James Cleary's Top 5 cars of 2022: From BMW iX3 to Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

The top five cars of 2022. What does that mean? Best in terms of fulfilling intended function? Delivery of breakthrough technology? Exceptional value-for-money? The most fun-to-drive? It’s a multi-layered minefield!

So, rather than attempt to untangle that clump of knotted fishing line, I’m going with a single, simple, criterion. Which cars were the most surprising this year? The new arrivals that raised my eyebrows for any number of reasons. 

It’s a mixed bag of new and well-established brands, all bringing something unexpected to the table. Here goes. 

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BMW iX3

The iX3 was super enjoyable.

BMW hit its EV stride in 2022, with the full-size iX SUV grabbing the most attention. But for me, the relatively low-key iX3 stood out.

Why? Because this smaller electric SUV is so normal… in a good way. Much of the time behind the wheel I forgot it was an EV. 

It’s rapid, sharply priced in its segment, and well-equipped, with loads of safety tech, competitive service costs, and now BMW has (finally) matched the premium market with a five-year/unlimited km warranty. 

Its quick DC charging capacity (a rate of up to 150kW means 10-80 per cent charge in 32min) is a big plus, and the drive experience is great with nicely weighted steering, effective regen braking and comfy, supportive seating. The ride’s on the firm side, but better than a Tesla Model Y, for example. 

A week with the iX3 was super enjoyable. It retains all the practicality of the combustion X3 and adds a lot. I even like the way it looks, with subtle BMW ‘i’ blue accents here and there, as well as the cool, aero-efficient 20-inch alloy rims. Big thumbs up.

Genesis Electrified GV70

The Electrified GV70 is eye-wideningly rapid.

Genesis is the text book quiet achiever in the local luxury car market. Very little song and dance, with so far modest sales numbers growing steadily.

In late 2022 the Electrified GV70 joined the GV60 and Electrified G80 as the brand’s third pure EV offering. And it’s a winner.

You’d expect any EV to be quiet, but here Genesis adds active noise control and acoustic laminated windscreen and door glass to create a serene interior environment. 

It’s eye-wideningly rapid when you need it to be, highly specified and sharp value in its class. Impressive energy efficiency, top-shelf safety, and thoughtful practicality are big pluses.

And the kicker is the ownership package. Get this. The car’s covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with eight-year/160,000km cover for the battery.

You’ll also receive five years complimentary servicing (with the choice of a valet pick-up and return, or a courtesy vehicle). 

Then factor in 10-year roadside assistance and nav map updates for the same period. Plus a choice of a five-year complimentary Chargefox subscription or home A/C charger and installation. No outgoings for five years. Amazing.

Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade has the refinement, practicality, and value.

When it was launched globally in 2018 Hyundai Australia was adamant the full-size Palisade SUV would be produced in left-hand drive only, and wasn’t to be offered locally.

What do they say about ‘never say never’? Because not only has it been on sale here since 2020, an updated version was released in mid-2022.

This three-row, up to eight-seat SUV boasts a refreshed exterior and interior design, new multimedia tech as well as improved safety. And it’s a great package.

Yes, it’s big, but it’s clever, as well, with flexible seating and lots of thoughtful storage options. It also offers a choice of FWD V6 petrol and AWD four-cylinder turbo-diesel power.

It has the refinement, practicality, and value (prices start from just under $66K) to stand up as a quality option for those seeking big family accommodation. It’s nicely put together, safety’s top-shelf, and it certainly stands out from the crowd design-wise. 

Fuel economy, for petrol and diesel models, isn’t earth-shattering, and a hybrid option would be nice. But the upgraded Palisade is a worthy challenger for the likes of Toyota’s Kluger, the Mazda CX-9, as well as Nissan’s new Pathfinder.

Land Rover Defender 110 V8

I’m a huge fan of the current Land Rover Defender.

With waves of new EV models washing up on Aussie shores there’s something furtively enjoyable about slipping behind the wheel of this ‘mechanically incorrect’ 4WD beast.

Full disclosure, I’m a huge fan of the current Land Rover Defender. JLR’s design guru, Gerry McGovern, and his team knocked another one out of the park with this ultra-cool, subtly menacing 4x4. From the rugged purity of the base 90 (on steel rims, of course), to the sheer ferocity of this 110 V8.

Its ‘P525’ designation reflects the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine’s output in metric horsepower, which equates to 368kW. And 625Nm gets its just under 2.7-tonne mass moving from 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds! 

So, enthusiastic application of the right pedal provides eye-widening excitement for everyone on-board. Throw in a suitably grumbling, rumbling exhaust sound, growing in intensity as speed rises, and you have the full theatrical experience.

It has the space and practicality required for day-to-day family duties and the blown V8 is brutal. You won’t always enjoy trips to the fuel station, but you’ll love the noise it makes when you hit the starter.   

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

The Carrera GTS is the sweet spot in the 911 range.

The Porsche 911 Carrera is a fast car. Zero to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds. And at the peak of the 911 pyramid, the Turbo S is an insanely fast car. Zero to 100km/h in 2.7sec.

Some would say the entry-level Carrera is all the 911 you’ll ever need, and that, in this country, the Turbo S is like cracking a nut with a sledgehammer. Overkill.

But there’s a sweet spot between them, in the shape of the 911 Carrera GTS.

Its all-alloy, twin-turbo, 3.0-litre flat six produces a robust 353kW/570Nm, and in case you’re wondering, its 0-100km/h time neatly splits the two 911s above at 3.4sec.

And as good as Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch auto is, the superb seven-speed manual is a more entertaining option.

The speed, the sound, the dynamics, not to mention the way it looks. This is a brilliant sports car.

I’ll have mine in Crayon, with the RS Spyder rims, and ‘Race-Tex’ interior, thanks. Pity that order will never go further than the online configurator. :-(