickup truck package.”
Runner up: 2023 Genesis GV60
“Lovely design, a whimsical rotating crystal ball shifter, and dynamic driving character earn the Genesis GV60 second place in my year’s favourites. A mechanical limited-slip differential and adaptive suspension make the GV60 a hoot to throw around winding roads, yet it’s luxurious enough for a relaxing cruise.”
—Lesley Wimbush
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