2024's best cars according to Chris Thompson

Table of Contents

G'day, it's been a ripper of a year for car reviewers, we've had to get to know not only fresh models but also new brands and what feels like entirely different classes of motor.

There's a heap of electric cars heading our way, and the volume of new models and brands from China is growing ever bigger. It's fair to say the landscape of the market is changing a fair dinkum, similar to how it was almost a decade ago when I started working in the industry.

Fair dinkum, a few cars I've driven this year, whether they're updated models, new versions, or entirely new makes, felt like old mates after just a short drive. These aren't necessarily the cars that are the best for everyone, but they're the ones I enjoyed spending time with and would be happy to stick with. So, in no particular order…

Mazda MX-5 2024 review

Genesis GV70 2025 review - Aussie first drive

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Mazda CX-30 GT SP

I'd been given the trusty ute (utility vehicle) GT SP that was my four-wheeled mate for the summer.

To mates before, and given the CX-30's strong similarities to the hatch, it felt right for me to have a crack at living with one for a bit. A few road trips, beach excursions, and a music festival meant I really did live with the CX-30.

I've been saying for ages, an entry-level CX-30's a good pick-up for a small SUV if you don't require heaps of interior space and you're into something stylishly designed.

The leather interior, sunroof, and other high-end inclusions on the GT SP were a nice touch.

The combo is well-balanced, even if it's not too economical - I clocked an average of 10.5L/100km while I had it.

But fair dinkum, a small 4WD is bloody impressive when it can fit three adults and all the camping gear for a three-day music festival and handle the trip with ease, and to my eye it still looked ripper even with its Soul Red Crystal paint all dusty.

Currently a $65,190 (before on-road costs) offering, it’s not the cheapest in its class, but after having it in the driveway for a few months one starts questioning the legitimacy of a premium price for a European vehicle…

Learn more about the CX-30

6.5 out of 10 for interior durability and quality, mate. That's from these ones – not actual journalists. Some parts of the seats are starting to feel a bit like my grandma's ottoman after she's had a ripper of a time at the pub. They're softish, but still comfy. I do love the ambience. Nighttime driving while this screen flashes around is what I reckon I'd watch Saturday night telly on theYe.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

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I'm not even talking about the N model, as I haven't had a crack yet in the driver's seat, but rather the standard, almost base-model Ioniq 5.

Would I need the space? No. Do I think it's the best value? No. Is it the best-driving electric car? Still no. But does it look fantastic and still hold up pretty well in those other areas? Fair dinkum.

Fair dinkum, the $75,800 Ioniq 5 RWD with the 84kWh battery and a motor pumping out 168 kilowatts to the rear wheels seems like it would be enough for me, although chucking in the extra coin for the top-spec Epiq in RWD ($86,800) doesn't seem like a rip-off.

The Ioniq 5 is one of my top picks for car design of the past few years, and its interior balances style that's a bit minimalist with the things you need to stay practical. It's got plenty of room, but still has all the gadgets and features to keep you from being stuck relying on your screen all the time – a problem I'm guilty of as a young bloke even admit it.

Fair dinkum, when they first came out, I'll cop to it, the EV6 has got the driving edge and it's an absolute ripper of a car, but for my money, the Ioniq 5 in Digital Teal is the real looker.

Read more about Hyundai Ioniq 5

Hyundai's task was a great deal easier due to the identical underfloor-mounted battery form factor in front of and behind the axles, however the electric motor make larger. In contrast to most rivals, the Ioniq 5 has electric motor at both ends. That range is touted by the Hyundai as 367 kilometres.

Genesis GV70

Fair dinkum, it's mighty quiet in there while we're on the move.

I'd driven the GV70 when it first came to Australia, and was pretty blown away by its performance, but a bit surprised by the interior design. Even though it's been more than two years since I first saw it, I still remember the GV70's smooth ride and a cabin that's as quiet as a mouse combining with an interior that's a bit showy.

Now updated, the GV70’s interior has developed with a more mature look and it’s standing out even more on the road. Available in all-wheel drive only and still at a reasonable starting price (despite an increase since last year), the GV70 remains the brand's top contender.

The car has some top-notch sound insulation and active noise canceling, which makes for a first class cabin experience, only rivalled by cars at several times the price. It's also a ripper of a drive on tight, twisty roads, and still packs plenty of punch when the road starts to wind up.

For me, the pick of the bunch is the top-shelf 3.5-litre twin turbo V6 Signature Sport as the combo of oomph, upgraded suspension (over the 2.5-litre four) and the more aggressive look grabs me, but even the base 2.5-powered model is a real hoot to drive.

That can impress someone who don't have any personal need for one deserves a big thumbs up.

Check out the Genesis GV70, a comprehensive overview is available.

"The Genesis GV70 is an unassuming all-new luxury SUV crafted for emotive appeal, with sleek lines and an elegant, uplifted silhouette, that reinvents the brand's style in the industry and ready to sit alongside the Germans.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Fair dinkum, yeah, a bloke who writes about motors is picking a naturally aspirated V8-powered rear-wheel drive two-door sports car as one of his favourite cars of the year. Shocking.

I'll qualify this decision by mentioning that I had a stint at a now-defunct car mag that used to dish out hot laps in Mustangs like nowhere else – I reckon I spent more time driving 'em than I had hot tucker.

I've been behind the wheel of – this isn't in the list 'cause it was a novelty for me to drive a Mustang, it's here 'cause the progress from how the Mustang was when it first hit Aussie roads under Ford's watch in 2015 to now is fair dinkum impressive.

The first time I drove a Mustang back in 2017, it was as exciting as it was a handful. Since then, it's become a lot more advanced on the handling and performance front, and the Dark Horse with a six-speed manual is still as rightly addictive.

I spent a week cruising around in a beauty in Stormy Blue Aura (which has heaps of metallic paint flecks that give it a reddish-purple glow in the arvo sunlight), and despite it being a totally new model since the last one I drove a couple of years back, it felt super easy to get back to driving it like a hot knife through butter.

Fair dinkum, it's hard to pretend there're no drawbacks, but I've driven faster, more flashy, and a lot pricier sports cars over the years that could definitely learn a thing or two from the myriad of qualities the current Mustang has got going for it.

The sound of a 350kW V8 under the bonnet is definitely a big help, fair dinkum.

Read more about the Ford Mustang "Down Under"

Ford Mustang Dark Horse 2025: Track Test: Quick Hit

Mazda MX-5

G'day mate, a motoring journalist has picked an naturally aspirated, rear-wheel drive, two-door sports car as one of his top cars for the year. Fair dinkum, a bit of a surprise!

Really impressed me with its lack of improvement. If Mazdas could produce a sports car like this ten years ago, why have they altered the design?

The launch of the midway updated ND generation of Mazda's sports car happened on the twisty roads of Adelaide's wine country and the challenging East Circuit at The Bend Motorsport Park, and both tracks showed that the Roadster didn't need major changes to stay current.

A few tweaks to sharpen the steering, along with an updated rear differential, were accompanied by a subtle redecor, marked by some modified Daytime Running Lights. ... and there you go, the ND MX-5 is still up there with the most entertaining drives available, with a steering wheel in hand.

Fair enough, it's probably the closest you can buy new to the car I actually own, a 1989 NA MX-5.

This one, though, is one that's definitely worth celebrating. While performance cars are getting mauled by emissions restrictions and low sales, the MX-5 remains not only a hit with the public, but also a car that makes the most of what it's got.

Cruise along in a base model with a stick shift, taking the corners on a bitumen back road, with the roof off, on a day when the temperature's a scorching 26 degrees and tell me you wouldn't want to be doing this every day.

Learn more about the Mazda MX-5

Mazda MX-5 2024 review

Honourable Mentions

When I first compiled my initial list, I thought I was going to have trouble whittling it down because a couple of vehicles were giving a few others a run for their money. These are the ones that took my breath away, but didn't quite make it to the top five – and it wasn't because of anything they did wrong, just sometimes the way the chips fell.

A car I had driven in its original three-door form, and one that I had found quite enjoyable to drive, but I just don't have the lifestyle that requires a small four-wheel drive, and I think its slightly rough temperament would start to get on my nerves after a while, although it would certainly have style.

It was also a casualty of a brief fling – it only ended up in my driveway for a couple of nights and while I appreciated its appearance and city-friendly features, I wasn't able to properly drive it. It's also a pricey ask at $67,990.

It's a ripper of a drive, feels pretty cutting edge, and could do with a bit more oomph. Come on, Toyota, chuck the GR badge on the Lexus.

For the Aussie launch – I was nearly tempted to put it in my top five, as it really clicked with me and I reckon it looks fantastic, but I'm being too careful about considering recent times. The underpinnings of it might be one of the best things to happen to the Jeep brand for a while.

On the other hand, is a bloody impressive but an awful lot more expensive car. It looks fantastic, is very easy to drive fast, and for me its 25-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound system is one of the best I've experienced. I just can't quite get past its price being $132,900, with the sound system costing me an extra $9000 on top.

In Seoul this year, and while the car feels like it has potential to be exactly what most Australians who are interested in electric cars need, I didn’t get to drive it on any roads that might truly reveal any dynamic flaws. I don’t doubt Kia’s ability to build a fun small SUV, but being unable to experience a proper fast drive first-hand means I’ll have to wait until it’s here in Australia.