Photo: Image edited by autoevolution
First of all, we should probably give you a heads up and say that our “2015 Car of The Year” has almost nothing to do with the scientific method and every editor is responsible for the choice he made. This is why there is no all-round winner in the following list, which simply consists of an assortment of personal opinions.
Second of all, some of us went full-throttle with the fastest and most desirable sports cars, while others had diametrically opposed opinions on what the best car of last year was. Neither standpoint should be viewed as being flawed, since we only followed one rule: all cars chosen had to have been launched during the course of 2015.
Without further ado, here is autoevolution's first ever “Car of The Year” list. It's a bit eccentric and downright motley, just like our writers.
2016 Chevrolet Camaro - Andrei Tutu
With the past twelve months having brought tons of fresh performance metal upon us, there's one contraption that stands out for me - the 2016 Camaro. Sure, there are more focused new beasts out there, such as the 911 GT3 RS, as well as more affordable ones, like the 2016 Focus RS, but what makes the Camaro stand out is the wind of change blowing all over it (no supercharging pun intended).
GM has gifted the sixth incarnation of the iconic model with sportscar driving dynamics, a mutation that might seem dangerous as far as the muscle car culture is concerned.
Still, America's aftermarket scene was quick to react - since the Camaro Six has all the right handling assets, tuners raced to gift the SS with plenty of extra powaaah that would impose a muscle frame once again.
For burning rubber out loud, once deliveries commenced, it only took these modification aficionados one or two weeks to supercharge the 2016 Camaro SS (Lingenfelter Performance is the one to blame). Oh, and let's not forget that the Corvette-engined SS had already descended into the 10s quarter mile arena with the help of a nitrous kit.
While the 2016 Camaro is far from perfect (try to use the back seats and you'll understand), the new-age vibe it packs makes me grateful for having witnessed its birth. Now back to that LT4's first cry...
2017 Mazda CX-9 - Mircea Panait
As far as mid-size crossover SUVs with seating for seven go, these are not the type of vehicles that ignite the gasoline in our veins. But then the 2016 Mazda CX-9 came along, showing us how a family-friendly SUV can indulge our senses, including common sense.
In a segment that’s laden with slab-sided offerings (such as the 2016 Ford Explorer), the second-generation Mazda CX-9 is abundant with style without making compromises with the ample space this type of vehicle needs in order to seat seven souls. All things considered, the new CX-9 is my car of the year because its main trait is pure authenticity.
We can all agree that plastic trim is a necessary evil in this day and age, but most automakers aren’t bothered to make plastic look and feel like a high-quality material. Mazda, on the other hand, is one of the few exceptions from the norm. For a seven-seater crossover, the CX-9’s cabin is simply breathtaking. Oh, I nearly forgot: the Auburn-colored Nappa leather seats, Japanese rosewood, and aluminum trim are 100 percent genuine.
What we have here isn’t your typical three-row crossover SUV. It’s a vehicle that defies conventional industry norms to be the best in its segment. The latest expression of the KODO - Soul of Motion design language is just the cherry on top of this emotionally stirring family hauler. All in all, the all-new-for-2016 CX-9 is a capstone for the new generation of Mazda cars. Other mid-size crossover SUV manufacturers should take note.
2016 Ferrari F12tdf - Alex Monenciu
In my opinion, the best car of 2015 is the V12-powered Ferrari F12tdf, which will put a smile on your face every time you drive it.
It is a known fact around the office that I am a very big Ferrari fan. My first encounter with a Ferrari was back in 1998, when I first saw a 550 Maranello in a car magazine. I knew then that cars would seize my imagination in the years to come. Based on this, from my point of view, the best car of 2015 is no other than the Ferrari F12tdf.
While most carmakers are rushing to build more hybrid cars or turbocharge their engines to have lower emissions, engineers from the Italian dream-selling company thought, “Hey, let’s take the F12 Berlinetta and make it more hardcore.” The guys from Maranello always knew how to make the special editions be like no other, and that’s exactly what they’ve done with this one too.
In all 799 examples of this special edition of the F12, you can see Ferrari’s racing DNA everywhere. The main reason this is, for me, the best car of 2015 is because the carmaker didn’t care about regulations and kept the V12 naturally aspirated engine from the Berlinetta and simply made it more powerful. There’s no greater feeling than to drive on a mountain road with 770 horsepower screaming and tingling your spine. Except for a few models, Ferrari is well known for its crazy NA engines, and for the feedback they give to the driver.
Call me a purist, but although my car has a turbocharged gasoline engine, I was against this type of power units when BMW and Ferrari - two of my favorite carmakers - introduced them into their gasoline model range.
Innovative systems such as the Virtual Short Wheelbase, the radical redesign of the exterior, the carbon fiber present wherever you look, a 0 to 60 mph time of just 2.9 seconds, and the fact that it’s lighter than the F12 make this homage to Le Tour de France, the legendary endurance road race that Ferrari dominated in the '50s and the '60s, the perfect car for me.
2016 Ford Focus RS - Alex Oagana
With all-wheel-drive monsters like the Mercedes-AMG A45 and the Audi RS3 winning every hot-hatch argument in the last couple of years, you'd think that a new rival for them would feel like a third wheel. Heck, even FWD hot hatches make a mess of sports coupes on the Nurburgring nowadays.
Still, and taking into account that I haven't yet managed to get my grubby hands on a 2016 Ford Focus RS press vehicle, I have an odd feeling that it will re-align my thoughts on what a hot-hatch really is.
At first glance, judging the model strictly from the spec sheet would make it a distant third compared to the two premium hatchbacks mentioned above. That said, it's not the measurable performance that draws me towards choosing the new Focus RS as my very own Car of The Year 2015.
It's not the slightly voluptuous body kit either, since I prefer the previous-generation Focus RS from this point of view anyway. No, the list of reasons for my infatuation with Ford's fastest hot hatch ever starts with its all-wheel-drive system, which can send up to 70 percent of the engine's torque to the rear wheels. It then continues with its no-holds-barred manual transmission, which is obviously slower but so much more involving than a perfect-shifting automatic.
Last, but not least, it's the only hot hatch remaining that still has some rally pedigree and is not just a very fast compact for the sake of breaking 0-60 mph or horsepower/liter records.
4th Gen Toyota Prius - Vlad Mitrache
The new Prius isn’t the most exciting model to have been launched in 2015, but I do feel it’s one of the most important. The first generation was the car that introduced the notion of “hybrid” to the automotive world, so anything bearing this name is of huge importance. It makes the Prius a sort of barometer for the whole hybrid car industry, as it’s still the first name that pops into mind when you think about this type of propulsion.
It’s the first, but not the only one. Not by a mile. Actually, you can now count the brands that don’t offer a hybrid version on the fingers of your hand. So besides impressive efficiency figures - Toyota promises a 20 percent drop compared to the third generation - the new car had to offer something else if it wanted to retain that leading position.
And that something else proved to be a rather controversial design. You have to hand it to the men with crayons - they didn’t go for the simple approach. They didn’t play it safe. They wanted to make sure the new Prius would stand out from a crowd - any crowd. It’s a risky strategy, one that could keep the Prius on top, or that could mark the end of an era. Either way, it will be big.
2016 Mercedes-Benz SL - Mircea Iordache
I've said it when I first saw it and I'll say it again, as many times as they'll let me: the 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL is the best-looking SL since the Gullwing and one of the sexiest convertibles on the market, bar hypercars.
I'm head over heels in love with its lines and proportions. In fact, if I weren't already married, I'd take the SL home to meet my parents. It just goes to show how much emphasis Mercedes has been putting on design these past few years: everything coming out of Stuttgart and bearing the three-pointed star is nothing short of stunning. Two years on and I still go all “Hey, baby! How you doin'?” whenever I see a CLA.
But back to the SL. OK, so they haven't bothered upgrading the engine at all on the SL65 AMG version. And next year's model is only a facelift. I honestly couldn't care less. It's a great looking car, the entry-level version comes with a 367 hp V6, and it has Active Body Control. Enough said.
2015 Volkswagen Golf GTE - Sebastian Toma
The year 2015 sure brought a lot of exciting cars to the world, so choosing the one that’s the most interesting to us is tough, but here it goes. Out of many candidates, the car that intrigued me the most this year was the Golf GTE plug-in hybrid.
The GTE variant of the Golf is showcased as a plug-in hybrid alternative to the GTI, but I believe that description doesn’t do it justice. Because one might make comparisons and try to judge the GTE by the same criteria. And that would be a shame.
Because the GTE isn’t just the GTI’s hybrid brother. It’s more like the GTI’s distant cousin, who has a different life philosophy, but wears similar clothes and shares some of the DNA.
From my personal experience, I can tell you that the GTE doesn’t drive exactly like a GTI and it’s not as fuel efficient as a Toyota Prius. Facts can prove my claims easily, as do international reviews. For some, the Golf GTE wasn’t right. The Golf GTD was more fuel efficient in most scenarios and handled better.
But the GTE managed to achieve something unique until now: it is the first good looking and exciting plug-in hybrid launched by a mainstream manufacturer. And that’s more important than getting the specified fuel efficiency figures.
So let’s not judge the Golf GTE for what it isn’t, but for what it can become.
Without further ado, here is autoevolution's first ever “Car of The Year” list. It's a bit eccentric and downright motley, just like our writers.
2016 Chevrolet Camaro - Andrei Tutu
With the past twelve months having brought tons of fresh performance metal upon us, there's one contraption that stands out for me - the 2016 Camaro. Sure, there are more focused new beasts out there, such as the 911 GT3 RS, as well as more affordable ones, like the 2016 Focus RS, but what makes the Camaro stand out is the wind of change blowing all over it (no supercharging pun intended).
GM has gifted the sixth incarnation of the iconic model with sportscar driving dynamics, a mutation that might seem dangerous as far as the muscle car culture is concerned.
Still, America's aftermarket scene was quick to react - since the Camaro Six has all the right handling assets, tuners raced to gift the SS with plenty of extra powaaah that would impose a muscle frame once again.
For burning rubber out loud, once deliveries commenced, it only took these modification aficionados one or two weeks to supercharge the 2016 Camaro SS (Lingenfelter Performance is the one to blame). Oh, and let's not forget that the Corvette-engined SS had already descended into the 10s quarter mile arena with the help of a nitrous kit.
While the 2016 Camaro is far from perfect (try to use the back seats and you'll understand), the new-age vibe it packs makes me grateful for having witnessed its birth. Now back to that LT4's first cry...
2017 Mazda CX-9 - Mircea Panait
As far as mid-size crossover SUVs with seating for seven go, these are not the type of vehicles that ignite the gasoline in our veins. But then the 2016 Mazda CX-9 came along, showing us how a family-friendly SUV can indulge our senses, including common sense.
In a segment that’s laden with slab-sided offerings (such as the 2016 Ford Explorer), the second-generation Mazda CX-9 is abundant with style without making compromises with the ample space this type of vehicle needs in order to seat seven souls. All things considered, the new CX-9 is my car of the year because its main trait is pure authenticity.
We can all agree that plastic trim is a necessary evil in this day and age, but most automakers aren’t bothered to make plastic look and feel like a high-quality material. Mazda, on the other hand, is one of the few exceptions from the norm. For a seven-seater crossover, the CX-9’s cabin is simply breathtaking. Oh, I nearly forgot: the Auburn-colored Nappa leather seats, Japanese rosewood, and aluminum trim are 100 percent genuine.
What we have here isn’t your typical three-row crossover SUV. It’s a vehicle that defies conventional industry norms to be the best in its segment. The latest expression of the KODO - Soul of Motion design language is just the cherry on top of this emotionally stirring family hauler. All in all, the all-new-for-2016 CX-9 is a capstone for the new generation of Mazda cars. Other mid-size crossover SUV manufacturers should take note.
2016 Ferrari F12tdf - Alex Monenciu
In my opinion, the best car of 2015 is the V12-powered Ferrari F12tdf, which will put a smile on your face every time you drive it.
It is a known fact around the office that I am a very big Ferrari fan. My first encounter with a Ferrari was back in 1998, when I first saw a 550 Maranello in a car magazine. I knew then that cars would seize my imagination in the years to come. Based on this, from my point of view, the best car of 2015 is no other than the Ferrari F12tdf.
While most carmakers are rushing to build more hybrid cars or turbocharge their engines to have lower emissions, engineers from the Italian dream-selling company thought, “Hey, let’s take the F12 Berlinetta and make it more hardcore.” The guys from Maranello always knew how to make the special editions be like no other, and that’s exactly what they’ve done with this one too.
In all 799 examples of this special edition of the F12, you can see Ferrari’s racing DNA everywhere. The main reason this is, for me, the best car of 2015 is because the carmaker didn’t care about regulations and kept the V12 naturally aspirated engine from the Berlinetta and simply made it more powerful. There’s no greater feeling than to drive on a mountain road with 770 horsepower screaming and tingling your spine. Except for a few models, Ferrari is well known for its crazy NA engines, and for the feedback they give to the driver.
Call me a purist, but although my car has a turbocharged gasoline engine, I was against this type of power units when BMW and Ferrari - two of my favorite carmakers - introduced them into their gasoline model range.
Innovative systems such as the Virtual Short Wheelbase, the radical redesign of the exterior, the carbon fiber present wherever you look, a 0 to 60 mph time of just 2.9 seconds, and the fact that it’s lighter than the F12 make this homage to Le Tour de France, the legendary endurance road race that Ferrari dominated in the '50s and the '60s, the perfect car for me.
2016 Ford Focus RS - Alex Oagana
With all-wheel-drive monsters like the Mercedes-AMG A45 and the Audi RS3 winning every hot-hatch argument in the last couple of years, you'd think that a new rival for them would feel like a third wheel. Heck, even FWD hot hatches make a mess of sports coupes on the Nurburgring nowadays.
Still, and taking into account that I haven't yet managed to get my grubby hands on a 2016 Ford Focus RS press vehicle, I have an odd feeling that it will re-align my thoughts on what a hot-hatch really is.
At first glance, judging the model strictly from the spec sheet would make it a distant third compared to the two premium hatchbacks mentioned above. That said, it's not the measurable performance that draws me towards choosing the new Focus RS as my very own Car of The Year 2015.
It's not the slightly voluptuous body kit either, since I prefer the previous-generation Focus RS from this point of view anyway. No, the list of reasons for my infatuation with Ford's fastest hot hatch ever starts with its all-wheel-drive system, which can send up to 70 percent of the engine's torque to the rear wheels. It then continues with its no-holds-barred manual transmission, which is obviously slower but so much more involving than a perfect-shifting automatic.
Last, but not least, it's the only hot hatch remaining that still has some rally pedigree and is not just a very fast compact for the sake of breaking 0-60 mph or horsepower/liter records.
4th Gen Toyota Prius - Vlad Mitrache
The new Prius isn’t the most exciting model to have been launched in 2015, but I do feel it’s one of the most important. The first generation was the car that introduced the notion of “hybrid” to the automotive world, so anything bearing this name is of huge importance. It makes the Prius a sort of barometer for the whole hybrid car industry, as it’s still the first name that pops into mind when you think about this type of propulsion.
It’s the first, but not the only one. Not by a mile. Actually, you can now count the brands that don’t offer a hybrid version on the fingers of your hand. So besides impressive efficiency figures - Toyota promises a 20 percent drop compared to the third generation - the new car had to offer something else if it wanted to retain that leading position.
And that something else proved to be a rather controversial design. You have to hand it to the men with crayons - they didn’t go for the simple approach. They didn’t play it safe. They wanted to make sure the new Prius would stand out from a crowd - any crowd. It’s a risky strategy, one that could keep the Prius on top, or that could mark the end of an era. Either way, it will be big.
2016 Mercedes-Benz SL - Mircea Iordache
I've said it when I first saw it and I'll say it again, as many times as they'll let me: the 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL is the best-looking SL since the Gullwing and one of the sexiest convertibles on the market, bar hypercars.
I'm head over heels in love with its lines and proportions. In fact, if I weren't already married, I'd take the SL home to meet my parents. It just goes to show how much emphasis Mercedes has been putting on design these past few years: everything coming out of Stuttgart and bearing the three-pointed star is nothing short of stunning. Two years on and I still go all “Hey, baby! How you doin'?” whenever I see a CLA.
But back to the SL. OK, so they haven't bothered upgrading the engine at all on the SL65 AMG version. And next year's model is only a facelift. I honestly couldn't care less. It's a great looking car, the entry-level version comes with a 367 hp V6, and it has Active Body Control. Enough said.
2015 Volkswagen Golf GTE - Sebastian Toma
The year 2015 sure brought a lot of exciting cars to the world, so choosing the one that’s the most interesting to us is tough, but here it goes. Out of many candidates, the car that intrigued me the most this year was the Golf GTE plug-in hybrid.
The GTE variant of the Golf is showcased as a plug-in hybrid alternative to the GTI, but I believe that description doesn’t do it justice. Because one might make comparisons and try to judge the GTE by the same criteria. And that would be a shame.
Because the GTE isn’t just the GTI’s hybrid brother. It’s more like the GTI’s distant cousin, who has a different life philosophy, but wears similar clothes and shares some of the DNA.
From my personal experience, I can tell you that the GTE doesn’t drive exactly like a GTI and it’s not as fuel efficient as a Toyota Prius. Facts can prove my claims easily, as do international reviews. For some, the Golf GTE wasn’t right. The Golf GTD was more fuel efficient in most scenarios and handled better.
But the GTE managed to achieve something unique until now: it is the first good looking and exciting plug-in hybrid launched by a mainstream manufacturer. And that’s more important than getting the specified fuel efficiency figures.
So let’s not judge the Golf GTE for what it isn’t, but for what it can become.
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