The 8 Best Cars and Trucks of 2020

We’re staring down the highway at an electrical future, there’s little doubt: Governments and automakers have pivoted to long-term plans the place battery-electric powertrains are paramount. But that’s not the one story on autodom, as evinced by the very best automobiles and vehicles we drove over the course of this very distinctive 12 months. On our “best of” listing, you’ll discover two norm-defying pickups, a game-changing Corvette, a Land Rover with sufficient off-road chops to remedy your cabin fever for good, and extra. Here are the drives we dug essentially the most in 2020:

2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

In the previous Super Mario Kart, operating over a star makes you ultrafast and untouchable, quickly. Such is the sensation of piloting the 717-horsepower 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat on an extended freeway uphill, previous scores of slower automobiles. Grip the meaty wheel, plunge the pedal, and also you hear a high-pitched, menacing supercharger whine because the 4,586-lb beast hurtles effortlessly towards triple digits. If you may get previous the large gasoline prices (and your large environmental footprint), you’ll discover a surprisingly road-trippable household experience with a flipside that may make you are feeling invincible, for a second.

2021 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel

Every week within the new diesel-engined, overland-ready Gladiator proved to us that there isn’t a pickup available on the market that hits as many notes: enjoyable, livable, succesful. A 3.0-liter engine offers the Wrangler-based pickup loads of instant-on, low-end energy (442 lb-ft of torque) that’s very best for technical off-roading, however simply as entertaining round city. After stoplights go inexperienced, you end up leaving site visitors within the rearview with out even making an attempt. Better but, the Gladiator’s modest measurement lets you throw it within the storage once you get residence.

2021 Rolls Royce Ghost

When an officer from the Bee Cave, Texas police division pulled us over within the 2021 Rolls Royce Ghost, he had one query: How’s it experience? Just splendidly, sir. Rolls retooled its method for the 2021 mannequin with some superior suspension trickery, which incorporates road-monitoring dampers to kind out imperfections within the highway earlier than you ever really feel them. Four-wheel steering permits the stately experience to deal with like a machine that’s a lot smaller, and the 6.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V12 ushers you with haste and refinement. Our reply, to the cop, was deemed enough: We have been despatched on our manner with a pleasant warning.

2021 Chevrolet Suburban

The pandemic compelled us to test-drive autos principally in Texas this 12 months, and there’s maybe none extra suited to the Lone Star State than the brand new Chevy Suburban. For one it’s big. A brand new impartial rear suspension—the primary within the Suburban’s lengthy historical past—frees up room to make as much as almost 145 sq. ft of cargo house (or an truly livable third row of seating). Two, the factor is luxe, stocked with an opulent inside and 12.6-inch touchscreens behind the entrance seats, linked to the automobile’s on-board WiFi. At a time when extra space and creature comforts are extra precious than ever, the brand new Suburban delivers.

2021 Ram 1500 TRX

Strangely, no automobile we drove this 12 months drew extra thumbs-ups than this larger-than-life pickup. The supersized, supercharged, Hellcat-powered Ram certainly proved a mood-booster, even when we weren’t capable of totally take a look at the otherworldly capabilities of its suspension, constructed for bounding over the excessive desert with 13 inches of journey. Its unparalleled energy was extra obvious throughout metropolis driving: Punch the fuel and house cushions dematerialize. And befitting this no-compromises machine, there’s tons of room within the cabin, and an infotainment system that’s essentially the most seamless within the biz, too.

2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

During two separate drives—one in Nevada, one in Texas—the next-generation Vette proved that this reworked American basic is best than ever, with clear and predictable dealing with, courtesy its mid-engined structure. Some, after all, will complain that its small-block V8 engine isn’t loud sufficient and doesn’t crackle just like the fire-breathers of yore. But this Stingray is younger, and extra energy and tailpipe pyrotechnics are positive to observe. In the meantime, new Vette drivers will dig particulars like Stealth Mode, the place the inside goes darkish—console, buttons, all the things save your mph readout and different necessities. Just you, machine, highway. No distractions. How refined. How un-Corvette. How cool.

2020 McLaren GT

Somewhere out on a rollicking experience via the dips and bobs of Texas Hill Country, it hit us: The McLaren GT merely rocks, whether or not it’s a real grand tourer or not. The high-tech British producer intends the GT to be its most livable, every day drivable sportscar—there’s extra cargo house and extra powertrain refinement right here than in its different rides—but the GT proves no slouch when tasked within the twisties. Its 4-liter V8 and seven-speed twin clutch present unflagging energy, whereas its adaptive damping suspension and hydraulic steering present clear suggestions, lending you confidence to push tougher, as does its wonderful ahead visibility. The GT’s a winner. We haven’t had extra enjoyable behind the wheel all 12 months.

2021 Land Rover Defender

In a 12 months the place getting away from civilization grew to become extra interesting than ever, the relaunched Defender supplied a compelling and succesful automobile to do it in. We took a fast spin within the Defender, each on clean pavement and on filth, and our drive revealed that the automobile boasts tons of tech, consolation, and livability, particularly the well-designed, well packaged inside—whereas providing extra off-road functionality than you’re prone to ever use. We flung it down a distant ranch highway and have been impressed by its ease over the sketchy, rutted stretch, thanks partially to an air suspension that lends almost 12 inches of clearance, a peppy 3.0-liter inline-six, and a exact, direct steering that makes it deal with like a smaller automobile. It’s a best-of-both-worlds machine that doesn’t disappoint.

For entry to unique gear movies, movie star interviews, and extra, subscribe on YouTube!