From premium SUVs to affordable hatchbacks and even a restomod or two, I’ve driven a lot of cars this year – but which has been my favourite and least favourite of them all?
This year, I’ve had the privilege of reviewing and driving a diverse array of vehicles. From hefty vans to nimble sports cars, from restomods to top-tier electric cars, it’s been an eventful year at the helm.
In total, excluding different variations within a model range, I’ve driven 25 distinct cars in 2025.
The list includes everything from electric BMWs and stunning Audis to a vehicle hailed as ‘Car of the Year’ by a motoring magazine. But as we bid adieu to 2025, which were my favourites and least favourites?
The answer, surprisingly, was not what I expected….reports the Express.
25th: Chery Tiggo 8
The Chery Tiggo 8, crowned Carwow’s car of the year, piqued my curiosity enough to spend a weekend with it. Unfortunately, it proved surprising for all the wrong reasons, including an unpleasant burning plastic smell after a mere two-mile drive.
It seemed to give the driver too little to do, much to its detriment. You can read more about why here.
24th: Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica
The Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica, the electric counterpart of a petrol car ranked much higher on this list, wasn’t a terrible car. However, its petrol sibling proved superior and easier to live with. Additionally, a series of minor electrical glitches didn’t help its end-of-year ranking.
23rd: Ford Puma
The Ford Puma has claimed the title of the UK’s best-selling car, dethroning its sibling, the long-standing Ford Fiesta. However, after a week with the vehicle, I was left perplexed.
The steering felt odd, the car exhibited significant roll, there was a dearth of physical buttons, and it generally felt quite bulbous. Despite its affordability, I’d recommend opting for a second-hand Fiesta instead.
22nd: MG S5 EV
The MG S5 is an electric SUV from Chinese-owned MG. It finds itself this far down the list not due to any glaring faults, but rather its lack of memorable qualities and feel.
There are superior SUVs on the market that offer a more premium experience and may prove more reliable when faced with challenging conditions.
21st: BYD Seal
The BYD Seal was the first electric car I had the pleasure of driving and it certainly made a positive initial impression. However, like many Chinese vehicles, it fell short in terms of finesse and feel when compared to its European, Japanese, and Korean counterparts.
This lack of feel might not deter many, but in an era where electric cars boast such power, having as much information as possible is crucial, particularly in difficult conditions.
20th: Leapmotor T03
The Leapmotor T03 isn’t particularly fast nor does it boast an impressive range. Yet, there was something endearing about its slow pace and lack of grip when I tested it during SMMT’s annual test day at Millbrook Proving Ground.
19th: Ford Explorer
Driving the Ford Explorer was one of my first joyful experiences in 2025, and for good reason. As a large SUV from the blue oval, it’s easy to see why it might resonate with both US and UK audiences.
18th: BMW 1 Series
The BMW 1 Series proved itself as a capable hatchback; it offered a certain feel, ample practicality, and a wealth of technology behind its front-wheel-drive facade.
17th: Hyundai Inster
The Hyundai Inster is a compact electric city car from Hyundai. It demonstrated remarkable competence, with delightful retro touches inside that evoked memories of the best aspects of the Fiat 500 when it was relaunched in the 2000s.
16th: Toyota Hilux
This is chef James Martin’s favourite vehicle, and it was fascinating to discover why. During my week with the truck (as detailed in these words), I uncovered the good, the bad, and the downright intriguing aspects of spending a week with it.
15th: MINI Aceman
Despite the wide variety of vehicles on display and available for test drives at the SMMT test day, the MINI Aceman remains etched in my memory due to its unique feature of playing piano music when you accelerated. It had more grip than I anticipated, making it quite enjoyable.
14th: Honda HR-V HEV
This was another vehicle that took me by surprise. Initially, I expected the HR-V HEV to be somewhat uninspiring during my week-long experience with it, but I soon realised it was one of the most interesting, largely due to how effortlessly one could adjust the regenerative braking mid-corner.
13th: BMW i4
I received the i4 a week prior to the arrival of the BYD Seal. Undeniably impressive, it was likely the most efficient vehicle I drove all year, second only to another car further up this list. It’s commendable, albeit hefty.
12th: Audi S5 Saloon
A swift, potent, petrol-fuelled saloon from Audi. It offers solid performance for what is essentially a motorway cruiser. One can’t help but ponder how the estate version would fare.
11th: Ford Mustang Mach E Rallye
This entry comes with an unusual caveat, which is precisely why it ranks so high. The reason being that my test drive took place on tarmac, despite it being an off-road beast. Given Ford’s rally pedigree, a grass-based test drive could provide answers to many intriguing questions.
10th: Mercedes AMG GT
A spacious, comfortable, and powerful German GT car. Not overly loud, yet packing enough punch to navigate tight bends with ease.
It was the sole car on the SMMT test day that came with a co-pilot. Among the priciest cars tested, but also one of the simplest to operate.
9th: Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida
I didn’t anticipate such a small SUV-like hatchback to perform this well, but it was a pleasant surprise. The engine emitted a delightful and raucous sound, and the overall handling on Millbrook’s circuit felt agile and inviting.
8th: Honda Civic Type R
The latest, and possibly final, petrol iteration of the esteemed Honda Civic Type R. It felt like reconnecting with a skilled old friend. Three pedals, six speeds, absolutely splendid.
7th: Rocketeers MX5
This was my first drive in a restomod, a vintage car with modern components, and this MX5 boasted a Jaguar V6 under its bonnet. It was an absolute hoot in the best possible sense; I only wish I’d had more time with it.
6th: Skoda Felicia
At the SMMT test day, this was one of several motors that journalists were lining up to take for a spin. Skoda had brought along its heritage fleet, including a 1950s sports car in blue.
Like others before me, I was utterly charmed by the experience and returned with the same gleeful expression everyone else had. Plus, I was relieved I hadn’t caused any damage.
5th: 2017 MINI Clubman Cooper S
The hunt for a new car can be a lengthy process, as I discovered when it took me over a year. I swapped my Mini Clubman for another Mini Clubman.
After fitting four new tyres, I’m thrilled with my turbo-charged, four-wheel drive, four-cylinder MINI. You can discover why here.
4th: Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
The first time I got behind the wheel of an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, it was for an economy run from London to Edinburgh and back. On my second outing, I wasn’t concerned about fuel efficiency, and I was reminded exactly why lightweight petrol-powered vehicles should remain on Britain’s roads.
3rd: Audi S6 Avant e-tron Quattro
The Audi S6 would have been an ideal winter vehicle. It’s practical, powerful, aerodynamic and efficient. Despite its size being a drawback, it was one of the cars I was genuinely saddened to see leave as it majestically drove up the street.
Audi excels at electric saloons and estates largely because they understand that drivers want more than just mobility; they seek interaction and feedback from their vehicle.
2nd: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross
The D-Max V-Cross may not be the priciest on this list, but it is likely the largest. This colossal Japanese pick-up truck was the most enquired about by my family.
Not only was it practical, towering over more luxurious SUVs, but it effortlessly smoothed out speed bumps and potholes. Driving or owning it was akin to having a golden retriever; gentle, friendly, yet highly capable in challenging situations.
1st: Alpine A110R
On a track, the Alpine A110R would be the fastest, but it takes the top spot here due to its hardcore nature. It reminded me greatly of the KTM X-BOW GT-XR I drove in 2024.
You strap yourself into a four-point harness that connects you to one of the world’s best handling chassis. Unlike other road cars, this isn’t a machine you can simply hop into and drive fast.
You need to warm up the tyres and brakes before you can truly exploit its capabilities, and once you do, well, you’re flying. This was the first car I drove this year that genuinely helped restore some of my confidence.
Special Mention: Van
Over the past couple of years, I’ve had the privilege of delivering four vehicles to Ukraine. The most recent was a van in February.
This journey was particularly poignant, not only due to the destination and purpose but also for personal reasons that I’ll keep to myself. What will forever stay with me is the sight of the sunrise over Ukraine on a clear, frosty February morning.
For an indeterminate period, I lost myself in the drive, momentarily forgetting my troubles. My hope is that the van continues to serve its purpose and that Ukraine receives all the necessary support in its struggle against the Russian military in Vladimir Putin’s unlawful war.
