The Editorial Team celebrates the best cars of 2017
28 Dec 2017|15,663 views
If there's anything the Editorial Team loves more than the cold pint on a Friday night, it's cars. Yes, the depreciating liability on four wheels that the Government wants to eradicate. But unlike most who view cars purely as modes of transport to escape the constantly cracking local train system, or as objects of bragging rights, cars to us are spiritual, even sexual at times.
Despite the fact that they're born out of carefully calculated numbers and logically programmed computers, cars are illogical. It's hard to explain to someone who doesn't understand why a particular one makes you grin like a school boy losing his virginity and it's even harder to decide on 10 that have made your year.
However, having bickered and nearly murdering one another, we've decided on a selected few that have proven to be the absolute creme de la creme. Here are the 10 cars of 2017 that have stirred our souls and given us troubling hard-ons.
1. Aston Martin DB11
The DB11 continues Aston Martin's tradition of blending style and power. It's a completely captivating grand tourer, with an exquisite driving experience to match its bewitching beauty. Viewed from any angle, the car turns heads and drops jaws. Its powerful twin-turbocharged V12 and surprisingly agile handling is the icing on the cake. Want to feel like 007? This is undoubtedly the best way to do so.
The DB11 continues Aston Martin's tradition of blending style and power. It's a completely captivating grand tourer, with an exquisite driving experience to match its bewitching beauty. Viewed from any angle, the car turns heads and drops jaws. Its powerful twin-turbocharged V12 and surprisingly agile handling is the icing on the cake. Want to feel like 007? This is undoubtedly the best way to do so.
2. Audi S5 Sportback
The Audi S5 Sportback challenges the notion that you can't have everything in life. If a car that does it all and does it well is right up your alley, look no further than Audi Sport's latest fastback. The S5 Sportback, with its creamy turbo V6, blends space, pace and grace in a way that rivals would struggle to, and is sleek as hell to boot. It's our favourite Audi model this year, and is thoroughly deserving of its place in this top 10 list.
The Audi S5 Sportback challenges the notion that you can't have everything in life. If a car that does it all and does it well is right up your alley, look no further than Audi Sport's latest fastback. The S5 Sportback, with its creamy turbo V6, blends space, pace and grace in a way that rivals would struggle to, and is sleek as hell to boot. It's our favourite Audi model this year, and is thoroughly deserving of its place in this top 10 list.
3. BMW 5 Series
It's no surprise seeing the BMW 5 Series make this list, being also our sgCarMart Car of The Year 2017 Winner. Whichever variant you choose to have your 5 Series in, petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid, it's nothing short of impressive, thanks to the model's sorted driving dynamics and high comfort levels. In that respect, it hasn't just proven itself as a leading business sedan. Instead, it has upgraded itself into the first-class territory.
It's no surprise seeing the BMW 5 Series make this list, being also our sgCarMart Car of The Year 2017 Winner. Whichever variant you choose to have your 5 Series in, petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid, it's nothing short of impressive, thanks to the model's sorted driving dynamics and high comfort levels. In that respect, it hasn't just proven itself as a leading business sedan. Instead, it has upgraded itself into the first-class territory.
4. Honda Civic Hatchback
The latest iteration of the Honda's most popular model brings to the table a turbocharged VTEC powerplant that will shame its classmates in a straight line and a stylish new hatchback design that the hot-blooded Type R is based on. More importantly, its fleetfooted handling capablities will put a smile on your face everytime you put the pedal to the metal and its quality cabin rivals cars a price bracket up.
The latest iteration of the Honda's most popular model brings to the table a turbocharged VTEC powerplant that will shame its classmates in a straight line and a stylish new hatchback design that the hot-blooded Type R is based on. More importantly, its fleetfooted handling capablities will put a smile on your face everytime you put the pedal to the metal and its quality cabin rivals cars a price bracket up.
5. Land Rover Range Rover Velar
The Land Rover Range Rover Velar is a mid-size sport utility vehicle that fills the space between the Evoque and the Sport. And there's not one doubt that the British marque has created a very good-looking car, strikingly handsome and stylishly sleek. It's also technologically luxurious, handles itself well on and off-roads and certainly has what it takes to convince potential buyers of its capabilities.
The Land Rover Range Rover Velar is a mid-size sport utility vehicle that fills the space between the Evoque and the Sport. And there's not one doubt that the British marque has created a very good-looking car, strikingly handsome and stylishly sleek. It's also technologically luxurious, handles itself well on and off-roads and certainly has what it takes to convince potential buyers of its capabilities.
6. Lexus LC
Stylished angled sheetmetal and a massively meshed grille hint at a serious performance car, and the LC delivers. It's a head-turning coupe (the prettiest one we've seen this year) with a neck-breaking 5.0-litre V8 engine that dances like a ballerina and sings like a Broadway star. And expected of the Japanese luxury marque, the cabin of the LC is all about dedicated craftsmanship, making it a car that's impossible to fault.
Stylished angled sheetmetal and a massively meshed grille hint at a serious performance car, and the LC delivers. It's a head-turning coupe (the prettiest one we've seen this year) with a neck-breaking 5.0-litre V8 engine that dances like a ballerina and sings like a Broadway star. And expected of the Japanese luxury marque, the cabin of the LC is all about dedicated craftsmanship, making it a car that's impossible to fault.
7. Mazda CX-5
While the Mazda CX-5 doesn't offer outright pace, it impresses with a dynamism that's a rarity in its class. The experience behind the wheel of the lively CX-5 can instead be likened to that of a supersized hot hatch, thanks to its linear powertrain, great steering feel and quick directional changes. To top it off, it's also more handsome than its rivals and offers a cabin that's of higher quality than you'd expect from Mazda.
While the Mazda CX-5 doesn't offer outright pace, it impresses with a dynamism that's a rarity in its class. The experience behind the wheel of the lively CX-5 can instead be likened to that of a supersized hot hatch, thanks to its linear powertrain, great steering feel and quick directional changes. To top it off, it's also more handsome than its rivals and offers a cabin that's of higher quality than you'd expect from Mazda.
8. Mercedes-Benz E 63 S AMG
Dripping with power and athletic acumen, yet shockingly comfortable, refined and usable, the new Mercedes-AMG E 63 S rules supreme in the super saloon segment. At the heart of the E 63 S is a familiar 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine that's an absolute beast, which responds instantly to throttle inputs and chases the red line with eagerness. Yet, despite its dynamic excellence, it offers enjoyment and excitement across a variety of situations.
Dripping with power and athletic acumen, yet shockingly comfortable, refined and usable, the new Mercedes-AMG E 63 S rules supreme in the super saloon segment. At the heart of the E 63 S is a familiar 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine that's an absolute beast, which responds instantly to throttle inputs and chases the red line with eagerness. Yet, despite its dynamic excellence, it offers enjoyment and excitement across a variety of situations.
9. Porsche Panamera
To be completely honest, the previous generation Porsche Panamera is slightly undesirable because of how it looks but Porsche has righted that wrong with its latest Panamera. To put it simply, it's good-looking now and is an incredibly mechanically-accomplished grand tourer that offers a sublime combination of performance and comfort. Even in this base-model guise, the Panamera is now a thoroughly polished car that has desperately few faults.
To be completely honest, the previous generation Porsche Panamera is slightly undesirable because of how it looks but Porsche has righted that wrong with its latest Panamera. To put it simply, it's good-looking now and is an incredibly mechanically-accomplished grand tourer that offers a sublime combination of performance and comfort. Even in this base-model guise, the Panamera is now a thoroughly polished car that has desperately few faults.
10. Seat Leon Cupra
Employing the Volkswagen Group's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, the Leon Cupra is the most powerful road-going Seat ever. Unsurprisingly, a family hatch with all that power isn't slow but the good thing is that the Cupra isn't manic. This means that once you're done ripping up tarmac, the Cupra's Comfort mode makes for a quiet and relaxing ride around town, making it a superb all-rounder and a dangerous rival to the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Employing the Volkswagen Group's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, the Leon Cupra is the most powerful road-going Seat ever. Unsurprisingly, a family hatch with all that power isn't slow but the good thing is that the Cupra isn't manic. This means that once you're done ripping up tarmac, the Cupra's Comfort mode makes for a quiet and relaxing ride around town, making it a superb all-rounder and a dangerous rival to the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
If there's anything the Editorial Team loves more than the cold pint on a Friday night, it's cars. Yes, the depreciating liability on four wheels that the Government wants to eradicate. But unlike most who view cars purely as modes of transport to escape the constantly cracking local train system, or as objects of bragging rights, cars to us are spiritual, even sexual at times.
Despite the fact that they're born out of carefully calculated numbers and logically programmed computers, cars are illogical. It's hard to explain to someone who doesn't understand why a particular one makes you grin like a school boy losing his virginity and it's even harder to decide on 10 that have made your year.
However, having bickered and nearly murdering one another, we've decided on a selected few that have proven to be the absolute creme de la creme. Here are the 10 cars of 2017 that have stirred our souls and given us troubling hard-ons.
1. Aston Martin DB11
The DB11 continues Aston Martin's tradition of blending style and power. It's a completely captivating grand tourer, with an exquisite driving experience to match its bewitching beauty. Viewed from any angle, the car turns heads and drops jaws. Its powerful twin-turbocharged V12 and surprisingly agile handling is the icing on the cake. Want to feel like 007? This is undoubtedly the best way to do so.
The DB11 continues Aston Martin's tradition of blending style and power. It's a completely captivating grand tourer, with an exquisite driving experience to match its bewitching beauty. Viewed from any angle, the car turns heads and drops jaws. Its powerful twin-turbocharged V12 and surprisingly agile handling is the icing on the cake. Want to feel like 007? This is undoubtedly the best way to do so.
2. Audi S5 Sportback
The Audi S5 Sportback challenges the notion that you can't have everything in life. If a car that does it all and does it well is right up your alley, look no further than Audi Sport's latest fastback. The S5 Sportback, with its creamy turbo V6, blends space, pace and grace in a way that rivals would struggle to, and is sleek as hell to boot. It's our favourite Audi model this year, and is thoroughly deserving of its place in this top 10 list.
The Audi S5 Sportback challenges the notion that you can't have everything in life. If a car that does it all and does it well is right up your alley, look no further than Audi Sport's latest fastback. The S5 Sportback, with its creamy turbo V6, blends space, pace and grace in a way that rivals would struggle to, and is sleek as hell to boot. It's our favourite Audi model this year, and is thoroughly deserving of its place in this top 10 list.
3. BMW 5 Series
It's no surprise seeing the BMW 5 Series make this list, being also our sgCarMart Car of The Year 2017 Winner. Whichever variant you choose to have your 5 Series in, petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid, it's nothing short of impressive, thanks to the model's sorted driving dynamics and high comfort levels. In that respect, it hasn't just proven itself as a leading business sedan. Instead, it has upgraded itself into the first-class territory.
It's no surprise seeing the BMW 5 Series make this list, being also our sgCarMart Car of The Year 2017 Winner. Whichever variant you choose to have your 5 Series in, petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid, it's nothing short of impressive, thanks to the model's sorted driving dynamics and high comfort levels. In that respect, it hasn't just proven itself as a leading business sedan. Instead, it has upgraded itself into the first-class territory.
4. Honda Civic Hatchback
The latest iteration of the Honda's most popular model brings to the table a turbocharged VTEC powerplant that will shame its classmates in a straight line and a stylish new hatchback design that the hot-blooded Type R is based on. More importantly, its fleetfooted handling capablities will put a smile on your face everytime you put the pedal to the metal and its quality cabin rivals cars a price bracket up.
The latest iteration of the Honda's most popular model brings to the table a turbocharged VTEC powerplant that will shame its classmates in a straight line and a stylish new hatchback design that the hot-blooded Type R is based on. More importantly, its fleetfooted handling capablities will put a smile on your face everytime you put the pedal to the metal and its quality cabin rivals cars a price bracket up.
5. Land Rover Range Rover Velar
The Land Rover Range Rover Velar is a mid-size sport utility vehicle that fills the space between the Evoque and the Sport. And there's not one doubt that the British marque has created a very good-looking car, strikingly handsome and stylishly sleek. It's also technologically luxurious, handles itself well on and off-roads and certainly has what it takes to convince potential buyers of its capabilities.
The Land Rover Range Rover Velar is a mid-size sport utility vehicle that fills the space between the Evoque and the Sport. And there's not one doubt that the British marque has created a very good-looking car, strikingly handsome and stylishly sleek. It's also technologically luxurious, handles itself well on and off-roads and certainly has what it takes to convince potential buyers of its capabilities.
6. Lexus LC
Stylished angled sheetmetal and a massively meshed grille hint at a serious performance car, and the LC delivers. It's a head-turning coupe (the prettiest one we've seen this year) with a neck-breaking 5.0-litre V8 engine that dances like a ballerina and sings like a Broadway star. And expected of the Japanese luxury marque, the cabin of the LC is all about dedicated craftsmanship, making it a car that's impossible to fault.
Stylished angled sheetmetal and a massively meshed grille hint at a serious performance car, and the LC delivers. It's a head-turning coupe (the prettiest one we've seen this year) with a neck-breaking 5.0-litre V8 engine that dances like a ballerina and sings like a Broadway star. And expected of the Japanese luxury marque, the cabin of the LC is all about dedicated craftsmanship, making it a car that's impossible to fault.
7. Mazda CX-5
While the Mazda CX-5 doesn't offer outright pace, it impresses with a dynamism that's a rarity in its class. The experience behind the wheel of the lively CX-5 can instead be likened to that of a supersized hot hatch, thanks to its linear powertrain, great steering feel and quick directional changes. To top it off, it's also more handsome than its rivals and offers a cabin that's of higher quality than you'd expect from Mazda.
While the Mazda CX-5 doesn't offer outright pace, it impresses with a dynamism that's a rarity in its class. The experience behind the wheel of the lively CX-5 can instead be likened to that of a supersized hot hatch, thanks to its linear powertrain, great steering feel and quick directional changes. To top it off, it's also more handsome than its rivals and offers a cabin that's of higher quality than you'd expect from Mazda.
8. Mercedes-Benz E 63 S AMG
Dripping with power and athletic acumen, yet shockingly comfortable, refined and usable, the new Mercedes-AMG E 63 S rules supreme in the super saloon segment. At the heart of the E 63 S is a familiar 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine that's an absolute beast, which responds instantly to throttle inputs and chases the red line with eagerness. Yet, despite its dynamic excellence, it offers enjoyment and excitement across a variety of situations.
Dripping with power and athletic acumen, yet shockingly comfortable, refined and usable, the new Mercedes-AMG E 63 S rules supreme in the super saloon segment. At the heart of the E 63 S is a familiar 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine that's an absolute beast, which responds instantly to throttle inputs and chases the red line with eagerness. Yet, despite its dynamic excellence, it offers enjoyment and excitement across a variety of situations.
9. Porsche Panamera
To be completely honest, the previous generation Porsche Panamera is slightly undesirable because of how it looks but Porsche has righted that wrong with its latest Panamera. To put it simply, it's good-looking now and is an incredibly mechanically-accomplished grand tourer that offers a sublime combination of performance and comfort. Even in this base-model guise, the Panamera is now a thoroughly polished car that has desperately few faults.
To be completely honest, the previous generation Porsche Panamera is slightly undesirable because of how it looks but Porsche has righted that wrong with its latest Panamera. To put it simply, it's good-looking now and is an incredibly mechanically-accomplished grand tourer that offers a sublime combination of performance and comfort. Even in this base-model guise, the Panamera is now a thoroughly polished car that has desperately few faults.
10. Seat Leon Cupra
Employing the Volkswagen Group's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, the Leon Cupra is the most powerful road-going Seat ever. Unsurprisingly, a family hatch with all that power isn't slow but the good thing is that the Cupra isn't manic. This means that once you're done ripping up tarmac, the Cupra's Comfort mode makes for a quiet and relaxing ride around town, making it a superb all-rounder and a dangerous rival to the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Employing the Volkswagen Group's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, the Leon Cupra is the most powerful road-going Seat ever. Unsurprisingly, a family hatch with all that power isn't slow but the good thing is that the Cupra isn't manic. This means that once you're done ripping up tarmac, the Cupra's Comfort mode makes for a quiet and relaxing ride around town, making it a superb all-rounder and a dangerous rival to the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
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