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25. 2018 Mazda6 Signature

VERDICT: 6.1/10

Faster and sharper for 2018, the new turbocharged Mazda6 just barely makes our cut of the top 25 cars of the year. In the Signature trim as-tested, the Mazda6 gets high marks for its upscale exterior design and an equally posh cabin. We note, "for a car that costs $36,140, its interior shoots way above its price point." On the performance front, the Mazda6 still lacks some of the agility to make it a true “sports sedan,” but the new turbocharged engine produces a hearty 250 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful options in its class.

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24. Subaru BRZ tS

VERDICT: 6.3/10

The Subaru BRZ tS by STI forgoes fast and furious for scalpel sharp instead. It uses the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder found on the base model, producing 205 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque, but with new aerodynamic cues it can take on corners more quickly. In our review, we gave it high marks for performance and handling, noting: "For just $34,000 you can take home this limited edition sports car – and after a week with it, we'd argue that it's worth every penny."

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23. Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible

VERDICT: 6.3/10

The 2018 Chevy Camaro may already be a bit outdated – replaced by the polarizing 2019 model. But the pre-facelift droptop still has a lot to like. It gets high marks in design, comfort, and performance, especially with that 450-horsepower V8 engine underhood.

"The steering is precise and feelsome, the Brembo four-piston front and rear brakes connect to a firm and tactile pedal, and the communicative chassis is stiffer than a martini made with Everclear," we note in our review. If we had to dock the Camaro anywhere, it'd be safety. The speedy convertible isn't ripe with available equipment.

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22. 2018 BMW M5

VERDICT: 6.3/10

In terms of fast, fun-to-drive four-doors, few thrill as well as the BMW M5. With a high-output twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 underhood producing a whopping 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, the M5 can sprint to 60 miles per hour in just about 3.2 seconds. But it's not all about speed; the M5 offers plenty in the tech and comfort departments. A set of 20-way adjustable seats and a massive 10.2-inch touchscreen display make it more amenable than your average sports car.

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21. 2018 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

VERDICT: 6.3/10

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback is peppy, fun to drive, and fashionable – let's hope the former two, at least, carry over to the four-door version. In our review, the Corolla Hatchback scores highest in design, performance, and safety features. We note that the Corolla hatch is a "genuinely attractive vehicle, and not too in-your-face like some others."

The Corolla Hatchback comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which includes automatic emergency braking, sway warning, low-light pedestrian detection, bicyclist detection, and an upgraded lane-keep assist feature.

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20. 2018 BMW i3s

VERDICT: 6.4/10

BMW's updated i3 has a presence. With a new "S" sport package for 2018 and fresh styling cues, there's a lot to like about BMW's small electric hatchback. For one, it's cheap to run; the i3s – even with its upgraded sporty cues – comes powered by a 33.2-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. It only has 124 miles of range on a full charge, which isn't exactly class-leading, but it can be optioned with a gas-powered range extender that pushes the mileage to 186.

Other highlights include styling, to which we note: "It's the most forward-thinking BMW design in years." The cabin is great, too. With a number of high-quality, modern materials, it “borders on being a concept car.” Which is a good thing.

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19. Hyundai Elantra Eco

VERDICT: 6.5/10

Even the lowly Hyundai Elantra Eco gets high marks from reviewers. We gave it a respectable 6.5 out of 10 on our scale, noting likable things like price and running costs above all else. For one, it's affordable: The 2018 Hyundai Elantra starts at just $16,950 (though, our tester was a bit pricier at $21,560). Secondly, it's efficient. The EPA estimates 32 miles per gallon city and 40 mpg highway. "If your primary interests are high fuel economy and a reasonable sticker price, the Elantra Eco merits consideration."

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18. Toyota Highlander

VERDICT: 6.5/10

If we were to describe the Toyota Highlander in three words, it'd be this: "A safe bet." The crossover gets a score of 6.5 out of 10 on our review scale, specifically for safety features and price. The Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P), which includes lane-keep assist, radar-based cruise control, a pre-collision warning system with automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams. With a base price of $31,030, the Highlander is also one of the cheapest crossovers in the segment.

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17. 2019 Bentley Bentayga

VERDICT: 6.5/10

It’s hard not to fall for a Bentley, and the 2019 Bentayga V8 puts all that we love about the brand into a more affordable package. Affordable, of course, being a relative term. Despite its $165,000 base price, our tester sported $78,325 in options, which brought its out-the-door cost to an eye-widening $243,325. Still, all that kit didn’t make the big Bentley any less alluring, and its luxurious cabin, quick pace, and comfortable ride had us smitten.

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16. 2018 Volkswagen Atlas

VERDICT: 6.5/10

Goodbye Routon, Hello Atlas. Volkswagen’s newest three-row crossover, the Atlas, gets high marks for its tech and safety features. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity available atop the massive 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a matching 12.3-inch digital display facing the driver, it’s a forward-thinking crossover. The only area we dock the Atlas is efficiency; the V6-powered, all-wheel-drive version gets 17 miles per gallon in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and 19 mpg combined.

"Being a family vehicle, the Atlas won’t win you over with poshness or its ability to induce a grin in turns, but it’s remarkably skilled at the things we used to buy minivans for without any of their stigma."

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15. 2018 Volvo XC40

VERDICT: 6.5/10

The 2018 Volvo XC40 is an exception compact crossover SUV. Stylish, efficient, and undeniably Swedish, the XC40 impresses with its high-quality interior, reasonably spacious accommodations, and tech-heavy features list. As in other Volvos, the dash is dominated by a sizeable touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Additionally, soft and well-bolstered seats provide long-haul comfort, while our tester’s 248-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired spritely acceleration with up to 31 MPG on the highway, according to the EPA.

"Premium yet affordably priced, sporty and stylish yet still sensible, the 2019 Volvo XC40 makes a big impression. It also stands out in its class because so many other small premium SUVs are tough to recommend – some are too cramped, others are expensive, others have brittle ride quality."

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14. 2018 Lexus LC 500

VERDICT: 6.6/10

Lexus has a new V8-powered flagship in town and it’s an absolute riot. The Lexus LC 500 is seemingly in a class of its own. With its flamboyant styling cues and 471-horsepower V8, it bridges the gap somewhere between everyday supercar and capable touring car. The cabin is as equally as dramatic-looking as the exterior, with sculpted lines covered in Alcantara and leather. After options, our test car came out to $104,380 – but it’s easy to argue that most of the add-ons were worth the extra asking price.

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13. 2018 BMW 740e xDrive iPerformance

VERDICT: 6.6/10

Few plug-ins are as posh as the BMW 740e xDrive iPerformance. That mouthful of a name means it comes with all-wheel drive and a 2.0-liter hybrid setup that returns a segment-rivaling 25 miles per gallon in the city, 29 highway, and 27 combined. The 740e gets high marks for its tech and comfort in particular. We note that the back seat is like sitting "on a comfortable couch – it’s spacious, quiet, and the seats are extra plush."

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12. 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R

VERDICT: 6.7/10

Mercedes-AMG is taking an aim at Porsche with its race-inspired GT R coupe. The big-winged machine packs a mighty 577-hp twin-turbocharged V8 underhood that allows its go to more than match its showy exterior. While we have our ergonomic issues with the car (what’s with the positioning of the gearshift lever?), the GT R’s raw and involving driving experience ultimately superseded our small quibbles.

"The GT R can hit 60 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds, and unlike faster, more powerful competitors, such as the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, it's easy to manage."

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11. 2019 Subaru Ascent

VERDICT: 6.8/10

Subaru’s latest and largest SUV offering, the three-row Ascent, is one of the best SUVs on sale today. It easily earned a spot on our best-of-year list with its new turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and spacious cabin. In our review, we note: "Although it tips the scales at 4,603 pounds, the Ascent performs like a much smaller crossover. The steering is light and crisp, and the suspension is expertly tuned, neither too firm nor too soft."

The Ascent is also one of the first Subaru products to include EyeSight driver assist technology, which includes which includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure and sway warning, and lane keep assist as an option.

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10. 2019 Land Rover Range Rover HSE

VERDICT: 6.9/10

Land Rover’s largest, most-luxurious option received an update for 2019. And it’s even better. Scoring 6.9 stars out of 10 on our review scale, the Range Rover scores high in looks, safety, and fuel economy. In our review, we note that the Range Rover’s "simplicity and elegance is iconic, and its brutalist straight lines and angles are a welcome respite from the organic curves and soft creases adopted by so many SUVs these days."

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9. 2018 Buick Enclave

VERDICT: 7.0/10

Look away, Germany. The Buick Enclave gets high marks for its comfort – Buick’s patented QuietTuning treatment actives noise cancellation throughout the cabin, and the roominess rivals on crossovers in the class. It’s loaded with tech, too. We note that the "eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features great graphics, speedy performance, and an easy-to-understand interface."

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8. 2018 Nissan Murano

VERDICT: 7.0/10

Style, meet substance; the Nissan Murano is one of the few crossovers that blends the two seamlessly. That’s why it received an overall score of 7.0 out of 10. With high marks for both its design and its advanced tech, the Murano includes features like a large eight-inch infotainment screen in the center console and a seven-inch screen between the two analog gauges. And even with a V6, it’s still relatively efficient; the EPA estimates it will get 28 miles per gallon on the highway and 28 in the city.

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7. Chevrolet Equinox Diesel

VERDICT: 7.0/10

The only diesel-powered car we’ve driven all year ranks at number seven on our list – and that’s not just because it has a diesel engine, either. The Equinox is impressive on all fronts; it gets high marks for tech and connective features like a large, responsive touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi. It also shows up in the safety department, with an optional Confidence and Convenience (C&C) option package that adds things like rear cross-traffic alert system and a blind spot warning system.

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6. 2018 Kia Stinger GT

VERDICT: 7.0/10

One of the most talked about cars of the year comes in at number six on our list – and all its praise is well deserved. This car is a "serious contender," we note in our review and gets high marks in almost every category, specifically performance and handling. The twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 produces a hearty 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, which makes it "surprisingly quick in the straights," and the tight suspension keeps it "flat and composed in the corners."

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5. 2018 Volvo XC60 T8

VERDICT: 7.0/10

The Volvo XC60 T8 is one of our highest-rated crossovers of 2018 – and for good reason. The XC60 gets high marks for tech thanks to its Sensus Connect infotainment system and nine-inch touchscreen, and safety with its optional Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system. Underhood, there’s a hybrid 2.0-liter inline-four engine that produces up to 400 horsepower, but still returns a respectable 59 MPGe.

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4. 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid

RATING: 7.0/10

Some 18 years after the original Honda Accord was introduced in the U.S., and the sedan is still racking up acclaim. In this case, the 2018 Accord Hybrid scores the number four spot on our list with high marks nearly all around. One of its most admirable features is its standard Honda Sensing Safety suite, which includes things like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. It also scores high for efficiency, naturally, and tech.

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3. 2018 Audi A5 Sportback

RATING: 7.1/10

Audi’s lineup is loaded with a lot of heavy hitters, but few cars in this segment are as impressive as the new Audi A5 Sportback (except maybe its performance sibling). The 2018 A5 scores an impressive 7.1 out of 10 on our review scale, and we note that it “may be the apex of the brand’s collective wisdom.” The sporty four-door gets high marks in design, tech, and safety, with Audi Pre-Sense City safety standard.

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2. 2018 Ford Expedition Platinum Max

VERDICT: 7.2/10

The all-new Ford Expedition is a hugely improved product over its predecessor. We tested the new SUV in its near-fully loaded Platinum Max trim. The Expedition scores highest in interior comfort and connectivity. Ford says the new Expedition has, “has the most second- and third-row legroom among the Expedition’s competitors, and my kneecaps agree,” we note in our review. The eight-inch touchscreen display with the latest iteration of Ford’s Sync 3 system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is flawless, as well. All around, the new Expedition "is the pinnacle of Ford’s SUV pyramid."

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1. 2019 Ram 1500 Limited

VERDICT: 7.2/10

Of all the cars, trucks, and SUVs we’ve driven in 2018, the brand-new Ram 1500 impressed us the most (it just barely bests the Expedition by way of averaging). Its sharp new design paired with tons of tech and a hugely improved drive experience make it the most appealing truck on the market. In our review, we highlight the massive 12.0-inch touchscreen and its ability to display two infotainment functions simultaneously, as well as the eTorque mild-hybrid engine, which moved the two-and-a-half ton truck around with ease.

"The Ram 1500 Limited I tested was a delight in almost every way imaginable," we note in our review. "Credit the cushy air-suspension system, impressive infotainment setup, and glut of modern safety and convenience features; all of which came together to form a truck that is as comfortable as it is capable."

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From SUVs to sedans, these are the 25 best vehicles we drove in 2018.

Twenty-eighteen was a big year for the auto industry. Falling gas prices meant more of a consumer push for crossovers and three-row SUVs. More electric vehicles were introduced than ever before. And while sedans continue their downward trend, a handful of new offerings added some variety to the segment for the first time in a long time.

Now, with the calendar year coming to a close, we look back at some of the best and brightest vehicles of the year. Of the more than 100 vehicles that we drove in 2018, these are the 25 best – as decided by our editors using our intensive review system.

Each vehicle we test follows the same formula. The cars are scored using seven different categories weighted based on each segment. We don't break down our vehicle segments into separate categories based on size or price, which means all sedans are judged against each other – no matter the size or price.

The full list of categories we score are as follows:

Pricing
Design & Exterior
Interior & Comfort
Technology & Connectivity
Performance & Handling
Safety Features
Running Costs & Fuel Economy

25. 2018 Mazda6 Signature

Read Our Review:

24. Subaru BRZ tS

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23. Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible

Read Our Review:

22. 2018 BMW M5

Read Our Review:

21. 2018 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Read Our Review:

20. 2018 BMW i3s

Read Our Review:

19. Hyundai Elantra Eco

Read Our Review:

18. Toyota Highlander

Read Our Review:

17. 2019 Bentley Bentayga

Read Our Review:

16. 2018 Volkswagen Atlas

Read Our Review:

15. 2018 Volvo XC40

Read Our Review:

14. 2018 Lexus LC 500

Read Our Review:

13. 2018 BMW 740e xDrive iPerformance

Read Our Review:

12. 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R

Read Our Review:

11. 2019 Subaru Ascent

Read Our Review:

10. 2019 Land Rover Range Rover HSE

Read Our Review:

9. 2018 Buick Enclave

Read Our Review:

8. 2018 Nissan Murano

Read Our Review:

7. Chevrolet Equinox Diesel

Read Our Review:

6. 2018 Kia Stinger GT

Read Our Review:

5. 2018 Volvo XC60 T8

Read Our Review:

4. 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid

Read Our Review:

3. 2018 Audi A5 Sportback

Read Our Review:

2. 2018 Ford Expedition Platinum Max

Read Our Review:

1. 2019 Ram 1500 Limited

Read Our Review:

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From SUVs to sedans, these are the 25 best vehicles we drove in 2018.

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