Tung Nguyen's Top 5 cars of 2023: From the Honda ZR-V to the Lamborghini Huracan STO

The automotive industry is in a period of such rapid change that the definition of what constitutes a ‘good’ car is also quickly shifting.

You could carve up the market on value, performance, styling, safety and any other number of ways to determine what is a winner and what is a loser – the possibilities are nearly endless!

But this is my list of the top five cars I’ve driven this year and, as a boy racer at heart, these are the handful of vehicles that have sparked the most joy in 2023.

Honda Civic Type R

Though the Civic Type R might not the fastest, cheapest or most raucous hot hatch available in Australia, the mighty Honda might be the perfect performance pocket rocket.

And that’s because it balances all elements of a hot hatch so supremely well.

There’s the practicality side of things to consider, and with my week with the Type R, it was the perfect companion to drop off and pick-up the toddler from childcare.

The latest generation Civic has also elevated its fit and finish to truly semi-premium levels, and the Type R takes that further thanks to bucket seats, an Alcantara steering wheel and sunroof.

Finally, the engine is just so divine, with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol powertrain punching out a sizeable 235kW/420Nm that is fed to the front wheels via a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox.

But what clinches it for the Civic is just how poised it is dynamically - especially shocking for a front-drive performance car.

The backend feels like it rotates around in a corner, and the feedback and feel from the steering is only matched from something wearing a Porsche badge.

Worth $72,600 drive-away asking price? You betcha.

Lamborghini Huracan STO

Timing is everything, and in my time with the Huracan STO my experience was truly special.

And it’s not just because it’s a limited-edition, hardcore, mid-engine supercar designed to be more athletic than its ‘standard’ Huracan peers.

The Huracan STO ended up being the first car I reviewed after the birth of my second child, and after four months of sleepless nights, nappy changes and Uber Eats, this Lambo was a hell of a reintroduction into automotive journalism.

On paper, the Huracan STO pushes out 470kW/565Nm from its 5.2-litre V10 engine, but in reality, it’s so much more special than that.

As a harder-edged version of the long-running Huracan, Lamborghini has dialled in its entry-level mid-engine supercar to razor-sharp precision.

And with a gargantuan $596,000 before on-road costs price tag, I might have babied the Huracan STO more than my actual baby, but with its bright orange paintwork and ear-splitting exhaust, there was no escaping the allure of the Huracan STO.

Cupra Born

While I have driven nearly every other electric car available in Australia before, the Cupra Born was the first that made me seriously consider buying one.

For starters, the Born looks futuristic without being ugly like some other EVs available in Australia, while it also blends performance with practicality thanks to its five-door hatchback body style.

Don’t believe the marketing though, the Cupra Born is not an electric hot hatch – it’s much more of a warm one, but that’s no bad thing.

With 170kW/310Nm from a single electric motor feeding the rear wheels, this tailpipe emissions-free Cupra is a hoot to drive, but certainly doesn’t come close to the thrills of something like a Honda Civic Type R or even a Hyundai i30 N.

What seals the deal however, is the massive 82kWh battery pack, which enables a driving range of around 500km, meaning you could genuinely only charge the Born once a week and be fine with commuting - depending where you live.

All this for under $60,000 makes the Cupra Born a very appealing package, and an EV that the many people can actually afford.

Mazda CX-90

Mazda has made a lot of noise about marching more upmarket, and this move was meant to be shepherded by the CX-60.

However, the mid-size SUV based on the new platform with new engines ended up feeling a little underbaked… but the CX-90 large SUV addresses all of those concerns.

As Mazda’s new flagship model, you’d expect it to feel premium, polished and poised on the road, and the CX-90 nails all three with panache.

The interior, at least in the top-spec Azami with Takumi pack, is not only the best designed at this price point, it also makes German contenders look like drab and dreary.

The 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder engines, in both petrol and diesel forms, are also fantastic, and paired to the new eight-speed automatic ensure a smooth driving experience.

Sure, the ride is a little bit harsh, but the trade-off for that is taught, tight and engaging dynamics – characteristics seldom seen in any SUV, let alone a large one with three-rows of seating.

The big caveat here however, is that the CX-90 is expensive – the test car I had was $100,000 – so this new Mazda might not be for everyone.

Honda ZR-V

What’s this? Another Honda on the list? You better believe it!

The Japanese car manufacturer has been on an absolute hot steak recently with the new-generation Civic and HR-V both impressing in terms of quality and comfort, and the all-new ZR-V is no different.

As a mid-size SUV (albeit a smaller one), the ZR-V has to stack up against the likes of the popular Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5, and boy howdy, does it!

With confident styling on the outside and a quality, well-built interior on the inside, the ZR-V impresses from the get go.

However, it’s the driving dynamics that are a welcome surprise, because the ZR-V actually feels… dare I say… fun behind the wheel?

There’s a level of engagement and feedback that feels just right for an everyday grocery getter, making trips into the city office less dull.

And I didn’t even drive the hybrid version, which by all accounts, feels even better!

Do yourself a favour if you are looking for a family SUV, don’t sleep on the Honda ZR-V.