Welcome to our 2017 10Best Cars. Each year for more than three decades, we’ve put dozens of new cars through thousands of miles of cumulative evaluation to determine our annual list of the very best automobiles for sale in America. The rules for consideration are simple: Entrants must cost less than $80,000 (anything pricier should be excellent by default), and they must be either a returning winner or all-new or significantly revised. Winning isn’t easy, however—in order to take home a trophy, a vehicle must offer good value, excel at its given mission, and, critically, deliver a pleasurable driving experience. These 10 cars deliver all of those qualities in spades. While none of them are perfect, they come closer to that ideal than anything else you can buy new.
- 10. BMW M2
The M2 you see before you is a result of precisely that inspiration, as interpreted by the UK-based tuning masters at Evolve. Every company participating in the project was in some way inspired by BMW’s new super M4, and has used that inspiration to create exciting new components for the M2. Evolve partnered with the best in the industry to create an M2 concept that could rival the GTS in appearance, poise, and presentation.
The team at Evolve are masters of Carbon Fiber in their own right, being the driving force behind the Eventuri brand of air intakes, and so were able to take advantage of their relationships with other carbon suppliers to create their own vision of an M2 GTS. Edison Composites created a GTS style hood that could fit an M2, and RKP provided their unique GTS style front lip and rear diffuser. Together with an M4 style carbon fiber roof panel, the extensive use of composite materials gave this M2 the mini-GTS look that Evolve was after. Evolve’s own ECU tune, Evolve sport cat downpipes, and the Eventuri air intake round out the engine’s behavior and make for a more dynamic driving experience.
The Evolve approach to chassis and footwork is particularly interesting. Bilstein’s new PSS coilovers provide a good mix of comfort and competent handling, but the real magic lies in Evolve’s OEM retrofits. The original M4 strut brace has been installed to dramatically increase chassis rigidity, and BMW’s own carbon ceramic braking system has been fully retrofitted to give the M2 a complete GTS feel and personality. 6sixty Design created a custom set of M2 wheels, and Toyo’s extremely grippy R888 tires give the car the grip and sidewall response it needs to perform in any conditions.
Together, these pieces combine to create an M2 that exudes driving passion, and can compete with BMW’s own best work.
- 9. Chevrolet Bolt:
The Chevrolet Bolt is an impressive car and in several ways a breakthrough electric vehicle (EV). So why aren’t Bolts flying off dealer lots and shattering EV sales records as many industry observers had expected?
After the first 4 months of 2017, the Chevrolet Bolt has climbed into 5th place in total monthly US BEV/PHEV sales, and sits about 3,000 units behind its sister PHEV (plug-in hybrid) model, the Chevrolet Volt. More significantly, however, in April the Bolt was only about 500 units behind the Volt versus about 1,150 for March.
After sales in February and March dropped below that of January, Bolt numbers jumped back up to 1,292, its highest sales month since initial launch in December of 2016, when 579 units were delivered. Another positive trend from April is that Bolt sales increased over March, whereas top competitors such as the Volt and Nissan LEAF dropped below their March unit sales.
Depending on your perspective, this start of sales after 5 months is either on target, exceeding expectations, or a bit disappointing for the highly anticipated Bolt, which has won multiple major car of the year awards.
I asked (before April numbers were announced) GM spokesperson Fred Ligouri if Bolt sales “Are meeting expectations?” Fred responded: “Yes, much like the Chevrolet Volt, the Bolt EV is attracting new buyers to Chevrolet showrooms and introducing the benefits of living electric to an even larger audience of drivers. Bolt EV is currently available at dealers in eight states and will be available nationwide by late summer.” He added that the Bolt is also meeting sales expectations in the important state of California.
While the April numbers are very encouraging, I fall into the camp of expecting and hoping for better initial sales of the Bolt.
- 8. Chevrolet Camaro:
Let’s cut right to the hyperbole: The 2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE is a rolling manifestation of Bruce Springsteen’s most celebratory lyrical fairy tale, the “all-American boy with a nose for trouble finds his way by means of a pushrod-V-8–powered muscle car with a weary but naturally beautiful girl in the passenger seat.” Born from the same humble two-door-coupe blueprint that launched the Camaro 50 years ago, it’s the everyman’s super-Camaro: a 455-hp, apex-craving monster that rings in with a $44,400 base price ($6500 for the SS 1LE Performance package on top of $37,900 for the 1SS coupe). That’s $17,735 less dear than the expected $62,135 sticker for the 2017 Camaro ZL1, and it will likely undercut the price of the upcoming 2018 Camaro Z/28 by even more. While we’re talking matters of finance, the only other option on our test car was a performance data recorder for $1300, which brought the as-tested price to $45,700. It may not be free, but it’s at least attainable for most aspiring part-time track rats.
- 7. Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport:
It’s certainly not a ferocious factory racing machine, as the first blistered and vented Grand Sport was in 1963. And it’s not the wrapper in which a new version of the Chevy small-block V-8 is presented. That was true of the 1996 Grand Sport, the vehicle first to bear the LT4 engine that stoked the embers at the end of the C4’s life. One look at the new GS’s muscled glutes and you’ll know it’s something more than just a trim and paint job, but, despite the sincere wishes of some on our staff, it is not the long-awaited mid-engined Corvette.
Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer and our right-seat companion for part of our first drive of the Grand Sport, puts the new car in a slightly different perspective. “This is big business for us,” he says. “The last Grand Sport [of the C6 generation] kept the Bowling Green plant running. It was our highest-volume model.”
Sports-car buyers are more fickle than most. Sales are hot when a new model arrives, as they certainly have been for the C7 Stingray, but then they typically go tumbling off a cliff after a few years. With its long history, the Corvette hasn’t necessarily suffered as much as newcomers in this cycle of boom-and-bust because enough Americans have grown up with the unwavering desire to someday buy a Corvette—not the newest sports car, but a Corvette specifically.
- 6. Ford Mustang Shelby GT350:
I am elated to be here as the newest member of the Signature Wheels owner circle and the experience has been amazing. The initial order process, build process, and deliver all went off without a hitch. Time lines were adhered to, and communication was always there when I had questions or changed my mind several times about the wheel options. I have experienced companies that disappear after they have your money. This has not been the case with Signature Wheels or Positive G Motorworks, and I foresee great support from them in the future. The delivered product was also above my expectations and blew me away. The finish on the wheels, machining intricacies, and how light these wheels are leave nothing else to be desired. Even at the time of install my buddy who owns the tire shop said these were probably the nicest wheels he had ever seen in 20 years of experience. I am glad to be part of the Signature Wheels team, and hope I can showcase their products again in the future.
- 5. Honda Accord:
Consumer reports have rated the Accord as one of the most reliable cars. It’s known to have solid engineering, high safety ratings and a good resale value. Because of Honda’s history of dependability, experts in the auto industry feel comfortable advising those on a limited budget to purchase an Accord model made in the mid-1990s.
Reviewers are often pleased with the exterior design of the latest models—particularly the exterior lines and headlights. As a basic, mid-sized car, the Accord continues to be rated high in comfort, too. The amount of leg room available, particularly in the front seats, received high ratings along with the amount of trunk space available.
Reviews about the Accord will include how it felt to drive the car. Steering the Accord while on the road felt very smooth, making the sedan easy to drive. Reviewers also commented the throttle responded very well and they especially appreciate the navigation system that’s voice-controlled.
- 4. Mazda 3:
With its sophisticated design and excellent driving dynamics, the Mazda 3 is one of our favorite small cars—a multi-time 10Best Cars winner, in fact. The 3 is arguably the sharpest looker in its class, particularly in hatchback form, and its cockpit is a driver’s delight, with fluid primary controls, upscale trappings, and thoughtful ergonomics. It may not be the newest or the largest or the quickest of its type, but the 3 shines brighter than most of its rivals on back roads, and with minimal compromise to comfort and practicality. Few cars at any price can blend such laudable virtues together with the cohesion of the Mazda, let alone with the 3’s trophy case of comparison-test wins to back it up.
HIGHS
Dapper styling, joyous road manners, upscale cabin and trimmings.
LOWS
Lacks low-end grunt, some ride choppiness, short on luxury amenities.
VERDICT:
An all-star aging into a silver fox.
- 3. Mazda MX 5 Miata:
For 28 years, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has adhered to Mazda’s oft-cited jinba-ittai ethos, a Japanese phrase drawn from samurai horse archery that translates to “horse and rider as one.” The purity of connection required to accurately shoot arrows astride a moving animal, as distilled into an automobile, makes for a light, simple, and fantastic sports car. Also, horses don’t have roofs and neither do Miatas, if you’re doing it right.
HIGHS
Pretty, seems quieter than the roadster, cargo capacity basically unaffected.
LOWS
More wind buffeting with the top down than roadster, roof reduces headroom.
- 2. Porsche Boxster:
If you believe that driving is a chore, you’re driving the wrong vehicle. In a car as spirited as the 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster S, driving chores involve ironing out properly wrinkled roads with its well-starched chassis, sweeping through highway on-ramps, and dusting traffic off the line. That’s why we’re looking forward to 40,000 miles with Porsche’s mid-engine, droptop sweetheart, because it makes mundane commutes and weekend errands worth anticipating. Riding in on a 10Best Cars win and following our long-term test of a 2014 Cayman S, the 982 generation brings big changes to Porsche’s entry-level sports cars, chiefly turbocharged four-cylinder engines that replace free-breathing sixes, a new 718 moniker, and a lineup shuffle that properly prices the convertible above the Cayman coupe.
The Boxster configurator is a tapas menu for four-wheeled indulgence. It’s tempting to just order one of everything, but then you’re facing a bill north of $110,000—and that’s before you consider adding special paint or any of the many special Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur touches. Accordingly, we consider our $81,630 car an example of uncharacteristic self-restraint.
- 1. Volkswagen Golf GTI:
The Golf GTI may no longer be the hottest hatch on the market, but it’s still the best all-rounder. Starting at $41,490 (plus on-roads) it’ll cope with the daily grind just as easily as a fast, flowing coastal road. There are now more models with more power and technology options too. Essentially a facelifted Mk7 Golf GTI, the GTI's ability to be all things to all people is unmatched, and there’s a fiery new three-door model available.
All-singing, all-dancing hot hatch
Third gear, 5300rpm, sweeping corner – this is the natural habitat of Volkswagen’s Golf GTI. Shopping centre full of caffeinated ding-bats keen to reverse into you? Also the Golf GTI’s natural habitat. The German hatchback is, for want of a better analogy, the Justin Timberlake of the car world.
It does everything well – sings, acts, dances and probably makes a mean risotto too.
Volkswagen’s new 2018 Golf GTI, dubbed the Mk 7.5, is still the most versatile hot hatch today. Like JT, it can be everything to everyone.
The Golf GTI 7.5 is the new standard bearer of performance for Golf until the Mk 8 arrives in 2020, which will probably be offered with a pair of virtual reality goggles so you needn’t even leave the garage to get a sense of speed. Ah, the future… always just over the horizon.
- And that's why this great car is the number one in the top ten..
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