14 Cars I Drove in 2025

This year’s Test Drive Car of the Year announcement is a little later than usual, but it’s finally time to reveal my picks for 2025.

I was fortunate to get behind the wheel of a wide range of cars last year—from the Porsche 992.2 GT3 and Carrera GTS to the 991.2 GT3 RS, BMW E46 M3, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and Toyota 86 GR. In all, I drove 14 different cars. I’m leaving out the four cars I bought myself last year, so this year’s awards are chosen from the cars readers kindly let me drive.

• Porsche 992.2 911 GT3 (manual)
• Porsche 992.2 911 GT3 Touring (PDK)
• Porsche 992.2 911 Carrera GTS
• Porsche 991.2 911 GT3 RS
• BMW E46 M3 (modified)
• Porsche 991.1 911 Carrera Black Edition
• Porsche E3 Cayenne GTS Coupe (facelift)
• Porsche 992.1 911 Turbo
• Land Rover Defender OCTA Edition One
• Porsche 992.2 911 Carrera T (manual)
• Porsche 992.2 911 Carrera (PDK)
• Porsche Macan Electric
• Toyota 86 GR
• Mazda MX-5 Miata (early ND)

My judging criteria are the same as ever.

Driving enjoyment comes first, with a particular focus on how much fun each car is on a road trip or in everyday use. I look beyond headline figures such as acceleration and top speed, prioritizing how pleasant and easy a car is to drive on public roads—and, above all, whether it puts a smile on your face.

So, without further ado, here are my 2025 Test Drive Car of the Year picks.

Third Place: Porsche 992.1 911 Turbo — The Perfect Balance, Without Adding or Taking Away

Third place goes to the Porsche 992.1 911 Turbo—not the Turbo S, but the standard Turbo.

If I had to sum up what makes this car special, I’d say it’s “perfect just as it is.” The balance is simply superb. The Turbo S is also an exceptionally accomplished car, with very little to criticize, but the standard Turbo has an engine tune that feels more at home in everyday driving. It’s hard to imagine a better car for covering ground quickly and comfortably.

What impressed me most was the way it picks up speed in the mid-range, with such natural-feeling torque.

It accelerates with the smoothness of a large-displacement naturally aspirated engine, without any noticeable turbo lag. Switch to Sport or Sport Plus, of course, and the car takes on a different character. Still, drivers who prefer a GT3 or something more focused and lightweight might find it a little too refined. By my own criteria, though, it’s a fantastic car.

It’s the kind of car you’d want to buy, cherish, and keep as a trusted companion—and one you’d want to drive wherever you’re going.

Second Place: Mazda MX-5 Miata (Early ND) — Pure Driving Joy for Under $20,000

Second place goes to the early ND-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata.

This was my first proper drive in a nearly stock Miata, and it made me realize just how good this car really is. The engine isn’t especially powerful, and the acceleration isn’t explosive. Its real magic lies in its nimble, flowing cornering and the way its power and handling are perfectly suited to Japan’s winding roads.

People look for different things in a sports car. If power and straight-line acceleration are your priorities, this probably isn’t the car for you. But if you value the simple pleasure of driving—and those moments when you can’t help but smile behind the wheel—it’s hard to find a better fit. If this were a ranking based on fun alone, the Miata might well have taken the top spot for 2025. Just two or three corners are enough to make you think, “Wait, has it always been this much fun?” It’s easy to control, happy to be revved, and its gearing feels just right for Japan’s mountain roads, with a great balance of power and ratios.

Long highway cruises aren’t necessarily its strongest suit. But for Japan’s everyday roads, quiet country routes, and mountain passes, it’s hard to think of a better car.

And the fact that you can buy such a wonderful car for less than $20,000 is something to be grateful for.

First Place: Porsche 992.2 911 GT3 (Manual) — The GT3, Made More Accessible

And the winner is the Porsche 992.2 911 GT3 with a manual transmission.

The phrase “the GT3 made more accessible” sums up why I chose this car as my Test Drive Car of the Year. Until now, the GT3 has been a car with a fairly steep learning curve. That demanding character is part of its appeal, but it can also make the car a little tiring for someone like me, who enjoys using a car extensively on public roads and on road trips. The 992.2 has a more compliant ride, and much of the extraneous noise has been dialed back, making it far easier to drive.

The manual transmission is also exceptionally easy to use. Compared with the manual in the 991 GT3 Touring I used to own, this one is a significant step forward in drivability. And because the 992.2 has much shorter gearing, you can enjoy more of its 9,000-rpm engine on public roads. In previous GT3s, it was difficult to get the engine spinning high without driving very fast. This time, you can keep the revs up even around town, which makes the car a real pleasure to drive.

So why choose the regular GT3 over the GT3 Touring?

Because this car had a manual transmission. The gearbox is exceptionally well executed, and the GT3’s traditional ability to shift up while keeping your foot on the throttle is brilliant. The improved feel and ease of operation reminded me that, with manual transmissions, the latest really can be the greatest. This 992.2 GT3 is a perfect example. And the rear wing gives it the unmistakable look of a GT3—another part of its appeal.

I’ve driven a number of 992-generation models, but of the 992.2 models, the GT3 is easily the most fun for me. With the earlier 992, I particularly enjoyed the Carrera T and Dakar. This time, though, the GT3 is my clear favorite.

Looking Forward to More Great Cars in 2026

My 2025 Test Drive Car of the Year picks are the 992.1 911 Turbo in third place, the early ND Mazda MX-5 Miata in second, and the 992.2 911 GT3 with a manual transmission in first.

Each car has its own distinct appeal, and the order would likely change depending on what you value most. But based on my priorities—driving enjoyment and the practicality to take a car touring—these three left the strongest impression.

This year, I hope to test-drive more great cars and share plenty of insights on the blog. I hope you’ll continue to follow along. Every encounter with a new car brings fresh discoveries and excitement, and I’m already looking forward to meeting many more in 2026.