The best cars to drive in 2023

Bloomberg – Three years after the start of the Corona virus pandemic, the world of motorsport is still witnessing the most significant changes in its more than 120-year history.

Global sales of electric vehicles exceeded 14 million sales this year, up 35% from last year, a record for the sector.. Formula 1 held three races on American soil. Mercedes-Benz Group AG was the first automaker to legalize Level 3 autonomous driving in the United States. Tesla Inc. started In the delivery of its long-awaited Cybertruck.

The hot collector car market has slowed slightly, while prices for custom vehicles have risen.

At the heart of everything are the cars themselves. They're better than ever, but some of the new items were better than others. In 2023 I drove about 30 of them. Here's the best.

Porsche 911 S/T

Porsche currently manufactures 25 different versions of the 911 sports car. There are hardly any arguments for making another version. but The powerful 2024 911 S/T belongs to the pantheon as an operatic treatise on the beauty and driving purity that Porsche has incorporated into its longest-running sports car.

At $292,000, it's the most expensive of the 911 models and offers only marginally improved power and speed over proven winners like the 911 GT3. But with a roaring 4.0-liter naturally aspirated engine and quick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox it delivers success like an Oscar De La Hoya, and a subtle but distinctive aesthetic that separates it from its countless 911 siblings, the 911 S/T is the best car the Stuttgart (Germany) brand has launched this year.

Rolls Royce Specter

The two-door Specter is the first electric car from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd., the current iteration of the 118-year-old name that has linked its legend to the famous massive combustion engines. But this initial step toward electrification is bold and confident. I drove one of these in South Africa and found it smoother, quieter, and more powerful than any of its V-12 predecessors, and far better built, from a quality standpoint, than any other electric car on the market today.

The first in a planned line of $500,000 electric cars appears to be a complete whim and signals a smooth transition for the brand moving forward.

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon electric

Although Mercedes has several electric cars on sale currently, this is the first car from its long-term G-Wagon range to see components. From the outside, it's barely noticeable. The electric G carries all the distinctive elements of the Geländewagen that was first operated by the Shah of Iran in 1979: A tile-shaped body, round headlights that shine like owl eyes, 22-inch wheels that can tread a ladder, and clearance high enough to clear creeks and rocks.

But with a powerful electric motor at each wheel, instant torque, a quiet ride and advanced software capable of reading rough terrain, the new electric G-Wagon is better suited for off-roading than its internal-combustion sibling. If Mercedes can overcome the challenges that have hampered G-Class production recently, the new electric G will captivate old fans and new fans alike.

Kia EV9

This may come as a surprise to the list, as Kia is not traditionally a company whose brands are compared to the likes of Rolls-Royce. But the Kia EV9 pleasantly surprised me when I drove it this summer that I had to include it.

The $54,900 EV9 is an all-electric SUV aimed at Volvo's EX90 and R1S from Rivian Automotive Inc. And other capable cars. With familiar, high-quality interiors, confidence-inspiring features, and a price that reflects its value, the EV9 has the edge over them, especially Rivian, Which suffered delays in the production of its electric four-wheel drive car. A Kia spokesperson told me they are willing to deliver “as many cars as we can sell.”

Lamborghini Huracan Sterato

I love that Lamborghini isn't too spoiled by its image as an Italian maker of road-and-track-only supercars. The $273,000 Huracán Sterrato is an all-terrain sports car that lives up to expectations. This is the last model Lamborghini will offer powered exclusively by an internal combustion, 601-horsepower V-10 and 413 pound-feet of torque.in addition to a wider stance than its Huracan siblings, armor-worthy protective cladding, crossed headlights, a raised nose and rear exhaust, and a longer overall appearance.

They are not just aesthetic improvements. The car will be raised another 44 millimeters (1.7 inches) so drivers can jump over rocks, for a total of 162 millimeters of height. A new Rally driving mode silences the safety systems typically equipped for hurricanes, such as electronic stability control, so you can drift, which is great when you want to have fun.

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