My friend, a fellow petrolhead, and I, sat down last weekend to pick the best cars year 2013 has brought us. It wasn’t an easy task as we had more than 50 cars to choose from, of which more than 20 were seriously good. To pick the top 10, we relied on several criteria, including the model’s overall design, performance, impact on the brand and on its competitors in the segment. Some cars, although brilliant, didn’t make it on the list simply because others deserved a tiny bit more. Anyway, I’ll just cut to the chase, the top 10 cars of year 2013 are as follows:
#10. Mazda 3 Sedan/Hatch
Combining Mazda’s awesome KODO design language and SKYACTIV technology, the Mazda 3, in both sedan and hatchback form might well be the best car in the compact segment. It has got the looks, the performance, the efficiency and the practicality. A Volkswagen Golf’s not as charming, a Toyota Corolla doesn’t drive or feel as good, which makes the Mazda3 the best overall package below 30,000 US dollars.
#09. HSV Gen-F GTS
Sold exclusively in Australia, the HSV Gen-F GTS is a great value-for-money car. It may not be as luxurious or well-built as a BMW M5 or Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, but at 93,000 Australian dollars, compared to 230,000 for the M5, the lack of luxury is more than justified. Its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine pumps out 580 horsepower, enough to keep up, and maybe beat, the aforementioned rivals. It’s a shame General Motors doesn’t sell it in other parts of the world.
#08. Lexus IS
A great alternative for the BMW 3 Series or Cadillac ATS, the new Lexus IS is a bomb to look at, although a lot might not agree on that. According to several reviews, the IS rides smoother than its rivals, but it’s also very crisp and agile when pushed hard. We’re not gonna call it the best in its segment, but the design flare and all-round performance earn it a spot amongst the best cars of 2013.
#07. Mercedes A-Class/CLA-Class
The Mercedes C-Class has grown in size and performance in recent years, leaving a big gap in the German brand’s line-up. However, this gap has now been occupied by the new A-Class/CLA-Class twins. The former is the company’s first proper hatchback, while the latter is the answer to customers searching for something a little smaller than the C-Class. They both look great inside out, offer a very decent array of engines, including the bonkers AMG variants.
#06. Mercedes S-Class
Magic Body Control, Road Surface Scan, Pre-Safe, Distronic-Plus and ESP Dynamic Cornering Assist are just some of the technologies you will find on the new Mercedes S-Class‘ long list of features. The S-Class has long been Mercedes’ ultimate expression of sophistication and extravagance, and the new generation does it perfectly. If you want a yacht for the road, this is the car for you.
#05. Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
A huge step up from its predecessor, the new Corvette Stingray is simply marvelous. It looks better than ever, and more importantly, drives better than ever, not to mention the build quality which has significantly improved. Featuring a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 455 horsepower, this is a car that will most definitely take away sales from the Porsche 911 and other sports cars in the segment.
#04. Jaguar F-Type
Offered in three different trims (V6, V6 S and V8 S), the new F-Type signals Jaguar’s return to the two-seat sports car market, and a great one at that. Design-wise it is stunning, with a front fascia inspired by felines and a rear end that will leave your jaws dropped. Quality is near perfect, and if the 335-horsepower V6 just isn’t enough oomph, you can always opt for the V6 S with 375 horsepower or the crazy V8 S with 490 horsepower.
#03. Porsche 911 GT3
It is amazing, this one. Racecar-like performance for the streets, that just sums it up really. The new Porsche 911 GT3 is drop-dead gorgeous, sublime to drive, and with electric power steering, rear axle steering, PDK and a 9000 RPM 475-hp new flat-six engine, is quite sophisticated. It might’ve lost some of its purity, but who cares? It’s not any less mind-blowing.
#02. Porsche 918 Spyder
Boasting a 4.6-liter V8 engine derived from the LMP2 RS Spyder racecar, in addition to two electric motors that bring total output to 880 horsepower, the new Porsche 918 Spyder is tomorrow’s supercar of today. What makes the 918 Spyder so excellent though is not just the outstanding levels of performance (as proven by its record lap on the Nurburgring), it’s the efficiency. The Hybrid supercar can run on pure electricity for 32 kilometers, while fuel consumption can go as low as 3.3 liter/100 kilometer under normal driving conditions. Not even a Prius can match the latter figure.
#01. McLaren P1
The spectacular McLaren P1 pipped the Porsche 918 Spyder to the number 1 spot this year thanks to one thing only, numbers. In terms of design, it is a wilder breed, featuring a large rear wing with a Formula 1-style DRS system, in addition to scoops and vents everywhere. On paper, it beats the 918 Spyder in every area bar efficiency. Powered by a 3.8-liter turbocharged V8 and an electric motor, the plug-in hybrid puts out a massive 903 horsepower, it is also more than 200 kilograms lighter than the car from Germany, which is why we believe its sub 7 minutes lap on the ‘Ring is well below Porsche’s 6:57. The McLaren P1 earns P1 in our best cars of 2013 list.