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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The best cars we drove in 2020 were a subjective CNET/Roadshow selection that included the Porsche 911 Turbo S, Volvo XC40 Recharge, Rivian R1T, Cadillac Escalade, Lotus Evora GT, Bugatti Baby II, Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe, Ram 1500 TRX, and 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI. No universal winner was declared.
The vehicles came from radically different categories, so “best” meant memorable for a particular reason: usable supercar speed, electric character, luxury technology, manual involvement, off-road capability, novelty, or simple driving charm. The underlying article was published on December 31, 2020, and its specifications, prices, and projections should be kept in that period’s context.
Key takeaways
- The best cars we drove in 2020 was a subjective staff roundup, not a standardized test or universal ranking.
- The Porsche 911 Turbo S was the clearest performance benchmark because it combined extreme speed with comfort, confidence, storage, and daily usability.
- The 2020 standouts ranged from electric vehicles and luxury SUVs to an off-road pickup, manual sports car, miniature electric Bugatti, and 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI.
- The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge stood out for instant all-wheel-drive torque and character, although its period compromises were about $55,000 starting price and roughly 200 miles of range.
- The 2021 Cadillac Escalade represented the most complete luxury experience, while the Lotus Evora GT represented unusually livable analog sports-car engagement.
What were the best cars driven in 2020?
The best cars we drove in 2020 were the vehicles that created the strongest memories for CNET/Roadshow staff, not cars chosen through a single objective score. The selection included the Porsche 911 Turbo S, Volvo XC40 Recharge, Rivian R1T, Cadillac Escalade, Lotus Evora GT, Bugatti Baby II, Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe, Ram 1500 TRX, and 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI.
The original year-end article makes its editorial approach clear: “From electric cars to supercharged trucks, and even a vintage offering or two, here are the best cars we drove in 2020.” The roundup followed a year of driving hundreds upon hundreds of cars, but the source does not provide a precise test count or a publication-wide scoring system. Read the original 2020 CNET/Roadshow roundup for the source selections and individual contributors’ impressions.
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How should the 2020 list be interpreted?
The 2020 list is best understood as a collection of driving memories rather than a declaration that one vehicle was objectively better than every other vehicle. A luxury SUV, an electric pickup, a manual sports car, and a tiny recreation of a historic race car cannot be fairly ranked on acceleration alone.
The useful comparison axes are driving character, performance, everyday usability, technology, practicality, novelty, and period price or value. Those criteria explain why the list includes both the extraordinarily fast 911 Turbo S and the modest 1984 Rabbit GTI: each delivered a distinctive experience that stayed with its driver.
| Vehicle | What made it memorable | Best interpreted as | Important context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge | Instant electric torque to all four wheels and strong throttle response | An EV with personality | Period concerns included about $55,000 starting price and roughly 200 miles of range |
| Rivian R1T | Electric power, pickup practicality, and serious off-road ambition | A new interpretation of the pickup | The source described a preproduction vehicle and period projections |
| Porsche 911 Turbo S | Supercar pace with quiet comfort, storage, and cornering confidence | The usable supercar benchmark | 2.5-second 0-to-60 mph claim and 205-mph top-speed claim in the period article |
| 2021 Cadillac Escalade | Ride refinement, OLED displays, V8 power, and advanced driver technology | The most complete luxury product | More enjoyable cars existed for some contributors, including the Mazda MX-5 Miata |
| 2020 Lotus Evora GT | Manual involvement, direct handling, sound, braking, and unusual comfort | An analog sports-car bargain | Just over $100,000 in the period context |
| Bugatti Baby II | Scale, novelty, historic design, and pure joy | A memorable collector experience | A 75%-scale electric Type 35 recreation; official product page says 500 were to be built |
| 2020 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe | V8 drama paired with steering, adaptive suspension, and handling ability | German muscle with finesse | 503 horsepower, 516 lb-ft, and a 3.7-second 0-to-60-mph claim |
| 2021 Ram 1500 TRX | High-speed desert performance, jumps, and supercharged V8 theater | An off-road spectacle | 702 horsepower, 650 lb-ft, and more than 13 inches of suspension travel |
| 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI | Lightweight, humble character that outshone more expensive machinery | Proof that memory is not measured by price or power | The available source copy gives no precise performance-test dataset for this selection |
Why was the Porsche 911 Turbo S the clearest performance benchmark?
The Porsche 911 Turbo S was the clearest performance benchmark because it delivered supercar acceleration without demanding supercar compromises. The 2020 article cites a 2.5-second 0-to-60-mph time and a 205-mph top speed, but the contributor’s larger point was how usable that pace remained on ordinary roads.
The 911 Turbo S combined rapid acceleration with confidence on a mountain road, a quiet cabin, useful storage, and enough comfort to function as a daily car. That combination matters more than a single acceleration figure: the Porsche was not merely fast in a straight line; it made extreme performance approachable and repeatable.
Against the Lotus Evora GT, the Porsche offered greater all-weather precision and broader usability, while the Lotus supplied more manual, analog involvement. Against the Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe, the Porsche emphasized confidence and precision rather than the Mercedes’ rear-drive V8 drama. Porsche’s official 911 Turbo S model information is useful for separating the current product description from the 2020 article’s period impressions.
For enthusiasts who want a display piece rather than a full-size sports car, a Porsche 911 Turbo S model car is a natural companion to this section. Porsche’s 2021 lifestyle catalog documents 1:18-scale 911 Turbo S 992 die-cast models; verify the exact listing, licensing, seller, scale, and availability before purchase.
What made the 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge one of the best cars driven in 2020?
The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge was selected because its electric powertrain gave a compact luxury crossover genuine character. Instant torque sent to all four wheels made the Volvo feel responsive, while strong throttle response provided the kind of immediate power that can make an EV memorable rather than merely efficient.
Rank #2
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The selection was not uncritical. In the article’s 2020 context, a starting price of about $55,000 and roughly 200 miles of range were meaningful compromises. Those figures belong to the historical evaluation and should not be confused with specifications or pricing for later XC40 Recharge or Volvo EX40 model years. The period roundup’s XC40 Recharge discussion explains why driving character outweighed those reservations for the contributor.
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Was the Rivian R1T a production-ready winner in 2020?
The Rivian R1T was a memorable 2020 drive because it suggested that an electric pickup could be fast, practical, and genuinely capable away from pavement. The source described a preproduction R1T completing a seven-day off-road journey and presented the truck as potentially transformative.
Projected battery choices, power, torque, cargo volumes, and off-road geometry in the period article must be treated as preproduction claims, not current production specifications. The R1T’s significance in this roundup was its concept: electric propulsion did not have to mean sacrificing pickup utility or serious off-road intent.
The Rivian and Ram TRX represent opposite kinds of off-road excitement. The Rivian’s appeal was electric force and a new vehicle architecture; the Ram’s appeal was familiar supercharged V8 spectacle, suspension travel, and high-speed desert theater.
Why did the Cadillac Escalade count as a best car even though it was not the most fun?
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade counted as a best vehicle because “best” can mean the most complete luxury product rather than the most agile or entertaining car. The contributor praised the Escalade’s smoother, better-controlled ride, independent rear suspension, expansive OLED display area, and technology suite, while acknowledging that the Mazda MX-5 Miata was more enjoyable to drive.
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The period Escalade used a standard 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 and offered more than 38 inches of OLED display area, night vision, augmented-reality navigation, and Super Cruise. Those are historical model-year details from the 2020 roundup, not claims about every later Escalade configuration. The source article’s Escalade section shows how ride control, cabin technology, and long-distance refinement shaped the selection.
How did the Lotus Evora GT differ from the Porsche 911 Turbo S?
The 2020 Lotus Evora GT differed from the Porsche 911 Turbo S by making driver involvement, rather than effortless speed, the center of the experience. A supercharged V6 produced just over 400 horsepower, and a six-speed manual gearbox connected the driver directly to the car.
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The Evora GT earned praise for direct steering, canyon-road sound, handling, braking, and confidence. The surprising part was its comfort: the car was described as unusually livable for a Lotus, including on poor roads. At just over $100,000 in the period context, the Evora GT was also framed as a performance value.
The Porsche was the more complete usable supercar, with greater speed, quietness, storage, and daily ease. The Lotus was the more deliberately analog choice, rewarding gear changes and road feel. Neither comparison can be reduced to horsepower because their appeal came from different forms of communication and engagement.
Why was the Bugatti Baby II the most joyful selection?
The Bugatti Baby II was memorable because it created an unusual experience rather than because it matched a full-size performance car. The contributor described the small electric vehicle as producing the biggest smile and largest impression of the year, demonstrating that novelty, scale, and joy can matter as much as horsepower or lap times.
The official Bugatti Baby II product page describes the vehicle as “a 75% scale, fully electric reincarnation of the iconic Bugatti Type 35, developed using a full 3D scan of an original 1924 French Grand Prix car.” The same product page states that only 500 cars were to be built. The Bugatti Newsroom reported a North American range of up to approximately 31 miles, depending on driving style, in its January 2020 North American announcement.
The Bugatti Baby II is better understood as a premium collector and enthusiast vehicle than as an ordinary children’s toy. Regional availability, current price, safety requirements, intended age, and operating rules require separate verification before treating the product as a purchase recommendation.
What made the Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe memorable?
The 2020 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe combined German muscle-car drama with enough chassis sophistication to remain composed in corners. The article lists a 4.0-liter V8 producing 503 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, with a 3.7-second 0-to-60-mph time.
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The C63 S’s appeal extended beyond its powertrain. Steering, adaptive suspension, a limited-slip differential, and available carbon-ceramic brakes gave the coupe the tools to handle its straight-line performance. Compared with the manual Lotus Evora GT, the Mercedes offered more V8 force and practical performance; compared with the Porsche 911 Turbo S, it delivered more rear-drive muscle and sound but less of the Porsche’s all-weather precision.
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These figures and equipment references describe the period car discussed in the 2020 roundup. They should not be silently applied to later Mercedes-AMG C63 generations, especially those with different powertrain layouts.
Why was the Ram 1500 TRX a standout rather than a practical choice?
The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX was a standout because it turned an off-road pickup into a high-speed spectacle. A supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 produced 702 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, while more than 13 inches of suspension travel supported jumps and fast desert driving.
The TRX was not selected for efficiency, compact dimensions, or restrained operation. Its appeal was adaptive suspension, off-road capability, and the theatrical experience of using enormous power in terrain where most trucks would slow down. The TRX and Rivian R1T therefore answer different questions: the Rivian asked what an electric pickup could become, while the TRX celebrated the emotional excess of a supercharged V8.
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The 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI reveals that the list was about driving character and memory, not price, power, or novelty. One contributor chose the humble old hatchback as the best car driven that year, saying it made a stronger impression than more expensive and powerful machinery.
The available source copy does not provide a precise performance-test dataset for this Rabbit GTI selection. That absence is important: the case for the Volkswagen rests on the contributor’s experience, not on an invented ranking or specification comparison. The Rabbit GTI gives the roundup its clearest reminder that lightness, simplicity, and personality can stay with a driver longer than intimidating numbers.
Which 2020 standout is best for each kind of driver?
The right answer depends on what “best” means to the driver. The roundup does not identify one universal winner, but its vehicles map cleanly to different priorities.
| If the priority is… | Best match from the roundup | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Usable supercar speed | Porsche 911 Turbo S | Extreme acceleration and top speed combined with comfort, storage, quietness, and confidence |
| Electric character | 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge | Immediate all-wheel-drive torque and strong throttle response |
| Electric off-road promise | Rivian R1T | Pickup utility and serious off-road ambition in a preproduction electric package |
| Luxury technology | 2021 Cadillac Escalade | Refined ride, OLED displays, V8 power, night vision, augmented-reality navigation, and Super Cruise |
| Manual, analog involvement | 2020 Lotus Evora GT | Six-speed manual, direct responses, strong sound, and surprising road comfort |
| V8 drama with handling | 2020 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe | 503-horsepower V8, rear-drive character, adaptive suspension, and strong braking hardware |
| Off-road theater | 2021 Ram 1500 TRX | 702-horsepower supercharged V8 and more than 13 inches of suspension travel |
| Novelty and joy | Bugatti Baby II | A 75%-scale electric Type 35 recreation with collector appeal |
| Humble driving character | 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI | A simple hatchback that made a deeper impression than more expensive machinery |
What was the best car of 2020?
There was no single objective best car of 2020 in this roundup. The Porsche 911 Turbo S is the strongest all-around performance answer because it paired supercar pace with daily usability, but the article’s broader conclusion is that the best car is the one that creates the most meaningful driving memory for a particular driver.
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That is why the list can credibly place the 911 Turbo S beside the Escalade, Evora GT, Baby II, and Rabbit GTI. The vehicles excelled at different jobs: speed, luxury completeness, analog involvement, joy, and humble character. The list is most useful as a map of memorable automotive experiences—not as a buying guide that declares one winner for every reader.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the best performance car driven in 2020?
The Porsche 911 Turbo S was the clearest performance benchmark in the 2020 roundup because it combined a cited 2.5-second 0-to-60-mph time and 205-mph top speed with cornering confidence, comfort, quietness, storage, and daily usability. The article did not establish a formal overall winner.
Why was the Volvo XC40 Recharge one of the best cars driven in 2020?
The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge was selected as a top car because its electric powertrain delivered instant torque to all four wheels and strong throttle response. In the 2020 context, its main compromises were an approximately $55,000 starting price and roughly 200 miles of range.
What is the Bugatti Baby II featured among the best cars of 2020?
The Bugatti Baby II was a 75%-scale, fully electric recreation of the Bugatti Type 35, developed from a 3D scan of an original 1924 French Grand Prix car. Its appeal in the roundup was novelty and joy, and its official product page said 500 cars were to be built.
Was the best cars we drove in 2020 list an objective ranking?
The 2020 list was not an objective ranking. It was a staff-curated collection of memorable drives, so vehicles were recognized for different qualities including speed, luxury refinement, manual engagement, off-road spectacle, electric character, novelty, and simplicity.
The Bottom Line
The best cars we drove in 2020 were not united by price, power, body style, or propulsion. The Porsche 911 Turbo S was the clearest usable-performance benchmark, but the Volvo XC40 Recharge, Cadillac Escalade, Lotus Evora GT, Rivian R1T, Ram TRX, Bugatti Baby II, Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe, and Rabbit GTI each earned attention for a different kind of driving character.
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