MY Top 12...

So our annual Top 12 issue hits the shelves this week and the combined CAR team will tell you what we think you should be buying in the coming year. The voting process took place a few weeks back as we all sat around a large wooden table either excitedly raising our hands or frowning in disbelief as a member of the team sitting opposite raised his/her arm to cast a vote. The end results of that democratic voting process are now in print for you to agree or disagree with, but that doesn't mean that I can't add my two cents worth in the dictatorship that is Ian's world...

Best budget car

It's amazing how many of the contenders in this segment don't see the potential for sales domination. Models like the Suzuki Alto and Hyundai i10 would easily contest the top spot here were packaged correctly. Why not offer ABS brakes instead of, for example, electric windows or even a sound system? Every year we base this segment on safety, and for good reason, and every year we exclude otherwise very competent models because they don't meet the grade in terms of standard safety equipment on-board.

Best light car

The Honda Jazz wins again, and it probably should in terms of its reputation for reliability, comfort, resale and after-sales service, but lets face it, it's a mom's car. Hell, my mom drives one. In my mind the winner of this segment should be a car that has a broader appeal and easily blends into shopping mall, university, and beach car parks. There are some big name contenders in this segment, including Fiesta, Corsa, Yaris, Clio, and recently launched new Polo, but I would have a Mazda2, thank you. The price has gone up a bit lately, which probably counted against it in the voting, but the smallest Mazda has the looks, quality, dynamics and backing of a revitalized and enthusiastic motor company. Also, what I like most about the car, it's likely to retain an element of exclusivity in a sea of white Yaris' and silver Polo's.

Best compact car

The new Golf is good. Detractors will tell you that it's not different enough from the car it replaces but, similar to how Porsche has handled the evolution of the 911, Volkswagen was never going to take a huge risk with its already good breadwinner. Park Golf 6 alongside a Golf 5 and there are enough subtle changes evident to justify the generation gap. We have to tell you that the perceived quality is good because we don't know what it'll be like two or three years down the line but this is a pretty good starting point. The Honda Civic is also a very good option, but again, let's face it, what is the average age of the owner of these cars, and how many do you actually see on the roads. Money being no object, I'd have an Audi A3. It's a Golf with a more exclusive badge on the front grille. The Sportback version caters for those who require more versatility, and the two-door and cabriolet versions offer a touch of elegance and sophistication.

Best compact executive car

This is a tricky category for me because I've driven good and bad examples from each of the main contenders here. The C-Class wins it in the mag, and I can't argue with the decision, but Mercedes-Benz still struggles slightly with its "old man's car" image. Oh, I forgot, you can get an AMG package on a C200 these days, but surely all that does is make the actual AMG versions less exclusive? The new Audi A4 is very impressive but I think it's lost some of its edge in its latest design.

From some angles it can look a bit awkward and frumpy. The 3 Series will always be popular, no matter what we say, and there are some very impressive models on the market, not least the 330i, 330d, and 335i but I can't help but feel that BMW is trading on its reputation a bit at the moment. I drove an ever-popular 320i again recently and, apart from the heavy steering, unrefined ride (widely attributed to run-flat technology) and third prize interior (behind Audi and Mercedes) there was very little to get excited about under the bonnet.

It's such a pity that models like the Mazda6, Honda Accord and Volvo S40 don't get the recognition they deserve in this market. Each one offers more standard equipment, value for money and after-sales service than any of the three brands mentioned above.

Best executive saloon

No complaints here. The Jaguar XF deserves its victory. It's innovative, well put together and even manages to look relatively sporty, especially next to the likes of the boring E-Class, stately Lexus GS and outgoing 5 Series.

Put it this way, I look forward to being an executive now that there is a car on the market that won't instantly age me once I take ownership of it.

Best grand saloon

So the design of a car is subjective. Fair enough. Well, in that case I, subjectively, don't think there isn't a good-looking car in this entire segment. I do like the Italian flair that the Quattroporte offers and I like the Panamera, from some angles. The Aston Martin Rapide should have this segment wrapped up in the looks department when it arrives then.

Each manufacturer has loaded their flagship model with everything that their engineering department could possible invent at the time of going to production so it's your guess as to which is the cleverest and which of these new technologies the world actually needs. If I had to pick one, it'd take the Quattroporte and start saving for its maintenance.

Best hot hatch

There can be no denying that the GTI is now firmly back at the top of its game and the segment that it essentially created. There will always be rivals and, quite frankly, that's a good thing. Each one offers something unique and will have die-hard fans arguing around dinner and pub tables for the foreseeable future. Personally I love the GTI, and always have, but can't help thinking that it's a victim of its own success. They are everywhere! Black has to be the most popular colour and everyone opts for the optional bigger wheels.

I remember hearing that, at one point, up to 45 per cent of Golf 5's sold in South Africa had a GTI badge on the back. This is why I was so excited when Volkswagen launched the Scirocco. So what if it doesn't have back doors. How often do you really have people in the back seat of your hot hatch, and if you do, do those friends really mind climbing in through the front doors? The VW Scirocco now has the same power as the GTI, offers even better handling, is guaranteed to be more unique, and, in my opinion, looks fantastic. Also worth mentioning in this category, as we did in the magazine, is the very underrated Renault Clio Sport. Driven properly there won't be too many cars on the road that will keep up with this car on the twisty bits.

Best sports/performance car

This is a tricky one. You can understand why the Gallardo won this category in the magazine after its dominant performance during our January issue shootout and I have to say that's an awesome piece of machinery. It looks and sounds fantastic, is glamorous, and, best of all, is breathtakingly capable. So then, no argument from me? Not quite. I have no doubt that the Lambo was the best overall car present at the shootout, but then, there were a few notable absentees from the event. I don't have enough experience to comment on those red cars, though my 50-odd kilomtres behind the wheel of a 430 Scuderia last year were pretty spectacular, but what I do have are some accumulated Voyager miles behind the wheel of Porsche 911s. The Porsche Boxster S performed admirably during the shootout and, I think, surprised more than a few of the more expensive and performance orientated cars on display, but likes of the 911 Turbo, GT2 and GT3 would surely have divided the final voting. What I can say for certain is that the GT3 remains the best car that I have driven in the past 12 years of working at Car magazine, based purely in terms of it being the least intimidating, most capable, most enjoyable supercar that I've come across. Would love to be in a position to have to make this decision for real.

A special mention needs to be made for the BMW M3 fitted with an M-DCT transmission. This is the first paddle-shift car that has made me re-think my penchant for manual ‘boxes. This car is effortlessly capable and stunning to drive.

Best MPV/SW

You'd be silly not to go with the guys who do it best in this segment, and that's Renualt. They've thought of everything, especially the packaging to suit exactly the market they are aiming at. The Toyota Verso does the job it advertises in the brochure but at the least Renault Grand Scenic and Mazda (5) haven't given up completely on the mom who has to drive these types of vehicles and at least she can still feel slightly trendy and fashionable when she hits the shopping mall between school runs.

Best compact SUV

The Koleos will be bought by women. That's not to say it isn't a very good vehicle and capable of going further off-road that any of its owners will ever venture, but it looks like a girls car, and is. If you intend using your SUV to actually go off-road, buy a Land Rover Freelander. If you want to impress on the school run and outside the coffee shops, spend the extra money and buy the Audi Q5. My money would be on either the Volvo XC60 or the VW Tiguan, but let's wait and see just how good the new Kia Sportage and Hyundai iX will be.

Best SUV

Again, how far off-road are you planning on heading? I never thought I'd say it, but I would prefer a Range Rover Sport (turns out I have a bit of footballer in me after all) because it offers unbelievable dynamics and imposing looks to the off-roader package. I've always thought the VW Touareg is a bit under rated in this category. Perhaps it isn't glamorous enough, considering it's essentially the cheaper version of a Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7...

Best pick-up

The Toyota Hilux wins again and probably rightly so. It dominates the sales charts, not only because of the (somewhat shaky at the moment) reputation for reliability established by Toyota, but also because the Hilux remains the most refined "bakkie" on the roads at the moment. At the end of the day most of the rivals in this segment are, in the right hands, as capable as the other so refinement has to be the deciding factor. I loved my year spent with an Isuzu KB and, if you got through to my desk when phoning our offices, I'd recommend it based on my experience. I've just driven the new Volkswagen Amarok, due here later this year and I will guarantee that it'll be contesting top spot in our Top 12 voting next year, even if the range will take some time to establish itself.