What’s the best car? That depends what your criteria are. The most comfortable, the safest, the most economical…. Each will give you a different answer, but if you want to know which is the best driver’s car out there, just ask the folks at Motor Trend.
Every year since 2009, the magazine has sought to identify the best car from a driver’s perspective, and this year the top honor has gone to the McLaren 570S. The British sportscar may have been the most expensive of this year’s contenders, but it had some stiff competition.
To take top honors, it had to beat out the Acura NSX, Aston Martin V12 Vantage S, Audi R8 V10 Plus, BMW M4 GTS, Chevy Camaro SS, Dodge Viper ACR, Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R, Jaguar F-Type SVR, Mercedes-AMG GT S, Nissan GT-R, and Porsche 911 Carrera S. That’s a tough crowd indeed, but the McLaren won out thanks to its 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, carbon monocoque chassis, and the way it just all comes together into one symbiotic driving machine.
“The McLaren 570S stands out in this year’s crowd of high-horsepower overachievers,” said MT Editor-in-Chief Ed Loh, “because it provides a preternatural connection between driver and machine. With massive thrust in a lightweight, mid-engine chassis that can be guided by the fingertips, the 570S is immensely addictive—and the perfect homage to McLaren’s Grand Prix pedigree.”
The award is separate from the Car of the Year, Truck of the Year, and SUV of the Year awards, which this year went to Chevy’s Camaro and Colorado diesel and to the Volvo XC90, respectively.
Check out the first video below for the full 40-minute rundown on how editors Jonny Lieberman and Jason Cammisa and test driver Randy Pobst arrived at their conclusion, and the second video for an up-close look at (and onboard hot lap with) the 570S that defeated all challengers to take the top prize.