Earlier than Motor Authority Finest Automobile To Purchase 2025 is introduced on Jan. 6, let’s cruise by way of historical past to replicate on the award’s previous winners and marvel on the progress vehicles have made prior to now dozen plus years.
Since Finest Automobile To Purchase testing started, the winners have ranged from coupes and wagons to convertibles and hatchbacks, and even an electrical pickup truck. Oddly, just one sedan has received, although not for an absence of nominees.
Cylinder depend has ranged from 4 to eight, and there have been superchargers, turbochargers, and naturally aspirated engines, in addition to electrical automobiles. Our most up-to-date selection was a sizzling hatch that marked the return of a former champion.
If there’s one frequent theme it is this: The entire winners have been, and nonetheless are, worthy of a spot within the Motor Authority storage.
This is a glance again in time at our previous winners.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Chevy returned to the winner’s circle with the Corvette, once more. Marking the third time the nameplate’s taken high honors, the Z06 was a knockout on this competitors. The Z06’s secret sauce is the engine: it sounds unique regardless of hailing from Bowling Inexperienced. It’s a screamer, each by way of the sounds it produces and the worth it supplies given its worth, efficiency, and powertrain structure. The brand new 5.5-liter V-8 flat-plane crank LT6 V-8 produces 670 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels by way of an 8-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. It roars wildly all the best way to its 8,600-rpm redline. Prime velocity checks in at 195 mph however it runs from 0-60 mph in simply 2.6 seconds. That’s faster than the outgoing C7 ZR1. The engine and transmission are extremely responsive and supply a world-class driving expertise that matches something from anyplace. What it lacks in cachet it greater than makes up for with sound, fury, and worth.
2023 Honda Civic Kind R
Honda did it once more. The Honda Civic Kind R arrived on U.S. soil for a second go round and immediately pulled off an upset by beating sooner, extra highly effective, extra luxurious, and dearer rivals in our testing. The second win for this sizzling hatch cemented its place in Motor Authority historical past subsequent to solely two different automobiles: the Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette. With a extra highly effective turbo-4, a extra grown up design, and the flexibility to hold a shocking quantity of velocity by way of corners, the Kind R required little dialogue amongst our editors to earn the award. The primary Kind R to hit these shores was nice, and the second was even higher. We might nonetheless drive this sizzling hatch day by day, although we’d nonetheless welcome a wing delete, a $5,000 worth discount from $45,890 (which is up about $2,000 from final yr), and heated entrance seats.
2022 Rivian R1T
The Rivian R1T is a clean-sheet rethink of what a car may be and do. It’s an EV that’s extremely nicely accomplished, but in addition marks a way of life selection. It was the primary electrical winner, the primary pickup to win, and probably the most versatile automobiles we’ve ever pushed. No different car available on the market matches its breadth of functionality and efficiency. With as much as 4 motors delivering a mixed 835 hp and 908 lb-ft of torque the R1T can run 0-60 mph in simply 3.0 seconds, tow as much as 10,000 kilos, and has over 300 miles of vary, although not all of these issues may be carried out on the identical time. Initially it price $67,500 for that package deal, however with a major worth improve that very same truck now prices $87,000, and sure neat choices have both disappeared or been placed on indefinite maintain because the startup automaker works by way of teething points. Nonetheless, even at $87,000 the R1T is a steal that may’t be matched by virtually something available on the market in a single package deal. That’s why the Rivian R1T was Motor Authority Finest Automobile To Purchase 2022, and nonetheless astonishes right now.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette convertible
The Chevrolet Corvette is an American icon that has been a front-engine, rear-drive, two-seat sports activities automobile since its arrival in 1953. That’s, till the eighth era Corvette arrived and flipped the script to change into a mid-engine sports activities automobile. The change was meant to bridge the hole between the C7 Corvette and extra unique mid- and rear-engine rivals. It labored, because the Corvette has efficiency to tackle European supercars. Energy hits the pavement extra effectively than ever, with a 0-60 mph time of two.9 seconds from 495 hp. The inside supplies are higher than ever, too, Astonishingly, this was all completed whereas conserving to a $60,000 beginning worth. All of it put the Corvette within the winner’s circle and in Motor Authority’s historical past books.
2020 Porsche 911 – Finest Automobile To Purchase 2020
The Porsche 911 is sort of a advantageous wine: it will get higher with age. The timeless automobile continued its practically 60-year evolution with a low, extensive, rounded design that has change into the blueprint for the right sports activities automobile. The eighth-generation 911 bested the competitors for 2020 with poise and precision on a racetrack that put it in one other league. Our 911 4S tester owned the 2 miles of Atlanta Motorsports Park, and made us all really feel like higher drivers. At velocity and thru corners, the automobile felt unflappable with unbelievable grip, staunch stability, agile strikes, and prepared energy. The 4S mannequin feels, and drives, sooner than its 443-hp determine suggests. At over $100,000, the right sports activities automobile is not low-cost, however perfection hardly ever is.
2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
There isn’t any query as to why the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 took the honors for 2019. Primarily based on the excellent C7 Corvette, the ZR1 cranks every part to 11 with unbelievable energy—755 supercharged horsepower—and observe efficiency for anybody however knowledgeable sizzling shoe. Most individuals will discover their expertise runs out far earlier than the C7 Corvette ZR1’s. It is also completely livable on the road (although possibly not on the non-compulsory Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires) with a cushty inside, affordable cargo house, and acceptable outward imaginative and prescient for a supercar. It is the Scorching Wheels automobile from the poster, however in actual life, for lower than $150,000.
2018 Honda Civic Kind R
The legendary Honda Civic Kind R lastly landed within the U.S. to take the honors of Motor Authority Finest Automobile To Purchase 2018. It’d begin life as a Civic, however the sizzling hatch turbo-4 options Honda’s VTEC system and might shove occupants into their seats with 308 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The transmission? The one possibility is a 6-speed guide, bless Honda’s hearts. The Civic’s bones are good, however the Kind R takes issues additional with a physique package, a observe suspension setup, and grippy seats that may hug McDonald’s-fed American our bodies. The Honda Civic Kind R is entertaining, livable, and a worth at round $35,000.
2016 BMW M2 Coupe
Whereas BMW was targeted (on the time) on electrical vehicles such because the i3 and big-selling crossover SUVs such because the X3 and X5, the M2 coupe is proof the German automaker hadn’t forgotten the best way to make a correct sports activities automobile. The M2 sings with its turbocharged inline-6 because it begs the motive force to push it more durable. Whereas a dual-clutch gearbox is an possibility, the terrific 6-speed guide has quick, easy throws and its stubby, leather-wrapped shift lever snicks positively into gears. The dealing with is what sealed the M2’s destiny as Motor Authority Finest Automobile To Purchase 2017. Whether or not on the road or the observe, it did not depend on fancy adaptive dampers to regulate its journey. It related the dots apex to apex the old school approach, although the steering was a bit too heavy and numb regardless of being direct and predictable. Sensible brakes have been one other standout characteristic regardless of days of beating on the observe and road. The i8 might need been BMW’s halo automobile for 2017, however the M2 was our sort of halo automobile.
2016 Chevrolet Camaro
For 2016 the scene was basically proper out of Thunderdome. Two vehicles rolled in (the Chevrolet Camaro SS and Ford Mustang Shelby GT350) and solely the Camaro SS rolled out as Motor Authority’s Finest Automobile To Purchase 2016. With the C7 Corvette-sourced 455-hp LT1 V-8, the Camaro SS may very well be known as a sledgehammer amongst hammers with a 0 to 60 mph dash of about 4 seconds. The physique was smaller and the general automobile was greater than 200 kilos lighter than the fifth-gen Camaro, which made it the best-handling Camaro we would ever pushed (not precisely a excessive bar outdoors of the fifth-gen Z/28). Whereas the physique regarded much like the earlier automobile, the inside was extra fashionable with all the newest expertise. With out choices it had a worth of about $37,000, however that may very well be inflated rapidly.
2015 Alfa Romeo 4C
Typically in life, issues come all the way down to qualitative components. For 2015 the Alfa Romeo 4C wasn’t the quickest, the quickest, or essentially the most highly effective nominee, however its carbon fiber monocoque chassis, mid-engine design, and low curb weight made for a knockout combo punch. It is also attractive with a design worthy of a Ferrari badge for a fraction of the worth. The guide steering rack of the 4C made it a chore at parking zone speeds, however on the open street it translated to a lightweight and energetic setup that gained weight and resistance as grip elevated. It was refreshing when in comparison with the over-simulated electrical steering setup in a lot of the different nominees. Fast, exact shifts, instantaneous throttle response, and a bare-bones inside merely added to the expertise. Briefly, the Alfa Romeo 4C received as a result of it was an unique automobile that did not carry an unique automobile’s price ticket.
2014 Porsche Cayman
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG
2014 Porsche Cayman
Issues have been sophisticated in 2013. A lot in order that each the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG and Porsche Cayman have been named Motor Authority Finest Automobile To Purchase 2014. It was an exceptionally shut race to the purpose the place each have been named winners because the crew could not come to an settlement no matter what number of hours have been spent arguing. The CLA45 AMG is a rock-star supergroup jamming for all its value with luxurious, type, efficiency, and dealing with all collectively in a stability. On the time your entire setup was higher than the sum of its components. The all-wheel drive managed the firecracker of a 2.0-liter turbo-4 and its 355 hp. The worth of entry was an affordable $48,375. However because the CLA45 was a generalist at being terrific, the Porsche Cayman was surgical. It featured laser-like reflexes, a number of the greatest electrical energy steering on this planet and a balanced chassis because of its mid-mounted 275-hp 2.7-liter flat-6 engine.
2013 Porsche Boxster
In 2012 Porsche took its second win in a row with the Boxster. The convertible summed up virtually all of what an expensive, enjoyable, and timeless sports activities automobile needs to be. The driving expertise was distilled to solar, wind, really feel, and sheer velocity. The 265-hp 2.7-liter flat-6 was the place issues began, however the bigger 3.4-liter flat-6 with 315 hp is the place you actually needed to be. With its dual-clutch transmission, the extra highly effective Boxster S might dash from 0 to 60 mph in simply 4.7 seconds, which was practically supercar territory not lengthy earlier than this time. The Boxster was (and nonetheless is) a ravishing automobile to have a look at, in and out, and was surprisingly snug for its dimension.
2012 Porsche 911
The seventh-generation Porsche 911 was merely the very best in each class in virtually each approach. Porsche engineers refused to bow to the legal guidelines of physics with the (then) new 911. The sensible electro-mechanical energy steering system delivered solely a barely diminished steering really feel that was attribute of the legendary 911. The fast-revving flat-6 was out there with both 350 hp or 400 hp, and when paired with the lightning-fast dual-clutch transmission it delivered telepathic gear adjustments from the wailing flat-6 engine. Immensely succesful as a sports activities automobile, however utterly livable as a day by day driver with a pleasant inside and extra inside room than the earlier 911, it took the win with ease.
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
Within the first yr of Motor Authority’s Finest Automobile To Purchase award the world was a distinct place. There was an American luxurious wagon and coupe with a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 producing 556 hp to the rear wheels by way of a 6-speed automated (unhealthy selection) or a 6-speed guide (sensible choice) transmission. Wanting again it appears as if it have been the “Twilight Zone.” That period’s over, useless and gone, however its reminiscence lives on. With a pointy design, good sufficient inside, and all the facility one might actually ask for, there wasn’t a query as to why the outrageous Cadillac CTS-V Wagon and Coupe received our first award. There wasn’t a greater worth for anybody in search of a premium luxurious automobile with severe efficiency functionality.
