OPENERS CAR Selection 2014

2014's Top 5 Cars, Chosen by Journalists

OPENERS CAR Selection 2014

2014 saw the automotive industry embrace a variety of powertrains, with many next-generation models arriving, including plug-in hybrids, EVs, and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). It was also a year where the integration of cars with information and communication technology, leveraging digital devices for features like autonomous driving, became a major topic of discussion.

Intriguingly, alongside these advancements, there was a surge of supercar models like the McLaren 650S, Lamborghini Huracán, and Mercedes-AMG GT. In the luxury segment, the legendary Maybach made a comeback, and Jaguar and Bentley announced their intentions to launch SUV models, indicating that the pursuit of power and luxury continued to generate significant buzz.

With the cherry blossom season approaching this March, we want to take this moment to reflect on 2014. For this "OPENERS CAR Selection," we asked six automotive journalists—Tatsuya Otani, Fumio Ogawa, Yasuhiko Kawamura, Tatsuya Kuishima, Jun Nishikawa, and Toshifumi Watanabe—to choose their top five cars of 2014.

Five Cars, Six Perspectives

See Tatsuya Otani's picks

It feels like 2014 was a year that saw the birth of as many, if not more, super sports cars as eco-cars.

McLaren 650S
Lamborghini Huracán
Audi S3
Volkswagen e-up!
Renault Lutecia ZEN 0.9L MT

See Fumio Ogawa's picks

Overall, 2014 was an interesting year. In the IT industry, we're quite optimistic about the current era of smart media. Cars, too, have become increasingly IT-driven, with autonomous driving technology advancing rapidly.

Toyota MIRAI
Mazda Demio XD
Subaru WRX STI
BMW i3
Porsche Macan Turbo

See Yasuhiko Kawamura's picks

The emergence of Japanese cars with global appeal was a notable aspect of 2014. Meanwhile, the import car market also had a year full of highlights, including the full model change of the C-Class.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class
BMW 2 Series Coupe
Toyota Mirai
Porsche 911 GT3
Jaguar F-Type Coupe

See Tatsuya Kuishima's picks

The automotive industry in 2014 was rich in variety. In terms of power sources, we saw everything from EVs and hybrids to diesels and hydrogen fuel cells. The enhancement of electronic devices was also not to be overlooked.

BMW i8
Tesla Model S
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Nissan Skyline
Lexus NX

See Jun Nishikawa's picks

Technology is merely a means. What truly matters is the feeling of excitement and thrill it provides, the exhilaration that lingers even after the drive. While it may sound old-fashioned, this remains the core principle.

Pagani Huayra
Koenigsegg Agera R
McLaren P1
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport
Mercedes-Benz G 63 6x6

See Toshifumi Watanabe's picks

It was a year of sensible model changes for established and core models, accompanied by a diversification of their offerings.

Mazda Demio
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Peugeot 308
Lamborghini Huracán LP610-4
Lexus RC F