Dec 31, 2008 -
The Best and Worst Cars of 2008
I drove a lot of cars, SUVs and trucks this year. So many I wish I made hash marks on a Post It or something so I'd know for sure how many. There's a lot of these Best and Worst lists out at this time of year (including the buff book's awards), each having a different criteria and method for determining what they consider to be the best. Does "best" mean best for me, best for enthusiasts, best for the buying public or the best car period regardless of price. Ditto worst. Plus, would simply disappointing the reviewer count for worst? Here's what I did.
I considered every vehicle that passed through the Edmunds garage from Jan. 1 to Dec 1, which is just about everything. I then sat on a rock, placed my chin on my knuckles and pondered my myriad driving experiences from this year of Obama and GT-R.
The BEST: 2010 Mazda 3
In the end, I chose the car that so perfectly satisfies all of the above criteria for what makes a "Best." While maintaining the outgoing car's brilliant road manners (and most of its platform), the new Mazda Mazda3 by Mazda raises the bar it established by improving the already impressive interior, adding stuff to the already ample features list and bumping up the already punchy engines. But I consider it the best because it seems like the perfect car for the most people for these lean, green times. It's not the most efficient small car, but it's still a relative fuel miser and PZEV certified. Depending on trim, the 3 can be either a budget economy car or a junior sport sedan with luxury car features and interior trappings. I've known cash-strapped college students who've bought a 3 i and a well-to-do mother of three grown kids who could've bought something more expensive, but settled on a 3 s Grand Touring. The 2010 Mazda 3 would be even better for both. It's the car I'd buy between $15,000 and $25,000 and the one I'd be first to recommend. I'd say that qualifies as best.
Honorable mention: Ford Flex, BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series, Porsche 911, Aston Martin DBS
The WORST: 2009 Toyota Corolla
This was much easier than figuring out what I considered to mean "best." The all-new Corolla by any definition stinks. I say it, all our editors say it and six regular Americans we invited to drive it say it. If you want to see an example of a company resting simply on its reputation, look no further than the Corolla. It is so clearly bought by people who've heard the Corolla is a good, reliable car, and then go buy one without driving anything else. I could go into all the reasons it stinks, but just read my test drive of the thing or perhaps this Thought from the Curb. If you want an inexpensive, fuel-efficient car that's more comfort-minded than my "Best" pick, go get a Honda Civic or a Hyundai Elantra. The Corolla had always been a solid, yet tremendously boring car. Now it's boring and bad. Yuck.
Dishonorable Mention: Acura TSX, Smart Fortwo, Dodge Journey, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Aspen Hybrid
See you in '09! -James Riswick
