Because the transfer to electrification continues, some automakers are leaping towards the long run whereas others want to the previous for one final ultimate hurrah. These traits are clearly evident on this yr’s crop of finalists for Motor Authority Greatest Automobile To Purchase 2023.

Final yr marked a primary for our award. A clean-sheet-design electrical pickup truck from a startup automaker got here out on high because the Rivian R1T earned Motor Authority Greatest Automobile To Purchase 2022 honors. The Lucid Air, additionally an electrical car and likewise from a startup, was the runner up.

After driving almost 30 new or considerably up to date luxurious and efficiency vehicles, vans, and SUVs, we whittled down the checklist of 2023 nominees to simply seven contenders. We fought to get there, and fought extra to find out the winner.

We’ll announce the winner on Jan. 4, 2023, together with the winners from our sister websites, The Automobile Connection and Inexperienced Automobile Experiences.

Till then, these are the seven finalists for Motor Authority Greatest Automobile To Purchase 2023.

Acura Integra

The Acura Integra proudly returned in 2022. Previewed a yr forward of the hatch’s return in prototype kind, the compact hatch delivered on its promise of recapturing the magic of the glory days. Primarily based on the Civic Si’s bones, the Integra takes issues a step additional with the provision of adaptive dampers, a greater sound system, and naturally, a hatchback physique model. It is a disgrace the handbook transmission is quarantined to the top-spec mannequin.

Audi RS 3

The Audi RS 3 returned with turbo-5 energy and monitor functionality. The RS 3’s mission is to thrill the motive force and stir the soul, and it feels proper at house on a racetrack. The all-wheel-drive system has turn out to be extra refined and basically presents a drift mode because of a trick rear differential with torque vectoring functionality. The tires are staggered, oddly with the bigger rubber up entrance. It is legitimately fast, too, with a 0-60 mph dash of three.6 seconds. Positive, there is a little bit of turbo lag, nevertheless it’s a part of the automobile’s character. However at greater than $60,000 in most configurations, it is costly in a timeline of quick and enjoyable vehicles for much less cash.

Cadillac Lyriq

The Cadillac Lyriq aligns the automaker with its battery-powered future. It might additionally mark the turning level that proves GM’s luxurious division is lastly able to chart its personal path. Slightly than chasing the Germans, the Lyriq units out on it personal with jaw-dropping model, a parts-bin free inside that is Cadillac-specific, and exemplary journey and dealing with. Whereas the preliminary value of $62,990 has come and gone—it will value greater than $70,000 if ordered now—it nonetheless seems like a price. That is the primary mass-market software of the Ultium platform, and it bodes properly for future GM EVs.

Ford Bronco Raptor

The Ford Bronco Raptor made it to the ultimate spherical as a result of it is probably the most outrageous and outrageously enjoyable autos cash can purchase. It is a street-legal Tonka Truck with loopy specs, together with 418 hp, 13.0 inches of floor clearance, 13.0 inches of entrance and 14.0 inches of rear suspension journey, and 37-inch all-terrain tires. It additionally prices lower than the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392, although that beast has two extra cylinders and 57 extra hp.

Honda Civic Kind R

May we’ve got a repeat winner on our fingers? The Honda Civic Kind R was named Motor Authority Greatest Automobile To Purchase 2018 when the last-generation mannequin arrived. Now the brand new Kind R is right here, and it grows up however stays enjoyable. The newest iteration of the legendary scorching hatch checks in with 315 hp, higher cooling, and a revised gearbox. Positive, it nonetheless has the large wing, nevertheless it’s bigger, smarter, and sooner than earlier than. The dang factor already set a front-wheel-drive lap file at Suzuka. Priced at $43,990, it isn’t the cut price it as soon as was and our ultimate two contenders value much less.

Hyundai Kona N

The Hyundai Veloster N is useless and we mourn its loss after it virtually gained our Greatest Automobile To Purchase award in 2020, however now we get the $35,995 Hyundai Kona N. The marginally lifted scorching hatch bursts onto the scene with the the identical rowdy turbo-4 and front-wheel-drive format however a bit extra practicality. The Kona N goes past scorching hatch to wild baby with its loud pops and crackles and sharp dynamics. However its greater seating place is a detriment to trace and canyon driving, and the journey is harsh.

Toyota GR Corolla

Who thought we would ever see the day when Toyota turned the Corolla right into a scorching hatch, however right here we’re with the GR Corolla. Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division put in a 300-hp turbo-3, a 6-speed handbook, and a trick all-wheel-drive system to make the Corolla enjoyable. The feisty scorching hatch begins at $36,995, however the model fanatics need runs simply over $40,000 because of non-compulsory entrance and rear limited-slip differentials. That is an costly Corolla, and it is nonetheless budget-grade inside, nevertheless it has the willpower to again up its angle and value.