With the novel idea to quickly drive and evaluate 13 cars and sport utility vehicles, the Western Automotive Journalists gathered last September in Santa Rosa, California, for a new event, “The Best of the Bay.”

The organization includes a diverse community of content creators and industry representatives from throughout Northern California. The rustic Vintners Resort was an ideal headquarters to experience the newest and best from global automakers while driving the winding backroads of Sonoma County’s wine region.

Every vehicle was driven along the same route, a mix of highway and secondary roads. We had about 30 minutes with each coupe, sedan or SUV, so there wasn’t an opportunity to determine models’ features and foibles. But the opportunity to drive different models, back to back, was a unique opportunity for contrast and comparison.

Best of the Bay concluded with a vote by secret ballot. The categories: Best Sedan, Best EV, Best Technology, Best SUV, and Best Overall. Here are the winners:

Runner-up, Best Overall, 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV SUV

What we thought the future would look like in the 1980s. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 share the same platform. Behind the wheel, they feel identical. But each has its own style.

The Ioniq 5 is arguably the most futuristic-looking car on the market. The interior is similarly innovative. Presented in an off-white color palette, the Ionic 5 interior feels more spacious than the EV6, but both are similarly sized.

In contrast, the EV6 exterior styling is more contemporary. 

Side camera mirrors, a feature I had never experienced, were incorporated into the Ioniq 5 and the EV6. When signaling right or left, a corresponding circular display provides a view rearward on either the right or left side of the instrument panel. I liked the feature very much and would love to see in more cars.

 Winner – Best Sedan, 2024 Hyundai Ionic 6 EV

The sedan market has fallen out of favor, but sedans have drivability advantages over SUVs. The Ionic 6 has a low center of gravity and sleek profile. It translates into excellent handling and an EPA-estimated 361 miles of EV range.

 While the Ionic 6 shares much in common with its Ionic 5 and EV6 stablemates, the 6 sports dual motors, reduced weight and courtesy of an odd Kammback rear end treatment, enjoys reduced drag. The result is a distinctive and fun to drive sedan. 

Winner – Best Technology, 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV

Mercedes’ fit and finish is outstanding. The interior’s supple leather, carbon fiber, brushed aluminum and an expansive electronic display looks modern and inviting. A jet turbine motif enhances the style. Infotainment and HVAC is controlled with the elegant center stack screen. The interface works well.

This is a couple’s SUV, with a compact interior and two rows of seating. Performance is consistent with any vehicle wearing the AMG badge — the Mercedes-AMG EQE is powerful and fast.

I particularly liked the interior fragrance system. Owners can choose from a wide variety of scents. Our test vehicle was scented with “AMG #63,” a blend of “luxurious sandalwood and energetic ginger.” The scent contributed to the inviting and luxurious interior. 

Winner – Best SUV, and Best EV, 2024 Genesis Electrified GV70 SUV

The Electrified GV70 SUV is quiet, smooth and has panache. It has all the goodness of the Electrified G80, but as a taller and roomier two-row SUV. The Electrified GV70 feels light. Turn-in is crisp and body motions are well controlled. It drives like a smaller car. This is the only vehicle in our group to win two categories — Best SUV, and Best EV.

Inside, Genesis isn’t just benchmarking Mercedes, it’s surpassing Mercedes. The interior is especially sumptuous, better than the luxurious Lexus RZ. The Electrified GV70 SUV is an elegant and refined EV, and may be the best value in a luxury EV-SUV.

Winner – Best Overall, 2024 Acura Integra Type S

The Integra was the only manual transmission in our group and won accolades for being the most fun to drive. If you’re an enthusiast, the Integra Type S is your car. It’s playful and loves being tossed around.

The rev-matching stick is a hoot. This is my choice for driving the backroads. The styling is handsome and aggressive, the interior is perfect for spirited driving. My only complaint? It’s a sedan. It should be a coupe. The 2024 Acura Integra Type S has an MSRP of $51,800 making it a performance bargain.

Honorable Mention

The 2024 Honda Pilot Trailsport is rugged, handsome and roomy. The electric power steering is the best in the business. I had to pull over and look under the hood to see if the power steering was hydraulically boosted.

The 2024 Lexus RZ EV SUV is refined, elegant and sophisticated. The styling is bold and expressive. The automatic dimming panorama glass roof is a stand-out feature.