Cars of 2014

61. Porsche – Panamera

• The Panamera sedan will come in three new variants later this fall: the S E-Hybrid, Porsche’s first plug-in hybrid; and two executive versions of the Panamera 4S and Turbo models that are longer and come with a new 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 engine that gets 420 horsepower.
• The hybrid can produce up to 95 horsepower in all-electric mode; a 333-horsepower, 3.0 liter V6 kicks in after about 20 miles or so of all-electric driving.
• Fuel economy hasn’t been released for the hybrid, but the turbocharged versions get 18 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

62. RAM – Heavy Duty

• RAM updates its 2500 and 3500 work pickups. Both get new frames, and the 2500 gets the company’s link-coil suspension. Also new is an optional 6.4 liter, 410 horsepower V-8 engine. Air suspensions are optional as well.
• Due in showrooms in the fourth quarter.

63. Rolls Royce – Wraith

• The two-door, four-seat Wraith has the unmistakable and imposing front end of a Rolls with a rakish slanted roof in the rear.
• It’s the most powerful Rolls ever built, with a 6.6 liter V12 engine(624hp).
• Interior – there’s a new system that uses GPS data and navigation to scan the road ahead and automatically pick out the right gear from the eight-speed transmission.
• Another first is a rotary controller for the dashboard screen that has a touch-sensitive pad that lets you “write” who you want to call or where you want to go with your finger.
• You can have 1,340 fiber optics sewn into the headliner to make it look like you’re driving under a starry sky.
• Goes on sale later this year.

64. Scion – tC

• Sports Coupe.
• More aggressive styling thanks to its bigger grille, narrower headlights and 18 inch wheels. Inside, a 6.1 inch touchscreen audio system (standard).
• 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine (179hp) and either a 6 speed manual or an updated 6 speed automatic transmission.
• Estimated 23mpg in the city and 31mpg on the highway.

65. Subaru – Forester

• The small SUV has been in dealers much of the year, and it’s selling faster than just about any other car in America.
• The versatile Forester, with ample space in the back for a wet dog, comes standard with a 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine (170hp) to power all four wheels.
• It’s the only small SUV to ace an insurance group’s offset frontal crash test.

66. Subaru – XV Crosstrek

• First gas-electric hybrid, aimed at the environmentally sensitive outdoorsy crowd that wants efficiency while hauling kayaks to the river.
• It has stop-start technology that shuts down the engine at red lights to save fuel.
• Yet it has AWD capability and the same 8.7-inch ground clearance so it can go on trails.
• The Crosstrek has a 2 liter Boxer engine (148hp), plus a 13.4 horsepower electric motor and a continuously variable transmission that keeps the engine revving in an optimal range for gas mileage and power.
• Automatic gets 33 mpg on the highway and 28 in the city.

67. Tesla – Model X

• Electric car maker Tesla currently makes just one sedan, the Model S.
• Its next vehicle, the Model X crossover, is expected to go on sale toward the end of 2014.
• A pre-production version shown at the Detroit auto show last January had seven seats and unique gullwing doors that open vertically instead of sliding to the side.
• Like the Model S, the Model X will have a choice of batteries – 60 kWh or 85 kWh – and a large touchscreen dashboard.
• The Model X will also have an AWD option, something the Model S doesn’t have right now.
• More details, including price and equivalent fuel economy, will be released this year.

68. Toyota – 4 Runner

• The redesigned 2014 4Runner has a distinctive, architectural front grille and a standard roof rack on all trim levels.
• Interior – there’s more second-row leg room thanks to sculpted front seats, and lower trim levels get nicer features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter.
• The 4.0 liter V6 (270hp) remains, and gets 17 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway for the 4×4 or 23 for the 4×2.
• Goes on sale in September.

69. Toyota – Corolla

• The 11th generation of the Corolla – one of the best-selling small cars on the planet.
• Toyota took a risk with an edgier, more chiseled design and LED headlights give the car a more premium look.
• The car is nearly 4 inches longer, which makes the interior roomier, especially for the rear passengers.
• Also added more carpet insulation and other materials to make the cabin quieter.
• There are two four-cylinder engine choices: a 1.8 liter (132hp), which is carried over from the previous generation and the 1.8 liter with Toyota’s Valvematic technology, which slightly improves fuel economy and horsepower by offering a broader range of valve timing.
• There’s a 4 speed automatic transmission in base models, but Toyota expects most buyers will opt for its new 6 speed continuously variable transmission.
• Estimates the Corolla gets 37 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg in the city. An Eco version gets 40 mpg on the highway with the help of aerodynamic improvements, low rolling resistance tires, a spoiler and the Valvematic engine.
• Goes on sale in September.