Audi R8, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Volkswagen GTI among Market Watch cars of the year

The Weekly Driver can’t get enough of car lists. Best, worst, most economic, most expensive, best resale, least reliable. There’s repetition in the lists. But there’s also relief when someone likes the Nissan Cube, the Volkswagen TDI and Mazda MX-5, as examples, as much as The Weekly Driver.

Ron Amadon, an auto writer and morning news anchor on the MarketWatch Radio Network based in Washington, D.C., has just published his best-of-the-end-of-the-decade list. Details of how he selected his list aren’t provided, except the reviews are for the calendar year, not model year. Fun to drive is also a high priority.

The list is succinct, pertinent and fun. Here it is with a comment about each selection:

Best sports car: Audi R8. Simply the best Audi ever.

Biggest surprise: Kia Soul, Nissan Cube. Auto styling goes cubist.

Cars of the year: Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Volkswagen GTI.

Best sedan: Hyundai Genesis. Smooth and solid at a good price.

Best family value: Volvo XC60. Nowhere will you find a smoother, more refined ride.

Best gas sipper: VW Jetta TDI. You will never know it is a diesel by driving it.

Proof that Detroit ain’t dead yet: Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, GMC Terrain, Ford Transit.

Best “uber alles” car: Mercedes C63 AMG. After the AMG, I want to write OMG.

Comeback kid: Ford Mustang GT. The 4.6 liter V8 delivers 315 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 325 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm.

Best green car: Nissan Leaf. Outstanding range of 100 miles and incredibly quiet.

Other notables: The BMW Z4, Mercedes Benz S400 Hybrid, Mazda MX5 Miata

Car I want to drive so bad: McLaren Mp-4-12C.

To read Rom Amadon’s complete article, visit: Market Watch Cars of the Year