Even in the tumultuous year that was 2020, we here at Motor1.com have driven a lot of vehicles. In fact, we’ve reviewed over 200 separate products since January – ranging from pint-sized crossovers like the Hyundai Venue to convertibles like the Porsche Boxster and luxurious SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLS. But only 15 of all the vehicles we tested made our list of the best cars we've driven this year.

Each car we rate gets a score out of 10 using our tried and tested star rating methodology. The system averages the total score from seven different categories – design, comfort, tech and connectivity, performance and handling, safety, fuel economy, and pricing – with a baseline score of five in every metric. The exceptions to that rule are fuel economy and price, which use a fixed scale starting at zero. You can read more about how Motor1.com rates cars here. And early next year, look for a major update to our current format.

We should note, though: cars that are the subject of comparison tests (like the Polestar 1, Shelby GT500, and BMW M8 Competition), first drives (like the new Ford Bronco Sport), or pros and cons are not eligible for a star rating – so you won't see some of those vehicles on this list (don’t worry, that’s one of the big changes for 2021). But there are still plenty of great cars that made the cut.

2020 BMW X5 M Competition

2020 BMW X5 M Competition

Score: 7.1 / 10

The BMW X5 M Competition is an absolutely bonkers vehicle, releasing 617 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. Naturally, the X5 M Comp scores a 10 out of 10 in the performance department, as well as high marks in safety and design. Unfortunately, for as fast as it is, the X5 M isn't super comfortable – and it costs a pricey $126,295 as tested. That's why the big Bimmer gets a 7.1 out of 10 rating, but that still puts it in the top 15.

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

Score: 7.1 / 10

If you can find one on dealer lots, the base 911 Carrera Cabriolet is an absolute charmer. It looks great – scoring a 9.0 out of 10 in design – offers the latest tech, and is a natural performer. The Carrera's 3.0-liter flat-six produces 379 dazzling horses and 331 pound-feet. The 911 Cab gets a solid 7.1 out of 10 on our scale, but it's not the only drop-top Porsche on this list.

2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Score: 7.3 / 10

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is easily the best looking SUV we drove all year, so it deserves the perfect 10 out of 10 in design. But it's also a sublime performer, earning another perfect score here. With a Ferrari-sourced, twin-turbocharged V6 good for 505 horses, the Stelvio Quad can hit 60 in just 3.6 seconds. And with flawless steering and sports car-like agility, this is easily one of our favorite performance SUVs of the year… but not the best overall.

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited

Score: 7.3 / 10

The entire Hyundai Sonata lineup is great, but it's the Hybrid Limited model that's our favorite. Scoring an impressive 7.3 out of 10 on our star rating system, the Sonata Hybrid fares well in fuel economy, achieving 45 miles per gallon city, 51 highway, and 47 combined, but it's also nice to drive and offers some of the best safety, technology, and connectivity in the segment. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid starts at just $27,750; our well-equipped Limited cost $36,275.

2020 Hyundai Venue SEL

2020 Hyundai Venue

Score: 7.3 / 10

The pint-sized Hyundai Venue SEL is one of the best crossovers we drove all year. What it lacks in stature it makes up for in style, drivability, and comfort. Plus the Venue is extremely safe, with a standard suite of active safety equipment. As far as subcompact crossovers go, the Hyundai Venue is the best one we've driven all year.

2020 Lincoln Navigator Black Label

2020 Lincoln Navigator

Score: 7.3 / 10

The large-and-in-charge Lincoln Navigator Black Label earned 7.3 out of 10 stars on our rating system thanks to a great design, unmatched comfort, and an impressive selection of technology and safety. The Navigator is even relatively affordable compared to the competitive set; while our tester's $100,335 asking price may sound like a lot, the near-loaded Navigator is only slightly pricier than what some of its nearest competitors cost to start.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250

Score: 7.3 / 10

The Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 is a great small crossover with cute styling and the latest and greatest in-car tech. For those reasons alone, the GLB scored a solid 7.3 out of 10 on our rating system. But it also excels in the performance department – packing a punchy turbocharged 2.0-liter engine good for 221 horsepower – as well as pricing. At $36,600 to start, the GLB is the third most-affordable Benz behind the smaller GLA and the A-Class sedan.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S

Score: 7.3 / 10

Packing a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, good for a hearty 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S is about performance first and foremost. But this AMG model is still a great crossover elsewhere, packing impressive safety and tech, great styling, and solid comfort. The GLE 63 S scores 7.3 stars out of 10.

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera 4

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera

Score: 7.3 / 10

The Porsche 911 doesn't require expensive packages or fancy paint to be the perfect sports car. After driving a base 911 Carrera 4 coupe with all-wheel drive, it garnered 7.3 stars out of 10 on our rating scale. The latest 911 looks great, drives exceptionally, and offers plenty in the way of tech and safety.

2020 Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic

Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic

Score: 7.4 / 10

Lengthy name aside, there's a lot to love about the Land Rover Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic. Not only is this luxury SUV one of the most stylish options, but it has a standout supercharged V8 with 550 horsepower on tap and a posh cabin loaded to the brim with safety and tech. If you can swallow the $96,570 asking price, the Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic is a sublime SUV.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580

Score: 7.4 / 10

The three-row Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 is one of the finest luxury crossovers on sale today. Not only did the Benz score 10 out of 10 stars in comfort thanks to its adaptive suspension and ample cargo room, but it also got a perfect score in safety because of its advanced active suite. With an overall rating of 7.4, the Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 is one of the best three-rows we've driven all year.

2020 Genesis G90 3.3T

2020 Genesis G90

Score: 7.6 / 10

Modern full-size luxury sedans don't get much better than the latest Genesis G90. Even though our tester had the base twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 (versus the optional 5.0-liter V8), the G90 is still a stylish, sublime cruiser that offers an impressive amount of active safety equipment. This car scored a 7.6 out of 10 on our scale.

2021 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0

2020 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0

Score: 7.7 / 10

The 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 might be the best Porsche you can buy right now, full stop. It's a stylish, comfortable drop-top that excels in performance thanks to its naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine making 394 horsepower and 309 pound-feet, and a highly adaptive suspension. It's also pretty safe and well-priced; the Boxster GTS 4.0 starts at $88,900.

2020 Toyota GR Supra Premium

2020 Toyota GR Supra

Score: 7.7 / 10

One of the best sports cars we drove in 2020 – believe it or not – was the Toyota Supra. The 2020 Supra (not the updated 2021 model) received high marks in nearly every category, scoring points in key areas like design, performance, and safety. Not only was the 2020 Supra great to drive, sporting a 335-horsepower inline-six engine, but it also came standard with features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. It's also priced decently well, too, starting at $49,990. But we expect the improved 2021 model to score even higher when we get to spend more time with it.

2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Black Label

2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring

Score 7.9 / 10

The highest-rated vehicle we drove all year was the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring. The plug-in-hybrid, three-row crossover is straight-up one of the best vehicles you can buy – it's stylish and supremely comfortable, and it offers impressive safety and fuel economy. Even with 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet from the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, the Aviator GT still manages 23 combined miles per gallon and 56 mpge when using its 21 miles of pure electric range.

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