TTAC's Best and Brightest have spoken. You provided us with 81 nominations for our Ten Best award, from the Aston Martin Vanquish to the HUMMER H2. From this cornucopia of cars, our ever-eager writers selected the short list of 20 finalists. As you might expect, the final list leans heavily towards vehicles notable for their performance and driving excellence. Half of this year's contenders were also finalists last year [indicated by an asterisk]. So here they are, along with some of your more "colorful" comments. Once you've had a look, please step into the e-voting booth and choose TTAC's Ten Best.
Audi A5/S5: In the old days, the Ford Thunderbird was a big stylish and fast coupe, without being as brash as a Trans Am or ‘Stang. Audi's bangle-free design looks great, and the chassis is improved from the A4. -squid
Audi R8: No other car in the last decade has created such a stir as this one. Incredible styling, performance and presence. The R8 stops traffic, then peels out leaving bystanders to wipe off their drool. -Jeff in Canada
Audi S4/RS4*: Audi has constantly evolved their S4 series to make it a true driver's car and outshine its Bavarian rivals ultimate driving machine. -jaje
BMW 3-Series*: No other car offers such variety. Sedan, coupe, wagon, convertible? Check. NA or turbo straight 6? Check. RWD or AWD? Check. The great thing is that all versions are fantastic cars to drive. -Quentin
Cadillac CTS: As uniquely American as a 2000lb bomb being dropped on a Taliban, and as shocking in real life as well. The interior makes an Audi or BMW look positively old fashioned. And they offer it in a manual in every trim level. -Capt Mike
Chevy Corvette/Z06/ZR1*: This is the one car that Chevy continually and consistently updates for the better and doesn't let it rot on the vine. It will embarrass many cars even those twice it's price. -jaje
Honda Civic: Provides laser-precise handling, a quiet comfortable interior, and decent power. It's a blast to drive, yet somehow manages to get class-leading fuel efficiency. – Axel.
Honda Fit*: It is an impeccably designed small car, with good mpg, an ingenious interior (those seats fold in every direction!), reliability, and playful handling. -Adub
Hyundai Genesis: Penny pinchers unite! Someone at Hyundai has some pretty big coconuts, skipping the whole mass market thing and going squarely for BMW. -yournamehere
Infiniti G35/37*: More competent RWD sports sedan than the 3-series, restyle looks great even in coupe form. Available AWD for the snowbelt. -TEXN3
Mazda Mazda3/MazdaSpeed3*: In both sedan and hatchback form, the Mazda3 offers enough zoom-zoom to satisfy your wants and enough practicality to satisfy your needs. -Theodore
Mazda MX-5*: You don't understand cars until you have driven one of these… to its limits. There are no cars that give you this level of handling enjoyment for this price range, and way beyond. -Aardappel
MINI Cooper S: Here is a great performance car for the era of $4+ fuel: fun to drive, fast, thrifty, handles great, outstanding resale value, and the look is still unique after all these years. -Steve-O
Nissan GT-R: The handling and quickness are unfathomable, the power is brutal and its pretty much undeniable in whether or not it accomplishes its purpose. Best of all is its consistency. You have to try to make a mistake in this car. – John R
Pontiac G8: Rear wheel drive V8 performance without body cladding dripping off. Probably the last of the breed with gas prices and fuel economy standards. -carguy622
Porsche 911*: I've tried to dislike it, tried to rationalize its capabilities with respect to its price, but the car is the perfect sports car and the only sports car you can drive every day. If petrol still exists in some decades (and it will) you can buy one now and drive it happily every day for at least the next 20 years. -JJ
Porsche Boxster S*: This is the everyman's sports car. This car has a perfectly balanced driving character and has perfectly balanced the needs of modern accommodations, safety, and emissions with the purity of the original 356 vision. -Joe O
Toyota Prius: Tomorrow's car today. Not really a driver's car, but a practical and painless transportation module that is optimized for the conditions in which most urbanites actually drive. Not a back-roads car, but every time I get stuck in semi-stationary traffic, I wish I had one. -argentla
VW GTI*: Hatchback versatility, decent mpg's, upscale interior, and an absolute fantastic drive. It delivers all you need to have a blast on back roads and interstate cruises for a mid 20k price. -blankfocus
VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen: Sporty, fun to drive, TDI power and torque leave all the others in the dust and the wagon version is very utilitarian, to boot. -Beelzebubba
Now comes the time to narrow this list down to the ten winners. Click below to pop over to our poll and place your votes. Then watch this space to see which vehicles become TTAC's Ten Best for 2008.
86 Comments on “TTAC’s Ten Best for 2008: Time to Vote!...”
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How did the Jaguar XF NOT get on this list?!
The same way all the other nominees that didn’t make it on this list didn’t make it on this list: TTAC’s writers didn’t select it (one snarkerer, one vote).
3 Audis, 2 BMWs ( if you include the Mini ) and 2 Posches – not a single Merc ! I’ve never liked them as is, but didn’t think everyone else felt the same…
That was actually harder than I thought it would be. There are a lot of great cars on the market right now!
So, what’s the official take on the most effective way to stuff the ballot box?
And not a single Chrysler, Ford (OK, 2 Mazdas), or Mercedes-Benz on the list. Hmmmmmmm…
With all due respect to Katie, the XF is just not unique enough to make the cut. Other than the shifter and cool (until they break) HVAC vents, the XF is too derivative, and it doesn’t offer anything that can be considered class-leading.
Compare the specs of a Hyundai Genesis V-8 to an XF, and it’s scary (if you’re Jaguar/Tata).
The Genesis looks to be a real game-changer for Hyundai. Everything I’ve read says it’s very, very good. And while not yet on a par with Mercedes, BMW, and Jaguar, it’s shockingly close.
The biggest issue for Hyundai is whether they can up their dealership’s service to handle the car and those who can buy it. It could break either way. It could be the next LS400, or the next Phaeton.
I couldn’t vote for the Mini. It’s a great car, but for half-again the price of a Fit or Mazda 3, it should be.
Very happy to see the Fit on the list. CR had it at number 8 in a recent hatch comparo, and I was perplexed. I’m glad I’m not alone in my love of this car. 25k miles in just under a year, with 34 mpg avg. (43 mpg max.), and not one complaint.
Among easily affordable cars I selected the Fit, GTI, Civic and Mazda3. Each one has a great balance of sportiness, functionality and affordability. The Fit and Civic are also fuel misers, the GTI is the sportiest and the Mazda3 is a bit of a renaissance man within this group.
For the sports sedans, I gave the nod to the 3-series for its vast customizeability and the way BMW has nurtured the badge (though that may be unravelling a bit now…) and the Audi RS4 for its supreme versatility. I also gave a nod to the G8 for its power/price ratio. If GM didn’t have its head up its ass about long-term continuous improvements, the G8 could easily be GM’s equivalent of the G35, i.e., 90% of the 3-series for 60-70% of the price.
Among the sportier cars, I voted for the Corvette and the Boxster S. Because I’d love one of each.
I was disappointed to see the Wrangler not make the list. I voted for it in the 1st round that was for TTAC writers. It is a rare American example of decades-long model evolution that leads to an iconic stature in the minds of car buyers. But well, one writer, one ballot.
Given the passions the nomination phase elicited, the selection of the final voting group is remarkably neutral. No doubt there will be those whinging because the Doubtfire V11 did not make the list, but the results will be interesting given an amazing range of choices out there.
The list and comments both suggest that the Germans and the Japanese are definitely doing some of the most interesting automotive work on the planet.
I still don’t understand why the Doubtfire V11 did not make the cut…
For the same reasons the Lexus GS400h didn’t.
Definitely a vote for the Honda Civic. It’s peppy. It handles. It has the interior of a more expensive car. It will last long after you decide to buy a newer one ten years from now.
Also a vote for the Boxster S. It’s mid engined like all proper race cars, and it has the bigger engine and upgraded suspension. And it’s a convertible.
No Odyssey minivan though? I always considered it an Extra Large sport wagon, really.
I don’t see why 3 Audi’s and 2 VW’s on the list. Everyone I’ve ever known to own either of those brands has run into major problems from mechanical to electrical. A good drivers car is only good if it’s halfway reliable and I haven’t seen proof the Audi/VW guys are on par with the Japanese yet. We give the 2.8 plenty of grief for making crap, but give others a pass???
Also would’ve liked to see a mid-size on the list. The Camcord lines are the best at selling pure numbers. Throw in all their competition and it’s easily the largest market for sales. Three fuel mizers made the cut, certinaly thanks to the current economy, but no family hauler fuel sippers that the vast majority of Americans park in their garage every night? The list seems a bit elitist IMO…and this from a guy that doesn’t like either of the current Camcord lines.
I voted for the XF, the C-Class, and the Silverado in the first TTAC Writer only round, but thats my opinion, so now you guys need to vote and let us know yours!
And remember, your vote here really DOES count, because we don’t do an electoral college.
So VOTE, and Drive (not die).
Has anyone outside of a few “auto jounalist” actually driven a Hyundai Genesis yet?
How the hell can a brand new (bascially UNTESTED) car make this list?
I find it interesting that the Lotus Exige/Elise isn’t on the list. It’s a true sports car adhering to the less (weight) is more (fun) principle of design, and it was nominated by several people including myself, of course – why else would I be mentioning it.
There aren’t even 10 cars on the list that I could bring myself to vote for. If we were allowed to actually rank them 1 to 10 as well (maybe next year?), I would have put the Mazda3 as #1 for its blend of fun and practicallity at a good price. The Miata, excuse me MX-5, would be a close second for cheap fun. After that, the only ones that I could really get behind were the GT-R, Infiniti G35/G37, and Corvette. I ended up also voting for the Porsche 911 and Boxster S even though I think they are overpriced for what they are (I guess by the same token, I could have voted for the BMW 3 Series) and the Fit because it is good at what it does – cheap, reliable, versatile, transportation – even though I don’t ever see myself owning a Fit. I just find that wide… uhh… accent stripe (?) behind the doors of the Audi R8 so pointless and ugly that I decided to make a statement by not voting for it.
Although I’ll probably never be able to afford those big Audi coupes, I am very taken by their design. I was on the freeway one day last week and saw 2 of them with dealer plates coming up in the left lane, going faster than the rest of the traffic. While I usually hate people who do that, I watched, drooling, as these 2 cars, one black, one red, passed me and everyone else. They get my vote!
Um…..how are we going to get the purple dye off our fingers after we vote?
What, no Volt, no Camaro?
I nominated the C300 as a Benz – I prefer it and the A4/S4/RS4 over the 3 series. BMW is in a funk with styling; adding the 1 series which equates to basically a 9/10ths 3 series and not the reincarnation of the 2002 BMW claimed it would be; and price as a nicely optioned base model 1 or 3 series approaches or crests $40k now.
I gave the Genesis, A5 and R8 my votes.
A vote for the Jetta SportWagen (Golf Variant to us Europeans) is a vote for the Saab 9-5 SportCombi, recognise those backlights?
It would be fun with a non-US-market version of this competition, giving for example the Citroëns a chance. For example the Grand C4 Picasso
http://www.citroen.co.uk/new-cars/citroen-grand-c4-picasso/
7 Persons. 5.9 liter / 100 km with the diesel.
Hmmm, the Porsche/VAG group had 7 out of 20 slots in the Best car choice. Interesting choices by all of TTAC. Its also Nice to see that npassion stil can overrule the “but its good value and reliable” mantra that is driving car design into the generic transportation appliance design lately.
I am surprised that the Mercedes Benz C Class and the Mazda5 didn’t make it onto the list, while the Pontiac G8 and VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen did. There are quite a few more posters that suggested the former two vehicles than the latter.
I made it to 9 votes, my tenth would have been like voting between (content edited by me to not start a political flame war, jist of it being two Presidential candidates in a large “Democracy”).
WHAT?!?!?!? No Camry? No Corolla? Oh NOES!!!! SHOCK!!!!!
The most significant cars EVER and are not in the list…
What’s going on with you guys? *shakes his head*
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!
LOL… being sarcastic is lots of fun :)
Actually, the good part is that THAT pair is not in the list.
There’s, what, four sports sedans on the list? Not that there’s anything wrong with sports sedans, but it would be nice to have at least one flavour of vanilla (Mazda5, Accord, Malibu) as an option instead of four different flavours of strawberry (G35, 3-Series, G8, S4)
I’m with changsta, I’d have liked to see the C-Class make the list instead of the Pontiac G8, but it’s quite possible we’re in the minority.
And whoever said Odyssey – haven’t you read the papers? Minivans are out!
An excellent, comprehensive list. I know where my vote is going…
(My comment made it! I won! I won!)
Really, some cars are missing:
Silverado
Tahoe (I see no trucks or SUV in the list, that’s why these 2)
Malibu
Cobalt (LOL not really)
Didn’t vote on the Prius, but it’s ok
The Yaris is also cute as small car.
Patriot would be nice, as revival of the “spirit” of the Cherokee.
Wrangler
EVO X
Sorry Stingray but…
Tahoe? Most reviews were not excited when it came out, has plenty of black eyes in comparos.
“rado?- pretty even split w/ Tundra in comparos.
Good truck but not standing free of the pack.
‘Bu?- Have yet to see it at the top of a comparo, and was near the bottom of one. Good car, good effort “for GM”. A “Best”. Not close.
Frankly none of the mid sizers stands clear enough to deserve a title.
Take it easy.
Bunter
The Cadillac CTS is a legend in the making. That car has been Cadillac’s best seller since its release and it is therefore, extremely important to constantly get that car perfect.
The Hyundai Genesis is a fantastic car from an unlikely source. If I were going to buy a car right now i’d definitely be buying a V8 Genesis. That car has an interior that feels better than the Lexus GS and some might say, upstages the S-class. For just $40,000 you can get a loaded V6 Genesis.
Jaguar XF should definitely be on this list. That car is hot, sexy and is the first Jaguar with looks that excite me. I love that car. The interior is very stylish yet, minimalist.
Bunter1:
I actually don’t agree with you in the Tahoe part. Neither on the Silverado, but can take it.
In the comparo that was ran here in TTAC, it won over Sequoia and Expedition.
Doesn’t have a 6 speed auto. Sure.
Doesn’t have the most powerful engine. Agreed.
It has a very nice interior.
The exterior is very nice also.
But I agree with the reviewer here: it’s the most balanced/rounded package for a full-size SUV.
And it has been so for about more than 10 years.
That SUV’s are seen as guzzlers or are out of “fashion” this year would not be reason for me for disqualifying them.
The list is very nice, but some cars are missing. As with many lists. Not everyone can be satisfied :).
The new XF has with a doubt the best interior in any mass produced car. But the nose looks like it was cribbed from a 2005 Subaru Legacy. If you would have stripped the badges off and showed me a pic I never would have guessed Jaguar. That said I do like it and think it’s good, just not top 10 material.
My favorite of the group is the Mini Cooper S. It has the best combo of power to weight, economy, suspension, style, customization and price. One day when I no longer need the Odyssey it will be mine. There isn’t one car on the list that provides all these in one package.
The TDI sportwagen isn’t even out in America, and I’m pretty sure that Genesis drivers are few and far between.
I’m kinda annoyed that the Mazda5 didn’t make the list. Not just because I nominated it, but because its a lowcost, high utility vehicle that Americans should be aware of. Instead the list is filled with higher end sportscars and sedans, which while they do personafy what everyone may want, aren’t exactly low profile cars that should have their praises sung.
You’d have to own every single Audi and VW on that list just to have a car to drive while the others are in the shop.
Mitsubishi Evolution X.
The best money can buy. fast,good on turns and aggressive look.
Recaro seats, 650 watts car stereo with sub-woofer, nav system,blue tooth,speed volume control,all wheel drive,Turbo and the list goes on
Has anyone outside of a few “auto jounalist” actually driven a Hyundai Genesis yet?
How the hell can a brand new (bascially UNTESTED) car make this list?
I’ve seen two on the street, with regular license plates (i.e. not manufacturer). One was being driven, the other parked at the supermarket. And nowhere near a Hyundai dealership.
I think the list turned out decently, although I would have liked to have seen an average mainstream four-door on the list.
Lumbergh21 : I didn’t vote for 10 cars either, more like 6 or so. However, I did vote for the R8.
I think that VW/Audi have made strong gains in the quality field. I had a 1998 New Beetle, and that thing was in the shop more times than I could count. But, against my better judgement, I bought a 2007 GTI, because I fell in love with the car. In the two years I have owned it, I have only had one issue that required time in the shop (a sensor went bad).
Even though this is anecdotal evidence, I can’t be the only one who has had good experiences with their newer VWs.
adam0331, msmiles -
The Audis and VeeDubs are on there because this is TTAC’s 10 Best. We’re not running some boring, soulless, po-faced, CR customer-reliability survey here, this is about the Best car. Completely subjective.
By any measure besides reliability – looks, power, handing, interior, image – the Germans have got it right. And even the reliability isn’t bad persay, it’s just not as good as some others.
adam0331:
Also would’ve liked to see a mid-size on the list.
Well, the G35 and CTS made it, but I think you mean non-luxury midsize. :)
The Altima should be on here just for being far and away the leader in this class. You could make an argument for the Malibu and Fusion as well.
My 2 cents for Fit & Civic. Both are exceptionally small cars
sean362880:
By any measure besides reliability – looks, power, handing, interior, image – the Germans have got it right.
Gasoline fuel economy?
We would have considered a Jetta or GTI if they didn’t suck gas worse than most mid-size cars.
Axel: Gasoline fuel economy?
We would have considered a Jetta or GTI if they didn’t suck gas worse than most mid-size cars.
My 07 GTI has averaged over 31 mpg over the last 15k miles (I have the excel sheet to prove it). For the performance, the GTI gets fantastic fuel economy. If you were talking about the Rabbit (w/ the 5cyl), I’d agree that it gets poor fuel economy for the performance. The 2.0T GTI is a completely different animal, though.
Can’t vote for a VW product for the same reason as listed earlier – reliability is crap.
Nothing but problems with my A3 and the numbers out of JD Power and Consumers back this up.
Edit: Crap. Forgot to add the CTS to my vote.
Quentin :
My 07 GTI has averaged over 31 mpg over the last 15k miles (I have the excel sheet to prove it).
How much is that city, and how much highway? An Impala will do that well in pure highway driving. My Civic Si-driving friend gets well over 35 on the highway.
Granted, you are getting huge amounts of performance that gas burn, but it’s still FWD. For similar thirstiness, I could get an Impreza and have AWD and more power.
“Even though this is anecdotal evidence, I can’t be the only one who has had good experiences with their newer VWs.”
- your not. my GTI has been faultless for 22k miles. and i get 28mpg in mixed driving.
“Has anyone outside of a few “auto jounalist” actually driven a Hyundai Genesis yet?
How the hell can a brand new (bascially UNTESTED) car make this list?”
Same could be said for the GTR yet no one seems to have a problem gushing over a car they’ve never driven yet alone seen first hand. I bet 90%+ of the votes for that car are by people who have never even seen one.
So yeah that’s how.
Axel: How much is that city, and how much highway? An Impala will do that well in pure highway driving. My Civic Si-driving friend gets well over 35 on the highway.
Granted, you are getting huge amounts of performance that gas burn, but it’s still FWD. For similar thirstiness, I could get an Impreza and have AWD and more power.
Funny you mention an Impreza. I drove a 2001 2.5RS prior to my GTI. I rarely saw above 28mpg in it with the same mix of driving. In pure 55mph highway driving, I see mid 30s in the GTI. Interstate (75mph) is closer to 32mpg (but I think much of that is due to West Virginia interstates and the extreme and constant elevation change). City traffic is in the mid to upper 20s, depending on severity, of course.