In reviewing a new model, CarsGuide looks at eight key criteria — Price and features (value), Design (form and function), Practicality (space and tech), Under the bonnet (engine/motor and transmission), Efficiency (fuel/energy consumption and range), Driving (impressions behind the wheel), Safety (active and passive) and Ownership (warranty and servicing).
And each car is assessed in the context of its market segment and key competitors. Hence our Guide segmentation.
As the name implies, a FamilyGuide review emphasises day-to-day practicality, safety, economy and everything else that makes for a great family truckster.
And so it goes for AdventureGuide (for off-roaders and the ‘off-road curious’), TradieGuide (light commercials for business users), EVGuide (hybrid and pure-electric options) and UrbanGuide (city and suburban dwellers).
So, for example, a two-seat supercar wedge like the McLaren 750S is never going to be as practical as the Kia Carnival people mover. But the real question is, does it match — or better — the likes of a Ferrari 296 GTB or Porsche’s 911 Turbo S?
And while the Carnival won’t come near the Big Mac for performance, the more relevant yardstick is a Hyundai Staria or VW Multivan.
So, with that in mind, and close to 450 new product reviews done and dusted across all segments for 2024, which cars came out on top? Here are the Top 10 (plus one) cars for the year as judged by our panel of expert reviewers.
The best new cars in 2024! From family hatchbacks to superbly-executed 4WDs and groundbreaking EVs, these are CarsGuide's Top 10 rated cars of the year
- 01. Kia EV9 Earth: 9.5/10
- 02. Volkswagen Touareg 210TDI Elegance: 9.3/10
- 03. Genesis GV80 Coupe: 8.9/10
- 04. Hyundai i30 N Sedan: 8.8/10
- 05. Toyota Camry Ascent 8.8/10
- 06. Toyota Prado: 8.8/10
- 07. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: 8.7/10
- 08. Audi SQ8: 8.6/10
- 09. Ford E-Transit Custom: 8.6/10
- 10. Hyundai i30 N Line hatch: 8.6/10
- 11. Mitsubishi Triton GSR: 8.6/10
01. Kia EV9 Earth: 9.5/10

There’s nothing like living with a car for an extended period to become thoroughly familiar with its day-to-day pluses and minuses. And Senior Journalist Laura Berry did just that over three months with this year’s top-rated model, the mid-spec Earth version of Kia’s large, seven-seat EV SUV, the EV9.
Despite the car’s substantial price tag relative to internal-combustion, three-row favourites like the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado, Laura appreciated the Kia’s comfort, performance, practicality and ease of driving. In fact, she thinks it’s more than a match for high-end, luxury models costing much more.
Kia EV9

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
02. Volkswagen Touareg 210TDI Elegance: 9.3/10
Contributing Journalist Emily Agar was hugely impressed by this large, premium, five-seat SUV, particularly its “handsome” design (inside and out), luxury features and family-focused practicality.
A solid ownership package, top-shelf safety and stellar driving dynamics were also called out, with great performance and exceptional fuel-efficiency the icing on an accomplished SUV cake.
Volkswagen Touareg

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
03. Genesis GV80 Coupe: 8.9/10
The Genesis brand has steadily crept up on the Australian luxury car market and the GV80 Coupe is one of its most distinctive designs.
Chief FamilyGuide reviewer Emily Agar was impressed by its value-for-money, leading ownership package and overall comfort. She even noted her husband and young son became fans after the sleek Genesis spent a week transporting the Agar household.
Genesis GV80

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
04. Hyundai i30 N Sedan: 8.8/10
The first in a trio of cars scoring an impressive 8.8/10, the four-door sedan version of Hyundai’s performance-focused i30 N is a winner for Contributing Journalist Byron Mathioudakis.
Not surprisingly, he enjoyed the compact five-seater’s performance and driving dynamics but also called out its family-friendliness.
On the fence in terms of the car’s distinctive styling, Byron still noted an overwhelming number of positives in the face of very few negatives while reviewing this quick and agile package.
Hyundai I30

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
05. Toyota Camry Ascent 8.8/10
Toyota’s Camry has been an Aussie staple over many decades and the arrival of a new-generation version is always big news.
And the headline for Contributing Journalist Emily Agar is that this newcomer maintains and even enhances the long-serving nameplate’s reputation for comfort, value and practicality. She also loves the way the car looks and its sparkling new on-board tech.
06. Toyota Prado: 8.8/10
There’s a reason why Toyota dominates the Australian new vehicle market (with a roughly 20 per cent share). The Japanese giant has a quality offering in almost every segment and the Prado SUV is one of the key models in its local portfolio.
An all-new version of this popular 4WD made its debut in 2024 and Deputy News Editor John Law was one of the first in the country to get behind the wheel. He enjoyed its on-road manners, off-road refinement and capability as well as its modern, well-appointed cabin. Practical, tough and effortless to drive, the only major snag he uncovered was an awkward boot spec in the seven-seat version.
Toyota Prado

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
07. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: 8.7/10
Making a pure-electric hot hatch that’s more than a generic fast EV experience is the holy grail for many carmakers and in the eyes of Contributing Journalist Stephen Ottley Hyundai has come up with a winning formula in its Ioniq 5 N.
Mega acceleration is matched by outstanding dynamics but not at the expense of ride comfort. Tricky tech designed to mimic the behaviour of a conventional dual-clutch performance car is also a potential breakthrough.
Hyundai Ioniq 5

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
08. Audi SQ8: 8.6/10
This big twin-turbo V8 SUV captured the attention of Contributing Journalist Emily Agar thanks to its “understated but elegant” looks, reserves of power and family-friendly comfort.
Some niggles about the media tech and internal storage were swamped by big pluses for the on-road comfort experience and handling dynamics.
09. Ford E-Transit Custom: 8.6/10
Another dead heat for a score of 8.6 in the lower part of the list, with the first light commercial vehicle making an appearance in the shape of Ford’s pure-electric E-Transit Custom van.
Contributing Journalist Byron Mathioudakis appreciated this racy-looking load-lugger’s driving dynamics, efficient packaging and state-of-the-art engineering. He even poses the question, is this the Tesla of electric vans?
10. Hyundai i30 N Line hatch: 8.6/10
Another case of the name Hyundai combining with the letter N for a place in CarsGuide’s Top 10 rated cars of the year. This time it’s an i30 hatch in N Line trim, which makes for a warm rather than outright hot hatch package.
Contributing Journalist Emily Agar loved the specification level for the money and how enjoyable the car is to drive. While some of the crash-avoidance safety tech proved intrusive during her time with the car, she still loved its racy looks and fun personality.
11. Mitsubishi Triton GSR: 8.6/10
Yes, I know we said Top 10, but why let a numerical technicality get in the way of a neat headline, and with four cars scoring 8.6/10 the flagship grade of this hard-working ute has to be included.
Contributing Journalist Emily Agar viewed the 4WD ute through the FamilyGuide lens, liking its looks but loving its willing twin-turbo diesel engine, leading ownership package and on-road manners.
Mitsubishi Triton

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)