A countdown of the year’s best new vehicles.
By Chris Chin and Gray Van Dyke
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“Gradually, then suddenly.” Since The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway’s signature quip has been used to describe everything from political upheaval to cultural change — or, for our purposes, industry in flux.
As with any list, our countdown of the year’s most important cars, trucks and SUVs is sure to ruffle a few feathers, if not for the selections then certainly for their order. Though perhaps it’s for the best.
After all, change is not always smooth nor welcome. But it is always on its way, first slowly before arriving all at once.
GP100: Gear Patrol’s annual roundup of the most important releases collects key watches, cars, outdoor gear and more. Browse the full list or catch up on last year’s winners.
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No matter where your biases lie as a car enthusiast or appreciator. Nearly everyone indisputably grew up with a Lamborghini poster on their wall, featuring cars like the Temerario.
It’s the follow-up to the Huracán, or Lamborghini’s midrange model, carrying the same lineage established by the Gallardo, Jalpa and Silhouette. But this time around, the Temerario boasts some radical changes.
Like its larger and significantly faster and pricier big sibling, the V12-powered Revuelto, the Temerario is the first of the breed to sport a gas-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain. Yet it isn’t all about efficiency or zero emissions, but technological prowess.
For instance, total system output is 907 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter flat-plane crank V8 punches out 789 of those horses alone.
The latter alone allowed Lamborghini engineers to achieve an eye-watering 10,000-rpm redline. And its electric-drive system boasts state-of-the-art axial flux motors.
And the results? A 0-60 time of just 2.4 seconds and a top speed well past the 200 mph mark, or 213 to be exact. All the sorts of numbers you’d expect from one of greatest purveyors of supercars in all the land.
But what’s even crazier is that Lamborghini yet to even release any variants. Its saga has only just begun.
Because it’s a completely new model, the Temerario sets the stage for the brand for the next 10 or so years, similar to the Huracán, which had a series production run for about a decade.
And because it’s the sort of car that ends up on the walls of aspiring car enthusiasts as a poster, it’s going to serve as a source of inspiration for several generations of automotive aficionados for years to come.
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Not too long ago, Bentley announced its plans to march slowly towards an all-electric future. It began by revealing its latest plug-in hybrid, the Flying Spur Speed.
However, Bentley isn’t just about fastidious opulence, but also performance. And while electric propulsion technology has proven to be worthy of some serious power, it’s still not quite the same as good ‘ol fashioned pure internal combustion.
Especially since electric propulsion gear weighs a ton and still seriously compromises performance on nearly all accounts.
Which is why Bentley flipped the bird to the movement and built the Continental GT Supersports as a poke in the eye to tree-hugging zero-emissions and efficiency committees.
Bentley Super Sport models have always been about benchmarking performance and summoning the automaker’s rich motorsports heritage. And the latest Conti GT Supersports does exactly that.
Like previous versions, Bentley takes its popular grand tourer coupe, puts it on a strong Weight Watchers plan, beefs up the suspension, chassis, brakes, engine and bodywork, caps production, all to make one of the rarest and fastest Flying Bs in all the land.
The numbers speak for themselves. Its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 punches out 657 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, allowing 0-60 mph to happen in just over three seconds.
That might be significantly less power than the plug-in hybrid powertrains in the standard Conti GT Speed and Mulliner. And it also might be slower in a straight line.
But the Supersports’ aggressive diet also means it’s a whopping 1,000 pounds lighter. That means better handling, braking and overall driving sensations from behind the wheel.
It’s simply the ultimate driver’s Continental GT. Only 500 will be made, all for the estimated cool price of around $486,000.
And because it ticks all the boxes for such performance, luxury, exclusivity and the way it says “bugger off” to buck industry trends, all those attributes make the Continental GT Supersports one of the auto world’s current greatest pinnacles.
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It’s been a couple of years since Jeep gave us one of its most iconic and elemental models: the compact Cherokee. After discontinuing the previous fifth-generation model following a long and dated nine-year production run, fans were ready for another.
At first, uncertainty loomed around the Cherokee’s future following several significant management changes with Jeep’s parent company. Additionally, as the previous model had been around since 2014, fans were left underwhelmed and ready for a new one.
Especially since the curvy and rounded exterior design of the fifth-gen model didn’t quite align with the visual ethos and rugged appearances of its predecessors. But after a rocky road, the Auburn Hills-based purveyor of patriotic four-wheelers pulled the sheets off its all-new sixth-gen Cherokee in New York City.
Revealed in August, the Cherokee arrived to eager fans and appreciators, continuing a legacy that helped define Jeep’s reputation for nearly the past half-century. Although the new sixth-gen “KM” Cherokee continues to make use of a car-based unibody chassis, it gets a completely new one.
Specifically, it utilizes Stellantis’ latest STLA Large platform, which is the same one underpinning the new Wagoneer S and Recon EVs. But because of is complete ground-up overhaul, it benefits from all the improvements that come from a total redesign.
The new Cherokee also boasts a major first. It’s the first of the breed to get a gas-electric hybrid powertrain.
Its new design represents a return to form, with a boxier and more rugged appearance. Its visual features paint a preview of what we can potentially expect to see with future Jeep models.
But most of all, we haven’t even gotten around to seeing what other variants Jeep may have up its sleeve. How about a Trail-Rated all-terrain variant? All things considered, the new Cherokee’s chapter is only just getting started.
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Once upon a time, the BMW M5 Touring was off limits to North American buyers. Quite simply, the automaker didn’t think Americans wanted it.
That’s because wagons were often perceived as uncool soccer parent-mobiles. They were the antithesis to all things fast and fun, clashing with the hearts and desires of high-paying enthusiasts and clientele.
But ever since Mercedes-Benz teamed up with AMG during its aftermarket years to make hot wagons in the 1980s, the niche grew into one of the biggest and most desirable automotive guilty pleasures among enthusiasts.
BMW jumped in on the action with the third-generation E34 M5 in the early 1990s and the E60 M5 Touring two generations later in the mid-to-late 2000s. However, neither made it to North America.
Once Audi (RS6 Avant) and Mercedes-AMG (E55/E63 AMG Estate) proved that Americans love hot long roofs after the new millennium — and are willing to pay for them — BMW M hopped on the bandwagon.
Now, to many enthusiasts rejoicing, the M5 Touring is no longer forbidden fruit. For the first time in BMW’s and the M5’s history in America, the Munich-based automaker is officially selling it Stateside.
And it’s as good as you can imagine it to be.
It isn’t without its criticisms, of course. For one, it weighs as much as a Chevy Tahoe from being saddled by all its extra gas-electric plug-in-hybrid running gear.
But with over 700 horsepower (717 to be exact) and enough torque go move the moon (738 pound-feet), it’ll still keep up with Italy’s finest Prancing Horses. It’ll sprint to 60 MPH in almost three seconds and onto a limited top speed of 155.
Yet, it does it all while being able to haul your entire family and things in the same sort of comfort a normal 5 Series wagon would. What more could you ask for?
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Many thought Lexus’s previous supercar, the insane and incredible V10-powered LFA, was just going to be an exotic one-hit wonder. But after rumors about a successor began brewing a few years back and the recent revealing of the latest LFA Concept, that obviously was not the case.
In December, Lexus unveiled its next-generation LFA next to its parent company’s first-ever standalone exotic: the Toyota GR GT.
Originally previewed at The Quail during Monterey Car Week in August as the Lexus Sports Coupe Concept, the model had a second chance to take the spotlight recently in Tokyo. Which is when Lexus confirmed it as the LFA Concept.
In addition to a completely ground-up redesign, the new LFA Concept will take a radical departure from the old model. Gone is the sonorous and iconic V10 in favor of a high-output all-electric powertrain.
It’s also longer, wider, but not necessarily taller. Rather, the changes in dimensions are meant to improve the car’s handling and performance.
For instance, the greater length and width allow Lexus engineers to place the wheels further at each corner. The result is a wider axle track, resulting in a lower center of gravity and better handling.
It also allows chassis engineers to better manage the production LFA’s heavy electric drive components.
Originally, speculation suggested Toyota’s new twin-turbocharged V8 would power the new LFA. But that’s reserved for the GR GT and the new LFA will be fully electric.
Neither Lexus nor parent company Toyota divulged any additional specifics. But needless to say, enthusiasts have another unique and unconventional supercar to look forward to in the near future.
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Concept cars generally serve one or two purposes. They either preview a potential future model, a company’s general strategic direction, new technologies and features, or all of the above. For the Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic Concept, it’s precisely option numbers two and three.
Unveiled earlier this year at the Shanghai auto show, the Three-Point Star pulled off its wraps to provide a glimpse of what to visually expect from its next generation of cars. While the Vision Iconic Concept doesn’t necessarily imply a new model, it’s more of a design study.
Every so often, these concepts sometimes translate into a production model. Some even speculated that it could hint at the return of the S-Class Coupe and Convertible.
But that’s rather unlikely. Instead, the Vision Iconic’s impact on the brand will be far greater. It will essentially dictate Mercedes’ future design language, transcending stand-out visual styling cues and themes in future vehicles.
Because it sets the stage for the company’s newest design language, the automaker clearly made sure to distinguish it from past ones. This time around, Mercedes’ designers took heavy inspiration from the height of the Art Deco period.
That squarish and shiny new grille up front? It will likely end up as the brand’s new corporate-wide signature front design element, as has been the case for all Mercedes-Benzes since the dawn of time.
In fact, it’s already showing up on the next-generation GLC-Class EV. The Vision Iconic’s overall curvaceous, low-slung shape, head- and taillight designs will also likely find their way onto future production models.
The concept also boasts some of the innovative technology that the company is working on.
For instance, the car’s paint features photovoltaic paint, which can convert the sun’s energy to electricity to help recharge its main battery pack. The Vision Iconic also showcases Mercedes’ plant to implement an all-new advanced steer-by-wire system.
Because Vision Iconic lays the groundwork for new Mercedes-Benz models in the near future, its influence will have far-reaching effects for the automaker over the next decade, if not more. Which is something that can’t be said for many other concept cars.
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After introducing the Outback as an option on the Legacy in the 1990s, Subaru eventually spun the nameplate off into its own distinct model. In doing so, the Japanese automaker created what has been one of the most successful and enduring station wagons on the American market.
Oddly enough, for the Outback’s 30th anniversary, Subaru finally succumbed to the crossover epidemic and made the model look more like a midsize SUV than ever before. Completely redesigned inside and out, it’s no longer a high-riding station wagon on account of its split headlights, taller roofline and boxier shape.
As such, even though Subaru made only minor changes to the Outback’s flat-four powertrain, the vehicle does bring some significant upgrades when it comes to the user experience.
In addition to helpful creature comforts like Nalgene-compatible cup holders, gear organizers and cable keepers, it also brings overhauled tech in the form of a fresh infotainment system and — refreshingly — a return to buttons and knobs.
Progress is inevitable and even though Subaru’s Outback wagon sold in significant quantities, it was only a matter of time before it bulked up around the outside.
As large as it looks, the appearance is deceiving as the physical dimensions are actually comparable, apart from a few inches of extra height. Nevertheless, it amounts to a significant design change for a vehicle that outlasted its donor: the Subaru Legacy.
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The Ram 1500 secured a spot on this year’s roundup not because of anything new that it brought to the table. Rather, we felt it worthy of inclusion due to the fact that the truck made a return to Hemi V8 power, as it’s a change that speaks to the state of the automotive world at large.
Last year, Ram discontinued the 5.7-liter option in favor of its more powerful and more efficient Hurricane Straight Six Turbo as part of a larger Stellantis mixed-energy strategy.
However, following continued consumer outcry and a significant change in leadership personnel, the brand reversed its decision and reintroduced the engine to the 1500 series for 2026.
As if that wasn’t enough, Ram has since reframed the whole ordeal as a marketing opportunity, announcing its commitment to internal combustion through a new “Symbol of Protest” badge and cancelling the development of its all-electric Ramcharger pickup.
In any case, the initial discontinuation and subsequent reintroduction of a V8 as iconic as the 5.7-liter Hemi (and from a truck like the Ram 1500 no less) is much more than a mere administrative error. It’s a moment that epitomizes an ongoing and industry-wide about-face regarding automotive electrification.
After all, on a Federal level, the United States’s hesitancy to embrace EVs has resulted in not only the discontinuation of tax credits but also the nullification of emissions standards.
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25 years after the discontinuation of the Prelude, Honda has revived the model for a new sixth-generation version based on the Civic hybrid. However, as notable as it is that the badge has made a return, it’s really the car’s implications that earned it a spot on this list.
For one, the Prelude — true to its heritage — is packed full of innovation, as its Honda S+ Shift drive mode brings simulated gear shifts to a hybrid-electric powertrain.
By precisely managing engine RPM and integrating paddle shifters, Honda has made it so that the car can mimic downshift blips, rev matching, gear holding and enhanced engine sounds, even though it’s a pair of electric motors that actually drive the wheels.
What’s more, the Prelude makes for the first hybrid-electric model to incorporate the chassis components from the legendary Civic Type R.
Along with the dual-axis strut front suspension, it also brings the hot hatch’s wider front and rear tracks, as well as its oversized front brakes.
In addition to previewing the potential loss of a manual for the Civic Type R, the Prelude has also proven that Honda’s parts bin can bear fruit.
Initial orders in Japan were eight times that of the monthly projections.
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It’s been over a half a century since Jaguar caused as much of a stir as the Type 00 Concept. The last time the Coventry-based automaker generated such a buzz was when it debuted the E-Type in 1961.
But when the company revealed the Type 00 Concept, it was met with both major criticism and praise. Those whose feathers were ruffled criticized it as being far too forward and avant-garde, with its unapologetically bold and polarizing design.
Many also questioned what it meant for the brand, a purveyor of sophisticated, fast and luxurious sports cars, sedans and even SUVs. On the other side, those praising the Type 00 Concept saw it as a way to depart from its antiquated past and rid the brand of its image of catering to the well-off AARP crowd.
Regardless of what side of the aisle you’re on, the Type 00 Concept’s impact on the auto industry is undeniably momentous.
It’s not just a concept either. The Type 00 previews a future production and exclusive luxury four-door grand tourer EV, one that intends to take on the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
It also reveals the company’s major rebranding and theme, “copy nothing,” complete with a new logo and insignia.
The Type 00 Concept also debuts Jaguar-Land Rover’s latest and completely new JEA or Jaguar Electric Architecture modular platform, which will spawn a complete range of all-electric models.
But most importantly, it paints a picture of what the world can expect future Jaguar Cars to look like when they pull up to the local dinner spot.
The production model will also debut the company’s in-house all-electric propulsion system. Specifications are limited, but one of the key parameters of the design is that it has to provide between 450 and 500 miles on a single charge while also delivering 956 horsepower.
Although not yet confirmed, rumors suggest the production model will be ready for primetime sometime later in 2026 and early 2027.
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Few automakers are looked upon for a glimpse into the future like Mercedes-Benz. There’s always been a saying: if you ever want a taste of the sort of innovative tech that will eventually trickle down to mainstream cars, you can always look to the Three-Point Star as the one leading the charge.
Which is exactly the case with Mercedes-Benz’s Concept AMG GT XX. It’s the company’s latest vision at an all-new, all-electric high-performance four-door sports car. If that formula sounds familiar, it’s basically what the current AMG GT Four-Door Coupe is today.
The AMG GT XX essentially teases what’s to come with the next-gen model. But furthermore, it also showcases Mercedes-AMG’s ambitions for an all-electric future and the innovative technology involved.
Despite the rocky road to EV adaptation, Mercedes-Benz and its in-house performance division remain committed to the transition. So much, that it’s investing billions into state-of-the-art axial flux motors and groundbreaking battery tech.
Not only are the new flux motors far more power-dense than the current radial flux motors used in most EVs. They also weigh significantly less, are smaller in size and far more energy efficient.
The AMG GT XX also demonstrates the company’s first-ever AMG.EA EV architecture. And it features a revolutionary cooling system apparatus that helps manage one of the biggest problems with electric motors and batterys: thermal management.
Thus, with all this tech and engineering, the results are staggering. AMG claims a total output of around 1,000 kilowatts, or about 1,360 horsepower.
Top speed? About 224 mph. And on top of all that, a driving range estimated at around 248.5 miles, thanks to an insanely low drag coefficient of 0.198 Cd.
But that’s not the only impressive statistic. With its standard 800-volt architecture along with AMG’s Formula 1-derived advanced battery pack, it can recharge up to 200 miles in just 15 minutes on a Tesla Supercharger.
These aren’t just empty statistics either. During one of its most rigorous endurance tests, engineers test drove the AMG GT XX at full over 40,000 miles in under eight days, with is the total circumference of the planet. And they’re not stopping there.
Mercedes-AMG didn’t specify when the production variant will arrive. But when it does, it’ll be one of the few cars helping to lead the industry more into an electric future.
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Although the Slate EV has yet to go on sale, the budget-friendly battery-powered truck has already proven to have an enormous impact. After all, even in the absence of standard paint, speakers and power windows, the vehicle managed to accrue more than 100,000 reservations in just two weeks.  
Of course, as a concept, Slate’s offering is truly novel in its minimalism and unlike anything on the market in its modularity. However, it’s not just a case of cutting corners to facilitate an affordable price point — the truck is designed to give consumers more control over what they drive.
As such, in keeping with the company’s name, it’s intended to be a true blank slate, allowing for customization of everything from the color of the wrap to the very body style of the vehicle itself. With accessories and upgrades available upon purchase or separately down the line, it provides a flexible buying experience unrivaled by even the cheapest of subcompacts.
From its  retro design and compact footprint to its simple interior and excessive customization options, the Slate EV bucks the status quo in more ways than one. Nevertheless, its immense virality proves that it’s exactly the kind of vehicle that carbuyers have been craving.
Whether Slate will be able to deliver at its proposed price point given the ending of Federal tax incentives remains to be seen, but there’s no denying that it’s exciting to see a pickup of these proportions at a time when trucks continue to trend larger.
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BMW is in the midst of its most pivotal transition period in nearly its entire history. The last time the Bavarian automaker overhauled its whole product range to such a degree was back in 2002, when it launched the controversial “Bangle-era” E65 7 Series.
Nearly a quarter of a century later, BMW is at it again. But this time, with the prospect of electrification. The result is its Neue Klasse generation of automobiles, which sets the theme for how its entire product range will look, drive and feel for the next 25 years.
Helping the brand charge forward into its next era is its latest all-electric compact SUV, the iX3. It’s the first production model to launch as part of the Neue Klasse strategy, featuring BMW’s latest “Heart of Joy” ideology.
More importantly, it’s the carmaker’s first mass-production electric vehicle. Originally introduced in concept form as the Vision Neue Klasse X in 2024, the iX3 is essentially the version ready for primetime.
When it hits US dealers next year, it’ll arrive in 40 xDrive form with an upgradable 50 xDrive spec. Although BMW remains tight-lipped about performance data, the carmaker did say the range-topper will churn out a total system output of 463 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque, translating to 0-60 mpg in just 4.9 seconds.
But BMW didn’t forget the most important aspect about EVs: range charging. With a state-of-the-art 800-volt architecture, engineers say the iX3 can travel up to 400 miles on a single charge and recouping 217 miles only takes 21 minutes on the appropriate Level 2 fast-charger.
It might basically be an all-electric version of the next-generation X3 compact crossover SUV. Being about roughly the same size, it’ll cost around the same too, around less than $60,000.
But because the iX3 is the first car from the Neue Klasse strategy to reach production, the iX3 is essentially the beginning of a new chapter for the brand. And that’s a huge deal.
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Kia revealed what is arguably its most important car of the decade at the Los Angeles Auto Show: the 2027 Telluride.
As one of the midsize segment’s best-selling and award-winning models, the latest second-gen version cranks up the style and pizzazz with million-dollar looks both inside and out.
When the Telluride first launched in 2019, it became a smash hit and remains a perpetual favorite here at GP. Not only did it set a new bar on how much value one can get in the mainstream market.
It absolutely excels at nearly everything it’s designed and engineered to do. While it may not be groundbreaking from a performance or technological standpoint, the Telluride is one of the very few prime examples where a car company got everything so damn right.
There are a lot of good cars and hardly any glaringly bad cars out there. However, the Telluride is genuinely and almost nearly impossible to fault.
It’s also one of the few prime examples where a car company got everything so damn right.
This time around, the second-gen model brings some very notable changes, such as more powertrain options. It drops its silky-smooth naturally-aspirated V6 for a base 2.5-liter gasoline turbo-four.
And for the first time, that four-cylinder can be paired with an electric motor as the upgradable option. That makes it the world’s first Telluride hybrid.
But because it’s a Kia, it’ll be loaded up the wazoo with tons of standard equipment and features, without costing an arm and a leg. Add in the new Range Rover-like styling both inside and out, it look far more expensive than it will most likely be.
Which means, when all is said and done, like the original, the Kia Telluride will remain as one of the greatest automotive bargains of the century.
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