SEAT el-Born
Predicted Cost: $37,470
Our first entry from the popular SEAT is a rather interesting one. The company is mostly known for its sporty vehicles which cost somewhere between a Hyundai and a Mercedes and often provide a very entertaining driving experience. This is a very special SEAT though since it started out as a concept car in 2019, but quickly turned into a real vehicle when fans of the automaker showed unrivaled demand for the potential creation. We’re referring of-course to the 2020 Seat el-Born, the first all-electric SEAT to date. The car was originally designed as a soft-copy of the Mii Electric but quickly started to gain a life of its own.
While electric cars are amazing for the environment, they also have to be great for the consumer. Luckily, the el-Born provides a range of 261 miles per charge due to its 62kWh battery, and an electric motor that gets 201bhp. This electric hatchback sports a boxy look with many of SEATs popular hallmarks such as its very recognizable rear, threatening headlights shape, and distinct grille. It has a very beautiful pattern behind the rear windows that is meant to signify that you’re looking at an electric vehicle. We expect to see the el-Born within the next few months for a very reasonable starting price of about $37,000
Lexus RX 450h Hybrid
Predicted Cost: $45,175
One of the best things about the Lexus brand is that it keeps reinventing itself in various different ways. A great example of the company’s efforts to improve and maintain an edge over the competition is its new 2020 RX 450H. The vehicle comes in either hybrid or gas-only versions and is the latest addition to the auto maker’s flagship RX family which allegedly sells more vehicles than all the company’s other models combined.
With the 2020 RX 450H you’ll get a 3.5 liter V6 engine that has a very impressive 408 horsepower. This is an all wheel vehicle and it definitely acts the part. In-terms of design, Lexus made sure to include all the important features that make their cars unique, from the giant curved grill with it’s angular head to the famous boxy build and sharp edges. The Lexus RX 450h Hybrid has an excellent gas mileage with a combined average of almost 30 miles per gallon. The ride quality is very good and the interiors are upscale and feel brand new, which make it a fantastic daily driver. While the car isn't as fast and exciting as some of its competitors, namely the Jaguar I-Pace and the Audi e-tron, it still a great purchase if you're looking for a mid-end hybrid that does the job well.
Hyundai Sonata
Predicted Cost: $33,020
Hyundai has been making a serious effort in recent years to emulate the designs of their more European and sporty counterparts, such as Aston Martin or Jaguar, in an attempt to modernize the car and help it compete in a new market of futuristic sports cars. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata is another one of the company's attempts to create a sleek and menacing look rather than the usual round and generic build their cars usually have.
This year’s version of the Sonata looks very different from last year's, with a much lower profile and a more aerodynamic and “in your face” design. Hyundai also made sure to fit this one with some exciting state-of-the-art tech and features, including a large touchscreen that is floating center, a push-button gear selection system, and various safety upgrades that make the car super modern and desirable.
For the relatively low starting price of $33,020, you can get the 2020 Sonata, which includes an eight-speed automatic transmission and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. You can also opt for the stronger version which hosts a 2.5 liter engine and a respectable 195 horsepower. Overall, the car is extremely attractive, especially in terms of dollar value, and even more when you consider that it goes from zero to sixty in just 6.7 seconds and has a top speed of 135 miles per hour.
Lexus GX 460
Predicted Cost: $63,555
One of Lexus’ most expensive and interesting midsize SUVs is the 2020 GX 460. Like most of the automaker’s lineup, this is a very serious car both in design and performance. The GX 460 sports the usual jagged angular look and the iconic grill that makes Lexus recognizable. With the 2020 version of this three-rowed vehicle, we’re seeing a lot of upgrades and changes, starting from a new and much needed exterior redesign (including brand new headlights), an off-road package, and the mandatory improvements for the already advanced cargo-tech that is often found behind the wheel of Lexus cars.
We’ve found the 2020 GX 460 to be very similar to the Toyota Land Cruiser, although it’s clear that Lexus has the advantage when it comes to making you feel like it’s a lot more expensive than the latter. The car also has various new performance features, including Kinetic Dynamic Suspension underbody and bird’s eye cameras, low-speed cruise control, a fuel tank shield, and revised traction settings. Under the hood, you'll find a 4.6-liter V-8 that produces 301 horsepower and a zero-to-sixty acceleration of fewer than 8 seconds. This Lexus also benefits from its new Lexus' Safety System+ suite that has become standard on many of its vehicles.
Alfa Romeo Tonale
Predicted Cost: $35,000
In this day and age of environmental awareness and Tesla opening the electric car markets wide open, we’ve seen a huge rise in the number of hybrids and electrics that are being produced. It seems like every month we’re hearing of new production and concept for electric vehicles that’s going to change the world and almost all major car manufacturers have jumped into the eco-friendly car game. When Alfa Romeo announced their 2020 Tonale, many reviewers said that it “stole the show”. The new hybrid from the acclaimed and unique automaker is shaping up to be one of their most interesting creations.
The Tonale has long headlights, a uniquely low grill and a unique look that reminds us of a Nissan Juke. In terms of power, you’re looking at a 1.3 liter gas engine with an electric motor that helps energize the rear wheels and give the car 296 horsepower. In summary, the Tonale is a very pretty concept car that might just become the company's most successful compact crossover. It has a very promising future and we’re hopeful that the feeling of expectation will only increase among consumers and critics as more details come up in the near future.