All We Want For Christmas Are These Cars Parked Under The Tree

When we do this feature next year, I’ll almost certainly end up picking an electric car like the Ford Mustang Mach-E or Porsche Taycan. But for this year, I’m going with a big V8-powered luxury coupe. You see, as a mental exercise, I often consider what my perfect two-car garage would be. The winter vehicle remains a Range Rover Sport Autobiography, but my summer car has changed. In the spot formerly occupied in my mind by a Porsche 911 Carrera S sits a Bentley Continental GT V8. 

I’ve built this car many times on Bentley’s consumer page (you can view it using the code “EUYH64AK” at the Bentley configurator). The color is called Verdant, and it’s a deep, rich, dark metallic green. The wheels are black, and there’s no chrome on the exterior, because I need to be just a bit douchey. But as cool as this car looks on the exterior, it’s nothing compared to the cabin. 

My car’s two-tone interior features Cumbrian Green and Linen leather, with two-tone veneers (crown-cut walnut on top and piano black on the bottom) and a Côtes de Genève metal center console. There’s diamond knurling throughout, and of course, I grabbed the rotating center display, which might be the coolest optional extra on sale today. There’s contrast stitching and piping. The overall level of quality is so high only a select few vehicles can match it. 

And under hood sits a V8 engine. That’s right, to hell with the W12 – the Conti’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 is better. It sounds better, its lighter weight allows the car to handle better, and it’s every bit as charming and enjoyable to push around as its twelve-cylinder sibling. The latest Conti GT is damn near perfect, and for that reason, it’s my dream Christmas gift. 

– Brandon Turkus, Managing Editor 

If I’m buying into the fact that Santa’s bringing me a car for Christmas, then I might as well make my choice one that’s easy for ol’ St. Nick to haul halfway across the globe. Weighing in at just over a ton, the Plus Six is a lightweight by today’s automotive standards. Despite its classic looks, which I absolutely adore, the Plus Six packs new-world tech under its hood by way of a BMW-sourced turbocharged straight-six engine. With 335 horses, the little roadster will hit 60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds. Now that’s a sleigh I’d like to ride in. One small request, though. Please have the elves whip up a proper six-speed manual gearbox for my Plus Six, Mr. Kringle. I’m sure the car’s eight-speed automatic is a great transmission, but I’d like an old-school gearbox to match my Plus Six’s old-world styling. 

- Greg Fink, Senior Editor

The Polestar 1 isn't the fastest, nimblest, or even best overall car I've driven this year (humble brag). And at $155,000, it's definitely not the cheapest, either. But while the Polestar 1's individual numbers may not wow you, the sum of its parts makes this vehicle one of my favorite of the year. I would gladly welcome it under my Christmas tree. 

For one, this is a remarkably good daily driver. The Polestar 1's ability to switch between gas and battery power is unrivaled, and its approximate 80-mile electric range means it drives more like a pure EV. The Polestar 1 is also insanely attractive (thanks, Volvo), its cabin is quiet and refined, and with standard features like rear-wheel steering and expertly tuned Ohlins dampers, this car is extremely fun to toss around… even though it weighs more than 5,000 pounds. 

The Polestar 1 may not be perfect for everyone, but this is the perfect car for me. 

– Jeff Perez, Senior Editor 

There are very few cars out there that fully live up to the meaning of the word all-rounder. The new Audi RS6 Avant is on that shortlist by blending supercar-like performance with the immense practicality you’d want from a big wagon. It also happens to be sinfully gorgeous and equipped with the latest and greatest tech to come from Ingolstadt. 

The best thing about the Audi RS6 Avant? It’s finally coming to the United States, and while I’m sure it will cost six figures, it’ll be worth every penny. I’d have it over the Mercedes-AMG E63 Wagon every day of the week and twice on Sundays. In a world obsessed with SUVs, a wagon that blurs the line between a family car and a supercar is the perfect antidote in my opinion. 

If I’m allowed to dream, I’d have mine with a sinister all-black look riding on the optional 22-inch alloy wheels and with a cream leather interior. 

– Adrian Padeanu, News Editor 

Adrian and I have had plans for about a year to co-parent an Audi RS6 Avant. Because he lives in Romania and I live in Florida, the logistics are still somewhat foggy (at best). But don’t worry, I'm sure it will happen at some point.  As we work through the final details of that arrangement, I need something to drive in the meantime and there is nothing I want more than a Porsche Taycan. 

Admittedly, I’ve only spent time with the entry-level Taycan 4S, but even that car was enough to make me a believer in Porsche’s first all-electric endeavor. Despite it not having the best EV range and starting at over $100,000, I just can’t get the 4S out of my head. It combines the handling and performance that you’d expect from a gas-powered Porsche, but with obvious benefits of instant electric torque. 

The Taycan vs Tesla argument could go on for hours if you really want it to, but rather than do that I'll just say that this is the first electric car I've driven that makes me genuinely excited about the future of performance cars. So, until Adrian and I stop arguing over how to spec our RS6, I'll be over here begging for a Taycan under the tree. Can you hear me, Santa? 

- Clint Simone, Associate Editor, Video Producer 

Growing up, the only cool things under the tree ran on batteries. Nowadays, I feel the same way about cars. Obviously, then, I need to make a battery-powered choice here. 

Although we are on the cusp of a number of exciting electric vehicles arriving – the Porsche Taycan, Polestar 2, and Ford Mustang Mach-E spring quickly to mind – the best choice this year may be one of the oldest models on the market: the Tesla Model S Performance. 

This old dog has been learning new tricks since it began rolling off the Fremont factory floor back in 2012. So, though it may be getting up there in age, it's still very young at heart. Just this past April, for example, the latest "Raven" update debuted, blessing the liftback sedan with fully adaptive air suspension, faster fast charging (200 kW!), and 373 miles of EPA-rated range (the Performance trim is rated for 348 miles). 

With free Supercharging now included and cool features being added regularly via over-the-air updates – think Dog Mode, Sentry Mode, and Smart Summon, to mention but a few  – it pretty much stomps potential competitors. Its huge hatch, comfy ride, and Navigate on Autopilot make it perfect for cross-continental trips or commuting through town. And don't even think about trying to take it at the lights. With 60 miles an hour arriving in 2.4 seconds, this thing owns. Still. 

– Domenick Yoney, Community Manager  

Big surprise, right? Motor1.com’s resident Mustang owner goes for the most powerful Mustang ever, but what really has my attention here isn’t the 760 horsepower under the hood. I’ve owned high-powered cars in the past, and once you get over 550 it’s less about how much power you have and more about how you can use it, which is very difficult on the street. That’s why I was never much of a previous-generation Shelby GT500 fan because, frankly, Ford didn’t spend enough time making the rest of the car worthy of such power. 

The new GT500 is a different animal. With the aero enhancements and an independent suspension, the GT500 can finally go after corners not just with better poise, but more confidence as well. I dig the looks, too, and while there are many people grumbling about the lack of an old-school manual transmission, I’m all-in for the quick-shifting DCT that still gives me full manual control. What’s that? You’re upset about not having a clutch pedal? Sorry, I can’t hear you over the blown 5.2-liter V8 turning a 10.6 quarter-mile with cog swaps taking mere milliseconds. 

I know what you’re thinking. After complaining about anything over 550 hp being too much, why not take the Shelby GT350 instead? It’s an awesome machine for sure, but I really like the DCT for proper track action. And that’s where I’d spend most of my time with the GT500 – cutting tenths off lap times at road courses and blitzing quarter-mile drag strips. Sadly, with GT500 prices topping six figures in certain trims, I suspect most sales will go to collectors or poseurs who only take occasional slow-speed cruises through town to show off how much money they have. That’s so not what owning a Mustang is all about. 

– Christopher Smith, Contributing Writer 

Yes, that’s a name you are probably not familiar with if you’re reading this in America. It’s sold exclusively in Europe, but since part of Motor1.com U.S./Global edition’s team is located on the Old Continent, I think this is a pretty solid choice. Not a popular one though, but one that ticks all the right boxes on my personal list. 

Updated two months ago for the 2020 model year, the S-Max is Ford’s sporty family hauler, which is one of the most driver-focused minivans on the market. I know that driver-focused is not what customers in this dying segment usually want but, in my eyes, this MPV has the perfect balance between a traditional people mover for the long weekend trips and an everyday ride with proper handling and suspension. 

The recent 2020 update brought new cleaner and more powerful engines in combination with a refined eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, which replaced the older six-speed dual-clutch transmission. A 240-horsepower (179-kilowatt) diesel engine is all I need for my daily duties and even the summer journeys should be an easy task for the torquey mill. 

And if the family budget allows it, upgrading to the Vignale trim is the best possible choice. With sophisticated features such as a leather-wrapped dashboard and center console, heated steering wheel, and front seats with heating, cooling, massaging, and memory functions, the S-Max Vignale becomes a no-alternative model in the minivan segment. 

- Anthony Karr, Contributing Writer 

It was difficult deciding which car I’d like to find under the tree Christmas morning, so I settled for a unicorn – the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. While I would prefer the hardtop, which Alfa no longer sells, there’s no doubt I’d daily this spritely Italian sports car. I love the bizarre push-button transmission, and the lack of power steering is a blessing, not a curse. It has all the features I desire, and none of the useless, costly extras I despise.  

The turbocharged four-cylinder isn’t powerful by any respectable measure, but it is potent enough to rocket the Spider to 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds, which is plenty quick for me. The top speed is limited to 160 mph, which will earn drivers more than just a speeding ticket if caught.  
I also enjoy the Spider’s sparse interior and lack of luxury and safety features. Yes, the head unit looks more aftermarket than OEM, but you’re not driving an Alfa to enjoy the audio experience. Is the Alfa the best mid-engine sports car you can buy right now? No, of course not. But it is rare, and I like that. 

- Anthony Alaniz, Contributing Writer 

It's better to give than receive, so rather than choosing a vehicle for myself, I'm gifting my wife and dog a new ride. My wife currently drives a 2012 Outback. She loves it but wants some modern amenities like a backup camera. I want to give her a 2020 Outback Onyx Edition.

Subaru apparently had my wife specifically in mind when outfitting the Onyx Edition. It has all the safety assists she wants. Plus, she doesn't like leather, and this model gets Subie's StarTex water-repellent upholstery. The material would probably withstand the dog better, too, and he's always with us on trips. Adding the optional package that combines a power moonroof, navigation, and reverse automatic braking would give her all the amenities she wants in a vehicle.

I have to admit this choice isn't entirely selfless, though. While she would drive it to work during the week, I'd get a chance to be behind the wheel on weekends and for road trips. The new 260-horsepower, 2.4-liter turbocharged engine should offer a little excitement from this family hauler.

- Chris Bruce, Contributing Writer