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Best 2020 New Cars Money Can Buy

MY 2020 Brings us a Number of Exciting All-new vehicles

2020 Jeep Gladiator front 3/4 view

The automotive industry is definitely heading into an interesting direction with crossovers steadily taking the reign. Furthermore, every automaker worth its salt has already started implementing an electrification strategy that should start bearing fruit come MY 2020. In that regard, even the near future 2020 new cars are radiating the kind of excitement that would otherwise be expected from vehicles scheduled to arrive at a much later date.

Here, we’ll reflect exclusively on all-new models that have never had the pleasure to grace our roads before and the iconic models that are making a comeback after a prolonged period of absence from the markets. Whether they’re EVs, hybrids or conventional internal combustion models doesn’t really matter; all we care about is that they’re models that either have been absent from our roads for some time or have never seen them.

We also won’t discriminate on the respective model’s body style and class basis. Expect a wide range of vehicles from family cars to supercars, but every one of them will instantly earn a special place in many a car enthusiast’s hearts when they roll off the assembly lines in 2020.

Without further ado, here are some of the best 2020 new cars we can expect to see in a year or so.

2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

The father of the Corvette, Zora Arkus-Duntov’s dream of engineering a mid-engined ‘Vette has finally come to fruition after almost quarter of a century since his death. After years of rumors and speculation, GM has finally decided the time is right for a different perspective. Their hallmark sports car thus now benefit from significantly different aerodynamics and weight distribution which helps it raise its performance curve to new heights.

The new mid-engined Corvette Stingray still resembles the current models thanks to the hallmark ‘Vette design language but structural differences between the two are undeniable. Actually, the 2020 Corvette is a next-generation C8 vehicle and the conventional FMR layout ‘Vette is something we won’t be seeing any more.

Chevrolet will have to find a way to recuperate all the R&D costs and part of them will likely be reflected in a higher starting sticker of all new models (including those set to arrive later on). With a starting price of just under $60,000, the entry-level C8 is almost $5,000 more expensive than the base C7 models from prior years which perfectly reflects the previous statement and showcases GM’s intention in a corresponding manner.

The mid-engined Corvette gets an updated version of the 6.2L LT1 V8 (dubbed LT2) which, at the moment, develops 490 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of twist. All that power is being routed to the rear via an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission which is Corvette’s first.

Opt for the Z51 package with performance dual-exhaust and you’ll get 495 ponies out of it. Not to mention an electronic limited-slip rear differential, larger brakes, and different tires. However, this option comes at a high price of $5,000. Active electronic safety gear also comes at a price as neither of available options comes standard with the base models.

 

2020 Aston Martin DBX

The British automaker is one of the last remaining major luxury and ultra-luxury carmakers without a crossover/SUV in its portfolio. Or rather it was up until now. Introduced as a 2020 model, the all-new DBX rectifies that issue for the British automaker and aims to become their best-selling model in the process. The production itself takes place at the British automaker’s new assembly in St Athan, Wales, U.K.

Unlike the 3-door coupe-crossover concept bearing the same name, the production-ready DBX takes a more conventional, 5-door form like its competitors. It’s also partially hand-built so it’s no wonder its price reflects the stickers of its more and more widespread competitors like the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, and Maserati Levante. The 2020 Aston Martin DBX starts from around $192,000.

The all-new crossover from Aston Martin gets a powerful 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine supplied by Mercedes-Benz and tweaked by AMG. It generates 542 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque and helps the heavy SUV sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds while maxing out at 181 mph. A 9-speed automatic transmission routes all that power to the rear.

Being one of the most luxurious options on the market, it also doesn’t come as a surprise that the DBX gets standard air suspension with adaptive dampers. Not to mention a full array of advanced driver’s aids. The latest addition to the Aston Martin lineup goes on sale in the first half of 2020.

 

2020 Polestar 1 and 2

Established in 1996 as Flash Engineering and rebranded Polestar in 2005 – Volvo’s performance division has finally become a brand of its own after being purchased by the Swedes in 2015. Like its parent company, Polestar will emphasize on pragmatic luxury, safety, and performance, but unlike Volvo, it’ll be focusing exclusively on hybrid and electric vehicles from now on.

Their first model aptly named Polestar 1 was already showcased a while ago prior to its model year 2020 arrival whereas their second vehicle (you guessed it) Polestar 2 has made its debut at the 2019 Geneva motor show. While their first model is a high-performance plug-in hybrid 2-door coupe, the Polestar 2 should become one of the biggest Tesla Model 3 competitors the instant it arrives on the market.

Both models are based on Volvo concept cars from the past (2013 Concept Coupe and 2016 40.2 concepts respectively), but they’ll be miles apart when it comes to price and availability. The high-performance Polestar 1 coupe costs as much as $155,000, whereas the Tesla-fighting Polestar 2 EV sedan could well start from just under $40,000.

The Polestar 1 combines Volvo’s proven 2.0L turbocharged and supercharged 4-cylinder petrol engine up front with a duo of electric motors combining for a total of 215 horsepower at the back. Together with a 34 kWh battery pack, they generate as much as 600 horsepower while providing 150 miles of electric-only range according to the overly optimistic European NEDC cycle. Only 500 units will be produced per year (over three years) and potential buyers will be able to acquire them either through a flat-out conventional purchase or a new subscription plan which aims to attract a younger audience that are otherwise not overly enthusiastic about owning a car.

The Polestar 2, on the other hand, boasts as much as 311 miles of all-electric range and a total of 402 horsepower. This is the range-topping model which should cost around $60,000, though. The entry-level models will likely offer fewer amenities, less power, and shorter range. They too will be available through Polestar’s subscription plan (though a year later), but no matter how you get your hands on one, there’s no doubt these are going to be some of the most exciting 2020 new cars headed our way.

 

2020 Ford Bronco

Back by popular demand according to the blue oval brass – the iconic nameplate returns in 2020 after two and a half decades of absence. The 2020 Ford Bronco is neither the compact off-roading 4X4 SUV of the early days nor the bulky full-sizer from the SUV’s later years. Instead, it’s a contemporary intermediate underpinned by the Ranger pickup platform.

However, Ford has still pitted it directly against the Jeep Wrangler which doesn’t come as a surprise since the modern Bronco stands out as one highly capable off-roader. Like it was the case in olden days, it also comes with a removable top, and in both 2-door and 4-door setups.

Furthermore, in order to successfully challenge the Wrangler, the next-gen Bronco is fitted with the same front and rear Dana axles with AdvanTEK gear technology like its adversary. Whether the front ones will be solid or independent, remains to be seen.

The 2020 Ford Bronco’s powertrain lineup is yet to be revealed, but there’s a number of powerful yet efficient EcoBoost mills to choose from. Considering it shares both the platform and assembly plant with the Ranger pickup, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if it gets the same family of engines as well.

For now, this means a 270-horsepower 2.3L turbocharged 4-cylinder paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. A slightly larger 2.7L EcoBoost V6 could also be on the cards for both the Bronco and Ranger, further down the line.

Expect the 2020 Ford Bronco to finally arrive to dealers in late 2020 (although it was initially expected earlier) with stickers starting in the low $30,000 figures. Ford will, however, offer the smaller Bronco Sport prior to revealing the main course. After so many agonizing years of torture, the all-new Bronco better be one of the best 2020 new vehicles around. Otherwise, Ford will have a lot of angry Bronco fanatics to answer to.

Ford Bronco rendering from the Bronco 6G forums

2020 Porsche Taycan

First unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show as the Mission E concept, the first all-electric Porsche vehicle has finally arrived for model year 2020.

Despite representing a step out of the German manufacturer’s comfort zone, the Taycan doesn’t differ from other Porsche models in terms of styling. The 4-door coupe shouldn’t be confused with the Panamera, but they seem to be having a few things in common design-wise. The all-new Porsche Taycan is a more expensive affair than the oddball Panamera, however, as it starts from $104,000 in the base 4S guise. The range-topping Turbo S models, on the other hand, require at least $187,000.

The 2020 Porsche Taycan is offered with two battery capacity options and three different power outputs. In addition to 79.2-kWh and 93.4-kWh batteries, the Taycan is capable of generating either 522 hp, 563 hp, or 616 hp. The powertrain that enables such intriguing figures consists of a couple of electric motors on each axle which provides the Taycan with a permanent all-wheel drive. The most powerful of the available setups is more than capable of propelling the Taycan to 60 mph from a standing start in just 2.6 seconds.

The total range depends on the chosen setup itself, but the Germans still haven’t disclosed the full details. A figure of 310 miles is the most often out there. In addition, Porsche offers an all-new ultra-fast 800-volt charger network which should be able to provide around 250 miles of battery life after only a 15-minute stop at the station. The future looks bright indeed and the Porsche Taycan will definitely be one of the best new 2020 cars around.

 

2020 Rimac C_Two

It might have a rather unconventional name spelling and it might be coming from the most unlikely of places, but there’s nothing uninteresting about the Croatian company’s second hypercar. The Rimac C_Two came to, saw, and conquered the 2018 Geneva auto show with a combination of immaculate design, highly-advanced technology, and otherworldly performance. The EV supercar company’s second model even eclipses the notorious Rimac Concept One – which almost took Richard Hammond from us – in almost every segment.

Only 150 units will be built and sold for a staggering $2 million or thereabouts depending on exchange rates and optional equipment. Unsurprisingly, the company says almost all of them have already been spoken for. The exorbitant price tag is there for numerous reasons including the almost fully carbon-fiber-built body and Level 4 autonomous capability with artificial intelligence.

But the Rimac C_Two’s most expensive bit has to be the 1,888-horsepower powertrain consisting of four electric motors – one at each wheel. The latest of the all-electric hypercars also sports a 120-kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide battery pack which allows it slightly north of 400 miles of range according to the NEDC cycle. The EPA figures will be lower, but still impressive as they’ll likely translate to something between 300 and 350 miles of range.

With seamlessly all the ponies in the world under its – well, not hood – the 2020 Rimac C_Two is capable of accelerating to 60 mph from a standstill in just 1.85 seconds. It’ll also max out at 256 mph making it one of the fastest production cars in the world at the moment. Fastest or not, the 2020 Rimac C_Two is certainly among the best new cars 2020 has to offer.

 

2020 Tesla Roadster

It didn’t take the Rimac C_Two long to beat the fastest acceleration of any production vehicle in history. That record was, for a brief time, held by the new Tesla Roadster which was revealed at the Tesla Semi event in 2017, in spectacular fashion.

Elon Musk’s second take on the Roadster name is supposed to be much more successful than the first one. The Roadster Mk2 should, by all means, be the most advanced Tesla model yet, and one of the most advanced and best new 2020 cars at the same time.

The stylish 2+2 roadster with a glass roof should become one of the most unique supercars on the market the moment it arrives. This should happen in 2020, but knowing the California-based company’s punctuality, we wouldn’t exclude a later date just yet. Especially since their focus has understandably shifted towards the affordable Model Y crossover. When it does arrive, the next-gen Tesla Roadster will start from around $200,000.

Not only will the new Tesla Roadster come with an exorbitant price tag, but with ample power and range to boot. Thanks to three electric motors (one up front and two out back), the Roadster will be able to hit the 60 mph mark from a standing start in just 1.9 seconds while maxing out at around 250 mph.

Thanks to its large 200 kWh battery pack, on the other hand, it should provide as much as 620 miles of range if driven relatively lightly. Not only will it be ludicrously fast, but equally tech-savvy as well. It is expected that Tesla will include their latest autonomous driving technology in the mix, but who would want to pass up the opportunity of enjoying the ultimate EV’s ride the proper way?

 

2020 Genesis GV80

The youngest South Korean car manufacturer currently operating on the U.S. market is finally expanding its range with long-anticipated all-new crossovers. The first of the two new upcoming vehicles will be the mid-size luxury Genesis GV80 poised to give the likes of BMW X5, Audi Q7, and Mercedes-Benz GLS Class cause for concern.

The 2020 Genesis GV80 will either be underpinned by a stretched Hyundai Santa Fe platform or a modified in-house rear-wheel-drive platform that’s currently underpinning the Genesis sedans. Although the final product will differ from the GV80 Concept unveiled in New York in 2017, some of the concept’s cues (mainly horizontal two-slat headlights) seem to have found their way to the production model judging by the recent spy photos.

Continuing with their audience-winning strategy, the Koreans are expected to offer their typical “better-than-the-industry-standard” warranty and maintenance conditions alongside a price that undercuts that of its competitors.

Being the largest of the upcoming Genesis models, the 2020 GV80 is expected to be offered with powerful yet efficient engines. A modern 3.3L twin-turbo V6 with 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque looks like a safe bet, and so does a 3.8L naturally aspirated V6 with 311 hp and 293 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, a 5.0L V8 is still uncertain.

The Genesis GV80 might not be one of the most anticipated new arrivals for MY 2020 in the general population’s eyes, but that’s only due to the South Korean luxury brand’s general obscurity. If they continue to offer pure quality and refinement they’ve been offering to date, they won’t remain obscure for long. And the GV80 will deservedly be able to find its own spot under the sun.

Genesis GV80 concept pictured

2020 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer

Marketed for three decades between the early sixties and early nineties – the Wagoneer nameplate remains one of Jeep’s most storied models alongside the larger Grand Wagoneer. Much like the Ford Bronco and Chevy Blazer, the Wagoneers are making a comeback after being absent from the market since the nineties.

The modern take on the iconic models definitely won’t be a trip down the nostalgia lane, but shouldn’t come as a surprise either. The Wagoneer will ride on a shorter wheelbase whereas the Grand Wagoneer will, of course, ride on a longer wheelbase providing FCA with a long-anticipated dedicated three-row SUV.

They’ll compete with other domestic body-on-frame full-size SUVs like the Escalade and Navigator which means they’ll be the most expensive and luxurious Jeep models to date.

It’s still unclear what kind of powertrains FCA is considering when it comes to the Jeep Wagoneer duo, but considering they’ll ride on the next-gen Ram 1500 truck platform, their respective engines will probably reflect the same idea.

In other words, this probably means they’ll be powered by the HEMI V8 duo of 5.7L and 6.4L mills with a 3.6L V6 on the side as an entry-level offering. The latter might end up being exclusive with the shorter wheelbase Wagoneer, whereas the Grand Wagoneer could be limited to HEMI’s. The company is also considering a plug-in hybrid option for both models.

That’s not everything, though, because the FCA has been looking for new ways to utilize their SRT Hellcat mill for a while now. The upcoming Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer (likely labeled Trackhawk) would be a perfect fit for it – especially since it’ll be tied to the strengthened ZF’s 8-speed automatic transmission. Have FCA brass missed their moment with the large three-row SUV? We’ll know as soon as the Wagoneers get officially revealed. However, that might not happen prior to 2021.

Jeep Yuntu concept pictured

2020 Toyota Supra

One of the most cherished Japanese tuners has finally made a long-awaited comeback. Developed in partnership with the BMW, the fifth-gen Supra arrived after its Bavarian stablemate, the BMW Z4, making its debut in Detroit, in early 2019.

Unlike the Toyota 86 which sports a smallish rear seat, the first freshly produced Supra in 15 years pays no attention to such burdens. Strictly a 2-seater, the Toyota Supra Mk5 sports a wheelbase that’s 4 inches shorter than that of the 86. Moreover, it starts from just over $50,000 which is twice the Japanese automaker’s other sports car’s price.

The final product very much resembles the GR Supra Racing concept presented at the 2018 Geneva show which explains the high sticker to some extent.

One of the most important results of the aforementioned cooperation with the BMW is the 2020 Toyota Supra’s powertrain itself. Although it doesn’t feature a sweet and tuning-happy Toyota in-house powertrain like the legendary 1JZ and 2JZ family of engines, the Supra still receives a turbocharged 3.0L inline-six with ample of power to spare. It’s rated at 335 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of twist. Entry-level models will, however, come with the German automaker’s 2.0L turbo four capable of producing 262 ponies, but only at a later date (probably for MY 2021).

Sadly, it would seem that the Mk5 Supra won’t be available with a manual gearbox (at least not in foreseeable future). Instead, every new owner will have to settle for the 8-speed automatic supplied by ZF which routes all of Supra’s horses to the rear. The stronger of the two engines is more than capable of propelling the sports car’s 3,397 pounds of weight to the 60 mph mark in just 4.1 seconds.

 

2020 Jeep Gladiator

The beloved off-road division’s first pickup truck since the discontinuation of the XJ Cherokee-based Comanche back in 1992 is finally here after years of development and plethora of rumors that had accompanied it.

Based on the JL Wrangler that debuted in 2018, the Jeep’s first pickup in a quarter of a century officially pulls the Gladiator name out of retirement after more than 30 years. It doesn’t only share the new Wrangler’s platform but the overall styling as well. Furthermore, the Jeep Gladiator pickup also sports removable doors and top, and a fold-down windshield – much like its SUV sibling.

However, the pickup version of the Wrangler SUV has looked further for suspension. This it’s found in the next-gen Ram 1500 pickup. The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is priced slightly above the Wrangler (starting from around $34,500), and is available in only four trim options – at least in its inaugural year.

The Gladiator’s powertrain lineup is very similar to that of the SUV as well. A 3.6L V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque is standard from the get-go, but it’s also the only available engine at launch. It’s available either with a standard 6-speed stick or an optional 8-speed auto transmission. Further down the line, the FCA will also unlock a 3.0L turbo-diesel V6 which cranks up 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Considering the FCA is introducing a mild-hybrid system into the conventional Wrangler lineup, the same should be expected from the pickup version of the SUV as well.

Nothing has been said of Wrangler’s optional 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine capable of making 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, but that option already sports a mild-hybrid assist. Now that it’s finally here, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator easily takes its place among the best new vehicles 2020 has brought our way.

 









About Nikola Potrebić

Despite driving a piece of junk, Nikola still manages to survive the harrowing experience called "A road trip in a Yugo," day in, day out. On the other hand, precious few things move him as muscle cars do. Especially those from the bygone golden era, which makes him wonder why wasn't he born a few decades earlier? Well, at least he's been given the opportunity to enjoy the likes of the Pontiak Aztek, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Fiat Multipla, and other lovely millennials, right? Come to think of it, I'll stick with my Yugo. Thank you very much!

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