Our retrospective on the year gone by
Hindsight is 2020. So is the upcoming year. This humourous wordplay is the transition we need to start our little look back at 2019. It's simple enough. We'll just give our personal picks for our biggest hit, miss and favourite car of the year.
S: It's the last year of my 20's. Let's do this quick. I have feelings of inadequacy to stew in.
Love: Hyundai Palisade
Talk about checking all the boxes. It's hard to find any kind of technical fault with the Palisade. It punches well above its price range in base trim, and even in Ultimate form, like our tester, it's still fantastic value for money. It looks great, drives well and bathes you in luxuries you wouldn't expect from a Hyundai. Heated and cooled 2nd row captain's chairs, 16 cupholders, quilted leather. It's a great package for a great price. Surprisingly fuel efficient too.
Let Down: BMW M850i
There is nothing inherently bad about this car. There really isn't. It's quite lovely. But nostalgia is a bitch. I've owned two E31 8-series in the past. They're heavy, electronically complex, over-engineered beauties to me. Despite their many, many flaws and shortcomings, they remain among my most favourite vehicles ever. The new 8 is awesome. But it didn't bring back that feeling I got behind the wheel of my old 8's. I remain convinced it's not much more than a replacement for the former 6-series coupe. It's a hell of a car, but it didn't tickle my heartstrings the way my raggedy old E31's did.
Lust: Toyota Supra GR
It's not a perfect car by any means. There's terribly irritating wind buffeting with the windows town. The Toyota badge has a BMW part number. There's no manual gearbox. Not to mention it's pricey as hell. But wow does it go. The drive in the Supra is exquisite. It's raw, brutal and unforgiving when you want it to be. But tame enough for the daily commute. So long as the road is smooth. Even though many Supra fans will never see it as a true successor to the legendary MKIV, it's certainly worthy and deserving of respect.
K: The 20's boat has already sailed for me but anyways...
Love: BMW 740Le
There isn't much more you could ask for. You could argue for more power but you don't drive this car wanting for more. It has an obscene level of luxury, it's environmentally conscious, and even though it's not super entertaining to drive, it's still an experience. It has an endless list of features, and it's the only car that I might fight for the back seat. For a long drive, there's nothing better. I guess you could ask for more range from the battery.
Let Down: Mazda CX-3
There are things I don't like about the car, sure. The sound, like the engine seemingly working it's hardest, even though it's barely pushing 3k revs, being one example. But the car really isn't that bad. The issue I have is the price. It essentially costs the same as the Mazda 3, I had them within $200 with a similar spec, but you get so much less than the Mazda 3. Less power, less comfort features, even less space. Just get the Mazda 3, that's all I can say about the matter.
Lust: Porsche GT3 991.2
I didn't get as much time with the GT3 as most cars but it was enough to fall in love. The sound is intoxicating, the speed is a rush and the handling is sublime. You just continue to push it harder and harder into the corners and it just keeps giving back, responding to every input. It is such a thrill, one that few cars can come close to delivering. If there's any kind soul out there with a bunch of money they aren't sure what to do with, I'll take one of these with a manual gearbox please, in Riviera Blue or Chalk, but I'd take any 991.2 GT3 that comes my way. Even if it's a diecast model.
Let's see what 2020 has in store. Happy New Year one and all.
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