Annual Selections for Robbo's Notebook: Vehicle of Excellence 2024-25

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In the world of automobiles, the Car of the Year (COTY) award is a prestigious accolade that recognises the most outstanding vehicles of the year. This year, Peter Robinson, the current editor of Wheels and a veteran in the industry with a remarkable 16-year tenure, was the judge for COTY 2024.

Robinson selected ten cars that caught his eye, each with their unique strengths and weaknesses. One of the cars that made it to his list was the Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Praised for its versatility, the Mustang Dark Horse excels as both a comfortable cruiser and a blitzing sports car, achieving feats no other Mustang has achieved before. Its brawny engine, fantastic brakes, adjustable handling, slick gearchange, and real feedback through its electric power steering were all commended.

However, not all cars on the list were met with such enthusiasm. The BYD Sealion, for instance, was criticised for its lack of driver appeal. Its suspension was deemed excessively soft, steering too light, and the hybrid drivetrain lacking immediacy.

Another contender, the Lexus LBX, was praised for its refinement, seat comfort, equipment, and finish, but criticised for its lack of speed. Despite being the smallest and cheapest Lexus, the LBX managed to stand out as the best-looking model in the Lexus range.

The Polestar 3, the first Polestar SUV, also made an appearance on Robinson's list. Featuring a BorgWarner mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle for agile driving, the Polestar 3 offers a premium electric SUV experience, positioning itself against German luxury brands. The rear-axle disconnect improves efficiency and increases range by about 10 percent in Range mode.

The Mini Countryman was another notable entry. The largest model in Mini's history, the Countryman is big enough to be labelled an SUV, yet still true to the Mini ethos in its driving experience. Its interior features an enormous circular screen.

The Cyberster from MG, styled to look like a concept show car, lacked composure and had a poor ride on rough surfaces. The CX-90, Mazda's new SUV, continued to evolve Mazda's KODO styling theme, but struggled to be distinct from other models in the lineup.

The BMW iX2 xDrive30 was criticised for its digital instruments, which were considered contrived, messy, and hard to fathom. This departure from the legibility, simplicity, and elegance that BMW's instruments have traditionally set was a notable drawback.

On the other hand, the Hyundai Ioniq 5N mirrored the very best hot hatches in how it felt, sounded, and behaved, up to nine-tenths. However, beyond that, its weight intervened, and it would take a skilled driver to avoid a spin.

Lastly, the Mercedes-Benz CLE was the only surviving coupe model from a previous range of three, with a wheelbase that splits the difference between the E-Class and C-Class. Its price is closer to the E200 than the C200.

After COTY 2024, access to Peter Robinson's notebook was sought, offering insights into the cars that made a lasting impression and those that fell short of expectations. As we look forward to the future of automotive innovation, these vehicles serve as a reminder of the industry's ongoing evolution and the pursuit of excellence in design and performance.