Last year was full of new-car debuts, which included rebirths of rivalries—and some new ones—and everything from electric pickups to rear-wheel-drive sports cars with manual transmissions (#SavetheManuals). We can’t wait to get behind the wheel of each and every one of them, but what we want to know is, which cars are you most excited about?
Subaru
Nissan
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The Subaru BRZ is getting its first redesign since its inception nearly a decade ago, while Nissan will revive the Z-car’s legacy with a new twin-turbo V-6–powered 400Z. Both will have six-speed manual gearboxes sending power to the rear wheels. Manuals aren’t dead yet, folks.
GMC
Tesla
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Electric pickup trucks are all the rage these days. GM says it will begin deliveries of the Hummer EV late in 2021, while we’re more dubious that the Cybertruck‘s similar launch timeline will come to pass.
Marc UrbanoCar and Driver
Jeep
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One has either a turbocharged four-cylinder or a twin-turbo V-6, while the other has a 470-hp V-8, but both have roofs and doors that can be removed, and both have serious off-road capabilities. It’s Ford vs. Jeep, and the battle for off-road supremacy is on. We can’t wait to see which comes out on top.
Genesis
Infiniti
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There was a time when Infiniti was new to the scene, but Genesis is the hottest thing in the premium sphere these days. Both will release new crossovers next year, with the GV70 being a taller companion to the G70 sedan and the QX55 being a swoopier variant of the existing QX50.
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Marc UrbanoCar and Driver
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It’s the rivalry we’ve all been waiting for, and it’s only going to get better because Ford has a new F-150 Raptor on the way. We hope that it’ll have eight-cylinder power—maybe Ford’s supercharged 5.2-liter Predator engine from the 760-hp Mustang Shelby GT500—to compete with the Ram 1500 TRX‘s 702-hp supercharged V-8 that made it the quickest pickup we’ve ever tested.
Volkswagen
Chevrolet
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VW‘s big electric-car push begins in the U.S. with the ID.4 compact crossover, which promises 250 miles of range and starts around $41,000. We know less about the new Chevy Bolt EUV, which will supposedly be a more spacious spinoff of the Bolt EV.
Acura
BMW
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Both sports sedans got a redesign for 2021, and they’re both powered by turbocharged six-cylinder engines. The Acura TLX Type-S’s turbo V-6 conjures up 355 horsepower while the new M3‘s turbo straight-six makes 473 ponies—503 in Competition guise—and can be had with a six-speed manual. We could do without its big mouth, though.
BMW
Audi
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If you can get past the BMW iX’s polarizing appearance, there are plenty of interesting aspects to this electric crossover’s design and drivetrain. Audi’s take on the EV SUV will look more tame and will use the VW Group’s new MEB electric architecture.
Porsche
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We have a soft spot for high-revving naturally aspirated engines. The 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 is sticking to the formula we love with a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six and a six-speed manual gearbox, while the new C8 Corvette Z06 will be powered by a shrieking naturally aspirated 5.5-liter flat-plane-crank V-8, though we’re not positive it’ll debut this year.
Hyundai
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Hyundai’s Elantra compact sedan has a daring new look, and the beloved Honda Civic will also get an attractive redesign early next year as previewed by a prototype sedan. Both will get high-performance variants, too. The Elantra’s N model will likely get the Veloster N‘s 275-hp turbocharged four-cylinder while the Civic Type R will get more power and a better look.
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