I've been incredibly lucky this year to review and drive a broad spectrum of vehicles and cars. From hefty vans to nimble sports cars, from restomods to the cream of the crop electric vehicles, it's been a busy year behind the wheel.
In total, excluding different variations of cars within a model range, I've driven 25 distinct cars in 2025.
This includes everything from electric BMWs and stunning Audis to a vehicle hailed as 'Car of the Year' by one motoring magazine. But, as we wave goodbye to 2025, which were my top picks and least favourites?
The answer, at least for me, was semi-unexpected... reports the Express.
The Chery Tiggo 8 was crowned Carwow's car of the year, so I decided to see what it was like to live with over a weekend. It turned out to be surprising for all the wrong reasons, including an off-putting plasticky smell after a brief two-mile drive.
A case of giving the driver too little to do and being much the worse for it. You can read more about why here.
The Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica is the electric counterpart of a petrol car that ranks much higher on this list. It wasn't a terrible car, but its petrol sibling was far superior and much easier to live with; that, coupled with a series of minor electrical glitches, didn't help its end-of-year ranking.
The Ford Puma has claimed the title of the UK's best selling car, snatching the crown from Ford's own long-standing Fiesta. After a week with the car I was left perplexed.
The steering felt odd, the car had a tendency to roll, there was a dearth of physical buttons, and it generally felt quite chunky. It might be affordable, but you're better off purchasing a second hand Fiesta instead.
The MG S5 is an electric SUV from Chinese-owned MG. It's this far down the list not because it was poor, but simply unremarkable and lacking in feel.
There are superior SUVs you can opt for that offer a more premium feel and may well perform better when the going gets tough.
The BYD Seal was the first electric car I'd ever driven and it made a positive initial impression, but like many Chinese cars it fell short in finesse and feel compared to its European, Japanese, and Korean competitors in terms of how much the car communicated with you.
That lack of feel might not deter many, but in a world where electric cars are this potent, you need as much information as possible, particularly in challenging conditions.
The Leapmotor T03 is neither a particularly brisk electric car, nor does it boast an especially long range. Nonetheless, there was something endearing about its slowness and lack of grip when I tested one during SMMT's annual test day at Millbrook Proving Ground.
Driving the Ford Explorer was one of the first times I laughed in 2025, and for all the right reasons. This hefty SUV from the iconic blue oval brand certainly has its charms for both US and UK car enthusiasts. Discover why here.
The BMW 1 Series proved itself as a capable hatchback; it boasted a certain charm, ample practicality, and a wealth of tech tucked behind its front-wheel-drive facade.
The Hyundai Inster is a compact electric city car from Hyundai. It demonstrated impressive competence, with delightful retro accents inside that harked back to the best of the Fiat 500 during its revival in the 2000s.
This is celebrity chef James Martin's vehicle of choice, and it was fascinating to uncover why. During my week-long experience with the truck (detailed further in this article), I unearthed the good, the bad, and the downright intriguing aspects of spending a week with it.
Despite the vast array of vehicles on display and available for test drives at the SMMT test day, the MINI Aceman still lingers in my memory, largely due to its unique feature of playing piano music when you accelerated. It offered more grip than anticipated, making for an enjoyable drive.
This was another vehicle that took me by surprise. Initially, I expected the HR-V HEV to be somewhat uninspiring during my week-long trial, but it turned out to be one of the most interesting, largely due to the ease with which you could adjust the regenerative braking mid-corner.
I had the pleasure of driving the i4 a week before the BYD Seal made its appearance. It's an impressive motor, no doubt about it, and probably the most efficient I've driven all year, second only to another car further up this list. It's a standout, but it does carry some weight.
This is a potent, petrol-fuelled saloon from Audi. It delivers solid performance, making it a great choice for those long motorway journeys. It left me curious about what the estate version might offer.
This one comes with a peculiar caveat, which is precisely why it ranks so high. The reason? I tested it on tarmac, yet it's designed to be an off-road beast. Given Ford's rally pedigree, a grassy test drive would certainly answer many burning questions.
A spacious, comfy, and powerful German GT car. It's not overly loud, but it has enough performance for anyone. It was the only car at the SMMT test day that came with a co-pilot. One of the priciest cars of the test, but also one of the easiest to handle.
I didn't expect such a small SUV-like hatchback to perform this well, but it was a delight. The engine had a lovely, throaty sound, and it felt incredibly agile and responsive on Millbrook's handling circuit.
The latest, and possibly final, petrol iteration of the esteemed Honda Civic Type R. It felt like catching up with an old friend. Three pedals, six speeds,terrific.
My first experience behind the wheel of a restomod, a vintage car with modern upgrades, was in this MX5, which boasted a Jaguar V6 under its bonnet. It was an absolute blast, and I only wish I'd had more time to enjoy it.
At the SMMT test day, this was one of several cars that had journalists lining up for a spin. Skoda had brought along its heritage fleet, including a 1950s sports car in a striking blue.
Like everyone else, I returned from my drive with a grin plastered on my face, relieved that I hadn't caused any damage.
Finding the perfect new car can be a lengthy process - it took me over a year. Eventually, I swapped my Mini Clubman for another Mini Clubman.
After fitting four new tyres, I'm absolutely thrilled with my turbo-charged, four-wheel drive, four-cylinder MINI. You can find out why here.
The first time I drove an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, it was for an economy run from London to Edinburgh and back. The second time around, I wasn't concerned about fuel efficiency, and I was reminded exactly why lightweight petrol-powered cars should remain a fixture on Britain's roads.
The Audi S6 would have been an ideal choice for a winter vehicle. It's practical, powerful, aerodynamic, and efficient.
Despite its size being a drawback, it was one of the cars I was genuinely sad to see go as it majestically drove off. Audi excels at electric saloons and estates largely because they understand that drivers want more than just mobility; they seek a connection with their car and as much feedback as possible.
The D-Max V-Cross may not be the priciest on this list, but it is likely the largest. This colossal Japanese pick-up truck was the one my family enquired about the most.
Not only was it practical, towering over more premium SUVs, but it smoothed out speed bumps and potholes as if they were non-existent. Driving or owning it was akin to having a golden retriever; gentle, friendly, yet highly capable in challenging situations.
On a racetrack, the Alpine A110R would probably be the fastest, but it takes the crown here due to its hardcore nature. It reminded me greatly of the KTM X-BOW GT-XR I drove in 2024.
You strap yourself into a four-point harness that connects you to one of the world's best handling chassis. Unlike other road cars, this isn't a machine you can simply hop into and drive fast, you need to warm up the tyres and brakes before you can truly exploit its potential, and once you do, well, you're flying.
This was the first car I drove this year that genuinely helped restore some of my confidence.
Over the past couple of years, I've had the privilege of delivering four vehicles to Ukraine. The most recent was a van in February.
This journey was particularly poignant, not just because of the destination and its purpose, but also due to personal reasons that I won't go into here. What will forever be etched in my memory is the sight of the sunrise over Ukraine on a clear, crisp February morning, and how, for an indeterminate amount of time, I lost myself in the drive, forgetting my troubles.
I hope that van is still running and that Ukraine receives all the support it needs in its battle against the Russian military in Vladimir Putin's illegal war.