Forty-five media test units came our way in 2013, and virtually every one of them was amazingly good. But we’ve cherry picked our favourites.
Because the testing took place in calendar year 2013, there’s a mix of 2013 and 2014 models. Prices shown are MSRP ‘as-tested’, which often includes options, so base prices will be lower than shown. Here’s our list of favourite vehicles tested in 2013:
2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS, $120,225.
More than one Porsche insider has confided that the GTS is their personal favourite in the German marque’s lineup. The 430 horsepower V8 sounds like a musclecar and this big SUV possesses handling that’s on par with pure sports cars. The Cayenne GTS is a jack of all trades – practical enough to pick up groceries, shuttle little Heidi and Wolfgang to Oma’s for homemade apfel strudel, and still has enough supercar jam to wield as a ‘track day’ wundercar on weekends. In typical Porsche fashion, the Cayenne GTS can be priced so high your nose will bleed, but it’s worth every penny.
2013 Mazda MX-5
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2014 Mazda MX-5, $40,250. If there’s an automotive holy grail for sports car fanatics, the Mazda MX-5 is it. When the sun’s shining and the top’s down, the MX-5 scores points faster than a young Wayne Gretzky shooting at an empty net. The 167 horsepower 2.0-litre engine, slick 6-speed manual transmission and light, 1194 kg weight makes for a roadster that’s the epitome of driving perfection. Pure driving pleasure doesn’t get much better than this, at any price. When I’m too old to ride a motorcycle, I’ll own an MX-5.
2014 Lexus IS250
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2014 Lexus IS250 AWD, $48,550.
Don’t let the 2.5-litre V6 engine dissuade you from checking out this superb premium sedan. Sure, the V6 which puts out only 204 horsepower, but it delivered an impressive real world 6.9 L/100 km (at a cruising speed of 120 km/h.) Behind the wheel, this Lexus has such an outstanding chassis, you forget about the meagre horsepower. The interior oozes quality and the front sport bucket seats are among the most comfortable of any car we’ve tested. The Lexus IS250 AWD is a better driver’s car than the BMW 3-series.
2014 Subaru Forester
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2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Limited, $40,190.
The all-new-for 2014 Forester is a giant leap forward from the last generation. CVT transmissions across the board bump the Subie up to the top of the AWD CUV class fuel in economy. Our 250 horsepower turbo version is the most powerful in (price) class and is available with EyeSight accident avoidance technology that includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, and lane departure warning. Such safety technologies were available only on some premium brands like Volvo a few years ago.
2014 Toyota Corolla
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2014 Toyota Corolla S, $22,550.
The Corolla is one of Toyota’s most important models and is redesigned for 2014. Styling is edgier and more aggressive, but the biggest news is the new CVT transmission that helps the already fuel efficient 132 horsepower 1.8-litre inline 4-cylinder engine eke out even better fuel mileage. Build quality and finishing materials are best in class, and cabin quietness is heads and shoulders better than the competition. It’s badged as a Toyota, but think of the new Corolla S as a deeply discounted Lexus. It’s that good.
2014 Toyota Rav4
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2014 Toyota Rav4 AWD LE, $27,495.
Our test unit was a bare bones, base model Rav4 (with steel wheels and hubcaps!) with one important option, a convenience package that includes heated seats and backup camera. Minimally optioned this way, the Rav4 is outstanding. The 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine puts out 176 horsepower and is well-matched to a 6-speed automatic. Fuel economy is very good. The Rav4 is solid, controls are easy to use, and everything simply works. Factor in eye-pleasing style with Toyota’s unbeatable reliability record and the Rav4 is an easy favourite.
2013 Infiniti EX37
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2013 Infiniti EX37, $39,990.
The Infiniti EX37 is often overlooked in the premium SUV segment. That’s a shame. We were bowled over by the 320 horsepower 3.7-litre V6 (on Ward’s Ten Best Engines list) and it’s that lusty engine that makes this segment hot rod so charming. The EX37’s exterior style may be polarizing, but it can’t be described as dull. The chassis is taut, and the suspension delivers a comfy ride. The Infiniti comes tantalizingly close to the BMW X3’s handling dynamics, but the EX37 has a much quieter interior and more comfortable ride. And the engine rocks.
2013 Toyota Avalon
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2013 Toyota Avalon XLE, $40,739.
The Avalon is a full-size sedan that competes with the Chrysler 300 and Ford Taurus, and to my eye, looks better than those two domestics. Fresh styling has replaced the forgettable looking third generation Avalon that was hard to distinguish from a run-of-the-mill Camry. The Avalon’s interior reeks of quality and refinement, and has the interior quality and driving feel of a Lexus. The 268 horsepower 3.5-litre V6 and 6-speed automatic FWD powertrain has plenty of punch, is smooth and fuel-efficient.
2013 Nissan Pathfinder
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2013 Nissan Pathfinder SL 4 x 4, $37,698.
Entirely new for 2013, the Pathfinder has shed a lot of weight, leapt to best-in-class fuel economy, and preserved its family-friendly 7-passenger hauling capabilities. Access to 3rd-row seats is brilliantly easy, requiring lifting one handle. Nissan says fuel efficiency is 26-percent better than previous model. Interior ergonomics are intuitive and handling is predictable and steady. With locking differentials and 5,000 lb. towing capacity, the new Pathfinder is an attractive and capable hauler.
Audi A8L
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Audi A8L, $121,495.
Whoever said money can’t buy happiness has never driven the Audi A8L. This German ‘stretch’ sedan has limousine-like luxury, and it’s the first car we’ve ever tested where passengers clamor for the vast, back seat. The interior is silent, the ride supple and its 420 horsepower twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine dispatches highway passing maneuvers like a Gulfstream executive jet. Quattro all-wheel-drive makes the Audi A8L the perfect Canadian luxury car for the lucky few who demand fine style to accompany their driving pleasure.
Honourable Mention:
2014 Mitsubishi Outlander GT S-AWC, $40,178.
This is the only compact CUV on the market with 7-passenger seating capability and a V6 engine – an important factor if trailer towing is a household duty. Mitsubishi offers superb safety technologies in this top-of-the-range model, including forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. The Mitsubishi Outlander is often overlooked in the compact SUV segment, but it perfectly serves a special niche.
2013 Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom, $15,490.
I’m sneaking in a motorcycle to my Top Drives List. Guzzi’s new cruiser is built around a thunderous 1400 c.c. V-twin engine that rumbles like an American V8 but revs like a Ferrari. For the feet-forward cruiser crowd, this classy, Italian swaggers with mechanical brawn, slick Euro style and a low maintenance shaft-drive. The California stands out in a sea of lookalike cruisers.
