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best cars 2014

GCBC’s The Good 12 For 2014

2014’s condensed Good 12 simplifies matters compared with previous years. These are the vehicles that would be most welcomed as permanent members of the GCBC Towers driveway. Drop them off on Christmas morning. Thanks in advance.

None have base prices above $65,000 USD. They reflect many different parts of the market, they come from different places, they’re powered by very different engines, they’re accomplished in different areas. And when any one of them drives by, I want it for myself.

Click any of the images to be taken to the model’s Sales Stats page. Don’t forget to check out GCBC’s The Bad 8.

Kia Rio 5-Door
A subcompact-sized budget doesn’t mean you can’t have a car that looks terrific on the outside and the inside.
Mazda 3 5-Door
If the most attractive small car is also the most enjoyable small car to drive, that small car wins. (The less flexible sedan might look even better.)
Nissan Juke
There are few vehicles – of any type – more off-the-wall than the Juke. Even those who hate how it looks will appreciate the way it drives.
Jeep Wrangler
Honesty is the best policy. The Wrangler remains true to the Jeep brand, but it’s fortunately more powerful, more efficient, and more spacious than ever before.
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen’s seventh-generation Golf once again shows us that we can have a premium car without paying a premium price.

Ford Fiesta ST
Subcompacts are better than ever, but you won’t find genuinely hot versions of the Rio, Accent, Sonic, 2, Fit, Yaris, or Versa. This Fiesta ST is the answer.
Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

Recipe: add one torquey diesel to a steaming hot cup of amazing truck. It seems simple, yet no other truck builder is doing it.

Volvo V60

Finally. The very pretty V60 will be rare, adding to its appeal, but it will also be the Volvoiest of all Volvos. So maybe it won’t be rare. Volvo could do very well with a Volvoey car.

Chrysler 300 SRT8
This defines automotive cool. And it’s not as though the 300 SRT8 is exclusively style-focused or power-oriented. This is a family sedan with a big rear seat and a big trunk. And a 6.4L V8. And 470 horsepower.
Chevrolet Suburban
Is it the best vehicle in the world? It’s too big and too expensive to righteously stand beside that claim. But it is a claim you can make… in secret.
Porsche Boxster

Now that the Boxster looks like a million bucks, you don’t need to be embarrassed to own the lesser Porsche sports car. Not that you would have ever been embarrassed to drive one.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport
In this, the Range Rover Sport’s second iteration, it really is a Range Rover, only with a third row, slightly better styling, and a much lower price tag.

RECOMMENDED READING
2013’s The Good 12
2012’s The Good 12
Every Vehicle Ranked By November 2013 YTD U.S. Sales
Every Vehicle Ranked By November 2013 Canadian Sales
2014’s The Bad 8