The Best of 2024 Vehicle Awards

"Wow that's a hot-looking Prius," said no one ever, until Toyota decided to go against all odds and create, you guessed it, a hot-looking Prius. And this latest model uses its sleek shape to its advantage, packing 57 MPG combined (5 more than before), and using that newfound muscle to enable highway overtakes that won't test your patience. Still not enough? Then go for the 220-hp, plug-in hybrid Prius Prime, which shares the same stylish build and enables up to 44 miles of fully-electric driving range. Good looks, adequate performance, and more than enough juice to get you through your daily commute. That's exactly what should define the "best car," and the latest Prius family checks all of those boxes.

Thought the raucous Honda Civic Type R made a great driver's car? Enter its classier, more composed cousin: the Acura Integra Type S. It takes the Honda's turbo-four, actually adds even more power, keeps the standard six-speed manual, and then cushions up the seats and suspension to make for the perfect daily driver. Heck, they even padded up the CTR's bare-metal shifter to make midday summer drives less painful. And for all of those badge snobs out there, it drapes its Honda roots in a gorgeous fastback body adorned with Acura emblems. What more could we ask for? Pretty much nothing, otherwise the Type S wouldn't be on this list.

The razor-sharp looks of Hyundai's Ioniq 5 crossover won us over for last year's Best Electric SUV, and now we find ourselves looking at the brand's buttery-smooth Ioniq 6 sedan. Same platform, similar spaceship looks. A formula that's nearly identical to a previous winner is very hard to beat, and getting behind the wheel of the 6 proves us right. Its E-GMP platform allows for up to 361 miles of EPA-estimated range––which surpasses that of the longest-enduring Ioniq 5 by almost 60 miles––and even the shortest-range Ioniq 6 can last for up to 270 miles. Charging the sedan from 10% to 80% takes around 18 minutes when that range runs out. Inside, you're greeted with a rather spacious interior that seats five, and even the cheapest SE RWD trim offers more than enough standard features.

Can the winning formula of Kia's own Telluride three-row be applied to the company's first foray into the three-row EV market? Actually, yes. The EV9's attractively boxy looks, paired with its floor-mounted battery pack and elongated wheelbase, allow for an airy cabin that lives up to the roomy appeal of the gas-powered Telluride. Road trips can go on uninterrupted for up to 304 miles between charges, and hooking the EV9 up to a DC fast-charger adds around 100 miles of range in only 13 minutes. Getting back on the road, this electric SUV rockets to 60 mph in a hasty 4.5 seconds on the fastest GT-Line model. But perhaps more importantly, families won't be disappointed when it comes to luxury-level amenities. The EV9 packs in rain-sensing wipers, helpful Driver Talk and Quiet Mode features, tri-zone automatic climate control, and much more on all models.

The Rivian R1T is a two-time winner here. It could be due to the lack of new-for-2024 electric trucks, or maybe the R1T is just too good. Let's just say it's a little bit of both. The Rivian offers all of the show-stopping features and face-melting acceleration that first-time EV owners will marvel at, but there's plenty of practicality mixed in there too. The R1T fills in the voids left by the absence of internal-combustion with a useful storage tunnel just behind the rear doors, and its classy cabin packs a hidden speaker and a portable flashlight. Serving as a foil to its nimble on-road capabilities is its respectable performance when it comes to real truck stuff. The R1T can tow up to 11,000 lbs, and range varies from 270 miles to an incredible 410 miles depending on trim. This truck is promising for such a young company traversing what's only an emerging segment.

The latest iteration of Genesis's eye-catching G90 flagship is putting the big German rivals on notice. It offers some lavish features you'd typically find on a Rolls-Royce––namely self-opening doors and a delightful fragrance system––for a price that undercuts the $100K mark in base form by nearly ten grand. The origins of the G90's bargain pricing are impossible to find, as the design and materials inside and out are well on par with the likes of Mercedes and BMW, and the ride is as quiet and pillowy as you'd expect from a luxury sedan in this segment. For those who don't mind missing out on the true brand cachet offered by three-pointed stars and four rings, the Genesis G90 offers an excellent luxury experience for a value that can't be ignored.

The BMW X1 blends the company's lively driving dynamics into a more practical SUV package, one that handily comes with all-wheel drive as standard. Stepping inside the X1 reveals an interior that's roomier than most other small luxury SUVs, and with just as much tech as BMW's more expensive models. It's no pseudo-sporty coupe SUV, and it's not a lifted mall crawler. It's exactly what luxury crossover shoppers are looking for––a spry runabout that packs in the week's groceries in style, with enough power to make admittedly unexciting daily drives more exciting. The ride is smooth and composed, and handling is poised and flexible. It's the new-age, family-oriented 'Ultimate Driving Machine' we've been waiting for.

Chevy's latest whack at the entry-level end of its lineup greatly surpasses the underwhelming potato that came before it, now offering plenty of style and an expanded array of standard features. While that's an applaudable feat on its own, the fact that the Trax's $21,495 starting price undercuts that of its blatantly-cheap predecessor is what really impressed us. Even the top-of-the-line Activ model goes for below $25,000, and with that price tag it gives buyers a large 11-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and plenty of room inside its handsome wagonoid build. The Trax has already proven to be a hit with buyers (it outsold the entire Cadillac brand in Q3 2023 alone), which just goes to show that America is in dire need of more true bang-for-your-buck rides like this one.

This new Corvette E-Ray is the perfect Corvette mashup. It combines the Stingray's 495-hp 6.2 liter V8 with a 160-hp electric motor, while borrowing the styling of the track-ready Z06. And it beats all of them to 60 mph. Got those grumpy neighbors who would rather sleep in than wake up to your cold starts? The E-Ray will pacify the haters with its quiet Stealth mode, wafting silently along your neighborhood streets with not a peep from that V8. On the main road now? Cue the V8 snarl. When the light turns green, the Corvette E-Ray will blast to 60 from a standstill in a dizzying 2.5 seconds. If a C8 Z06 just so happened to be sitting at that light, the owner's ego might sustain some bruises. Sorry, but with a more powerful 'Vette in town, 2.6 seconds just won't cut it.

Toyota has overhauled its Taco menu, and it offers more of a variety of flavors than ever. From the delicious throwback that is the two-door PreRunner to the spicy, adventure-ready Trailhunter, those who loved the old Tacoma will surely get along with the new one. It takes several pages from the larger Tundra's playbook, adding a more efficient i-Force Max hybrid option and a smaller take on its big brother's chunky styling. The cabin integrates your fair share of tech without compromising utility, as responsive displays and modern-day materials are accompanied by practical switchgear and clever works of trickery, including a removable Bluetooth speaker on the dashboard. This is a pickup that gives you enough niceties and coddles you in its refined suspension, but without letting you forget it's a truck.