After 12 months of reviewing everything from budget hatchbacks to exotic supercars, the automotive landscape of 2025 has delivered some genuine surprises, spectacular performers, and a few cars that have fundamentally changed how we think about driving enjoyment. This isn’t just another listicle—these are real-world insights from countless hours behind the wheel.
Let’s dive into the categories that matter most: the biggest surprises, the most fun cars, the most reliable vehicles, and our absolute favorites of the year.
Biggest Surprises: Cars That Exceeded All Expectations
Winner: Mercedes-Benz X-Class
Yes, you read that right. The Mercedes-Benz X-Class—often dismissed as an overpriced Nissan Navara in a tuxedo—has emerged as the biggest surprise of 2025. Here’s why this controversial pickup truck deserves a second look.
The Value Proposition Nobody Saw Coming: These trucks are now selling for less than their Navara twins. That’s right—you can buy a Mercedes badge, superior refinement, and arguably better build quality for less money than the Nissan underneath. That’s a game-changer that completely flips the original “paying too much for a badge” narrative.
Unexpected Quality: According to Mercedes technicians, the X-Class is “arguably the best quality, best built, most reliable Mercedes model in recent times.” While that might sound like damning with faint praise given Mercedes’ recent reliability reputation, it’s genuinely impressive. The V6 diesel engine, despite being a Mercedes unit, has proven remarkably dependable.
Refined Driving Experience: The X-Class offers a more refined driving experience than virtually any other ute in its class. It looks exceptional, drives smoothly, and no longer carries the stigma of being a “tool’s choice” now that used prices make perfect sense.
Other Notable Surprises
Infiniti QX70: This discontinued SUV turned out to be a hidden gem. It’s essentially a Nissan 370Z wearing an SUV suit, and it delivers driving dynamics that put many modern crossovers to shame. The V6 petrol variant offers fantastic value and genuine driving enjoyment.
Honda Accord Euro: The value-for-money champion. Few cars at this price point offer so much car. The looks have aged beautifully, the K24 engine is bulletproof, and with a nice set of wheels and a slight drop, it becomes genuinely sexy.
Mitsubishi Delica: While purists dismiss it as “not a real Delica,” this quirky van does everything most people need from an off-roader without the compromises. It’s practical, capable, and refreshingly different.
Alpine A110: For anyone who didn’t already know about this French masterpiece, discovering it feels like finding automotive treasure. More on this stunning car later.
Lexus IS-500: Everyone expected it to be good. Nobody expected it to be THIS good. The naturally aspirated V8 soundtrack alone makes it worth the price of admission, but there’s so much more to love here.
Most Fun Cars: Pure Driving Joy
Winner: Alpine A110
The Alpine A110 isn’t just the most fun car of 2025—it might be one of the best driver’s cars at any price point. Period.
Fun at Normal Speeds: This is the critical differentiator. You don’t need to break speed limits or risk your license to have an absolute blast. One tester spent an entire day never exceeding 80 km/h and still described it as “so much fun.” When was the last time you could say that about any performance car?
The Perfect Middle Ground: It sits perfectly between a well-sorted Mazda MX-5 and a supercar. You get all the theatrics and engagement of exotic machinery without the negatives—no one calls you pretentious, it’s small and easy to maneuver, and it doesn’t beat you up on normal roads.
Manual Gearbox? Doesn’t Matter: Even die-hard manual transmission enthusiasts admit the dual-clutch transmission in the A110 isn’t a compromise—it’s the right choice for this car. That’s high praise from the “save the manuals” crowd.
Real-World Perspective: When asked to choose between an MX-5 and an A110 at the same price, even a hardcore MX-5 fanatic chose the Alpine without hesitation. That tells you everything you need to know.
Other Phenomenally Fun Cars
Hyundai i20N: Massively underrated hot hatch that punches well above its weight. Not the fastest car reviewed, but easily one of the best hot hatches money can buy. If it weren’t for finding an insane deal on a Ford Fiesta ST, one tester would be daily driving an i20N.
Mazda MX-5 SP (Supercharged): Mazda Australia took the already-fun MX-5 and bolted on a small turbo. The result? “That’s the power-to-weight ratio every MX-5 should have.” Even on damp roads (which arguably made it MORE fun), this thing is a giggle machine.
Porsche Boxster (First Generation): Forget the “hairdresser’s car” and “poor man’s Porsche” stereotypes. For $20,000-$25,000, you get driving joy that rivals cars costing ten times more. The entire car costs less than the carbon ceramic brake package on a modern Carrera. If you haven’t driven one, you’re missing out.
Audi TTRS: Proper fast, proper fun. In track-day configuration, this thing is more race car than road car. The five-cylinder engine is intoxicating, and recent motorsport events proved just how capable these are in the right hands.
Lexus RCF: That naturally aspirated V8 sound, gorgeous coupe body, and exceptional body control make this a smiles-per-mile champion. It’s like a Mustang with genuine refinement.
Mercedes-AMG C63 (Wagon): Despite potential reliability concerns, the driving experience is pure joy. That V8 soundtrack, the way it handles, and even the satisfying “thunk” of closing the doors—it’s all theater. The wagon variant is the coolest of the bunch.
Most Reliable: The Bulletproof Brigade
Winner: Lexus ES
Of course it is. The Lexus ES is so reliable that researching negative information requires delving into “the depths of the dark web.” Nothing goes wrong with these cars.
The Lexus Advantage: Compared to every European competitor in the same segment—all offering similar tech, features, and complexity—the Lexus just doesn’t break. It’s not a tarted-up Toyota Camry (stop saying that); it’s a genuinely special car that happens to be engineered with Japanese reliability DNA.
Real-World Proof: There’s a reason high-end car sharing services and VIP transport companies use these to ferry people around. They rack up hundreds of thousands of kilometers without problems. For taxi and fleet use, that’s the ultimate endorsement.
Other Reliability Champions
Lexus RX: Another Lexus, another reliability winner. Every generation is excellent. While competitors like the Mercedes GLC and BMW X3/X4 struggle with reliability, the RX delivers just as many features and tech while being bulletproof. One tester drove a brand new RX through absolutely treacherous conditions—flooded roads, falling trees—and it didn’t put a foot wrong.
Toyota Yaris: No surprises here. Less to go wrong, and what’s there rarely fails. It’s the default courtesy car for a reason.
Mazda MX-5 (NB Generation): Affordable to own, affordable to maintain, and you can beat on them at track days repeatedly without issues. The NB might be the sweet spot for reliability and fun.
Honda Accord Euro: The K24 engine is legendary for durability. These have quirks and features, but they very rarely actually stop driving.
Suzuki Ignis: Not much car, not much complexity, but what’s there is rock-solid. A perfect nugget of reliability.
Cars We’d Actually Recommend: Real-World Winners
Budget Champions (Under $10,000)
Honda Accord Euro: Bang-for-buck brilliance. Not much beats it in this price range.
Affordable Excellence ($12,000-$30,000)
Suzuki Ignis: In the teens to low twenties, you get reliability, practicality, and surprising capability. The collective noun? An “awesome of Ignis” or perhaps “a nugget of Ignis.”
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports (Wagon): Don’t overlook this import. It shares mechanical components with the Australian Corolla but offers wagon practicality. If you’re considering a RAV4 or any SUV, check out the Corolla Touring first. It might surprise you.
Premium SUV Territory
Genesis GV70: One of the best interiors at any price point, beautiful to drive, and exceptional value compared to German rivals. These retain value well and offer reliability that Porsche Macan, BMW X3/X4, Mercedes GLC, and Audi Q5 buyers can only dream about.
Lexus RX (Winner): The ultimate premium SUV recommendation. Any generation, any age—it’ll probably be the best option in its segment and price point. Cannot go wrong.
New Car of the Year: Forward-Looking Excellence
Winner: Lexus LBX Morizo RR
This is what happens when you take the running gear from a GR Yaris, add the automatic gearbox, and wrap it in a classy LBX body. It’s essentially a GR Corolla with more sophistication and practicality.
Why It Wins: This is the “vehicular version of Jim and Adam’s love child”—a car that ticks every enthusiast box except price. At around $90,000, it’s admittedly expensive (about $20-25k more than a top-spec GR Corolla), but if you’re in that price range, it’s justifiable.
The Perfect Package: It combines hot hatch performance with premium refinement. It’s practical enough for daily use yet exciting enough for weekend adventures. It’s the complete package.
Other Notable New Cars
BMW M3 Touring CS: The ultimate family performance car. Who asked for an even more hardcore M3 Touring? Nobody. But now that it exists, it’s the stuff of automotive dreams. BMW, if you’re reading this, long-term loan vehicles are gratefully accepted.
BYD Atto 3: This is what an EV should be—small, efficient, easy to park, perfect for metro areas. Hot tip: Don’t buy new. Wait 6-12 months and buy used after depreciation hits. You’ll get incredible value.
Ford Ranger Raptor: A genuine disruptor. It offers capability previously reserved for the 79 Series Land Cruiser at a significantly lower price point. As a work vehicle on a lease arrangement, this thing makes tremendous sense during the warranty period.
Personal Cars of the Year: The Absolute Best
Joint Winners: Lexus IS-500 and Alpine A110
Lexus IS-500: The V8 Symphony
Stop comparing it to M3s and C63s in terms of raw numbers. Who cares? This car isn’t about being the fastest—it’s about the complete experience.
That Sound: The naturally aspirated V8 creates an induction noise that will have you slowing down before highway on-ramps just so you can floor it from 20 km/h. You’ll never think “I wish it was quicker.” You’ll be too busy thinking “How’s the feel? Listen to that!”
Comfort Meets Performance: It eats roads in absolute comfort. After long drives, you’re not tired or sore. It doesn’t rattle over bumps, yet will still spin wheels on command. The transmission might not be as quick as a BMW’s, but that doesn’t matter when the overall experience is this good.
The Emotional Connection: One tester drove it late into the night and was “disappointed” to arrive home, genuinely considering how far Melbourne was just to keep driving. When a car makes you want to drive for driving’s sake, you know it’s special.
Alpine A110: The Modern Classic
Even from a “hardcore MX-5 fan who lives and breathes MX-5,” the Alpine gets the nod when prices are equal. That’s extraordinary praise.
Nuanced Perfection: The first drive at high speeds was all about not crashing. The second drive, staying under 80 km/h the entire day, revealed the car’s true genius—the nuance, the feedback, the engagement at any speed.
Forgivable Flaws: Yes, it has some Renault-Nissan engine quirks (fuel pump and thermostat issues). But here’s the thing: it’s a niche mid-engine sports car. If it didn’t have some character flaws, it would be missing something. The issues don’t diminish the love—they’re part of the package.
No Compromises Feel Like Compromises: The dual-clutch transmission isn’t a compromise—it’s the right gearbox for this car. That’s the ultimate compliment.
The Bottom Line: What 2025 Taught Us About Great Cars
This year reinforced several critical lessons:
Numbers Don’t Tell The Story: The IS-500 isn’t the fastest. The Alpine A110 isn’t the most powerful. The Mercedes X-Class shares its platform with a Nissan. None of that matters when the complete package delivers joy, reliability, or surprising value.
Expectations Can Blind Us: The X-Class was written off as an overpriced gimmick. The Alpine was unknown to many. The Boxster carries stigma. Looking past preconceptions reveals automotive treasures.
Fun Doesn’t Require Speed: The Alpine proves you can have an absolute blast at legal speeds. That’s increasingly important in our heavily monitored roads.
Lexus Dominance: Whether reliability (ES, RX), fun (IS-500, RCF), or new car excellence (LBX Morizo RR), Lexus dominated multiple categories. They’re building cars that prioritize the complete ownership experience, not just impressive spec sheets.
Value Exists If You Look: From sub-$10k Accord Euros to surprisingly affordable X-Class pickups, genuine value exists for those willing to look beyond the obvious choices.
As we head into 2026, these cars set a high bar. They prove that great automotive experiences come in many forms—from screaming V8s to whisper-quiet EVs, from practical family haulers to weekend sports cars.
The common thread? These are cars designed and built by people who genuinely love driving, for people who feel the same way. And that’s what makes them special.
Ready to explore more? Check out the full reviews of each car mentioned here for detailed insights, ownership costs, and whether they’re right for your specific needs. And remember—the best car isn’t always the fastest, prettiest, or most expensive. It’s the one that makes you smile every time you drive it.
That’s what 2025 taught us, and we can’t wait to see what automotive surprises 2026 brings.
