Mercedes-Benz GLB
Predicted Cost: $40,700
The Mercedes brand is known for German quality and is practically synonymous with luxury and technology. The company’s flagship SUV vehicles, the GLA and GLC, left something to be desired, so Mercedes did the best alphabetical trick and went ahead with the GLB model too. The boxy styled vehicle looks like an SUV, but in reality it’s a compact crossover. The 2020 GLB has 221 horsepower and goes from zero to sixty in slightly under seven seconds. It has the spacy interiors that you’d expect from a Mercedes and boasts three rows of seats and the usual high-tech features associated with the luxury German brand.
The GLB is a great mix of the GLA and the GLC and is definitely well-suited to off-road driving due to its protective underbody. For a baseline price of $40,000, you can enjoy this crossover and feel like you’re rich at the same time. So far the 2020 GLB definitely looks promising, as Mercedes finally provides a family-friendly car that is truly affordable while maintaining the company’s high standards.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Predicted Cost: $31,000
The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport takes the main complaint that has plagued the Atlas model for years — its boxy and boring look, and turns it upside down with a sexy and stylish design that compliments a very roomy interior. The car comes with two different engines, you can go for a 235 turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder or the 276-hp 3.6-liter V-6 one.
The performance of the Atlas does leave a bit to be desired when compared to other vehicles in its price range. It goes from zero to sixty in 7 to 8 seconds, depending on the package. Despite its average performance, the car provides a very smooth ride and most drivers would definitely enjoy long road trips in this vehicle. Its fuel economy is also average, at 21 miles per gallon in the city and 24 on the highway. Based on consumer reviews and sentiment, it's clear that outside of the sleek new design, there's not too much else that was improved in the 2020 version of the car. Should you be interested in the 2020 Atlas? We’d give it a pass.
Tesla Roadster
Predicted Cost: $200,000
Speaking of Elon Musk, the legendary car company Tesla was truly supposed to fail when it first launched. With heavy financial debts and a lack of ability to sell enough units, everyone was sure that the company was not going to survive until Christmas. However, somehow, Tesla managed to prevail and finally revealed what is supposed to be the fastest car in the entire world. Let’s get the first thing out of the way, the 2020 Tesla Roadster goes from zero to sixty in 1.9 seconds, which is literally faster than any other legal street car currently in production. In terms of range, the Roadster will take you for about 620 miles on a full charge, enough to take you almost three times from New York to Washington.
Everything about this car is exciting and special, from having virtually zero buttons, an incredible infotainment screen that beats every other car by a longshot, streaming services that were developed in-house by Tesla, an incredibly useful autopilot system that already saved the lives of many drivers, and a gazillion other features that only the mind of Elon Musk and his team of engineers could imagine and create.
Toyota GR Supra
Predicted Cost: $49,990
Toyota is mostly recognized as an entry-level car manufacturer. The GR Supra series takes that concept and throws it to the trash. At a base cost of around $50,000, you can expect to get 335 horsepowers out of the 3.0 liter, six-cylinder engine which sounds amazing and super sharp. The Supra comes in three packages — the 3.0, the 3.0 Premium, and the 3.0 Premium Launch Edition. Toyota’s sports car is highly acclaimed for it’s beautiful and aggressive design, the comfortable electric adjustable seats and performance which rivals that of the BMW Z4.
Despite the undoubtedly incredible look of the Supra, the Sportster does have its fair share of problems. The car is criticized for having a plasticky interior, a bad fuel economy (24 miles per gallon in the city and 31 on the highway) and a lack of Android Auto which turns it into a fairly impractical car if you're a daily driver. In summary, the GR Supra is truly a wild racing car. It's a beast that you'll enjoy taming if you're interested in a compact sports car that spits out excellent performance. However, if you're the type of driver that only occasionally likes to step on the gas pedal, it might be a good idea to go for a different vehicle.
Land Rover Defender
Predicted Cost: $50,000
One of Land Rover's most iconic models is the beloved Defender. After more than two decades of hiatus for the Defender model, Land Rover decided to receive the model with an upgraded 2020 version that has all the bells and whistles to match. It has a boxy shape that makes it feel like an Army SUV, a rugged protective build and some insane off-road abilities. Basically, this is the ideal car for adventure enthusiasts who like the kind of car that can take you just about anywhere.
The Defender comes in two sizes, a two-door 90 and a four-door 110. You can also choose between a 300 horsepower 2.0-liter engine and a 400 horsepower 3.0-liter hybrid engine. Inside the car, you’ll find temperature monitors in the dampers for vehicle protection as-well-as many updates that are considered the tip of the spear when it comes to off-road tech. Critics claim that the Land Rover Defender is arguably the best off-road vehicle ever made by the popular company.