Because the transfer to electrification continues, some automakers are leaping towards the longer term whereas others wish to the previous for one final remaining hurrah. These tendencies are clearly evident on this 12 months’s crop of finalists for Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2023.
Final 12 months marked a primary for our award. A clean-sheet-design electrical pickup truck from a startup automaker got here out on prime because the Rivian R1T earned Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2022 honors. The Lucid Air, additionally an electrical car and in addition from a startup, was the runner-up.
After driving practically 30 new or considerably up to date luxurious and efficiency automobiles, vehicles, and SUVs, we whittled down the checklist of 2023 nominees to only seven contenders. We fought to get there, and fought extra to find out the winner.
We’ll announce the winner on Jan. 4, 2023, together with the winners from our sister websites, The Automotive Connection and Inexperienced Automotive Stories.
Till then, these are the seven finalists for Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2023.
2023 Acura Integra
The Acura Integra proudly returned in 2022. Previewed a 12 months forward of the hatch’s return in prototype kind, the compact hatch delivered on its promise of recapturing the magic of the glory days. Based mostly on the Civic Si’s bones, the Integra takes issues a step additional with the provision of adaptive dampers, a greater sound system, and naturally, a hatchback physique type. It’s a disgrace the handbook transmission is quarantined to the top-spec mannequin.
2022 Audi RS 3
The Audi RS 3 returned with turbo-5 energy and observe functionality. The RS 3’s mission is to please the driving force and stir the soul, and it feels proper at dwelling on a racetrack. The all-wheel-drive system has change into extra subtle and basically affords a drift mode because of a trick rear differential with torque vectoring functionality. The tires are staggered, oddly with the bigger rubber up entrance. It’s legitimately fast, too, with a 0-60 mph dash of three.6 seconds. Positive, there’s a little bit of turbo lag, but it surely’s a part of the automobile’s character. However at greater than $60,000 in most configurations, it’s costly in a timeline of quick and enjoyable automobiles for much less cash.
2023 Cadillac Lyriq
The Cadillac Lyriq aligns the automaker with its battery-powered future. It may additionally mark the turning level that proves GM’s luxurious division is lastly able to chart its personal path. Fairly than chasing the Germans, the Lyriq units out on it personal with jaw-dropping type, a parts-bin free inside that’s Cadillac-specific, and exemplary trip and dealing with. Whereas the preliminary worth of $62,990 has come and gone—it’ll price greater than $70,000 if ordered now—it nonetheless looks like a price. That is the primary mass-market software of the Ultium platform, and it bodes properly for future GM EVs.
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor
The Ford Bronco Raptor made it to the ultimate spherical as a result of it’s some of the outrageous and outrageously enjoyable automobiles cash can purchase. It’s a street-legal Tonka truck with loopy specs, together with 418 hp, 13.0 inches of floor clearance, 13.0 inches of entrance and 14.0 inches of rear suspension journey, and 37-inch all-terrain tires. It additionally prices lower than the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392, although that beast has two extra cylinders and 57 extra hp.
2023 Honda Civic Sort R at Sonoma Raceway
May we now have a repeat winner on our fingers? The Honda Civic Sort R was named Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2018 when the last-generation mannequin arrived. Now the brand new Sort R is right here, and it grows up however stays enjoyable. The newest iteration of the legendary sizzling hatch checks in with 315 hp, higher cooling, and a revised gearbox. Positive, it nonetheless has the large wing, but it surely’s bigger, smarter, and quicker than earlier than. It’s already set a front-wheel-drive lap report at Suzuka. Priced at $43,990, it’s not the cut price it as soon as was and our remaining two contenders price much less.
2022 Hyundai Kona N
The Hyundai Veloster N is lifeless and we mourn its loss after it virtually gained our Greatest Automotive To Purchase award in 2020, however now we get the $35,995 Hyundai Kona N. The marginally lifted sizzling hatch bursts onto the scene with the the identical rowdy turbo-4 and front-wheel-drive structure however a bit extra practicality. The Kona N goes past sizzling hatch to wild youngster with its loud pops and crackles and sharp dynamics. However its larger seating place is a detriment to trace and canyon driving, and the trip is harsh.
2023 Toyota GR Corolla Morizo Version
Who thought we’d ever see the day when Toyota returned the Corolla to its Eighties sizzling hatch heyday? The GR Corolla does that, and far more. Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division put in a 300-hp turbo-3, a 6-speed handbook, and a trick all-wheel-drive system to make the Corolla enjoyable. The feisty sizzling hatch begins at $36,995, however the model lovers need runs simply over $40,000 because of non-compulsory entrance and rear limited-slip differentials. That’s an costly Corolla, and it’s nonetheless budget-grade inside, but it surely has the willpower to again up its angle and worth.
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