The editors at Headlight.News spend hundreds of hours behind the wheel, or wheels in this case, of new vehicles talking about everything from how fast they accelerate to what kind of safety tech they feature to just how pretty are they? From those hundreds of vehicles, we’ve curated a list of the vehicles we enjoyed the most in 2024. Check them out.
The next big VW EV launch comes with the ID.Buzz microbus.
2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz. Arguably no new model, electric or otherwise, has generated as much, er, buzz as the battery-powered minivan from Volkswagen. Americans had to wait more than a year for this modern take on the legendary VW Microbus but they likely wouldn’t have found much to like about the stripped-down, two-row version first introduced in Europe. The more lavishly equipped three-row package fits U.S. tastes, though it comes with a hefty price tag, starting at $59,995 – before delivery fees. There are some flaws, notably a mediocre EPA rating. But Buzz has an eye-catching retro-futuristic design, reasonable performance and a cavernous interior. (Paul A. Eisenstein)
2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV. Mazda’s engineering staff is one of lhe most impressive in the industry. The CX 70 was well-equipped with smart ride and handling at an affordable price. It also had the added benefit of going a long way on battery power if you have access to a charger or chargers. (Joseph Szczesny)
2024 Honda Prologue Elite. This EV SUV is the result of a partnership between Honda and General Motors. While the platform and much of the core source material are shared with the Chevrolet Blazer EV, the Prologue manages to go in its own distinct direction when it comes to styling, technology, and range. Combine that with a smooth ride and a manually operated charging door (which eliminates a prominent source of consumer complaints on the Blazer) and you get a capable EV that can fit a wide range of consumer niches. (Carl Malek)
Prologue will be offered with three trim packages and a choice of front or all-wheel-drive.
2025 BMW X1 M35i. Small luxury SUV sales are on the rise and this sport-minded BMW SAV is likely one of the reasons why. The current X1 is basically the X3 from several years ago in terms of size. It’s one of the best daily drivers I’ve enjoyed in years. It’s comfortable but responsive. It’s small but capable. Need to get the kids to soccer? No problem. Not only can you lug a family of four and the soccer gear, this 312-hp pocket rocket will get you there with time to spare — a winning combination. (Michael Strong)
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The latest take on this Korean crossover is one of three finalists for North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, and wouldn’t surprise me if it wins. I was reasonably impressed during a day-long media drive but was surprised at how much I enjoyed it during a 1,622-mile drive from Salt Lake City to Detroit recently. It’s got a distinctive new design that underscores its rugged versatility, and Hyundai managed to deliver a roomier, more lavishly appointed cabin. On that long trip I was particularly appreciative of the new, semi-autonomous function which eased the stress of spending hours behind the wheel. (Paul A. Eisenstein)
2024 Genesis GV70 AWD. Genesis makes some of the most impressive vehicles around. The GV70 had everything. The latest technology and safety features, comfortable interior and impressive ride and handling. (Joseph Szczesny)
The all-new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is a boxier-looking ute, seemingly inspired by Land Rover.
2024 Toyota GR Corolla. The Toyota GR Corolla is the Frankenstein experiment that we never knew we needed. Toyota took a Corolla hatchback and infused it with the performance hardware from the Toyota GR Yaris to create a potent hot hatch that’s a surprising underdog pick when paired with its key rival the Volkswagen GTI. The model initially launched with a manual transmission only, but demand was so high that the company eventually added an automatic version to lure in more buyers. (Carl Malek)
2025 Toyota Camry. I’ve always thought of the Camry as a boring but reliable mainstay, a product that folks who don’t like cars could love. The new model, itself a finalist for North American Car of the Year, changes the equation. The new Camry is more stylish, better equipped, and a lot more fun to drive. But it continues to offer a wide range of trim packages designed to fit every budget. The most notable news it that the ninth-generation sedan comes only in hybrid form, the first model to use the fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System. The front-wheel-drive package pairs a 2.5-liter gas engine with two electric motors to make 225 hp. The all-wheel-drive option adds a third, rear motor and bumps up to 232 hp. (Paul A. Eisenstein)
Along with the new transmission, the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla gets a 10% boost in torque.
2025 Lexus LC 500h. Sports cars are supposed to be a thing of past. But the LC 500 looks like sports cars of the past but is equipped with modern technology and features such as a hybrid powertrain that makes much more fuel efficient than any traditional roadster. (Joseph Szczesny)
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the most ambitious reboots for the model that the Korean automaker has ever done. Boxier styling helps give the Santa Fe a rugged personality, and the numerous changes that Hyundai made on the inside allow the 2024 model to be more luxurious while also infusing it with higher levels of tech and capability. The XRT model, in particular, is an impressive offering out on light trails. (Carl Malek)
2024 Ford Ranger SuperCrew. While full-size pickups are ubiquitous, less so midsize models like the Ranger — and it’s a shame. The Ranger was a true do-it-all workhorse during my week driving it. Not only does it handle the stereotypical duties of a midsize pickup, such as runs to the local home improvement store for mulch and the golf course for, well … um, golf. It also was a weekend getaway vehicle helping to traverse the wilds of northern Michigan in comfort and confidence. The bed means hauling cargo isn’t a problem, but the bigger cab means the front passenger can easily tip that seat back while tooling to the next location. It was a pleasant surprise. (Michael Strong)
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