I drove more than 30 cars this year as BI's auto reporter. These were 8 of my favorites.

With a starting price of $20,400, the Chevrolet Trax is GM's cheapest product offering in the US. Fortunately for consumers, the Trax is affordable transportation done right.

I was impressed by the subcompact crossover's attractive design, roomy cabin, and strong feature content, which includes standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration and the Chevy Safety Assist suite of assistance tech.

Even fully loaded with optional extras and with fees included, my Trax test car in 2RS trim fell firmly under $30,000 with an as-tested price of $27,085.

The Toyota Camry has been the best-selling passenger car in America for the past 22 years. This year, Toyota introduced the updated ninth-generation Camry, which features fresh looks, upgraded tech, and a new hybrid-only drivetrain.

The updates worked.

The new Camry isn't revolutionary but builds upon the excellence of past iterations, reminding us why Toyota's midsize sedan remains a sales powerhouse in a market dominated by SUVs.

The first-generation Palisade has been an absolute triumph for Hyundai. Introduced in 2019, the Palisade has been a sales and critical success.

I was genuinely impressed by the Palisade's premium look and feel, especially in the high-end Calligraphy trim. The Korean family hauler also offers one of the segment's most comprehensive suites of tech and safety features.

Not bad for Hyundai's first attempt at a midsize, three-row family SUV.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has long been the standard bearer for midsize luxury sedans. This year, Mercedes launched the sixth-generation E-Class sedan, known internally as the W214.

I was impressed by my 2024 Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic test car's smooth, mild-hybrid powertrain, refined cabin, and immersive tech experience. Overall, the new E-Class artfully blends elements of traditional luxury with the latest in advanced safety and infotainment technology.

The CX-50 Hybrid is Mazda's newest entry in the compact SUV market. I had the chance to spend a few days with a 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid in Premium Plus trim. The CX-50's Toyota-sourced hybrid drive system delivered peppy performance with good efficiency. I also enjoyed the CX-50's athletic looks and its smartly designed cabin.

Despite the popularity of three-row midsize family SUVs, there are surprisingly few options in the EV space. One of the first offerings in the segment from a mainstream brand is the all-new Kia EV9.

The EV9 is terrific. It's got plenty of range, loads of infotainment and assistance tech, futuristic styling, and a roomy, adaptable passenger cabin.

The BMW 5-Series is one of the world's great sports sedans. With the launch of the new eighth-generation 5-Series this year, BMW also introduced an EV version called the i5.

Despite weighing a hefty 5,200 pounds, my 2024 BMW i5 M60 xDrive test car was a blast to drive. According to BMW, it can sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in a scant 3.7 seconds. I'm also a fan of its luxurious cabin and understated but attractive styling.

The Porsche 911 is an automotive icon in the truest sense of the word, representative of what a sports car should be. It's meticulously honed to be perfectly docile for your daily commute and ruthlessly effective on the racetrack.

I spent some time behind the wheel of a 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet with a striking Lugano Blue paint job. I was blown away by 911's crisp-shifting, six-speed manual transmission, beautifully tuned handling, and melodic twin-turbocharged boxer engine.