2022 has been a year of big changes in the car industry. We’ve seen endless announcements about brands’ commitment to electric cars and a host of new EVs launched. We’ve also seen famous names - Fiesta, Focus - consigned to the scrapheap and even sports car legend Ferrari announce plans for an SUV.
All of this has taken place in a climate of strained supply and economic doom and gloom but the new car market has soldiered on bravely, with dozens of new models launched over the last 12 months, some great, some not so good.
Like all the best “best of” lists, our rundown of the top cars of 2022 is entirely unscientific and subjective but these are the 10 cars that have stood out for us over the last year.
9. Skoda Fabia
Skoda has always excelled at offering plenty of bang for your buck and the latest Fabia is no exception. It’s not the most striking looking car in the segment or the most exciting to drive but it offers the space and feel of a car from the class above for B-segment money, along with a surprisingly premium cabin and plenty of the latest in convenience and assistive technology. | Skoda
10. Mk1 Seat Leon Cupra R
No, it’s not a new car but this is our list and we can put anything we like on it. The Leon Cupra R in question belongs to Seat UK and made an appearance at this year’s SMMT media day where it reminded us just how brilliant hot hatches used to be. 222bhp and front-wheel drive seems pretty tame by modern standards but the directness and physicality of this Spanish firebrand and the sheer amount of feedback it delivers makes us pine for the days before electronic power steering and over-assisted brakes. | Matt Allan