Top 5: New cars spied this year

2018 is officially over. It’s time for sunshine and (a sometimes rose-tinted) reflection on the year gone by. Here at CarAdvice, we’re taking the chance to look back at some of the most interesting, exciting and downright strange stories published this year.

Here are the spy photos that most excited you during the year.

The new Jimny has been a bona-fide star on CarAdvice this year, sparking excitement and debate at every turn. The most-clicked spy photo story came on June 7, when the car was snapped without any camouflage for the first time.

That sheet was no match for an Instagrammer's lens

Before it was revealed at the Los Angeles motor show, the new-look Mazda 3 was snapped wearing heavy camouflage. Along with its concept-inspired exterior, the new-look cabin was revealed in the pictures, although just how radical the redesign actually is wasn't immediately apparent.

All that camouflage couldn't hide the fact it's a Mazda 3

Sure, the Ford Ranger Raptor is the dual-cab that made everyone frothy-mouthed with excitement, but the wider range was given a major upgrade as well this year. These pictures, snapped in January, previewed the changes.

Looks like a Ranger, drives like a Ranger, but there's more tech on board

It's hard to believe these images were snapped in January, given the production GLC facelift still hasn't been revealed. These pictures, snapped in Scandinavia, reveal the updated mid-sized SUV will get the same widescreen infotainment system as the related C-Class sedan.

We await its launch with bated breath

Remember what we said about the Jimny. A holding yard full of the pre-production examples revealed the car's bright colour palette in May, while subsequent renderings from a Japanese car magazine showed off how the dashboard would eventually look.

We like the blue one!