2010 Top 10 Cars
- Published: 31/12/2010 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Motoring
We shortlist the best cars driven on Thai roads this year, although not all are exactly great to drive.
BMW 525d
Price: B4.399m.
What's cool: The country's latest executive car offers the best level of comfort, packs a decent amount of technology and oozes with the right deal of luxury. Then, there's that smooth, punchy and economical drivetrain.
Achilles heel: It's not the best car to drive in its class anymore.
In a line: A BMW that is now more relevant to Thai luxury car punters.
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FORD FIESTA 1.6
Price: B654,000-699,000.
What's cool: The market's newest B-segment contender is playing the game right with stylish looks, class-leading driving dynamics and smooth and efficient engine/transmission combination.
Achilles heel: The engine doesn't feel as powerful as its figures suggest.
In a line: The B-sized hatchback with most product substance.
TOYOTA COROLLA 1.8
Price: B864,000-919,000.
What's cool: The nation's best-selling C-segment saloon has received a substantial update this year by getting tweaked looks and, more importantly, a punchy, smooth and economical drivetrain to compensate for the bland driving manners.
Achilles heel: You feel like an unimaginative stock-broker driving it.
In a line: Ample evidence that petrol power can still be improved.
NISSAN MARCH
Price: B459,000-537,000.
What's cool: Because competition is not yet in sight (okay, soon), Thailand's first Ecocar looks great on paper thanks to it nearly being a B-segment hatch in size but priced in uncharted territory.
Achilles heel: The automatic stop/go system is quite useless.
In a line: A new breed of people's car has emerged.
MAZDA CX-9
Price: B3.69m.
What's cool: Thanks to the Thai-Japanese FTA, Mazda's flagship SUV is priced to shame many European counterparts. It's specced well, takes seven, is comfortable and drives like a proper luxury SUV.
Achilles heel: That petrol V6 is becoming out of fashion.
In a line: Good proof that Mazda can build a Lexus.
We shortlist the best cars driven on
Thai roads this year, although not all are exactly great to drive
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TOYOTA PRIUS
Price: B1.19-1.27m
What's cool: The world's first mass-produced hybrid comes to Thai production lines giving Thais the chance to be eco-conscious when driving with pure electricity in town. Oh, it's realistically priced, too.
Achilles heel: Are those wheels and tyres from a pre-production prototype?
In a line: Once and for all, Toyota brings its latest tech to Thailand.
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4 TDV6
Price: B6.75m.
What's cool: When it comes to offering a combination of on- and off-roading driving ability, nothing comes close to the Disco. As well, a newly resolved diesel rounded off its facelift this year.
Achilles heel: It's still a very heavy vehicle.
In a line: An off-roader that can teach on-road SUVs a few tricks.
VOLVO S60
Price: B2.99m.
What's cool: The next junior executive raises the game by introducing stylish looks, novel safety tech and smooth turbo performance to a class dominated by the too-predictable Germans.
Achilles heel: The class norm has already gone diesel.
In a line: Another S60 that deserves to come out from the shade.
PROTON EXORA
Price: B819,000.
What's cool: It may look dull and come from a bland brand, but this Malaysian-made MPV is great value when it comes to body size, driving ability and specification.
Achilles heel: New engine, please.
In a line: The people's MPV.Auto Review , auto shipping reviews.
VOLKSWAGEN SCIROCCO 2.0T
Price: B2.46m.
What's cool: The relative of the Golf GTI _ which earned a place in last year's top 10 _ is an obvious winner due to its keen price and accessible performance and chassis dynamics. It even looks better than the Golf.
Achilles heel: There are no personalised schemes to choose from.
In a line: Volkswagen can produce cars that are good to look at and drive.
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