As we approach the end of 2024, we may not have driven exactly 2,024 vehicles (whether new or used!), but we’ve certainly experienced a lot of new models this year. There were four Of the Year competitions — focusing on the Performance Vehicle of the Year for 2024 and the 2025 car, truck, and SUV categories — showcasing a wealth of new offerings. With these notable events, alongside our buyer’s guide and everyday first impressions, tests, and thorough comparisons, we had ample chances to identify which vehicles stood out and which ones fell flat. Interested in what made the cut? Here are the cars our team rated as the best and the most disappointing of 2024:

Best: 2025 Toyota Camry

Though the Camry is often labeled as an “appliance,” the latest model changes this perception entirely. Admittedly, switching to a hybrid-only powertrain raises the starting price slightly and introduces complexities, but the advantages outweigh these concerns. This car drives with an unexpected liveliness typical of mainstream mid-size sedans. Offering exceptional fuel efficiency across all trims, the Camry is a testament to Toyota’s mastery of hybrid technology. — Kristen Lee

Best: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

When associate road test editor Erick Ayapana invited me to take the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser for a spin, I didn’t hesitate. Having seen it in person prior to its official reveal, I was eager to drive it. The anticipation was justified. The Land Cruiser beautifully melds classic and contemporary design, featuring an alluring exterior and interior. While it may not be the top performer in the SUV category, it provides an enjoyable ride that brings a grin every time you hop in. — Miguel Cortina

Best: Ferrari 296 GTB

Of course a Ferrari is fantastic; that’s a given. However, we felt it essential to highlight the 296 GTB we tested during this year’s Performance Vehicle of the Year evaluations. It’s incredibly fast, powerful, balanced, and sonorous — it embodies all the thrilling aspects. Whether you’re cruising modestly or pushing it to the limit, this car creates a memorable experience. The responsive steering invites you to explore the car’s capabilities, and its twin-turbo V-6 plug-in hybrid engine hardly diminishes the excitement. — Kristen Lee

Best: 2025 Rivian R1S Quad Motor

After some time, many cars seem to blend together, or perhaps I’m just becoming desensitized. Either way, the updated Rivian R1S Quad Motor invigorated my senses with its unique and exhilarating driving dynamics. This electric SUV is a marvel of engineering. While its power is substantial — rapid EVs are common — the R1S’ handling truly astonished me. The quad-motor powertrain allows for unparalleled control of power distribution to each wheel, enabling remarkable performance on both roads and dirt trails. For anyone concerned that an electric future means dull transportation, driving the latest R1S Quad proves otherwise — it’s wildly thrilling and unlike any other vehicle I’ve experienced. Undoubtedly, it’s my standout ride of the year, though the Lexus LC500 Convertible also deserves a mention. — Alex Leanse

Best: 2024 Porsche 911 Dakar

Porsche’s elevated 911 made a lasting impression on me. The Dakar radiates uniqueness, from its eye-catching exterior to its genuine off-roading capabilities. During the 2024 Performance Vehicle of the Year tests, I was fortunate enough to take it off-road, resulting in unparalleled automotive fun. As you brake into a turn, the rear end encourages you to execute a delightful drift. The Dakar remained composed and precise on the paved sections as well, making it a dream for rally enthusiasts like myself, reminiscent of the experiences of racing legends. During our testing road trip, I drove the Porsche through some of California’s most stunning landscapes. Of all the cars I experienced this year, it’s the one I would cherish forever. Surprisingly adept on the rugged streets of Los Angeles, the Dakar’s higher ride and smooth suspension handled rough urban roads easily while providing ample storage, all accompanied by a delightful exhaust note that brought me joy. — Billy Rehbock

Best: 2025 Honda Civic Sport Touring Hybrid

Even amidst a year filled with memorable drives in extravagant cars like Ferrari and Rolls-Royce, the 2025 Honda Civic Sport Touring Hybrid stood out as the best experience of the year. Though the luxury vehicles have their own charm, the Civic hybrid gives me butterflies — it’s exceedingly impressive for its affordable price point. At a price just above $30,000, the fully equipped Civic Sport Touring is powerful, smooth to drive, and features an upscale interior compared to many of its rivals. If any car could challenge the Toyota Prius, which won Car of the Year, it’s this Honda. — Zach Gale

Best: 2025 Honda Civic Sport 2.0L

With all the excitement surrounding the exceptional Honda Civic Hybrid, you might think it was the sole contender for our 2025 Car of the Year title. Not quite! The entry-level, gas-powered Civic also made the cut due to its newly revamped 2.0-liter inline-four engine. Although the base engine maintains the same size as last year, it produces 8 fewer horsepower and 5 fewer lb-ft of torque, resulting in a total of 150 hp and 133 lb-ft. Inevitably, this Civic feels slower, taking 9.6 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph — 0.4 seconds behind the 2022 model we previously evaluated. It’s worth noting that it still comes at a higher price than competitors but isn’t particularly quiet at cruising speed, leading me to defend this model during the Car of the Year discussions.

Nonetheless, I firmly believe the more affordable Civics are exceptional; even though they slightly outprice comparable Corollas and Sentras, they exude a sense of high-quality engineering, sturdiness, and spirited driving. The new 2.0-liter engine operates smoother and quieter than its predecessor, and the sounds it makes at higher rpm are more reminiscent of Honda’s hallmark sound. The mid-level Civic Sport we tested, which we previously criticized for a stiff ride on its stylish 18-inch wheels prior to the 2025 update, has seen significant improvements in terms of ride comfort and reduced road noise without altering the tires or wheels. It proved to be the most significantly enhanced car I drove all year.

despite what it may appear to be, the Ioniq 5 N is regarded as one of the best value options currently available. — Alexander Stoklosa

Top Pick: 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Finding mainstream electric vehicles that excel in performance has been quite uncommon, which makes the arrival of the Ioniq 5 N all the more exciting. It’s simply remarkable, without a doubt. This beast boasts over 600 horsepower and turns out to be an absolute thrill to drive aggressively. It held the title of the fastest SUV we’ve tested, at least until the Rivian R1S Quad showed up. Moreover, its design screams performance both inside and out. Not to mention the cutting-edge digital shifting system that is one of the most extraordinary pieces of software we’ve encountered so far. And guess what? It’s also reasonably priced, making it more accessible compared to the Rivian. — Mike Floyd

The year 2024 marked a significant step towards making electric performance cars accessible to a wider audience. Previously, the electric performance scene was dominated by high-end models like the Porsche Taycan, four-motor Rivians, and futuristic Lucid Airsthe 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N took the spotlight. This vehicle feels like an amalgamation of several types of cars rolled into one; whether it’s down the straight track as a Super SUV or maneuvering like a hot hatch, it delivers versatility. The ingenious software behind it allows for an experience that feels remarkably cohesive when paired with the well-integrated hardware of the Ioniq 5 N. In years to come, we might refer to the Ioniq 5 N as a classic example of electric performance vehicles.

Honorable mentions: BMW M2, Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison, Ferrari 296 GTB, McLaren 750S, Porsche 911 Dakar, Xiaomi SU7 Max, Volkswagen ID Buzz — Christian Seabaugh

Top Pick: Hyundai RN24

It’s hard to top a drift kart with 641 horsepower and unlimited tires. Hyundai N’s latest endeavor to make EVs thrilling is a smashing success, combining the powertrain of the Ioniq 5 N with WRC suspension and a roll cage. Add in the world’s first regenerative drift brake, a mechanically locking front differential, and specialized torque distribution software, and you get a vehicle that allows anyone with basic driving skills to perform like the legendary Ken Block. For those who claim EVs lack excitement, this model will certainly change their perspective. — Scott Evans

Disappointment: 2025 Kia K5

Given its sporty design and appealing price, we genuinely wanted to love the Kia K5. On its own, it boasts a wealth of features for a typical mid-size sedan. However, it appears much sportier than it drives, hindered by an unresponsive transmission, underwhelming engine performance, and a noisy engine that detracts from the overall enjoyment. These issues are especially evident when contrasted with competitors like the Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry. However, it does offer generous interior space. — Kristen Lee

The 2025 Kia K5 exemplifies a stark contrast between its sporty appearance and its driving dynamics. It entered the year with design upgrades intended to enhance its aggressive look. Unfortunately, that aesthetic does not translate to an engaging driving experience; instead, it feels painfully bland. Despite a power increase, it feels sluggish, lacking the agile handling suggested by its design. Although it can serve adequately as a standard vehicle, it ranked as our least favorite in a comparison of popular mid-size sedans. Rather than being forgettable, its poseur-esque nature is almost laughable. — Alex Leanse

Disappointment: 2023 Nissan Ariya

The 2023 Nissan Ariya e4orce Platinum makes an impressive first impression with its sleek design, premium interior, and strong powertrain specifications. However, that initial appeal fades quickly. After several long road trips and weeks of driving around metropolitan Los Angeles, my enjoyment quickly dwindled. A spongy, unclear brake pedal made achieving smooth stops challenging. While many EVs offer a one-pedal driving experience, the Ariya’s inability to stop completely using regenerative braking leads to frustration. Additionally, its suspension struggles with rough surfaces; while it generally provides a smooth ride, it tends to bob around on uneven roads. Steering is light for relaxed city driving, but it becomes vague on twisting roads, making enthusiastic driving difficult. Lastly, the peak charging rate of 130 kilowatts feels sluggish compared to competitors, especially with a range of only 257 miles, necessitating frequent stops for charging on longer trips. Ultimately, these annoyances positioned the Ariya as my least favorite car of the year. — Billy Rehbock

Disappointment: 2017 Honda CR-V

It’s vacation time! What better way to enhance your travel than by renting a roomy, comfortable car with quality features at a low cost? For me, the answer is to steer clear of the specific 2017 Honda CR-V I recently rented. This vehicle seemed to have seen better days, possibly worsened by cheap tires that amplified road noise. Oh, and did I mention the ants that emerged from the air vents? — Zach Gale

Disappointment: Ineos Grenadier

While I appreciate the design and concept of the 2024 Ineos Grenadier, intended to revive the classic Land Rover Defender, I can’t overlook its driving dynamics. The bouncy suspension, rigid steering, and an impractically large turning radius are significant drawbacks, and while I enjoy its nostalgic interior, it doesn’t provide a comfortable off-road experience. In today’s world, where comfort is increasingly prioritized in off-road vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Toyota Land Cruiser, the Grenadier feels outdated. — Miguel Cortina

Disappointment: 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray

We’re on board with the Corvette’s evolution. We celebrated its long-awaited transition to a mid-engine layout that improved its performance, praised the Z06 as one of the best high-performance sports cars of its time, and were impressed by the stats of the upcoming ZR1. However, the E-Ray has some flaws. While I enjoyed driving it, it left me wanting more. It boasts all-wheel drive, but that sensation isn’t strongly noticeable. It’s a hybrid, but not a plug-in model like many new super sports cars (we understand the weight considerations), and accessing its hybrid functionalities is surprisingly challenging. Essentially, it feels like a modest step towards electrification that fulfills its intended purpose, but it’s the first C8 Corvette that hasn’t completely wowed me. — Mike Floyd

Disappointment: Fisker Ocean

As much as I appreciated certain features of our briefly experienced long-term Fisker Ocean has its merits, including a comfortable range and an open-air California Mode, but the numerous software problems (some of which could be hazardous) are hard to overlook. These persistent issues turned the car into a source of frustration, making it nerve-wracking to drive, especially since any minor mishap—whether a software glitch or a minor accident—could lead to significant repair challenges due to part availability. The situation was worsened by the last software update, which frustratingly introduced new bugs while trying to fix existing ones. It’s truly unfortunate, as the car showed real potential. — Scott Evans

Most disappointing: MG Cyberster

The MG Cyberster might not be the worst car out there, but it was certainly more disheartening than awful, and fortunately, it’s likely unavailable for purchase. I had high expectations for the Cyberster, with its dual electric motors delivering 536 hp, striking design, a power-folding roof, scissor doors, and impressive tech features—it was hard not to be excited about a modern Chinese take on a classic British roadster. Regrettably, the Cyberster prioritizes looks over performance. While it can accelerate quickly in a straight line, it struggles with cornering and braking—qualities that should define a proper sports car, especially in contrast to the classic MGs. The steering feels overly light, reminiscent of a worn-out video game controller, and braking lacks consistency, which is far from ideal for a vehicle that can reach 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. Ultimately, the MG Cyberster seems to miss the mark on what constitutes an excellent European roadster, and it appears that little thought went into crafting a genuinely good sports car. — Christian Seabaugh

Most disappointing: 2024 Toyota Tacoma

Let’s start by saying this: The reason the Toyota Tacoma is such a best-seller is that Toyota understands its customers incredibly well. Many enthusiasts are drawn to a brand-new truck that has a feel of two decades ago, prompting Toyota to keep producing Tacomas in this manner. Knowing this context before my first drive in the newly revamped Tacoma—the first major redesign in nearly twenty years—I still ended up disappointed, much like other judges at the 2025 Truck of the Year. There was a lot of potential in this new design; Toyota could have seized the chance presented by an all-new frame, fresh turbocharged and hybrid engines, new transmissions, and a new rear suspension setup to modernize their midsize truck. Unfortunately, I was mistaken. It seemed as if Toyota intentionally sabotaged these components that usually enhance a vehicle’s comfort and sophistication, resulting in an outdated truck feel. The hybrid engine is noisy and vibrates oddly, while the ride quality resembles that of an old truck, lacking the precise handling and smoothness found in the latest Ranger or Colorado. Plus, the back seat remains surprisingly cramped. On the positive side, I appreciate the interior design; the dashboard features large, functional knobs that can be operated with gloves, and the overall aesthetic is fresh and appealing, especially compared to the bland interiors of competitors. Perhaps the next Tacoma will hit the mark — Alexander Stoklosa