Let’s be clear: this isn’t a round-up of the best cars of 2022. We’ve already compiled the most capable cars in different categories on the Motoring Research website. Rather, these are the cars that warmed our hearts and made us smile in 2022.

They did so by being zippy around town, balletic on open roads or riotous on a racetrack. From the Toyota Aygo X to the McLaren Artura, it has been an eclectic and memorable 12 months.

Toyota GR86

The Toyota GR86 is a timely reminder that you don’t need XL helpings of horsepower, downforce, traction or technology to create one of the best cars of 2022. Like the GT86 it replaces, this front-engined, rear-driven coupe feels joyous at eminently sensible speeds, with a snickety manual gearbox and wonderful steer-from-the-rear balance.

It was also strong value for money, priced at £29,995 – or a very tempting £299 a month. You will note, however, the previous sentence is in the past tense, as the full UK allocation (around 430 cars) has now sold out. The GR86 isn’t simply one of the most-wanted cars of 2022, then, it’s also a nailed-down future classic.

We said: ‘While the GT86 was famously shod with low-grip ‘Prius tyres’, the new car wears larger 18-inch wheels with more grown-up Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber. It’s harder to unstick, no question, but still very willing to go sideways, particularly if you select Track mode…