4th place: 2010 Ford Mustang GT
How disappointing it must be for the legendary Mustang to lose the top crown, let alone miss the podium. Yet, this car boasts undeniable potential, starting with blistering accelerations and wicked looks. However, a couple of flaws can’t be overlooked as they make drivers lose a bit of interest.
For sure, no other car in that group was faster from 0 to 100 km/h than the blue-oval steed -- all that with an exhaust note that would send chills down the spine of any muscle car fan. But once the first few corners arrive, things get a little tricky. The solid axle in the back is largely responsible for the harsh ride of the Mustang. Weight transfers upon accelerating or braking also affect performance quite a bit. Granted, takeoffs feel more explosive since the weight of the car quickly shifts over the rear driving wheels. However, in spirited driving, these transfers make the Mustang hard to control; for instance, there’s a significant amount of understeer in tight corners.
On a more positive note, drivers were pleased with interior comfort and room. The list of available features, including SYNC, also earned thumbs up from everybody. And kudos to Ford designers who took inspiration from classic Mustangs while creating a decidedly-modern and even refined package.
In short, if you’re a fan of the Mustang, there’s no way around this one, regardless of its few irritants.
"It’s still one of the most attractive cars in its class as it successfully combines both classic and modern elements. And once you hammer the throttle, it becomes a monster!"
Marc Bouchard
3rd place: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3
It’s not as fresh as it used to be nor is it as potent as most rivals. Plus, fuel consumption is high despite the limited number of ponies. Yet, the Mazda RX-8 R3 sneaked its way up to third place in our ultra-tight rankings. In fact, it was just a tenth of a point behind second place.
The strength of the RX-8 lies in its go-kart handling. Furthermore, the small rotary engine and six-speed gearbox are extremely well-synchronized and make for remarkable flexibility both on the road and the track.
But we have to go back to the razor-sharp handling and sporty steering to find the source of everyone’s excitement. While driving aggressively through twists and turns, our crew couldn’t help but be impressed. Some even got the impression of driving on rails given how stable the RX-8 R3 felt in all types of corners.
This is no drag racer, obviously, but when it comes to stopping, the powerful brakes respond immediately.
Some aspects of the car got mixed reviews. For instance, the Recaro sports seats are wonderfully supportive on the track, but they prove slightly uncomfortable after hours on the road, especially for larger drivers!
Likewise, stability control grants a lot of freedom during spirited driving but, in normal conditions, we found it a tad slow to react, thereby compromising safety. And it’s worth mentioning that no one particularly liked the cockpit, which fails to match the bold design of the exterior.
Ultimately, the Mazda RX-8 R3 won the handling contest and therefore managed to climb on the podium.
"While performance is not quite up there with the best, the RX-8 is extremely well-calibrated and easy to drive on the track."
Manuel Bastien
How disappointing it must be for the legendary Mustang to lose the top crown, let alone miss the podium. Yet, this car boasts undeniable potential, starting with blistering accelerations and wicked looks. However, a couple of flaws can’t be overlooked as they make drivers lose a bit of interest.
 |
| It’s still one of the most attractive cars in its class as it successfully combines both classic and modern elements. |
For sure, no other car in that group was faster from 0 to 100 km/h than the blue-oval steed -- all that with an exhaust note that would send chills down the spine of any muscle car fan. But once the first few corners arrive, things get a little tricky. The solid axle in the back is largely responsible for the harsh ride of the Mustang. Weight transfers upon accelerating or braking also affect performance quite a bit. Granted, takeoffs feel more explosive since the weight of the car quickly shifts over the rear driving wheels. However, in spirited driving, these transfers make the Mustang hard to control; for instance, there’s a significant amount of understeer in tight corners.
On a more positive note, drivers were pleased with interior comfort and room. The list of available features, including SYNC, also earned thumbs up from everybody. And kudos to Ford designers who took inspiration from classic Mustangs while creating a decidedly-modern and even refined package.
In short, if you’re a fan of the Mustang, there’s no way around this one, regardless of its few irritants.
"It’s still one of the most attractive cars in its class as it successfully combines both classic and modern elements. And once you hammer the throttle, it becomes a monster!"
Marc Bouchard
3rd place: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3
It’s not as fresh as it used to be nor is it as potent as most rivals. Plus, fuel consumption is high despite the limited number of ponies. Yet, the Mazda RX-8 R3 sneaked its way up to third place in our ultra-tight rankings. In fact, it was just a tenth of a point behind second place.
 |
| The Mazda RX-8 R3 won the handling contest and therefore managed to climb on the podium. |
The strength of the RX-8 lies in its go-kart handling. Furthermore, the small rotary engine and six-speed gearbox are extremely well-synchronized and make for remarkable flexibility both on the road and the track.
But we have to go back to the razor-sharp handling and sporty steering to find the source of everyone’s excitement. While driving aggressively through twists and turns, our crew couldn’t help but be impressed. Some even got the impression of driving on rails given how stable the RX-8 R3 felt in all types of corners.
This is no drag racer, obviously, but when it comes to stopping, the powerful brakes respond immediately.
Some aspects of the car got mixed reviews. For instance, the Recaro sports seats are wonderfully supportive on the track, but they prove slightly uncomfortable after hours on the road, especially for larger drivers!
Likewise, stability control grants a lot of freedom during spirited driving but, in normal conditions, we found it a tad slow to react, thereby compromising safety. And it’s worth mentioning that no one particularly liked the cockpit, which fails to match the bold design of the exterior.
Ultimately, the Mazda RX-8 R3 won the handling contest and therefore managed to climb on the podium.
"While performance is not quite up there with the best, the RX-8 is extremely well-calibrated and easy to drive on the track."
Manuel Bastien
| RX8 | 370Z | Challenger | Camaro | Genesis | Mustang | |
| 0-100 km/h (sec) | 8.75 | 5.93 | 5.60 | 6.87 | 7.80 | 5.40 |
| 80-120 km/h (sec) | 5.68 | 4.02 | 3.48 | 4.67 | 5.75 | 3.77 |
| Quarter mille (sec @ km/h) | 15.75 @ 140.1 | 14.25 @ 148.9 | 13.75 @ 164.1 | 14.90 @ 149.9 | 15.58 @ 141.5 | 13.83 @ 163.3 |
| Braking 100-0 km/h (meter) | 37 | 41 | 38 | 37 | 44 | 40 |
| Fuel Consumption (L/100 km) | 17.80 | 16.08 | 21.60 | 14.90 | 14.64 | 18.34 |