The GREAT Debate: What Is The BEST Daily Driver On The Market Right NOW?

For 405 traffic in LA? Ford Fusion SE

It's my "go to" car when I head to Newport Beach to deal with high dollar car issues

Some good choices there, I would add the Ford Fiesta ST as a kind of sleeper choice. If you live in areas with a lot of snowy weather there are now options like the BMW 2 series Xdrive, the new Audi A3 sedan, VW Golf R... All good options that will also provide the entertainment/chuckles requirement and ok mpg. Not sure if any of the small SUVs could meet the above criteria... Maybe the small premium ones have enough chuckle factor and eek out enough mpg to be considered...Q3, Evoque, X1, GLA??? My personal choice would be the ubiquitous BMW 3 series. They just drive good, feel good, handle better, even in the base models, than any front wheel drive derived car, have good reliability, pretty good mpg, safe, can haul a good load (esp wagon) if you stop at Lowes/Home Depot on the way home, can take buddies or execs or clients to lunch if needed...and.at the end of the drive you have enjoyed the trip and get out feeling relaxed. BMW 3series, the ultimate chameleon commuter car.

Oh!

Actually, over the Focus ST I'd pick the Fiesta ST. Just me though!

That is what I did pick... the Fiesta ST :)

Smiles for miles? Subaru WRX. I miss the last gen Legacy GT and Spec B.

The all-new WRX is brilliant. A bit more mature over the last-gen and a great driver.

Even better for those tired of three pedals, it now has an autobox.

My company car - a Ford Fusion Hybrid - is a good choice. I rarely average less than 41mpg - it is roomier than a Prius - comfortable - handles decently for a basic sedan, About the only thing I would like is a larger trunk. At least it does have a spare tire though.

Great car!

I nailed 40 mpg not even trying and it has decent pick up. Yes, definitely more roomy than a Prius. Dead on about the trunk space that's eaten up by batteries.

But it is the ONLY reasonably priced hybrid with folding rear seats for more storage.

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Toyota Prius

BMW 3 series with 6 speed is a great daily driver. However I do hate, hate, hate the run flats and I try to drive something else on the long trips after having been stranded several times late at night, far from home, without a spare. Whatever I buy next MUST have a spare.

Because of frequently bad weather I need AWD, want high performance, practicality and looks that blend in with the traffic (less visible to cops).
That's what I drive currently, a '14 E63S AMG.

Definitely a solid pick for all your needs.

Let me ask you, did you ever drive the same generation without all-wheel drive? Did you find it a bit more comfortable and a bit more fun?

The "best" is a very subjective thing. Speaking only for *myself*, I'm immensely pleased with my new Audi Q5 3.0 turbo-diesel. I like it for its "mission versatility": It's comfortable, roomy, lots of cargo space for hauling stuff (like drums, or a new barbecue). It gets surprisingly good fuel economy (35 MPG @ 60 mph, and around 40 MPG @ 50 mph -- REAL, not EPA or indicated on dash), and it has tons of power (240 hp/428 ft-lb) for brisk acceleration that resembles a big-block hemi.

For *me*, it's a versatile, well-rounded, great-feeling, beautiful-looking daily driver.

I did not think of the diesel options on SUVs when I posted above. Agree - we had an X5 35d and it was very fuel efficient, handled well, of course versatile and pretty fun! Good choice on the Q5 3.0td.

valhallakey: BTW, some of the things that sold me on Audi's V6 diesel were:
(1) No clattering. It sounds similar to a regular gas engine.
(2) No problem with winter starts, like old-school diesels
(3) No smoke or stink like from a transport truck or bus
(4) Good fuel economy AND monster torque

I don't think I could go back to gas! I'm off the gas price roller-coaster. Diesel is cheaper for me than regular gas (and most new cars need premium gas), and the price hasn't changed for weeks while gas prices have been edging up every few days.

Steve, where are you located?

In NJ diesel is religiously priced above 93 octane.

The Audi TDI motors are quite good! Glad to hear you're enjoying it.

Like I said we had an X5 35d and agree with the points you made...ditto for the X5. Now I mainly drive a 318d when in Europe and a Range Rover Evoque when in the US. This 318d is really a base model but I really like it. Huge mileage, great turn of speed, comfortable in that the suspension has been excellently judged, good steering feel/well weighted, nice brakes, clutch and shifter. In a way this base model reminded me of how well BMW does the basics of a good drivers car and I actually like it a lot more than the VW GTI it replaced. I also have a bit of a soft spot for the Evoque too. It can do a fair imitation of a hot hatch while having great off road credentials, getting decent mileage, offering good versatility etc... I guess it also meets the above criteria for a daily driver!

I think the MINI is hands down the winner for being the most fun and fuel efficient and inexpensive to buy/lease for the level of driving dynamics and quality you get.

Porsche Boxster. I've been commuting in a Porsche Boxster for 14 year now. 90% of the time, it is top down, commute to work then top down, commute home. Great daily pre/post work stress therapy.

Lexus LS460. Ultra quiet, ultra smooth, ultra reliable.

Like TheSteve said, this is 'for me' but the latest GT3...

Case in point, flew in from Osaka into Boston last night and I was tired and not in the best of moods after missing the bus to long-term parking and waiting 20 min for the next one... But 5 min into my drive home, the world was the most pleasant place in the world. I was all smiles, running through the tunnels not so fast but at decent RPMs, windows down...

A daily driver should make you happy. That car makes me happy... :)