Browse over 9,000 car reviews

James Cleary
Deputy Editor
24 Dec 2024
2 min read

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. 

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

8.5/10
From
$94,270

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.

Read more about Volkswagen Touareg

Volkswagen Touareg

8.2/10
From
$101,970

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.

Read more about Genesis GV80

Genesis GV80

8.0/10
From
$126,280

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.

Read more about Hyundai i30

Hyundai I30

8.1/10
From
$37,620

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.

Read more about Toyota Camry

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

8.5/10
From
$67,870

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.

Read more about Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Hyundai Ioniq 5

8.4/10
From
$104,060

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.

Read more about Audi SQ8

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?

Read more about Ford E-Transit Custom

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.

Read morea about Hyundai i30 N

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.

Read more about Mitsubishi Triton

Mitsubishi Triton

8.1/10
From
$64,460

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

James Cleary
Deputy Editor
As a small boy James often sat on a lounge with three shoes in front of him, a ruler between the cushions, and a circular drinks tray in his hands. He would then play ‘drivings’, happily heading to destinations unknown for hours on end. He’s since owned many cars, raced a few, and driven (literally) thousands of them at all points of the globe. He’s steered around and across Australia multiple times, spent time as an advanced driving instructor, and had the opportunity to experience rare and valuable classics here and overseas. His time in motoring journalism has included stints at national and international titles including Motor, Wheels and TopGear, and when asked to nominate a career highlight, James says interviewing industry legend Gordon Murray, in the paddock at the 1989 Australian Formula One Grand Prix was amazing, especially as Murray waived away a hovering Ayrton Senna to complete the conversation. As Deputy Editor, James manages everything from sub-editing to back-end content while creating written and video product reviews.
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