RAC's Best Drives of 2024

By: Alex Forrest

The pendulum effect has been in full swing in the new car market over recent years.

In 2023, many manufacturers were able to deliver cars to those patient enough to endure extended wait times and finally catch up with pandemic era demand. It led to a jump of 135,000 car sales, or 12.5 per cent, compared to 2022.

But that sort of growth is tough to sustain, and by late 2024, the market had swung back, increasing at just 2 per cent.

It’s common to see a correction after a period of strong growth – Western Australians know that better than any other state thanks to our boom-and-bust economic cycles. But what’s happened in the new car market to cause this?

Where the market grew

Part of the explanation is that in 2023, a lot of people who wanted an electric car, finally got one. In fact, EV sales went up 161 per cent to over 87,000 in 2023. It meant much of the latent demand for EVs – pumped up by EV subsides in their first full year – was satisfied in 2023.

That is what contributed to the notable softening of EV sales growth in 2024.

Other areas of the market enjoyed tremendous growth – particularly hybrid vehicles, which comprise plug-in hybrids like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and regular hybrids like the Toyota RAV4 hybrid.

This was partly due to the number of new hybrids entering the market in 2024, such as the Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe hybrids, and the new Toyota Camry hybrid.

Toyota also announced in June that they would from that point no longer sell petrol-only variants of models where hybrid vehicles are available.

Dual cab 4x4 utes also continued to grow in sales, while newcomers to this segment began to stoke anticipation for what was to come in 2025. Among those coming to market this year are the Kia Tasman, while the deliveries of the BYD Shark and Ford Ranger PHEV plug-in hybrid utes are set to ramp up in 2025 as well.

The arrival of the almost all-new Mitsubishi Triton ute was a much needed update, while the dramatically restyled Toyota Prado created plenty of interest when it arrived in November.

Some manufacturers such as Tesla lowered prices, while many more raised them as overarching cost of living – and doing business – pressures began to filter through.

Happily, we had the opportunity to sample some of the new cars of 2024. Here are some of our most memorable drives.

Light Car - Mazda2

Even though this new Mazda2 arrived in late 2023 with a substantial price hike, its interior build quality still makes it an attractive proposition against rivals such as the MG3 and Suzuki Swift, while remaining much cheaper than the Toyota Yaris. The Mazda2 now has freshened-up styling and up-to-date infotainment tech, and with arguably the best interior in the light car class, it really does occupy its own little niche in the category. And it only needs 91 RON fuel. Definitely worth a look.

Mazda2 specifications

Medium Car - Toyota Camry

The new Camry is even easier to like than its predecessor. After decades of shaving off fuel consumption, improving ergonomics, infotainment, power outputs and handling, we have this. The Camry has evolved into an even quieter, more fuel efficient and luxurious car that still represents good value. There’s more room inside, and the hybrid drivetrain’s changes between petrol and electric power sources are virtually indistinguishable, adding to a luxurious feel well beyond what you might expect of a Camry.

Toyota Camry specifications

Sports Car Under $80,000  - Mazda MX-5 GT RS

The current generation Mazda MX-5 turns 10 years old this year, but its appeal hasn’t faded one bit. In 2024, the addition of a clever limited-slip differential and an electronically controlled track mode (GT RS only) added to its appeal. While those have given the MX-5 more sure-footedness coming out of corners, the true talent of the car remains its ability to make just about any driving experience enjoyable. It’s gone up in price, but you also get more features for your money, which make the fun even more focused and frequent.

Mazda MX-5 GT RS specifications

Sports Car Over $80,000  - Hyundai IONIQ 5 N

In several ways, the electric Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is the opposite of the Mazda MX-5. It’s heavy, fully electric, breathtakingly rapid and has four doors and a fixed roof. But it makes you smile in other ways, because Hyundai has taken the seriousness out of this EV. They’ve added fake engine sounds to fill the electric drivetrain’s silent void, and even fake gearchanges to the power delivery from what is in reality only a single gear drive. What’s real is its rear-biased, all-wheel drive system that really does make the IONIQ 5 N the most exciting EV we drove in 2024.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 N specifications

Small SUV  - Nissan Qashqai E-Power

With a petrol engine that is only used to charge the battery and not to drive the wheels, the Qashqai e-Power is a rare thing among other more conventional hybrids where the electric motor and petrol engine share the drive duties. It means the Qashqai feels more like an EV to drive, but also doesn’t need to be plugged in. It’s not amazingly fuel efficient or cheap, but it does manage a very EV-like driving experience. And with no need for drivers to charge it, there’s zero charging anxiety.

Nissan Qashqai E-Power specifications

Medium SUV - Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

Finally, the Tucson Hybrid has arrived to challenge Australia’s favourite hybrid SUV, the Toyota RAV4. On the outside, the Tucson’s had a mild facelift to make it look more aggressive, while inside it’s now got a large, extra-wide integrated dash and infotainment screen. The hybrid system uses a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine teamed up with the electric drive motor, and you can choose between front wheel drive or all-wheel drive models. Modern inside and out, intuitive tech and sharp driving experience make the Tucson Hybrid a standout that you should check out.

Hyundai Tucson Hybrid specifications

Large SUV Under $70,000 - Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The brand new, boxy design of the Hyundai Santa Fe has seen it square off against the competition like few other new vehicle releases in 2024. Powered by the same 1.6-litre turbo petrol/electric hybrid system used in the Tucson, it’s an unlikely but entirely capable and refined powerplant. For a 2.1 tonne box, it’s also reasonably economical. Its external shape and a longer wheelbase has made for a very roomy interior which is also beautifully finished to European premium car levels.

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid specifications

Large SUV $70,000 - $150,000  - Genesis GV80 Coupe

Having boarded the large SUV “coupe” bandwagon to join its European rivals, Genesis now has a player for those partial to a large SUV coupe. Like the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupe, the GV80 Coupe’s sloping rear is the only way it really resembles a proper coupe. But there is a market for them, and the GV80 Coupe has comparable performance and a stunning interior. With lower pricing than its Euro rivals and the fact these are still a rare sight, the Genesis GV80 Coupe does have appeal for those looking to stand out even more than this body style already does.

Genesis GV80 Coupe specifications

All-terrain SUV  - Toyota Prado

With its 48-volt mild hybrid drivetrain, a new eight-speed transmission (previously a six-speed) and a stiffer platform that it now shares with the 300 Series, the new Prado is a big step up in tech and capability from its predecessor. It’s longer and wider and has a longer wheelbase too, which is all progress. Putting the spare tyre under the floor and accommodating the 48-volt battery created a packaging challenge in having to raise the floor, which will be an issue for some. More power and torque from the engine would be good, but the Prado brings more than its share of tech and a welcome styling change.

Toyota Prado specifications

4x4 Twin Cab Ute  - Mitsubishi Triton

The Triton was another vehicle to get a much-needed major update in 2024. The more bluff front-end styling was the most obvious change, but under the skin it had more important upgrades such as a marked increase in power and torque from the now-biturbo 2.4-litre diesel, to 150kW and 470Nm. There’s also been an increase in the rated towing capacity to 3500kg, and a big reduction in interior noise and vibration, especially driving on gravel roads. The Triton has a 10-year (but conditional) warranty and remains cheaper than the Hilux and Ranger.

Mitsubishi Triton specifications