Laura Berry's Top 5 cars of 2024: From Audi TT to Kia Carnival

01. Kia EV9 Earth

In No.1 spot is a car which is up there with one of the best I’ve driven not just this year but in almost 15 years of testing — the Kia EV9.

Living with the EV9 Earth for three months was a good way to really get to know this seven-seater fully electric SUV better,and while not as utilitarian and spacious as the Kia Carnival, the EV9 is a practical SUV for a family.

The variant we tested was the Earth with a 99.8kWh battery and dual motors making a combined 283kW and 700Nm that can throw this 2.6-tonne brick from 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds.

Yes, it’s shaped like a brick, but it’s a futuristic brick and the styling might be polarising, but in a market full of SUVs, this one stands out in every way.

Kia EV9

4.3

Kia EV9

From

$97,000

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

02. Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid

A people mover in a top 5 cars of 2024 might not have been on your bingo card but if you have a Kia Carnival you’ll know why.

The Carnival has always been a family favourite with ridiculously good practicality, room for eight people and a boot that looks big enough to fit another Kia Carnival. Making things almost parent-perfect is how good the Carnival is to drive with an excellent ride, light and accurate steering and great visibility.

Really the only issue in the past has been the engines - a very thirsty V6 petrol or a noisy diesel. This year Kia launched this hybrid version and after months of testing I’ve found that not only is it very fuel efficient but it drives just as well as the diesel and V6 petrol.

Kia Carnival

4

Kia Carnival

From

$50,150

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

03. Abarth 500e

Small cars are fun to drive and if they happen to have a Scorpion badge, then whether its petrol powered or electric — as in the case of the Abarth 500e — then it’ll be a hoot.

Yep, the Abarth 500e is the high-performance and electric version of the Fiat 500e and that means it handles better with stiffer suspension, stops better with bigger brakes and accelerates faster thanks to, yep, more power.

And then there are the looks - I love its sleepy looking headlight eyes and flat face with Abarth lettering across the non-existent grille. It’s cute, it’s angry and it’s fun. Like me.

Abarth 500e

3.7

Abarth 500e

From

$58,900

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

04. Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT

The Cayenne Turbo GT is a monster in a Porsche suit and in my view one of the best super SUVs on the planet.

Powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that makes a colossal 485kW and 850Nm, along with a roar that will take years of therapy to forget the Cayenne Turbo GT isn’t just quick among other SUVs but it’ll stay door-to-door in a sprint to 100km/h with Porsche’s unhinged 911 GT3 RS.

Unlike the GT3 RS entering the Cayenne Turbo GT isn’t like crawling into a cubby house. Nope this family SUV is easy to get into and out of and superbly comfortable for long trips, all while having superhero like performance whenever you want it.

Porsche Cayenne

3.9

Porsche Cayenne

From

$138,700

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

05. Audi TT Final Edition

Turns out, nobody is very good at saying goodbye. Especially car companies, which will make a great car then don’t tend to give it a great send-off. Despite a car like the Audi TT being iconic and as close to perfection as time and money allow when the nameplate is retired it’s a bit disappointing. This TT Final Edition celebrates this 2+2 seater sportscar’s 25-year run… very subtlety.

That the Final Edition is low-key is an understatement. There’s no monstrous engine making more grunt than ever before and it doesn’t look outrageous. Nope it comes in a special colour, has leather upholstery, a sporty body kit, and the entry grade four-cylinder engine.

Still in its almost basic form the Final Edition is the TT at it best - not over powered, and not ridiculously lairy looking, leaving it to be immensely enjoyable to drive on lonely, winding roads.