This post is brought to you not to simply feature the newest, but the best cars for 2013. Moreover, all of them are under $80,000. It was Car and Driver, guys who have deep-rooted themselves on the internet, and they named 2013 10 best cars. It took one week and a distance of over 15,000 miles for their editors to drive each all-new 2013 model priced under $80,000. While some of the automakers are proud to find themselves in Car and Driver’s 10 best list not even once, some of them have taken the crown numerous times with the same vehicle featured for over a decade. So here they are, the top cars of 2013 chosen by Car and Driver:

2013 Audi A6 3.0T / S6 / A7 3.0T / S7 

First off, it’s good to see a couple of stunning “Ss” making it to the top in the year 2013. When compared to the significantly powerful BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, the S6 has actually beaten them. Carrying the 420-hp, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 under its hood, the hot sedan turned out to be an inexhaustible machine, which is more cohesive and less fiddly than models with the price of additional $20,000. What Audi implemented is the beautiful and sensible interiors, yet not featuring the unnecessary complication. What also makes the unbeatable luxury sports-car range? It is the accurate steering, the abundant power, and an unflappable chassis.

Specs:

Vehicle Type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 4–5-passenger, 4-door sedan or 5-door wagon

Base Price: $51,295–$79,695

Engines: supercharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter V-6, 310 hp, 325 lb-ft; twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve 4.0-liter V-8, 420 hp, 406 lb-ft

Transmissions: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode, 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

Wheelbase: 114.7 in

Length: 193.9–195.6 in

Width: 73.8–75.2 in Height: 55.9–57.8 in

Curb Weight: 4050–4550 lb

EPA City/HWY Fuel Economy: 17–18/27–28 mpg

BMW 3-Series Sedan

BMW 3-Series Sedan is on this list, because it has one of the best overall packages on the market. Besides the improved fuel economy because of two turbocharged engines, the 335i maintains almost undetectable NVH levels. Even though its body and interior have increased slightly, it had no impact on the weight penalty. While the front seats are supportive and comfy, the back seat is adult friendly. The 3-Series appeal now reaches a larger audience with five equipment lines to choose from (base, Modern, Luxury, Sport, and M Sport). It didn’t break the grip on the sports-sedan segment though.

Specs:

Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear- or 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

Base Price: $37,395–$45,695

Engines: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 240 hp, 255 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter inline-6, 300 hp, 300 lb-ft

Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

Wheelbase: 110.6 in

Length: 182.5 in

Width: 71.3 in Height: 56.3 in

Curb Weight: 3450–3750 lb

EPA City/HWY Fuel Economy: 20–24/28–34 mpg

2013 Ford Focus / Focus ST

Now, this car is priced slightly more than other models in the compact segment, but for extra money, the Focus is undoubtedly better. The automaker seems to have built the structure of Focus to compete with Mercedes-Benz, the suspension with Lotus, and the steering to compete with Porsche. The entire line, from the basic 160-hp model to the all-new 252-hp hot hatch, excels the compact caste. All the upgrades lifted the Focus away from its competition. 2013 Ford Focus ST seems to be a louder, hungrier and overall younger GTI!

Specs:

Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan or 5-door wagon

Base Price: $16,995–$24,495

Engines: DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 160 hp, 146 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 252 hp, 270 lb-ft

Transmissions: 5- or 6-speed manual, 6-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode

Wheelbase: 104.3 in

Length: 171.6–178.5 in

Width: 71.8 in Height: 57.7–58.4 in

Curb Weight: 2950–3250 lb

EPA City/HWY Fuel Economy: 23–28/32–40 mpg

2013 FORD MUSTANG GT/BOSS 302

The Boss 302 is a significantly meaner version of the already-potent ‘Stang GT. With the addition of the powerful V8 engine, an upgraded suspension and a more aggressive look, it’s a true sports car which is as comfortable on the roadtrack as when cruising the strip. Since the upgraded intake system and revised engine tuning were added to the standard Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter V8, the Boss 302 cranks out the impressive 444 hp, and that’s a significant jump over the previous 420 hp. Mated to an upgraded six-speed manual transmission, it features 380 lb-ft. of torque.

Specs:

Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2- or 4-passenger, 2-door coupe

Base Price: $31,095–$42,995

Engines: DOHC 32-valve 5.0-liter V-8, 420 hp, 390 lb-ft; DOHC 32-valve 5.0-liter V-8, 444 hp, 380 lb-ft

Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

Wheelbase: 107.1 in

Length: 188.1–188.5 in

Width: 73.9 in Height: 55.1–55.8 in

Curb Weight: 3650–3700 lb

EPA City/HWY Fuel Economy: 15–18/25–26 mpg

2013 Honda Accord

It may not be obvious from the first sight, but Honda has completely changed this midsize category heavyweight for the 2013 model year. In fact, every single inch of a model was revamped. In general, the new Accord has a more capacious interior and so much anticipated aesthetic tweaks. The ninth-gen Accord completely delivers on automaker’s “man-maximum, machine-minimum” philosophy. It’s amazing how easy it is to see out of, to point into a corner. It is so elegant and light and forgiving in its responses that one big fluid loop develops between man and machine. A change of materials resulted on greater rigidity and lower weight as well.

Specs:

Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 2-door coupe or 4-door sedan

Base Price: $22,470–$24,140

Engines: DOHC 16-valve 2.4-liter inline-4, 185–189 hp, 181–182 lb-ft; SOHC 24-valve 3.5-liter V-6, 278 hp, 252 lb-ft

Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

Wheelbase: 107.3–109.3 in

Length: 189.3–191.4 in

Width: 72.8 in Height: 56.5–57.7 in

Curb Weight: 3250–3450 lb

EPA City/HWY Fuel Economy: 18–27/28–36 mpg

2013 Honda Fit

There’s more intelligence found in the Fit than in many cars nearly twice its size. Being mechanically precise, it is respectful of gasoline, pared of excess fat, and graced with fluid handling. Not to mention that the Fit is a very practical and affordable automobile. Small on the outside and incredibly vast inside, Honda Fit has a 1.5-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that makes 117 hp and 106 lb-ft of torque.

Specs:

Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon

Base Price: $16,115–$17,850

Engine: SOHC 16-valve 1.5-liter inline-4, 117 hp, 106 lb-ft

Transmissions: 5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

Wheelbase: 98.4 in

Length: 161.6 in

Width: 66.7 in Height: 60.0 in

Curb Weight: 2500–2600 lb

EPA City/HWY Fuel Economy: 27–28/33–35 mpg

2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata

The Miata deserves respect for being the only inexpensive roadster still on the market for a quite a long period of time. It’s not the reason why this model is on the list though. Mazda MX-5 Miata keeps the top position for the eight straight year since it shows engineering rightness that goes beyond the performance figures. Carrying the 167 hp 4-cylinder engine under its hood, the roadster’s handling limits are unimpressive by sports-car standards. It’s not just raw performance, but a balanced chassis. With $24,515 starting price, the model keeps all that fun affordable.

Specs:

Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door roadster

Base Price: $24,515–$29,260

Engine: DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 158–167 hp, 140 lb-ft

Transmissions: 5- or 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

Wheelbase: 91.7 in

Length: 157.3 in

Width: 67.7 in Height: 49.0–49.4 in

Curb Weight: 2500–2650 lb

EPA City/HWY Fuel Economy: 21–22/28 mpg

2013 PORSCHE BOXSTER/BOXSTER S

The Boxster has been on the 10 best list already 13 times since its introduction in 1996. So it is the 14th time. How did the Boxster change? It is more spacious due to the longer wheelbase and lighter than its predecessor. The car’s new slinky body makes it look more like an exotic car than the 911’s younger brother. It’s amazing that the model is capable to stop from 70 mph in a shorter distance than the McLaren 12C. While the Boxster S accelerates as quickly as the 911, it’s not really about generating big performance figures. It has a genius steering and the 2.7-liter flat-six engine which sounds as thrilling as the 3.4-liter engine found in the S model.

Specs:

Vehicle Type: mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door roadster

Base Price: $50,450–$61,850

Engines: DOHC 24-valve 2.7-liter flat-6, 265 hp, 206 lb-ft; DOHC 24-valve 3.4-liter flat-6, 315 hp, 266 lb-ft

Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode

Wheelbase: 97.4 in

Length: 172.2 in

Width: 70.9 in Height: 50.0–50.1 in

Curb Weight: 2900–3000 lb

EPA City/HWY Fuel Economy: 20–22/28–32 mpg

 2013 Scion FR-S/ Subaru BRZ

The differences between the Scion FR-S and the Subaru BRZ include some exterior colors and a trim. Also, the BRZ is offered with a navigation unit, equating to a $1310 premium over the $24,955 FR-S. As for the hallmarks, they are: the electrically assisted steering that actually communicates and a chassis which flows between understeer and oversteer with brake. In fact, the “Subion” is a lot like the Boxster in these terms, only for about half the cost.

Specs:

Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe

Base Price: $24,955–$26,265

Engine: DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter flat-4, 200 hp, 151 lb-ft

Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

Wheelbase: 101.2 in

Length: 166.7 in

Width: 69.9 in Height: 50.6 in

Curb Weight: 2750–2800 lb

EPA City/HWY Fuel Economy: 22–25/30–34 mpg

2013 Volkswagen Golf/ GTI

The new VW is all about performance improvements. Powered by the 217hp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, the new GTI is faster than the previous model. While its top speed is 153 mph (up from 149), it accelerates in 6.6 seconds (down from 6.9 seconds). The model is available with the factory-fitted option boosting the power to 227 hp. This package is also responsible for the improved handling.

Specs:

Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 3- or 5-door hatchback

Base Price: $18,790–$24,790

Engines: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter diesel inline-4, 140 hp, 236 lb-ft; DOHC 20-valve 2.5-liter inline-5, 170 hp, 177 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 200 hp, 207 lb-ft

Transmissions: 5- or 6-speed manual, 6-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode, 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

Wheelbase: 101.5 in

Length: 165.4–165.9 in

Width: 70.0–70.3 in Height: 57.8–58.2 in

Curb Weight: 2900–3200 lb

EPA City/HWY Fuel Economy: 21–30/31–42 mpg
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