AutoGuide's 2024 Wrapped: Top 10 Best Cars We Drove This Year

Had you told us a few years ago that the Jetta would outlast the Golf GTI and R as the last manual-transmission model in Volkswagen’s lineup, we wouldn’t have believed you. Yet here we are. Not only is the Jetta keeping the three-pedal show going, it’s doing an excellent job, with a punchy, 228-horsepower turbo engine and an engaging chassis. The Honda Civic Si might have the sweeter shifter, but the Jetta’s impressive blend of maturity, fun, and value earn it this spot.

What we said: “Thankfully, the GLI is a well-executed small car that showcases the engaging fun a six-speed and clutch can offer. We’re happy it’s still around, even if its days are numbered,” concluded Mike Schlee in his Jetta GLI review.

Chevrolet just wasn’t done getting ‘Vette traditionalist's jorts all in a twist. First, the C8-generation Corvette went mid-engined and ditched the manual transmission. Then the E-Ray rolled along, a hybridized model. The battery assist not only makes this a factory-built all-wheel drive model—when it’s running on only electrons, the E-Ray is front-drive. Blasphemy!

Yet this is the ultimate daily driver Corvette. It’s easy to live with and still rocket ship fast, with better low-speed traction. The widebody kit even makes it look better. If the Corvette is America’s 911, the E-Ray is the GTS: not as raw as a GT3 (Z06), but nine-tenths of the experience on the road.

What we said: “Simply put, if someone wants a special Corvette and plans to hit the track regularly, get the Z06. For those wanting similar performance in a more street-capable car, the 2024 Corvette E-Ray is the right fit.” Safe to say Mikey likes it.

The Toyota Prius Prime—rebadged as Prius PHEV for 2025—is all the car most people need. It’s stylish, plenty peppy, and well-mannered, with lots of niceties inside. Sure, going for the plug-in sacrifices the available all-wheel drive of the regular Prius, but the trade-off is as much as 44 miles (72 kilometers) of all-electric range. If you can charge at home, the Prime/PHEV can potentially go weeks on a single tank of gas. And since this is still a liftback instead of a regular sedan, it’s practical as can be.

What we said:  I said it myself: “Truth be told, there isn’t much on the market that can match the 2024 Prius Prime’s blend of sharp looks, impressive fuel economy, and genuine fun-to-drive nature.”

Yes, a 2023 model snuck onto this list. Not that the vintage really matters when we’re talking Miata: Mazda’s evergreen sports car always hits right. There were some slight updates for 2024 but the spirit is the same as ever: a joyful open-air experience that shaves away everything you don’t need for driving to focus on exactly what works. This one was put to the test in the winter and it still impressed.

What we said: Schlee had to do the daily slog into the city and arrived with high spirits. “It makes the most gruelling commute still fun,” he said in his review, “I enjoy driving the MX-5 no matter the circumstance. The dread I usually feel encountering the usual bottlenecks is partially alleviated.”

We’ve said before that the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is the best version of BMW’s venerable model. More stylish than a 3 Series—and more practical too, thanks to its liftback—it offers the engaging driving experience we expect of the brand. The i4 has earned our praise on numerous occasions for being a great car that just so happens to be electric. This particular trim is the ultimate all-rounder, its dual motors serving up 396 hp and 443 pound-feet of torque while still accomplishing nearly 300 miles (483 km) of range.

What we said: “Pleasant to drive and be in, the xDrive40 adds power and poise for those who want a mid-level EV four-door,” I concluded in the i4 xDrive 40 review, “It leaves enough room for the range-topping M50 to maintain its sledgehammer appeal, but for my money, the xDrive40 is a better, more well-rounded offering.”

The Civic is one of life’s constants. No matter what happens in the auto world, like Honda potentially merging with Nissan, we know we can rely on the Japanese brand to pump out an excellent compact car. The top-shelf Civic is still our pick of the segment: it’s pricey, but feels a half-class above everything else in size, comfort, and maturity. This wasn’t even the facelifted ’25, which adds a hybrid into the mix for more power and more efficiency. We can’t wait to stick it against the Prius to see which is the small car pick…

What we said: “With how well-crafted and spacious the new Civic is, it’s hard to rationalize stepping up to the Accord,” Schlee summarized. It’s that good.

Porsche’s first electric car wowed when it arrived in late 2019. Fast forward five years and the brand has upped power clear into four-digit territory. Put it into launch mode and the Turbo GT throws down a wild 1,092 horsepower—torque is even more outrageous at 1,300 lb-ft. And yet when it isn’t obliterating Nürburgring lap times, the Turbo GT is just as liveable as any other Taycan. That dual personality earned it high points from us.

Oh yeah, and if you spec the Weissach package, you’ll get the only new two-seat four-door on the market.

What we said: “The new 2025 Porsche Taycan GT Turbo resets the benchmark for electric sedans,” exclaimed contributor Kunal D’souza in his first drive.

I swear this was unintentional. I drove both the Taycan and 718 back to back, two prongs in Porsche’s high-performance plan of attack. Where the Taycan is all subtle electric muscle, the 718 asks its driver to make compromises. The roof needs an instruction video, all in the name of saving a few kilos. The ride lets you know the size and shape of every pebble that rolls under those sticky tires. Oh yeah, and the engine sitting a few inches behind your head revs to 9,000 rpm. The Spyder is driving purity distilled into the Boxster, a final (or maybe not?) sendoff for the beloved internal combustion engine model. It is epic.

What we said: “The Spyder RS is what happens when Porsche is freed from holding the 911’s little sibling back. It is utterly focused on one mission: providing the most thrilling open-air drive you can get.”

Last year, we could count the number of supercharged V8-powered sedans on one hand. Now can count the amount of them available with a manual on one finger. Cadillac’s ballistic Blackwing came back in for testing this year, just ahead of a facelift but packing the 10-speed automatic instead. Turns out it’s still great: while it lacks that extra level of interaction, the 10-speed makes it an easier daily proposition and even quicker in a straight line.

What we said: “The Blackwing may be the best performance vehicle Cadillac has ever made. Is it perfect? No, but for me, it’s pretty darn close,” said our resident American V8 enthusiast.

Is it a car? Is it an SUV? Is it a hot hatch? Whatever Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N is, one thing is clear: it was our top-reviewed vehicle this year. The N successfully transforms Hyundai’s EV into a laugh machine. Whether on a track or the road, the N ropes the driver in, demanding they be a part of the fun. More so than even the Taycan, the Ioniq 5 N feels built for enthusiasts in more ways than straight-line speed, from its silly soundtracks to the so-good-it-fools-you fake shifts. In a weird way, it’s also a deal.

What we said: “ Hyundai’s pseudo-hot hatch is the future: an all-electric chameleon capable of imitating much of what we champion as driving enthusiasts.”