The Best Cars of 2011

It's taken thousands of pounds in fuel, plenty of late nights and a trolley or two of our favourite petrol station snacks to bring you this, our favourite cars of the year. From superminis to supercars, these are the best new cars launched in 2011.

1. Aston Martin Virage

The Aston Martin Virage splits the DB9 and the DBS on every parameter: price, performance and presence, it falls precisely between these two existing models. The result is either a sublime grand tourer or a lack of imagination, depending on your point of view.

2. Audi Q3

OK, so the looks aren't exactly exciting, but Audi enters the compact SUV sector with a quality product that will tick all the right boxes for a lot of people. Or at least, those people put off by the price of the Evoque.

3.BMW 1 series M coupe

Spiritual successor to the original M3 Evo, or brutal, steroidal upstart oik? The truth lies somewhere between the two, but the BMW 1 Series M Coupé is attainable M division entertainment in a compact package.

4. BMW 3 series

The new BMW 3 Series proves that the beautifully balanced, dynamically accomplished everyday BMW isn't dead. Smarter, cleaner and faster than the car it replaces, it makes its prestige rivals feel a little ancient.

5. BMW M5

Is this the perfect all round car? The new BMW M5 shakes the ground with its 560hp twin-turbo V8 and rocks our world with its astonishing handling and poise. Yet it will carry all the family and comfortably schlep down the motorway, too.

6. Chevrolet Volt

Finally, a future thinking electrically charged vehicle we can truly believe in. The Chevrolet Volt and its Vauxhall Ampera cousin use a range-extender drivetrain that makes long as well as short car journeys as ecologically sound as presently possible.

7. Ferrari 458 Spider

Ferrari gives us the first modern mid-engined supercar with a folding hardtop in the form of the 458 Spider. 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds and 198mph flat out means it's fast while the epic top-down wail from the 4.5-litre V8 makes it a blast.

8. Ferrari FF

Ferrari does a four-wheel drive estate car. It should be all wrong, but the FF is so right. A radical all-wheel drive system delivers all-weather grip yet much reduced weight while the big boot and decent back seat means four of you can comfortably experience the 660hp V12's might.

9.Ford Focus

Britain's best seller for a decade, the Ford Focus returns for a third generation as a 'world car' - meaning that for the first time it will be sold in a single guise all over the globe. It's lost a bit of edge as a result, but remains a strong all-rounder.

10. Honda Civic

The new Honda Civic looks like little more than an evolution of the previous model, yet focuses on delivering a refined yet involving driving experience that will have more prestige rivals looking over their shoulders, let alone that new Ford Focus.

11. Hyundai i40 Tourer

The Hyundai i40 brings the Koreans' traditional assets of high value and above-average warranty coverage together with striking design and impressively eco credentials to deliver a serious attack on the bread and butter big family car segment. Such a sensible choice for so many.

12. Jaguar XKR-S

Jaguar's fastest accelerating production car ever - and that includes the fabled XJ220 supercar - the XKR-S probably isn't one for Big Cat purists, what with all the wings and the graphics. But with 550hp, it isn't going to hang around long enough to care.

13. Jeep Grand Cherokee

By far the best Jeep in at least a generation, the latest Grand Cherokee brings a very American kind of luxury to the large SUV segment. All without compromising the marque's proper off-roading pedigree. An individual choice, sure - but no longer a bad one.

14. Kia Rio

The Kia Picanto could easily have made this list as well, but the Rio takes the spot for bringing great looks and a very mature driving experience to the budget end of the supermini segment. Great value and, if you pick the diesel, staggering mileage as well.

15. McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren may not have stormed to victory over Ferrari in the way it may have anticipated, but that doesn't stop the MP4-12C from being a truly incredible car. Supremely sophisticated suspension and a sledgehammer twin turbo V8 mean we'll always want one.

16. Mercedes Benz B Class

Though we're sad to see the end of the 'sandwich' floor design that made the previous B-Class so space efficient there's no denying the new car's more conventional looks will bring more buyers into showrooms. Proper Merc quality and refinement, too.

17. Mercedes Benz C63 AMG Black Series

Perhaps something of a niche choice, but none-the-less an awesome car: Mercedes AMG has taken the 'ordinary' C63 and turned it up to about 13. Wild wheel arches, functional aero packs and the small matter of 517hp make the Black Series bonkers but brilliant.

18. Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Another decapitated supercar - but one of rather different character. Designed from the beginning to be a Roadster, the SLS loses its attention-grabbing gullwing doors with exceptional grace. And oh how we love that 571hp 6.2-litre V8.

19. MINI Coupe

Perhaps one of the most controversial cars of 2011, the MINI Coupé may look a little odd but in John Cooper Works form it becomes the fastest 'series production' MINI ever. If the Audi TT is looking a little nervous, this is the reason why.

20. Range Rover Evoque

If ever a car actually lived up to the hype it's this one: the Range Rover Evoque is a spectacular blend of core brand values, jaw dropping design and accomplished performance. It's already a significant presence on the roads - let's just hope the reliability can cope.

21. Peugeot 508

Peugeot returns to the large car segment with something if not quite 'typically French' then certainly a credible alternative to the German norm. A smooth ride and some decent engines match the suave Gallic looks.

22. Porsche 911 991

A new 911 is always a milestone motoring event, and Porsche has turned the new '991' generation into a real technological showcase. More power yet greater efficiency, a seven-speed manual gearbox and active roll stabilisation. But has it lost some of that 911 charm?

23. Vauxhall Astra GTC

The new Astra GTC is the sportiest three-door Vauxhall family car yet - and the VXR hot hatch hasn't even been introduced yet. A strong visual appearance, some feisty engines and a high-tech chassis all add to the mix.

24. Vauxhall Zafira Tourer

A cool looking people carrier? We think so - the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer takes design cues from the futuristic Ampera range extender and translates them to an MPV with remarkable success. All without compromising the clever Flex 7 interior.

25.Volkswagen Up!

VW's superb new city car is spacious and smart - with room on board for four, super-frugal three-cylinder engines, and a city braking function that can help avoid accidents below 19mph. SEAT and Skoda versions only add to rivals' pain.