2024 Rewind: The Connected by the numbers.

The Connected by Henry Man continues to record substantial growth in 2024, after 20 reviews, 55 short-form videos produced, and 6500+ photos taken.

This year has again marked milestones for the independent automotive content platform, including a significant investment in critically detailed new-car reviews, the launch of bespoke TikTok content, and marked growth on YouTube Shorts.

The former automotive journalist has welcomed new coverage brands in 2024, including Volkswagen Group Australia (Volkswagen, Cupra and Skoda), Nissan Motor Corporation Australia, and Mazda Australia.

It joins Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, and MG from 2023. The panel of coverage brands now represents a large portion of the Australian new car market with a mix of passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles, from petrol, diesel, hybrid, and full electric power.

The main The Connected website has recorded 77,500+ total views (up 1916% from 2023) with posts ranking in the first three pages – if not the first – on Google Search. The site continues to receive organic traffic every day, with an average of 212 daily views.

Certain stories have also appeared on Google’s Knowledge Graph and have been summarised by artificial intellegence bots.

Meanwhile, the focus on complimentary short-form video – instead of competing in the contested long-form format space – continues to grow.

The YouTube Shorts channel has marked 180,000+ views this year (up 319%), 3632+ likes combined (up 412%), and the subscriber count has surpassed 300 (up 511%).

Additionally, the launch of the TikTok channel with bespoke ‘quality test’ and car ASMR content has also seen 89,000+ total views in less than a year.

In a sign of cost-of-living pressures, the 2024 Kia Picanto (published in March) was the most read and watched new car review by far – with 7300+ website views and 53,000+ short-form video views. The Volkswagen T-Roc, MG 4 and Hyundai Kona Hybrid, among other models, have also enjoyed consistent audience traffic.

The Connected’s founder Henry Man said substantial growth in 2024 demonstrates the need for a non-commercial driven, detailed and independent voice that the automotive media landscape has always promised but rarely delivered.

“The appetite for critically detailed new car reviews and independent automotive content is clear,” Mr Man said.

“It’s surreal to see my passion project continue to grow, from what was just a high school e-newsletter about informing people about how tech intersects with transport in 2015.

“The Connected is now well placed to offer compelling content that appeals to a variety of consumers, with a plan to continue expanding coverage brands, powertrains and body types in 2025.

“However, there is still a long way to go and there are still opportunities to improve, refine and experiment.

“Thank you to the manufacturers that continue to support being subject to the microscope of critically detailed, independent new-car reviews, Motorsport Safety & Rescue for facilitating all loans, and everyone who has viewed and engaged with my content this year.”

2024 in Review.

💯 Most impressive car in 2024: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The all-new Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid was a standout this year with a next-level, unashamedly Range Rover inspired design that’s eye-catching no matter which variant you choose.

The entry-level Santa Fe I tested in particular represents sensational value for a large seven-seat hybrid SUV at ~$60K, with plenty of standard features, is fuel-efficient with a large fuel tank, and offers a practical family-friendly interior with (finally) third-row airbag coverage.

It may look like a polarising departure from its predecessor, but the new Santa Fe highlights how far the South Korean carmaker has come in just five years in every dimension.

👎 Most disappointing car in 2024: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Hot take: The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has received a lot of praise, but it’s neither a super fun hot hatch nor a great daily EV.

It might be fun when unleashed on the track (provided they allow electric cars and there’s a fast charger nearby) and the hyped-up N driving sounds might impress you for the first minute of driving.

However for me, it felt too large and heavy on public roads, the N sounds were unimpressive and artificial at the end of the day with a quiet exterior speaker function, and it wasn’t as comfortable with a firmer and louder ride. Less than 370km real-world range as tested is also a poignant issue for a driver’s car.

The Ioniq 5 N is way too expensive at almost $130K drive-away compared to the already pricey regular model (although there are some demonstrator deals out there), especially when interior quality is so-so for the price point compared to its similarly-priced Genesis GV60 EV sibling.

Don’t get me wrong. Hyundai has done a killer job at the retro-futuristic-sporty design and appealing to petrolheads with trick simulated gears. But I’d rather stick to a manual Hyundai i30 N and have enough change to buy a good daily EV… or just put it in savings.

⭐ Honourable mentions in 2024

After testing more than 20 vehicles this year, it’s clear that there is no ‘perfect car’.

The Kia Picanto was refreshingly nimble, easy to drive and practical for a micro car, with a design that’s arguably more striking than the exxy, but one-of-a-kind, Kia EV9.

The facelifted Hyundai i30 Sedan N continues to be one of the most satisfyingly loud sports cars out there, the Hyundai Kona Hybrid is value-packed for a small SUV at the entry point, and the Nissan Qashqai e-Power provides the most EV-like driving experience using petrol.

The Cupra Born still impresses with fun driving dynamics, genuinely long driving range and sharp looks – despite some tech omissions that even the base Volkswagen T-Cross now includes.

Meanwhile, the MG 4 continues to be a value-oriented, enjoyable to drive electric hatch – albeit with unrefined tech and safety assists.

I was also surprised by the refinement and quietness of Kia’s standard 3.5-litre six-cylinder petrol engine on the facelifted Sorento SUV, which was a stark contrast to the agricultural and tractor-like – but most popular – 2.2-litre turbo-diesel I tested on the related Kia Carnival MPV.

Follow Henry Man for more in 2025!

Audience metrics listed above were according to each platform’s analytics tools and span from January 1 to December 30, 2024.

READ MORE: NEW CAR REVIEWS

READ MORE: What is the point of the blue EV label?

READ MORE: 2023 Rewind: The Connected by the numbers.