Our Favorite Cars of 2015

“After driving 40 vehicles for nearly 20,000 miles across the U.S in 2015, we’ve learned a thing or two about some of the hottest vehicles in the market. But most of all, we’ve accomplished what we originally set out to do—make family memories behind wheel.”

2015 is practically over, and yet I’m still here—sitting on this chair, tired, with bags under my eyes, and a sore back. Oh, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be going blind in less than two years from staring into a computer monitor for so long.

I’ve always been apprehensive to rank or chose favorite cars, as it’s a big priority of mine to remain unbiased and fair. After all, our only focus is to provide car reviews and car advice based on our personal experiences, and without being influenced by what the more traditional automotive websites and magazines say. In the end, we write our own stuff and share our own message.

Anyway, I’m sure you’re dying to know the intricate method of how we chose our favorite cars of 2015, as well as the “2015 Drives With Girls Car Of The Year”. Trust me, it wasn’t complicated, I simply went around and asked Missi and the kids which was their favorite car, and why. That’s it!

Heads up; you’ll notice there is no “Jerry’s favorite car”, and that’s because as the head of the automotive editorial team (haha), I’ve chosen to remain unbiased. What I did do, was  nominate a total of 8 cars and had everyone including myself vote for their overall favorite. Therefore, the winner is truly the people’s choice. Or, in this case, the family’s choice.

Okay, enough democracy. Let’s get started!

2016 Mazda Miata MX-5

Nevaeh’s favorite. Leave it up to the blonde and blue-eyed pre-teen to choose the candy red, convertible sports car. But what’s there not to love? There’s a reason why Mazda took so long to release the latest edition of their legendary budget racer, but the long wait has yielded big dividends.

Not only is the MX-5 incredible to drive if you’re a gear-head and wannabe race car driver, but also if you’re a mom, dad, single, married, young, old, and apparently— even a popular pre-teen girl.

When asked why she loved the Mazda so much? She said, “because it doesn’t have a roof, and everyone stares at it”. In my book those are completely legitimate reasons, plus it starts at under $25,000!

2015 Lexus RC-F

Ryan’s favorite. Boys will be boys, and love fast toys. Though this “toy” happens to be powered by a mighty-fine 5.0-liter V8 engine, which produces a towering 467-horsepower. Its violent, yet delicious exhaust is capable of waking the dead, and the best part—no turbos. Pure and powerful displacement is what makes the RC-F a true high-tech muscle car.

Ryan only gets a chance to join us during summers, or family trips, but he still had a solid amount of cars to choose from, but he remains faithful to the Lexus. So when I asked Ryan what he loved the most about the RC-F, he said “it looks like the Batmobile.”

Sure it costs nearly 70-grand, but a 9 year-old boy can dream, and so can I, and so can you. If you can’t shell out big bucks for an RC-F, you can always go with the equally handsome and much less expensive RC350.

2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk & Ford Mustang GT

Josephine’s favorites. Yes, two favorites. Is it unfair? Probably. But she’s 4 years-old and loves cars. The fact that she chose a car that we drove months ago, as well as one that we drove weeks ago shows her commitment to narrowing down her choices… But in the end, she just “loved both of them”.

My future engineer who loves opening and closing mechanisms such as glove-boxes, and arm-rests, amongst other things, loved the Renegade for it’s removable My Sky roof panels, and the Mustang for its power.

The Jeep was one of our five contenders to the 2015 DWG Car Of The Year, and everyone that has ever talked to me about cars knows how much I love it. This capable little thing is hands down my favorite crossover/small SUV for under 30-grand.

Now, when it comes to the Pony Car, there’s not much that I can say that hasn’t been said. It’s fast, violent, and extremely sexy.

In the wise words of Josephine and Ricky Bobby—“I wanna go fast”.

2015 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

Missi’s favorite. You’d figure that for someone as petite and feminine as Missi, a lifted, bulky, aggressive and blacked-out off-roading machine wouldn’t be that appealing. But as it turns out, it’s quite the opposite.

For all fairness, Missi’s choice all along was the 2015 Infiniti QX80 Limited, but when the 4Runner arrived, she no longer cared for that whale of a car. Missi and I may not agree on everything, but I certainly side with her on this one.

This mean-looking machine off-roads like a champ, and rides plus and quiet on the highway, therefore making it a perfect vehicle for anyone that spends their weekdays in the city, but loves to venture out on the weekends. Oh, and if a Zombie Apocalypse takes place, the 4Runner has you covered.

At 43-grand, it surely isn’t cheap, but it’s worth every penny.

2015 Car Of The Year Contenders

These little guys (plus the favorites mentioned above) made the short list, which means we totally love every single one of them. But after carefully evaluating their general purpose, fit, feel, price, and value, only one could come out on top.

2015 Kia Sedona SXL: Hands down the coolest minivan on the market.

2016 Honda Pilot Elite: Most family-friendly SUV that isn’t boring.

2015 Infiniti QX80 Limited: The definition of living, and spending large.

2016 Nissan Maxima Platinum: Coolest, most fun, and best looking family mid-size sedan.

2015 Ford F-150 Lariat FX4: Best family-friendly pickup truck.

2015 Mercedes Benz AMG E63S Wagon: Best grocery getter.

2015 Nissan Murano Platinum: The only SUV that rivaled our winner. But a few details kept it from reaching the top spot. (It even served as an official wedding vehicle)

Drum roll…

2015 Drives With Girls Car Of The Year

2016 Honda Pilot Elite AWD

When I first saw the all-new Honda Pilot at it’s unveiling during the Chicago Auto Show in February, I just new it was gonna rock.

It looks great, it drives great, and it just fits our family like a glove. The rear accommodations are perfect for babies, toddlers, and teenagers alike, which means the Honda Pilot can grow with families over the years. Which is something that all Honda owners love and look forward to.

The Pilot’s best quality is it’s attitude. The styling is on point by being sleek without being overly futuristic or cheesy. The powerful V6 engine provides excellent and smooth power, the all-wheel drive delivers great traction under all weather conditions, and the Honda Sensing package delivers high-tech safety comparable to vehicles with much steeper price tags.

If you’re in the market for a family-friendly SUV, the Honda Pilot has got to be at the top of your list.