The folks at Autoblog spent 2017 testing and reviewing the year’s new cars. With 2018 fast approaching, we asked them to pare down their list to the three best and worst cars of the year.
The best of the best
The best car of the year was the Lexus LC 500, a $93,000 sports coupe. It’s 471 horsepower engine takes it from 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, but that didn’t stop an AutoBlog editor from fitting a rear-facing car seat in the back seat.
Up next is the Jeep Wrangler, the 2018 model. At the time of publication, Jeep hadn’t released the pricing for this model yet, but it’s a far cry from the military Jeeps of decades ago. With new LED headlights, a new platform and a new interior. And If you’re into off-roading, you’ll love the new Wrangler. Bonus: Jeep plans to make this car a plug-in hybrid by 2020.
Rounding out the best-of-year list is the Porsche 911 GTS, a $128,980 sports car. Greg Migliore, editor-in-chief of AutoBlog said every editor who drove the Porsche was “completely taken with it.”
“The one we drove was bright red, with black accents. It was everything you imagine when you drive the iconic 911—sporty, engaging, powerful, but it’s also pretty functional,” said Migliore. He was able to fit a set of small golf clubs in the car.
There’s one more car that belongs on the best-of list, but you can’t actually buy it because it’s sold out. It’s the $450,000 Ford GT. This car evoked some of the magic of Ford’s Le Mans performance in the 1960s.
“It just brings all of that heritage and really reinforces Ford’s technological prowess in a modern age,” said Migliore.
Least favorite cars of 2017
Before we get to the list of the worst cars of the year, Migliore said most new cars are reliable, safe and decent purchases, but that doesn’t mean Autoblog reviewers liked them all. We admit our list is subjective, but these were our least favorite cars we tested this year.
Starting off with the Fiat 500X, the four-door version of the iconic 500. It’s reasonably-priced, with the model AutoBlog tested selling for $27,355, but it just wasn’t comfortable.
“The interior was tight, the steering wheel was kind of in the wrong position, you just didn’t fit in this car well,” said Migliore.
Despite the Ram Laramie Longhorn being one of Autoblog’s favorite trucks, the Southfork edition—with its belt buckles, embroidering and saddlebags — was deemed tacky.
“The harshest critic is an editor who grew up on a ranch, he grew up on a farm,” said Migliore. “He knows how good that style can look, and frankly—in this truck—that was not it.”
Wrapping up the list of worst cars of 2017 is the BMW M240i. This may come as a surprise, since BMW M series are usually coveted sports cars, but an Migliore called it a “sanitized experience.”
“This vehicle was just kind of boring,” said Migliore. “This one did not get our blood pumping, not like the Porsche, not like the Ford GT.”