Best Driver Car Award Finalists

Motor Trend performs a variety of tests each year to come up with vehicles that are top of their class and are able to be awarded the “Car of the Year” award.  The Best Driver Car award is one that takes a larger variety of features into account and doesn’t just focus on one class, which certainly makes it a unique award.  A car that has been classified as the Best Driver Car is one that will most likely have a wide range of features, offer some great horsepower to be a car that you might want to take to the track, and have some of the most agile handling in the group.  Of course the car that wins is one that is voted on by the Motor Trend team and can certainly cause some hurt feelings among the crew, but it’s necessary to have the right car make the cut.

For your reviewing pleasure, here are the ten finalists and how they fared:

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Z07 – Showing up with a massive engine that offered up 650 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque, the large Brembo brakes with six pistons and the ability to handle a corner or curve like a champ the Corvette should have been a clear favorite at the track portion of the test.  Unfortunately the Corvette received a score of DNF as in Did Not Finish because the engine had problems and would not fire, causing this beautiful feat of engineering to be nothing more than a paperweight and a serious letdown.

Volkswagen Golf R – The Golf R is one of the most engaging hot hatches on the planet and has been a favorite for driving enthusiasts to enjoy.  Unfortunately in the overall test the Golf R came in last of the cars that would actually make an effort which is a bit of a letdown but with this group of cars can be somewhat understood.  On a positive note the engine was touted as the best turbo four-cylinder from the hot-hatches to make the top ten contenders.  Even though this was a solid car that rode well, it just wasn’t the one that received the accolade and comes in ninth.

Lexus RC F – The RC-F offered up a 5.0-liter V8 that is naturally aspirated and makes the quarter mile run in 12.9 seconds along with a run to sixty in only 4.5 seconds.  The handling was stated to be direct and energized.  Unfortunately even though these times were good the suspension did not perform up to snuff and caused the team to drop this car down the list.  The Lexus RC F performed well and for most novice drivers this car would be fine, but for the experts it was too bouncy which caused problems when driving landing the RC F in the eight spot overall.

Cadillac ATS-V – Offering a massive amount of power, torque and a rigid body with a fully engaged suspension the ATS-V amazed many of the experts.  Showing off a time to sixty mph of only 3.9 seconds and a run to the quarter mile of 12.3 seconds the ATS-V is a car that you can love for a long time and enjoy the drive.  Although highly competitive the car lacks a bit of tuning to be the car to win this award outright even though this was one of the most impressive Caddys in a long time it landed in the seventh position.

Cadillac CTS-V – Since the Corvette did not perform at the test maybe the Corvette-engined  Caddy would be able to compete, which it certainly did.  This beauty packs 649 horsepower from the massive engine giving it the ability to reach sixty in only 3.8 seconds while making the quarter mile look easy at 11.9 seconds.  Certainly with the precision and the control you want this would be the show stopper and have everyone ranking it at the top.  Unfortunately the CTS-V lacks some of the same tuning as the ATS-V and needs a bit more to be the top, for this year it will have  to settle for sixth.

Bentley Continental GT3-R – As the heaviest car in the bunch there wasn’t much expected of this massive monster, but it surprised the experts with its agility and power.  Running to sixty in only 3.3 seconds was also impressive since it weighed in at nearly 2.5 tons.  With a quarter mile time of 11.6 seconds at 119.8 mph this car looked like a sure winner, but all that heft causes a lot of understeer which makes it difficult to handle even though it certainly was a nimble giant.  The Bentley will have to settle with fifth for the overall rank in this group.

Mercedes-AMG C63 S – This certainly is a car that can and should be able to win this competition without any issue.  The speed times were fantastic, the handling was dynamic, the suspension was on point, but somehow the C63 S did not win the award and even some of the experts had a hard time explaining why it did not win.  The only real negative that could be explained at all was the transmission which was just a bit harsher than expected and landed this AMG in the fourth spot.

Mazda MX-5 Miata – You knew this car would be one on the list because it certainly is one of the most active and capable driving car that you can ever enjoy.  The ride and feel is absolutely awesome and is certainly one of the only mainstream models that can even compete with some of the luxury names on this ride.  Meant for fun the Miata certainly is that and much more to be one of the most dynamic rides you will ever get the opportunity to drive.  Of course the Miata is not expected to actually win the award but it certainly is an outstanding vehicle and found its way to the third place on this list.

Porsche Cayman GT4 – Ok, now that you see this is one of the cars that beat out the Miata you can understand why.  The Cayman gives you everything you want from Porsche, handling, power, precision, engagement and control.  The Cayman uses a flat six-cylinder engine which puts the center of gravity lower to add to the overall control feeling and lets you enjoy the ride.  There is almost nothing you won’t love from this car except a bit of understeer and some gearing that you might not understand which made this car end up as the runner up to the overall winner of the award.

Mercedes- AMG GT S – This comes as no major surprise this car certainly wins the award overall.  With the best steering, most dynamic suspension, plenty of power and more than enough fun for you to love this car if this car isn’t on your list to buy it certainly should be.  The experts touted it the best and it certainly offers you more than enough Mercedes luxury to be the car that you will want to enjoy.  As the Best Driver Car the GT S is where you want to go to have a car that will give you everything you need.

As a top ten list, this group is one that you will find a great car to drive at every corner.  What makes it most impressive is the fact there are some outstanding performing and handling cars that are at the affordable level for any budget along with the high end and high priced luxury and exotics you would expect on the list.  With this variety the choice is certainly yours as to which car will make it to your own garage but knowing where your car finished from this group of experts can make you a proud owner of a car that is a lot of fun to drive.