Japanese Cars on Car and Driver's 2013 10 Best Cars List
As we come to the close of 2013, Car of the Year awards are being given out left and right. Why, just earlier this week we discussed Japan’s Car of the Year – the Mazda CX-5. But hey, it’s the holidays and who doesn’t love a good top 10 list? Especially when the compilers of that list are as thorough as the editors over at Car and Driver. They spent a full week testing out every single 2013 model year car that will be available next January for a price under $80,000 to bring you a carefully crafted list of 2013’s 10 Best Cars. If you’re searching for a new car for the new year, this is going to be the best place to start.
Without further ado, here is Car and Driver’s 2013 10 Best Cars:
#1. Audi A6 2.0T/S6/A7 3.0T/S7
#2. BMW 3 Series Sedan
#3. Ford Focus/Focus ST
#4. Ford Mustang GT/Boss 302
#5. Honda Accord
#6. Honda Fit
#7. Mazda MX-5 Miata
#8. Porsche Boxster/Boxster S
#9. Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ
#10. Volkswagen Golf/GTI
As you can see, European and American made cars claimed the top four spots, but we still had a good showing with 4 of the top 10 being Japanese cars. As you continue reading, you’re going to learn why each of the 4 Japanese cars made this rigorously vetted top 10 list:
#4. Honda Accord
Even though the Honda Accord was listed 4th on the list, it still deserves recognition as the car to most frequently make it into Car and Driver’s long-running 10 Best, having been somewhere in contention for 27 years — that means it’s only missed 3 years ever!
The Honda Accord continues to impress by providing an interior so spacious that it borders on luxury, while maintaining a compact and maneuverable exterior. Speaking of maneuverable, from behind the wheel there is no doubt that you are driving a finely tuned machine as the Honda Accord offers responsive braking, effortless steering and plucky acceleration (especially the six-cylinder model) all in one package.
#5. Honda Fit
Surrounded by the likes of the Audi A6, the Ford Mustang GT and the Porsche Boxster, the 117 horsepower Honda Fit may seem out of place. However, its incredible affordability coupled with Honda’s trademark reliability is exactly what puts this tightly-designed car above higher performance contenders. The Honda Fit is a bare-bones vehicle with everything you need and nothing more. The reason it made the 10 Best list is because it’s surprisingly spacious, its construction is rugged, it drives well, and it drives efficiently by offering up to 35 mpg on the highway.
#6. Mazda MX-5 Miata
At last, a little bit of Japanese-style to spice things up! The Miata has been on Car and Driver’s 10Best list for eight years in a row now, and what keeps it coming back is its enduring affordability and well-balanced driver controls, not to mention a zesty exterior. The Miata might come off as weak compared to other high-performance sports-cars with only 167hp, but remember that it’s a lightweight roadster priced under $25,000, not to mention it’s incredibly fun to drive.
#9. Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ
Last but not least, we have the Scion/Subaru twins coming in at 9th place as the only new car to grace the 10Best since last year’s list (it replaced the Cadillac CTS-V).
The reason that these cars come in so low on the 10 Best is because of the significant amount of noise ever-present from within the car. However, a highly responsive chassis and electronically-assisted steering more than make up for any audible letdowns. The cars will run you around $25,000 (depending on which brand you’re buying) and offer surprisingly reasonable fuel efficiency with up to 25 mpg in the city and up to 34 mpg on the highway.
I’ll finish by asking for some feedback… What are your thoughts on Car and Driver’s 10Best list? Do you feel that there are any cars that should have made the list? If so, which ones and in place of what? Voice your opinion below!
Source: Car and Driver
