So here we are once again, rounding up the year that was with the paultan.org 2014 Top Five list – as with previous editions in 2012 and 2013, the writers each pick five cars that caught their attention big this particular calendar year.
A recap on why things are the way they are, in case you’re reading the Top Five for the first time – the marker is set at five not because we have anything against going the more normal 10, but to select five out of a host of new arrivals in any calendar year means having to be more selective about things and encourage more thought in the process.
Like in years past, the list works exactly like what it says on the tin – ‘impressed’ in this case meaning something that was memorable or simply a delight to be behind the wheel in. Some changes to authors this round. This year, Paul is taking a break from the Top Five list, but we welcome two new names to the 2014 edition – Jonathan Lee and Gregory Sze jump in head-first with the five that stood out for them.
That said, on to the musings – here are the individual picks from the team, what each thought were the cars that got them going. As always, we hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did writing it. In ending, we’d like to wish you a Happy New Year, and we’ll see you in 2015!
GREGORY SZE
Having joined the paultan.org team at the tail end of 2014, I was pretty sure that my Top Five list would consist of whatever I could get my hands on in a such a short span of time – and it kinda’ did.
With that said, the different cars that I got to try on for size were far from pedestrian. Some of you might say that it’s the initial hype of a new job, and that it’ll all die down in the future but trust me, it’s not. For 2014, I feel truly blessed to be given the opportunity to indulge in one heck of an automotive smorgasbord.
5. Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4
What nonsense is this?! A mid-engined, Italian slice of exotica occupying the fifth spot?! Well, yes. That’s not to say the car didn’t impress me at all, it’s just that the overall experience of the drive itself overwhelmed the V10 shriek and all its accompanying aesthetic glory.
The Huracan makes it into my list because it is the first left-hand drive car I’ve ever driven – that, coupled to my first outing on the Sepang circuit in the Huracan, and you get the perfect recipe for one heck of a first-time experience.
You know what they say then. One does not simply forget the first time.
4. Danny’s Mazda 6
I love mechanically-simple cars. I also have a soft spot for ones that come with three pedals. Mix those together and add a generous helping of exclusivity and voila! A car that’s neither fast nor particularly exciting to look at but feels oh-so-right. At least, to me.
From what I can gather in my short stint in it, this particular Mazda 6 is exactly what I look for in an everyday car – it’s dependable, fun to chuck about and no one will pay any attention to it because it just blends in.
That’s exactly what this car is. An entertaining workhorse that doubles as a unicorn to those who believe in such mythical creatures.
3. Ford Fiesta ST
The best car to drive in this list? Absolutely. You know how they say there’s always an angel and the Devil on each shoulder? Get in the ST and it’s the Devil on your left with the Grim Reaper on your right instead – and you know what? I adore it.
This here is a car that eggs you on in the most sinister of ways, begging to be spanked and relishing every single moment of it. Show it a good road, take a deep breath and pin the throttle. Hard.
I would need another paragraph or two to pen down what I felt piloting this cheeky piece of engineering at speed, but the fact that I found it hard to stop smiling after emerging from the car pretty much says it all.
2. Citroen DS3 Racing
Most of the time, I pretend I’m some sort of responsible, matured individual who appreciates the simpler aspects of a car (read #4). Then an orange-and-black hot-hatch with military-themed stickers appears at my doorstep and I pretty much forget my times tables.
On looks alone, this would’ve made my top spot because of the sheer aesthetic drama it brings to the table. With that said, this car is definitely not all-show and no-go. Use it to cover ground and it will have no issues keeping up with most of the cars on this list.
In fact, only two issues keep it from my top spot. The noise (or rather lack of) and the fact that it’s not on sale in Malaysia. Why can’t I have nice things?
1. Peugeot 208 GTi
Pretty much the same drivetrain as the DS3 Racing, wrapped up in a not-so-flamboyant but no less tasteful body. Oh, and you can actually buy it. Yes, this is my number one car for 2014 simply because of the fact that I would actually consider plonking down my hard-earned money for it, if I was in the market for a new car.
It rides well, looks decent, has more than enough poke for my daily commute and is the cheapest car on sale in this list.
Plus, have you seen the interior? It manages to walk that line between being a little too mundane and sporting just enough go-fast bits to make sure that this is no ordinary 208 you’re cocooned in.
JONATHAN LEE
This year marks my induction into the paultan.org team, and, my gosh, what a year 2014 has been. One of learning from some of the best scribes in the business, and experiencing first hand just what being a motoring journalist was actually like, including the good and… not so good.
But the biggest perk has got to be the variety of cars I sampled – in less than a year, I managed to go through a slew of B-segment hatchbacks, a pickup truck, a weird niche sedan-hatchback thingamajig and some of the hottest hot hatches currently available. Choosing five to sit on the top of the pile, then, was more than a little difficult, but here’s the ones that made the biggest impression.
5. Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost
In terms of driving enjoyment, Ford has had the competition all sewn up with the Fiesta for so long, it’s not even funny. So we were greatly curious to see if adding a tiny three-cylinder turbocharged engine would add to the handsome supermini’s appeal still further, or cause it to fall flat on its face.
The instant I set off in the 1.0 EcoBoost, any worries I had with the powertrain were immediately assuaged. This is a mill that is always willing and eager, whether pulling the car from low down or screaming like a little straight-six at the top of the rev range. It suits the Fiesta’s bubbly, puppy-straining-at-the-leash persona to a tee – they’re both always ready to play.
Yes, it’s a little pricey (although you do get a lot of kit for your money, including seven airbags), fairly cramped at the back and interior fit and finish are starting to fall behind class best. But if thrills are what you’re looking for in the segment, you might as well pack up your binoculars. Now, if only it came with a manual gearbox…
4. Mazda2 1.5 SkyActiv-G Hatchback
Mazda made quite a brouhaha over the driver-focused design of the new 2 at the press briefing in Japan. It talked about how the increased wheelbase gave the driver a larger footwell, about how it made the bodyshell stiffer, yet lighter than the previous model, about how it improved engine response for better jinba ittai. Heading out onto a soaking wet racetrack, it was hard not to be skeptical at those claims.
And yet, it all worked brilliantly. This was a B-segment hatch – a humdrum regular model, mind, not a full-fledged hot hatch – that held its own on the track, with instant throttle response, superb body control, quick, accurate steering and an agile, yet predictable cornering stance. Added to that, it looked positively gorgeous, with an interior to die for in this segment.
Signs are all pointing that the new Mazda2 will reach our shores very soon, and I can’t wait to have another go – it could really give the Fiesta a run for its money.
3. MINI Cooper S 5 Door
I’ll admit it, I really don’t like the way the new MINI looks. The third “new” generation has gotten all bloated – looking more like a caricature of the original rather than a proper homage – and the Cooper S looks more obnoxious than ever with its jutting chin.
The 5 Door variant didn’t help matters, either, what with its too-short rear doors and too-long rear overhang, and I was wondering if the longer body style would hurt the brand’s signature roadholding in similar fashion.
A drive through Oxfordshire’s narrow B-roads showed that nothing’s really changed – the chassis has been retuned to suit the longer wheelbase and increased weight, resulting in a car that’s virtually as fun to punt as the three-door. And the Cooper S is still a very, very rapid car, particularly on the tight, twisty tarmac.
If, unlike me, you’ve always liked how the latest MINI looked, and enjoyed the way it drove, but needed the extra practicality of a couple of extra doors, a more spacious rear seating area and a larger boot, then the MINI 5 Door could be right up your street.
2. BMW 320d Gran Turismo
Another oddly styled car from BMW’s design studios – an F30 3 Series (a very good-looking car all on its own) that’s been mutated, given kidney grilles two sizes too big and bestowed with a rump sizeable enough to give Kim Kardashian sleepless nights. That’s the 3 Series Gran Turismo for you, and to be honest, I didn’t really like it at all initially.
But in the three days that I drove the 320d GT, I came to really enjoy the experience. The 2.0 litre turbodiesel’s 184 hp doesn’t really sound like much, but the surfeit of torque – 380 Nm from just 1,750 rpm – gives the car a train-like effortlessness. This makes it a great long-distance cruiser, which, if the mood takes you, can waft up to silly speeds with terrifying ease.
That’s not all – the ride and handling balance is impressively well-judged, rear passengers will find it truly commodious inside and the hatchback makes access to the huge boot ridiculously easy. Really, the only downside is its high entry price, but it does comes stuffed with kit as standard. Mind you, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s still quite ungainly – I guess it’s something you just have to get used to.
1. Ford Fiesta ST
Yes, topping my list is another Fiesta, but trust me, it deserves its spot here wholeheartedly.
My first experience in the ST was in the passenger seat, and, to be honest, the ride beggared belief in terms of how stiff it really was. But then Hafriz hustled it through a series of corners, the smiles filled the cabin and I just could not wait to have a go at it.
Eventually, it was my turn at the helm, and within the first few kilometres I knew that all the crashing through the potholes and the bumps and the ruts were worth it. I felt wired, connected to the car in ways I never knew I could be, and the car just felt right in the bends.
I came out of the car shaking, overwhelmed by the incredible feeling I experienced behind the wheel. My colleagues may not agree completely, but in my eyes, this is what a hot hatch (and a Fiesta) is supposed to be – a pert little machine with a manual gearbox and a driving demeanour that delivers an unbeatable smiles per mile.
JONATHAN JAMES TAN
I’ve always wondered what it would be like to live in the 1960s. They often say of that period that if you remember it, you weren’t there. Well, this year was pretty much like that for me. In the wake of a tornado of what seemed like a gazillion different events and incidents happening all at once, I sit dazed and confused.
Which gives the machines in my list all the more cred, for they somehow managed to swim through 2014’s choppy waters and anchor themselves to the harbour of my memory. You’ll pick out a good number of them from this year’s Driven Web Series, but nevertheless, there are some surprises – one of which truly dhalls the senses.
5. MINI Cooper Hatch manual
Yes, I know our MINI Hatch can’t be had with a clutch pedal, but if there was a car this year, besides the Proton Iriz, that truly showed me what a difference a gearbox makes, this is it.
When I drove the Cooper in Puerto Rico earlier this year, I preferred it rather overwhelmingly to the Cooper S. It didn’t stick its chin out at me, for a start, and the little three-cylinder engine (which, hush, hasn’t been told it’s a little three-cylinder engine) got along with the six-speed manual like nasi lemak and sambal.
You snatch the gear lever and slot it home in a fluid and brisk motion, ever in hot pursuit of those 136 horses and 230 Nm of overboosted twist, amidst a naughty buzz of an engine note and crucially, via smooth and lively operation I couldn’t find in the local slushbox-equipped car.
Not as rapid as the Cooper S, but with a stick-shift, a good deal more versatile, refined and engaging.
4. Volkswagen Golf R
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is already a terribly fast car. So you’d imagine the Golf R to be a rabid beast straining at the leash anywhere but on a race track.
Surprisingly however, like the GTI, it can be docile and civilised, although the littlest road irregularities can find your fingers through the steering wheel and also drum your bum, even with the DCC in Comfort.
Provoke it and it doesn’t snap in anger as much as get you where you want to go very, very quickly indeed, without fuss or complaint. It’s very composed and controllable at speed, which is what you want when you’re entrusted with 280 PS and 380 Nm of torque. And that DSG can read your mind. How otherwise is it able to serve up such immediacy, natural response and the right gears all the time?
I’ll liken the Golf R to James Bond, if I may – cool, collected, confident and covert, yet completely capable of blowing just about any adversary imaginable into the weeds.
3. Nissan Teana 2.0 XL
Let me set the scene. We had just spent the best part of two gruelling weeks planning, writing, re-writing and rehearsing the Driven Web Series. We were physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually drained, and so decided to skip to Port Dickson for the weekend.
You’ll never know how glad I was that we took the Teana there. It was like a plush, inviting sofa greeting you after a long day at work. The suppleness of the ride, the comfort of the Zero-Gravity Seats, the airiness of the cabin, the smoothness of the CVT and the near-absence of noise… I actually remember very little of all that, as I fell asleep within minutes.
Driving it is no less cosseting, and it’s made all the more pleasant by linear and precise steering – very little effort is needed to maintain the Teana’s course on the highway. It may not take home the tiara with regards to aesthetics, whether inside or outside, but if it’s comfort and waftability you’re after, your search ends here.
2. Tata Indigo eCS 1.4 TDI
I’ll wait for you to stop sniggering before I continue. Now, this may not be the best car here (you don’t say!), but the driving experience, I’ll take to my grave.
I recently attended a friend’s wedding in India – more specifically in Jamshedpur (the home of Tata, no less) – and after the hustle and bustle was over, we decided to explore the city. There were so many of us and not enough drivers, so I volunteered – can’t be that bad, right?
Not once did I exceed 50 km/h, but in spite of that, the number of times I braked equalled the number of times I blinked, in any given minute. I was constantly dodging people, auto-rickshaws, cycles, mobile roadside stalls, buses, lorries, cattle, construction, potholes the size of volcanic craters and aggressive Ambassadors that came within nanometres of my car.
On the approach to a congested roundabout, I slowed down – which was the wrong thing to do, for there was then absolutely no way in. The correct method, I later learned, is to blow the horn to smithereens from a mile away and slice into the roundabout the way you would cut a cake. When in Rome…
The huge Tata logo of a steering wheel may have been dripping with sweat by the time I was done, but I can’t wait to get a second stab at mastering the Indian road. And I have Indigo-ji to thank for the initiation.
1. Toyota Corolla Altis 2.0 V
Toyota Corolla. Two of the least exciting words in motordom. Just whisper it and your mind conjures up images of pensioners pootling about in the middle lane in nondescript LEs or SEGs. And yet, the current Corolla Altis sits proudly, and deservedly, at the top of my list.
For this is a Toyota Corolla in nothing but name! The sharp, edgy styling is both dramatic and eye-catching, and while you’re at it, have some striking alloys. It’s no less impressive inside – the cabin is classy and contemporary, fit and finish exemplary, and attitude shows in the way the numbers are aligned to the curvature of the blue-backlit instrument dials. But with a CVT, it can’t be an inspiring drive, surely?
Oh ho ho. This CVT is one of the most dynamic in the business, endowing the Altis with spright befitting its youthful looks. The dreaded rubber-band effect is nowhere to be found, and thanks to a capable chassis conducted through sharp and direct steering, we have a Toyota Corolla that’s fun to drive, which is a bit like saying we have a dictionary that’s fun to read.
So there you go, the biggest surprise of my year. The Toyota Corolla Altis, which rebelled against its stereotypes, and won.
HAFRIZ SHAH
For me, 2014 came and went away far too quickly. Between working on our new sister site CarBase.my, Driven Web Series 2014, walk-around videos, video reviews and of course, the two big Malaysian car launches (one of which made it on my list – no prizes for guessing which one), I ended up doing very little driving – hence the lack of exotics on my list.
But of the few cars that I did drive, many turned out to be good. Very, very good. And while shortlisting out the five for this list was easy, deciding the order was far from simple. My final list will divide opinions, for sure. Agree or disagree, these are four cars that made 2014 memorable for me, and one that made it truly remarkable.
5. BMW 428i M Sport
This was the very first car I tested in 2014, and it speaks volumes that I’m still wonderfully fond of it a whole year later. I can’t positively remember if my dinner last night was any good (it probably wasn’t, then) and yet, my memory of the 428i M Sport’s sublime chassis balance is still very much alive.
“Is it all things to all men? It bloody nearly is,” I wrote at the start of the year. The F32, even in this middling 428i guise, is quick, can hold its own around bends, and is sexy enough to overcome a superbly dull grey paintjob. Have it in Estoril Blue, and I’d be ready to go down on one knee for it (one knee, not two).
I’m all for the W205 Mercedes C-Class over the F30 3 Series, but two doors down, the Bimmer’s the one for me. Alas, it’s a real pity that its interior isn’t quite as exciting as you’d expect, and its sub-standard two-year warranty leaves a lot to be desired. Otherwise, this near-perfect coupe deserves a spot in anyone’s shopping/wish list.
4. Nissan Teana 2.5 XV
I may be closer to 25 than 50, but I’m not afraid to say that I’m a big fan of Nissan’s big sedan. Last year’s Mazda 6 was great (it placed fifth on my 2013 list), but this new Teana ups the D-segment ante by marrying driving enjoyment with genuine ride comfort like none has done before – the 6 is fun but bumpy, the Accord and Camry the complete opposite, and the Optima K5, well, is only good on paper.
The old Teana’s characterful V6 engine need not be missed; not when the new four-pot is over 20% more efficient. The revised CVT, meanwhile, makes for impossibly smooth and quiet motion that you’d forget about the engine in front anyway. Also adding to the equation are the Zero-Gravity Seats. Silly name, but wow are they comfy.
Unlike the latest Camry – which took a marked step back compared to its highly accomplished predecessor – the L33 Nissan Teana is an exemplary example of moving forward. Personally, I find it amazing that it’s not flying off the showroom floors, for it is clearly the best car of its kind out there. Maybe it’s the age thing.
3. Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8
What the Teana does to the Camry, the Corolla Altis did to the Honda Civic. One went backwards (the scorned FB Civic), while the other took a big and entirely unexpected leap in the opposite (right) direction. It’s time to look past the tired old name’s staid image; the Camry, the latest 11th-generation Corolla is Toyota at its absolute best.
“Enthusiasts” – pardon the inverted commas – love to hate this car. It’s a boring Toyota, for one, and it has a CVT gearbox too. “For shame!” they scream. Well, Altis, take a page from Justin Bieber (sorry, Jonathan Lee): haters gonna hate. Can’t stop this smile :)
The 1.8 litre model, with its newer, better gearbox, is the one to go for here. This is CVT done right, and it’s bloody fantastic. Efficient, smooth, responsive and best of all, intuitive – it’s all good. What’s not so great is UMW Toyota’s continuing refusal to include electronic stability control and the optional seven-airbag “Additional Safety Package” on the 1.8 litre variants. That’s just bad, bad form.
2. Ford Fiesta ST
Now, had the title of this story been “the writers each pick five of the best cars this year,” the Fiesta ST would definitely be at the top of my list. Or perhaps everyone’s list, even. But the header says otherwise, so no, Ford’s new hot hatch is not the car I’ve been most impressed with in 2014. Don’t flip your table yet; I’ll explain.
The Fiesta ST is one of most raved-about new model in the carniverse, so obviously I approached it with exceedingly high expectations. To its credit, the ST is indeed brilliant – worthy of all the praises it has, and inevitably will receive. But to me, it just met, rather than exceeded my expectations of it, while my top pick achieved the latter. It’s a victim of its own glory, the ST.
Little else can to be said of the fast Ford that hasn’t already been mentioned in our recent hot hatch shootout. I, for one, strongly maintain that the Peugeot 208 GTi is the better all-rounder (it is!), but there’s no doubting the Fiesta ST’s inherently deep pool of talents. Given a good stretch of road, it’s one of the best cars out there for pure driving thrills. In fact, I can’t think of anything better…
1. Proton Iriz MT
Well surprise, surprise, the Iriz is my number one car of 2014. Just as I chose the 208 GTi over the technically-superior Volkswagen Golf GTI last year, the Proton heads my list now as it wowed me more than the Fiesta ST did. It truly, deeply and madly did.
I’m not one to mince my words, so it has to be said that the Iriz has plenty of shortcomings. It looks good, but it’s certainly fussy and a tad overdesigned for such a small car. Build quality, however much improved over previous Protons, still has a few flaws and the odd ergonomic faults. And still, by far and away its greatest blunder is the CVT gearbox, which, with or without the TCU update, feels tardy, unrefined, and at times, underdeveloped.
Everything else, however, is just superb. It’s almost unreal how absurdly good it is to drive. Ride and handling is nothing short of sensational, even having taken into account Proton’s first-rate track record in this department. The Malaysian carmaker’s first try at using electric power steering (EPS) is better than, say, Kia’s umpteenth attempt, and its newfound focus on safety – even on the base models – is extremely refreshing.
My favourite part is, you can get a manual transmission with all available variants and trim lines. I myself can’t wait to try out the top-spec Proton Iriz 1.6 Premium MT. And you know what? I’ve got a feeling it’ll make my list again in 2015!
ANTHONY LIM
Over the past couple of months, the lads have been fond of reminding me that my top five list would pretty much read like their wish list. I can’t argue with that – 2014 turned out to be a bit of a bumper year in terms of machinery sampled.
Again, there have been enough to make it a tenner, and the one that I deliberated the most on was the fifth position pick – the W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class was just edged out by an absolute hair-raiser from Munich. Otherwise, the rest of the quintet cemented their places with nary a fuss.
5. BMW M235i
To nudge ahead of its more illustrious full M-badged siblings takes some doing, but the BMW M235i is special, and it only took two and a half kilometres of snaking, tight downhill terrain on the Italian/Austrian border during a sideshow drive to get my vote.
Harvinder had experienced the magic in Cape Town earlier in the year while on the set of The Epic Driftmob shoot, and whatever suggested by the video is absolutely spot on, save that my arcing attempts were far less graceful in manner, not quite in the vein of say, a Hubinette or Grunewald.
Nonetheless, it was breathtaking fun – twitchy, hilarious and scary, at some point all at the same time. In the wet, which it was for most of the drive, the tail shimmied with unbridled verve in response to healthy dollops of throttle. This, in a straight line. A more judicious application of power got the car (and my co-driver) through unscathed over the section, but never have there been so many immense moments in so short a run.
This is a veritable bomb of a car – putting 326 hp in such a petite, tail-happy package makes it nothing short of that, and silly or glory will depend much on the driver’s temperament (and skill). However you choose to go about it, it’ll always be exciting to the very last – in this regard, the report card scores full marks.
4. Mercedes-AMG GT S
If there was anything close to rivalling the M235i in terms of edge-of-the-seat excitement this year, this was it. It hadn’t rained in there for a good while, but the skies decided to open up in San Francisco on the day of our AMG GT S drive last month. By the time we got to Salinas, it was really coming down.
So it was that I found myself charging along on a very wet Mazda Raceway in a lead-follow, with Bernd Schneider guiding us around. To experience Laguna Seca – and in particular, the Corkscrew – in a 510 hp and 650 Nm tail-happy car is one thing, to do so as part of the first group out with it pouring, another. Describing the entire run as lively would be an understatement – thrilling, definitely.
Which is not to say that you can’t keep it tidy – out on the road, the car tracks neatly to correspondingly clean input. The caveat is, up to a point, because there’s always the unshakeable sense that things could get unruly very quickly, and that deep down, it’s likely to prove a bit too much car for most.
Elsewhere, the exterior shape definitely works for me – I’ve always adored langnasen (long-nosed) coupes, the E86 Z4M Coupe being a long-time fave, and this one is winsomely sleek. The interior largely does too – not too taken by the free-standing central screen, but that centre console is captivating, and there’s plenty of plush in the cabin. A winner? For sure, despite its underlying short fuse.
3. Ford Mustang
Horsing around Los Angeles in a car that will be sold here through official channels for the very first time was memorable. The review is due out soon, but for now let’s just say that the sixth-gen S550 Mustang is every bit the muscle car it’s expected to be, and it easily makes the cut to finish third on my list.
The 2.3 litre EcoBoost turbo four version is efficient and fairly quick, but is no flying rocket, despite the highish on-paper 310 horses and 433 Nm output – not surprising, given that the ‘Stang has a fairly heavy-set disposition. Still, stallion adopters here should find the power output more than workable, since there’s no interfering legacy.
The 435 hp and 541 Nm 5.0 litre V8, meanwhile, is truly scrumptious, from application to feel. Interior is snazzy, and the MT82 six-speed manual is a delight in use. We never got to try out the auto on the drive, but why would anyone want this one equipped with a slush box?
The guys keep telling me that since I’m such a big Blue Oval man that this steed is surely a must, somewhere down the line. It looks unlikely, given that the V8 would be well out of my reach. I can however think of a reason why I’d want one – to plonk my beloved terrier in and tell the other half, look, it’s a dog and pony show!
2. Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG
For nine months, this sat at the top of the pile for me, and it took something special to peg down the A 45 AMG into second spot. I drove it on two occasions, and both times came away truly chuffed with what was being served. It was also one of two cars – the other being the number one pick – I kept taking out on multiple late night runs, finding any excuse to go out and drive it.
More than enough juice and pep from the M133 AMG 2.0 litre twin-scroll turbo four-pot, and that AMG Performance exhaust system – fitted as standard on our cars – is an aural delight, even from start-up. Some gloss is taken away by the partnering 7G-DCT transmission, which feels a bit lazy, especially down the range, but it doesn’t detract from the overall package.
Granted, there are also some bits that are OTT, like the flics and rather liberal use of red accents (I’d lose the ones on the rear wing), but it’s all in line with the character of the car, which is never shy. In the end, the whole is indeed greater than the sum of its parts, and I absolutely love it to bits.
1. Ford Fiesta ST
While it didn’t emerge as the champ in our recent triple play shooutout, its appearance here in all but one individual top five list shows how much the little Fiesta ST impressed the team, and I didn’t even have to bring out the hacksaw this time.
To play the broken record yet again, the little ST is phenomenal in both talent and ability – yes, the low-end take-up is a bit soft, but keep it on the boil and it feels exceptional. There’s an amazing level of front-end grip, and its capacity to handle mid-corner transitions in rapid, razor-like fashion is exceptional.
Most of all, it’s fun – it says much that the night we returned from the shootout drive, I went out and clocked in another 130 km in it on more B-road terrain, savouring every wild turn. The purity and level of engagement seals it for me, making this the top pick in a stellar 2014 list, and that’s no mean feat.
DANNY TAN
It has been the year of the hatchback for me. I bought one and was fortunate to sample a memorable variety of hatches, from a humble Honda to the experimental Eolab, plus a few turbocharged troublemakers in between. All are brilliant in their own way.
5. Ford Fiesta ST
The Fiesta ST was the star of our recent hot hatch shootout, which also had the Peugeot 208 GTi and Renault Clio RS 200 EDC. Its 182 PS/240 Nm was the lowest in the field, and it had to be worked the hardest too, but the Ford got all six votes as the most fun car to drive.
The ST’s spartan black on black cabin and lively motorway ride is fast forgotten when you find a stretch of B-road. Turbocharged it may be, but this engine loves revs like an old school NA motor and eggs you on with a naughty soundtrack.
You’ll give in, and there won’t be any pussyfooting – the Ford feels smaller and more nimble than its French peers as you throw it around, alive to your commands and asking for more. Each came out of it with a silly grin on his face, which says it all.
4. Honda Jazz
Some are here for their license to thrill, but I rate the Honda Jazz for its ability to soothe.
As much as we love hill climbs and tearing down B-roads, reality forces upon us two-hour traffic jams and seemingly endless <60 km/h highway slogs. The new Jazz is a brilliant companion for the daily grind, so much better at cocooning you from the rush hour cacophony than its predecessor.
Two factors in play are NVH and CVT. With their buzzy engines and thin insulation, previous-gen Hondas have been anything but quiet – the new Jazz is a library in comparison. The Earth Dreams CVT is a good advertisement for its kind – responsive, auto-like, smooth and quiet.
Throw in the Jazz’s trademark space utilisation and good visibility, and you have the perfect city car.
3. Renault Eolab
It’s not everyday that you’re trusted with a one-off, hand-built concept car that costs a lot of money, but I’ve driven the future.
As seen at Paris 2014, the Eolab is Renault’s supermini of 2022, a moving lab that showcases fresh thinking in everything from aerodynamics to materials. The target is low drag and weight, Clio space and an affordable, realistic future – up to 90% of the tech here will go into production cars over the next eight years.
Powered by a 54 hp/200 Nm electric motor and a 75 hp/95 Nm 1.0L petrol three-pot, the slippery Eolab (Cd 0.235) uses just one litre of petrol per 100 km in the NEDC cycle and emits only 22 g/km of CO2.
It starts and steps off in battery-powered silence before the engine kicks in at around 40 km/h. The patented gearbox, a clutchless three-speed auto, swaps ratios crudely by today’s standards, but it’s work in progress. Auto suspension lowering at 70 km/h aside, what’s surprising is how normal the Eolab is to drive. It feels zippy and grip is decent, despite those super skinny tyres.
2. Volkswagen Golf R Mk7
The GTI is a fantastic recipe for a hot Golf; perfect, until you drive it back to back with the latest Mk7 Golf R on track. The contrast was stark in my 15 minutes or so lapping Sepang’s North Track in the latter.
What’s expected from an uber hatch with 280 PS, 380 Nm and 4WD is speed. That’s delivered in emphatic fashion, as you’re wowed by the R’s acceleration and traction out of corners.
But what’s truly surprising about the fastest production VW ever is its throttle adjustability and ESC that can be completely switched off. Holding my breath on the last lap, I finally got lucky and managed to induce a drift between turns 5/6 to my co-driver’s amusement. Not as easy as you’d think – we drove it flat out and repeatedly tried to unsettle the car.
The R actually manages to make the GTI feel slow and one-dimensional. Amazing.
1. Peugeot 308 1.2 e-THP
It’s the first time Peugeot is recycling a name, but the 308 couldn’t have been more all-new. From design to drive, it’s a comprehensive overhaul.
The new car is restrained outside, radical inside. The exterior is clean and handsome, but has attractive detailing. The minimalistic dashboard is classier here than in the 208. The SW estate, with more legroom and a huge glass roof, is a lovely family car.
It’s even decent to drive now. The 1.2L three-pot e-THP motor (130 hp/230 Nm) is remarkably punchy for something so small – paired to a six-speed manual, it got me thinking “this is all the car I need”. Great ride comfort (!) and surprising agility too.
Honestly, I’ve never had any love for the 307 and 308, but the 2014 European Car of the Year exceeds all expectations, and then some. Coming in 2015.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Guess the Fiesta ST is the overall winner, it appears in almost all writer’s choice of top five cars
Agreed, the Iriz handling is simply amazing. Kudos to Proton this round
and the design is cool
Just try the Punch CVT than you’ll know how “amazing” it is
HAFRIZ SHAH pick the right choice! Iriz MT is WOWed better than Fiesta ST
Yes,Iriz is the choice!!!
Only Rm 63000 and you can buy such nice car.
even Honda Jazz better than fiesta st shit!!!
Proud of Proton and DrM good strategy making others brand expensive (Taxes and AP system) and making Proton on pare with CBU car price.
Just don’t even let bolehland learn anything about others country car price !!!
Yeah too DrM Father of AP system !!!
Please make the poor more poorer and cronies runs this country.
Thanks DrM :)
and Maserati my friend keep comments and let poor people suffer drive cheap car like P2.
WOW! I’m not WOWed by Iriz, but i’m WOWed by your comment
PT website could be banned if Iriz is not in any of the editors’ list. It is important to be POLITICALLY correct in public press.
If Iriz really good, Proton supporters please BUY the car.
Empty talk/support is dirt cheap, where is your ACTION?????
Please read Hafriz comment below before you Proton supporters syiok sendiri!
Meanwhile, where is Vios?
Vios here vios there. Every post must have Toyota. Please don’t troll the article
Trolls will always be trolls
Who cares about how “amazing” CVT is when 205Nm is enough to trump all normal 2.0l Japs cars!
And the turbo 1.3 is coming!! LOL
You already pay so much for the car, you need to pay more for its maintenance (it is PROTON!), now you have to pay even more for the fuel due to turbo 1.3??
To own an Iriz, you need to know how to print money.
Why don’t care the “amazing” CVT? The CVT that whines and whines is an additional feature for Proton
Because the whine sound is so slow
He’s talking about Fiesta ST, not Iriz. Agree what? Syiok sendiri lagi
I though Ivy League is talking about Iriz. Who is shiok sendiri???
Where is Vios? It should be in the list!
Lol, “NCAP” is talking about Fiesta ST while “Ivy League” replies Iriz. If you don’t know comments are read from top to bottom, i suggest you go back to school in 2015
Huh? Since when you cannot write other than previous comment?
PT is your own site?
While I praise the efforts of paultan for writing good article, I must say, you guys are not doing enough to curb the high prices of cars in Malaysia.
You see overseas, car mags and car blogs always lobby for what is better for the consumer. They lobby and push better spec cars, better quality stuff and lower car prices.
In PT, though your articles are fantastic and you all work so hard to give us good news, you all do nothing much to lobby lower car prices for Malaysians.
Paultan & team have done tremendously well by promoting safety (stability control, airbags, ISOfix etc) in vehicles. This had indirectly manifested in companies offering safety equipment level not seen in their previous offerings (ie Proton, Nissan, Honda etc). However, price of vehicle in Malaysia perhaps very much depend on political willpower of policy makers.
Can Paul Tan team fight Dr M and his cronies? Nope, they have to include Proton here not to upset the supporters
Butthurt comment
Good comment but watch out for butthurt supporters that are beginning to give “butthurt comment”
Wah so I can assume that you are butthurt
Lololololol
Of course butthurt lah. When you have Iriz, your butt really hurts. Haha
P1 basher dun have nothing to say. Give credit where its due.
if dun have anything to say then better stfo!!!!!
yes new Proton Iriz design very beautiful and almost can match new Honda Jazz full spec only MYR 63000.
such a nice car only 63000.
ford fiesta st not good and cannot buy at the price Rm 63000.
Yes but Fiesta ST can smoke Iriz. Haha
Had u sat in a Fiesta before?
I had sat both and I am impressed by the RM90k Fiesta instead of the RM60k Iriz.
Go test drive yourself.
If not Proton, we all can buy Fiesta at RM60k. THanks to Proton’s protection!
Proton should start selling condom also, because PROOTECTION da BEST!
Fiesta got dry twin clutch. Go die
Yeah yeah, with only 2 airbags, fabric seats, bla bla bla
LOL
Don’t BS if you know nothing.
The fiesta has 7 airbags, VSC, ABS, EBD everything! See it with your own eyes Proton fanboys: http://www.ford.com.my/cars/new-fiesta/specifications/safety
It is common to see 7 airbags in the market. When Proton gives 7 airbags, the fanboys act like huuhaa gold bar dropping from the sky.
The Fiesta 1.6 has 2 airbags, only the 1.0 which is significantly more expensive has 7.
Have to agree with you this time
Korean have its own NCAP, in facts, one of the best country that fully utilized NCAP. Even with the great NCAP they had, it took Kia 50 years to established themselves as a competitive automobile company even till today, UK market see Kia as the same level as they see Proton.
You know why Japan can grow in the 80’s? Because they sold quality products in a very low prices internationally while they sell it higher in their own land so that they can cover the losses and Japanese people still bought it because it was Japan products.
If most Japanese and Korean were like you, they will never succeed.
My top choice car 2014 is Perodua Axia.
– simple, fuel economy car 21km/Liter
– recession proof car against GST next year April 2015
– proven Japanese quality with timing chain
– not made in Bangladesh
The best is 21km/l, cannot get that on real traffic jammed roads
axia tin milo rubbish car cannot call top choice car.
Iriz any time more good than tin milo rubbish axia.
Will go and place order Proton Iriz soon.
Milo tin tougher than axia la. You mean pepsi tin.
Come on people, the best, by far, is the truly revolutionary BMW i8.
Looks amazing, and is the TRUE future of motoring…if it was the same price as in the UK (99K£ = 550K RM), I would cash in my bonds and buy one..but here, when and if it goes on sale its probably going to be 1.5m…out of my league….for now..
holy cow! can’t wait for the review of ford mustang.. one of my dream cars when i was in secondary school.. most likely i can only afford the 2.3 ecoboost..
I have driven Mustangs in the US, drives like pooh.
Stop living in 2013 already. The old Mustang didn’t have independent suspension. Plus muscle cars were never about fast laps around the Ring. It’s about burnouts and looking good.
My ultimate dream is to own the ’69 Mustang
can’t wait what next year bring…
At last the reviewers found some sense and not include any Korean junks in the lists, well done.
Happy New Year
Thank goodness no maseratis as well. What a piece of crap car that is!
Actually I only berangan use Maserati. I use 2nd hand Suzuki Swift as my main car la
I have included Hyundai’s in my evaluation of used kimchis that are most profitable
For the most untradable kimchis, they would line up as below :-
Ssangyong Korando
Ssangyong Actyon
Ssangyong Kyron
Ssangyong Stavic
KIA Sephia
KIA Carens
KIA Spectra
KIA Carnival/Naza Ria
KIA Sportage
KIA Sorento
KIA K3
KIA K5
All these cars fetch greater value at the scrap metal yard coz kimchi cars have very heavy bodies
For me (in terms of profitability trading used Hyundai)
1) Hyundai Sonata
2) Hyundai Elantra
3) Hyundai Tucson
4) Hyundai Santa Fe
5) Hyundai i10
No used car dealer in town will accept KIA, Ssangyong.
Some may accept Hyundai Starex and Matrix, but I only take <18 month old units
everyday Hyundai here Hyundai there, RV here RV there. Don’t you boring to repeat the same thing every day?
Better than sitting in the showroom and swatting flies. Nothing to do so repeat the same thing online lo
and keep on dislike our comment.
i’ll ask again, do you have hyundai santa fe year 2014 at 60k, or even 100k. i will buy it off you straight
Iriz is a joke if it’s better than Fiesta ST
Why cannot say? I prefer Iriz handling than Fiesta, so what?
Fiesta st is the joke car.
as mention earlier,you can get Iriz premium CVT only Rm 63000.
Can you get Fieata st at 63000????Cannot!!!!
some more even new Honda Jazz better than fiesta st shit.
yes always support Proton!!!
Iriz is the best car ever,even fiesta st shit cannot beat it!!!
again you cannot buy fiesta st at Iriz premium CVT price Rm 63000!!!
Can Iriz smoke Fiesta ST? No
Can Iriz eat smoke of Fiesta ST? Yes!
So who is the joke car?
Go back and ask your teacher what turbo is
Lel
Go back and ask your math teacher how to calculate arithmetic
Fiesta ST: 197 hp/202 Nm
Iriz 1.6L : 107 hp/150 Nm
And you think Fiesta ST no turbo? Lol
Irizx dumb kid
Learn to rread and understand other people’s posts. He meant you hv to compare apple with apple.
Compaing speed between both cars is absolutely moronic
lelbel and irizxdumb are like dumb and dumber. The poster above don’t know how to read other peoples comment like:
“HAFRIZ SHAH pick the right choice! Iriz MT is WOWed better than Fiesta ST”
You Proton supporters dumb dumb want to compare with Fiesta ST but after someone pointed out that your Iriz is slower so now cannot compare ah? Idiot
Another moron who cant understand simple English, dun skip your class next time, lel
Butthurt spotted
I dont know if fiesta a shit but I trust ford more than I trust proton. Thats enough for me to buy ford instead of proton.
Good luck to wait for spare parts
When you have Proton, you may not wait long for spare parts, but definitely you need to buy much more spare parts than a Ford.
Proton Murphy’s law: Anything could break down MEMANG break down one GUARANTEED.
The best way to prepare your spare parts: Buy 2 Proton at the same time, so you have full set of spare parts. It eventually save you more money buying spare parts in long run.
Good luck for everyday scare your car will be down at any second.
Even though have to wait for spare part or what ever reason. Ford still better than Proton. The design of ford has already win Proton. And the ecoboost engine. And I dont think ford will down more than proton.
Hahahahaha Good luck with those DCT
Keep tow trucker hp no. with you ok?
That’ll give much help later
Hafriz Shah the nation lover! LMAO~
So not to upset Proton supporters mah!
I don’t understand his choice. If given a BMW and an Iriz, will he choose the Iriz over the BMW?
May be i should trade my Iriz with him for a BMW
I believe this has been addressed in my list. In no way do I imply that the Iriz is better than the four above it. It’s not.
Sabar la Hafriz.. You already did a good job. I really hoped that Iriz will be included in some list (I thought Gregory will put it!, haha) but never thought that it will beat Fiesta in term of impression. Kuddos or whatever ;)
Ok, good to know
It’s ok Hafriz, a lot of people here dunno how to read or kenot und England wan. Put in powderful England lagi lah tak faham.
king of Ford Fiesta ST
Anthony – how the world has changed for 2 Mercs to appear in your top 5. It wasn’t that long ago when you wouldn’t be caught dead in one… :)
Most coffin cars are E class station wagons so eventually we have no choice bt to be dead in one!!
JL,
That all changed with the previous-gen A-Class, the W169. We all move on. :)
agreed,,, new merc is no longer old-men car
Touché :)
The iriz n da fiesta(in all specs) deserve the praise simple bcos are good fun cars and importantly are within the purchasing reach of da public as opposed to the Lambo n da GOLF R… Surprised to see the altis, i mean since when a Toyota is considered as a “highlight”… I hope the team is not being brainwashed with the RV propaganda!
Jonathan James Tan and Hafizz, Toyota Altis? seriously? For that kind of money vs the specs/value that you get in return? For starters…2 airbags and no VSC?I have been in one numerous times….seriously??? Altis? What have the 2 of you been smoking lately???
As long as its not a kimchi, it will have RV
If its a Toyota, you can be assured of great RV
As long as there are no Sam Loo, there will no more RV in this website
Sam,
What good is RV when you are dead or crippled? You do not think safety features like VSC is important? I do not see your logic? Toyotas in US and EU are sold with FULL specs? Having owned a Camry, I believe they are reliable and good cars but not in the Malaysian context.
Sam Loo always using multiple account to dislike people comment. Dont act like a bitch please.
Hafiz,
By your own accord, the Iriz have issues with quality (btw, your standards are too low, benchmarked against previous protons? erm….), refinement, gearbox etc. BTW, how can a car with gearbox issues (which is a critical component of a car) even made it to the list much less No. 1?
Can you tell me about safety features? Traction/stability controls? How many airbags? Meet crash test standards? Just to name a few….
This is only a list, if you dun like it that’s your problem
dvcr, a list that can influence buyers or rather less informed buyers? I did not write about the issues with the Iriz, Hafriz did! What happened to objectivity in journalism even auto ones??? What is it forgivable for Iriz to have a gearbox issue but if the same thing happens in a BMW would it make no.1? Duh!
BTW, I honestly won’t have a problem coz I would buy an Iriz anyway…
Proton supporters are like that one, let them be. They don’t know what is “objectivity” but only know how to “support” and “jaguh kampung”. When their cars got problem, it’s their problem but then they will blame the reviewer for not telling them the issue lol
@Blaster88
You CVT-whine like a little girl.
For all your gripes on Iriz, you closing comments were “…coz I would buy an Iriz anyway…”. In contradicting yourself, you’ve proven that logical-thinking is not your KIA-forte.
I highly recommend you add; 1. ‘Be less emotional/More logical’ 2. ‘Nothing wrong if other people have different opinion that mine(point-finger-at-face)’ 3. ‘Use “?” once-per-sentence’ & 4. ‘Grow-up already’ into your 2015 resolution.
dirtyoldmen, thanks for pointing that out…I meant I won’t buy a Iriz. I have owned 3 protons in the past….erm. Seriously, lets be very objective here…Proton came into existence 1985, SAME time as Hyundai, look where is Hyundai now? It is selling great in key auto markets -US and EU. Proton is selling to Iran? I rest my case…..happy new year to all!!!
Another moron who didn’t read much, lol
Go out from cave
@blaster88 on Jan 01, 2015 at 12:27 pm
1. The issue on hand is Hafriz selection of Iriz and YOUR disagreement. Nothing about how successful Proton vs Hyundai nor operating markets. Don’t try to switch topics! That’s just deceitful, lame and a shameless attempt to save face.
2. Objectivity is a noun that means a lack of bias, judgment, or prejudice. You views are heavily prejudiced against Proton. Clearly, your counterpoint #1(above) & “…Seriously, lets be very objective here…” is rubbish as you do not comprehend its concept.
3. Bad manners. The man’s name is spelled “Hafriz”. Not “Hafizz” or “Hafiz” (Look up your own posts).
4. I’m guessing you’re 27 and claims to have “owned” 3 protons. I doubt that. Even if, so what? Is there a point?
5. What case? Trying to argue by ending a sentence with “…seriously???” is not a rebuttal. Its a trademark of most ignoramuses.
Personally, I think you a shallow individual and of poor character. The cure is to read more, reflect, control your mouth, eat humble pie and grow up. :)
Eh if Corolla is number one, you dun say anything, if Iriz is number one, you troll
Because it’s p1? Come on
eee, I did say something about the Altis. See my response before this….
They butthurt lol
No, Altis is sucky in terms of safety, it’s too overpriced
In terms of safety the Iriz beats the Toyota Camry 2.5, so yeah, it is a good car.
He said he liked the manual Iriz, which doesn’t have any gearbox issues.
In terms of safety, Fiesta ST beats Iriz, so yeah, it is a better car
Iriz has more value for money
And yeah Iriz is better car.
Value when have protection but Iriz has No more Value when no protection! So yeah, Fiesta ST is still a better car
first of all,,, his name is hafriz, not hafiz
I honestly think you don’t read everything and understood where is he getting. This list is the list of cars THAT HE HAS DRIVEN THIS YEAR which IMPRESSED the writer personally the most. To repeat what he said, the FiST MET HIS EXPECTATIONS but Iriz EXCEEDED his expectations. Hence, his list and reasoning. Simple and straightforward. When you compare about breaking down, reliability, etc, had it breakdown in his hands, it wouldn’t deplete his impressions but it didn’t. Reliability is long term and random. He only had a short stint in it, he doesn’t own the car, let alone tell u the experience of owning it. If so, how can he factor reliability in his list?
This is also why he’s hired as a writer and not you. if you’ve submitted your application to PT, you would’ve been rejected outright
Lotsa 3-pedals there. Time for paultan too to #savethemanuals
For me Huracan does not impressed me that much but the AMG GT, the design was awesome. Another good job done by AMG team.
Maybe Hafriz have lot of free time or unpaid leaves to buy new Iriz soon.
Do update us how many hours/days wasted for repairs, warranty claims okay!!
Jonathan drove a Tata in India?
*standing ovation for bravery*
The first time I’d test driven the Iriz, it was a 1.6 CVT, three days after it was launched. What impressed me the most is the cabin in general, it looked and felt so much better than 2013’s Suprima S, and it didn’t even have leather seats and whatnot. What disappointed me most was the CVT gearbox; it was quite jerky… and I tried to drive it as smoothly as possible, but it would still jerk occasionally. However, on an empty road or a highway, things get a lot smoother. This is where the Iriz shines. It rides like a much, much bigger car on the highway. You can drive at 150 kmh and thread a needle… ok, maybe not, but you get the idea.
The second time I went behind the wheel of an Iriz, it was in mid-November, and this time, a 1.3 manual. Mannnn I really thought I was in a whole different car ! The gear lever… the way it shifts about and ‘clicks’ in… it all feels just right. You can even rev up to 4,000 rpm and the car will not vibrate excessively, like some small cars do. The steering is extremely light, you can steer with one finger if you want. I didn’t get a chance to drive it around bends, but maybe in the near future, I will… with the 1.6 MT at that.
I completely understand why the Iriz is no.1 on Hafriz’s list… it’s a car which shouldn’t surprise anyone, it’s supposed to be an A-to-B mode of transport… and yet, it does. A LOT. You just need to look past the surface, look past the badge and you’ll find that the Iriz is a lot more than meets the iris… ( get it, eye ? iris ? Iriz ? … never mind ).
So have you driven the Fiesta ST and compare the both?
another guy who doesn’t read
As one of the iriz user, i think it is the best so far. Banyak komen negative pasal iriz, tak penah naik and drive pon boleh ckp tak best, like seriously?
Okay,the comments here are just in havoc.
First of all,all the big fuss of the Iriz on the top of Hafriz’s list. It impressed him the most than the Fiesta ST. Key word:impress. Just because it impressed him more than the Fiesta,doesn’t mean it is better than the Fiesta,as the title shows ‘the cars that impressed them the most’. Many read it like it showed ‘the best car of the lot according to the writers’.
Secondly,this isn’t a list to influence a buyer into purchasing their next car:this is again,Their pick that impressed them the most,not you or anyone else. If you wanna know about the car,read their review. If you wanna compare,use CarBase.my. The final decision on what car to purchase is in your hands,you decide what you want.
SameLorr would definitely complain on my comment. Please dude,just don’t. We read your complaints,we’re sick and tired. Don’t tell me to buy an Iriz,I did not support it in my comment whatsoever.
Oh,and have a Happy New Year,folks.
Paultan.org should also review about “The paultan.org 2014 Top Five cars list – the writers each pick five that less impressed them the most this year”
Paultan/org should also put in a review about less impressive car/s for 2014
Then there should be more reviews on Korean Cars
PT team has pick tops cars which has weakness too, but what important chose car based on their own terms. So it comes to can you adapt to weakness and work on the strengths of a car. I choose Ford 1.0 ecoboost car my top list.
JJT driving Tata is somehow interesting and different in this long article.
Hafriz if you can read my comment, thanks for saying what I wanted to say about the design of Iriz. It’s really on the overdone side of the thing. But I guess it should be a bomb to drive, given proton superb record on handling department.
Nice writeup guys. really enjoy reading the whole thing.
lol for F sake, its the cars the IMPRESSED them the most. Not the best car of 2014.
My List of Top 5?
5. Merc A Class
4. Merc GLA
3. Merc C Class
2. Merc CLA
1. Merc S Class
Feel free to disagree with me… They are all on waiting list by the way..
Not to mention their waiting list is longer than Iriz lol
Hi, what is 2014 top SUV??
Ask same.lorrr he would say hailat (hilux)
ask others it’s not even in the list!!!!!!!!
LOLOLOLOL
What i would like to see in your website is the top five picks for the 2014 in various segments like hatchbacks, class B sedans, class C sedans, suv, mpv and luxury cars. So that reader càn pick from the segment he/she is looking for. The current top five picks from the individual writers is quite confusing as it does not suggest any top five as pautan as an automobile website. That will be quite a good output to see.
Malaysian need reasonable priced car.
Current price is ridoculous regardless is P1,P2,Sushi, Kimchi, pork leg,etc.
Overprice car paid, get nothing.
Current fuel on floating.
No more subsidy,
This year GST,
We should not silly,
Pay high cost for crappy.
James Tan mentioned that “Volkswagen Golf GTI is already a terribly fast car” I would say yes, definetely yes.. My fren used to drive a sports car and a Golf GTI manage to drive at the same speed as my fren on highway where we was almost at the full speed. I was like “wow, how can this be?”
If Danny Tan gets to read this i would say yes, there definetely a lot to like about this Golf GTI and the engine itself is a great thing!
Golf listed in Top 5? Not bad. As i expected from VW.
This is the prove to counter many comments saying that VW and Proton are actually same quality in terms of performance and design. When a car got listed in top 5 by some very well known car blogger in Malaysia, u know that shit is getting very serious. Grats VW!
This is the prove to show the world that VW still got the sting to compete in the car manufacturing industry and produce more quality cars. When a car got listed in top 5 by some very well known car blogger in Malaysia, u know that shit is getting very serious. Grats VW!
@orangutan
I have been driving golf gti for the past 1 year as my daily car and so far it doesn’t give me much headahche like previous cars I had. Just that some minor ones which every cars will have. The overall handling, safety features, everything is within the standard for the price I paid. I’m happy for my driving experience so far and i feel it is well qualified to be in the top 5 cars in 2014.