EVs and SUVs dominate, but sporty vehicles also do well.
It seemed like a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, but we’re halfway into 2022, and the advent of new items has caused a huge shift in our list of top rated automobiles. There’s a lot to speak about with 70% of the cars new to our ranks. Let’s get started.
As with last year’s rating, a luxury icon takes the top place this year. The 2018 Land Rover Range Rover is an excellent luxury SUV, getting a 9.7 rating and pushing the Genesis GV70 to second place. EVs remain well-represented, with the Genesis GV60 and GMC Hummer EV displacing the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. The McLaren 765LT Spider, Aston Martin DBX707, and a pair of Ford Raptors enter the contest as well. See the whole list below.
This year’s list, like last year’s, is restricted to cars we assessed in 2022 and excludes any of last year’s stars. This list will be updated at the end of each quarter, with the changes noted at the bottom. Stay tuned for further information, but in the meantime, have a look at the whole list and let us know what you think in the comments or at feedback@topfuturecars.com.
McLaren 765LT Spider
A mid-engined supercar with 755 horsepower is one of the ten greatest cars we drove all year? What a surprise. But, in all seriousness, the McLaren 765LT Spider is a guaranteed good time behind the wheel, with a surprising degree of control and docility under its Batmobile shell. The crazy, turbo-whooshing engine sound falling into the carbon fiber cabin through a retractable roof makes the 765LT Spider just as much pleasure to drive around town as it is on a twisting road. That twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V8 is a true treat, all wrapped up in an exotic package that elevates every errand.
Aston Martin DBX707
The power of the Aston Martin DBX707 is undeniably impressive. It can sprint to 60 in 3.1 seconds and has 697 ponies, making it a match for more well-heeled opponents. However, as we found on our first drive, the adjustments made by Aston Martin to the suspension and brakes yielded the greatest returns. “The DBX707 seems like a legitimate rival for the title of super SUV king,” Motor1.com Editor-In-Chief Seyth Miersma commented after his first drive.
Honda Civic Si
The Honda Civic Si has long been a fan favorite, so it’s no wonder that the updated sport sedan ranks so high. It blends a buttery-smooth manual gearbox with remarkable agility, and although naysayers will point out that the Si now has less power, the turbocharged 1.5-liter offers more accessible torque, which we deem a net positive. The one disadvantage of this new model is that Honda may have gone too far in the other way in order to cure the Civic’s divisive look. Nonetheless, we’d be hard pushed to find a more appealing product at this price range.
BMW M240i
While many recent BMW M vehicles have grown too heavy and sophisticated, the M240i is a welcome return to simpler times. It’s light, nimble, and speedy, similar to the preceding M2, and its retro styling pays tribute to classics like the 2002. With a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine under the hood, this two-door 2 Series develops 382 horsepower and accelerates to 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds.
Ford F-150 Raptor
It’s massive, broad, thirsty, and pompous. The 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor, on the other hand, can handle almost any terrain owing to its 450-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 and Fox Racing long-travel suspension. The Raptor is also quite comfortable, with leather and microfiber suede interior and a buttery-smooth ride over even the roughest roads. The phrase “fun-to-drive” normally refers to a sports car’s performance on a canyon road, but in the case of the F-150 Raptor, it refers to quick acceleration on asphalt and stump-jumping poise everywhere else.
Ford Bronco Raptor
Close your eyes and see your ideal automobile. Seating for at least four people is required for practical reasons. Performance is also crucial, so no less than 400 horsepower please. And a little top-down fun wouldn’t hurt. Now stare at the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor with your eyes wide open. Its wider track, improved suspension travel, and twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 make it ideal for tackling a lonely dirt road, while the relatively big cabin, detachable top and doors, and vintage style guarantee there’s enough of fun for everyone. Oh, your dream car is also inexpensive and efficient? Nothing is flawless, after all.
Genesis GV60
Whatever you think of its appearance, the Genesis GV60 remains the highlight of Hyundai’s first crop of electric crossovers. The GV60 is a brother of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, both of which made previous iterations of this list. It is more powerful, more exciting, and significantly better equipped. And that’s saying a lot, since the Ioniq and EV6 are already powerful, fun, and premium-feeling vehicles.
GMC Hummer EV
The revived, all-electric GMC Hummer EV is a revelation and a hopeful indication of where GM’s electrified efforts are headed. The Hummer EV’s key disadvantages are its expensive price (for now), limited availability (again, for now), and vast breadth. Given that two of those flaws will be resolved in the coming years, there’s a lot to enjoy about GMC’s first EV and GM’s debut of Ultium.
Genesis GV70
Genesis is having a good run. The tiny crossover, in particular, delivers more flair and higher-end luxury components than any other SUV in the market. Even with the standard turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the GV70 produces 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a stunning 14.5-inch touchscreen display spans the dashboard.
Land Rover Range Rover
The Land Rover Range Rover has been a luxury standard for decades, and the fifth-generation SUV conceals major modifications under a simple reskinning. The 2018 Range Rover is a delight to drive, whether it’s equipped with JLR’s own turbocharged straight-six or the twin-turbocharged BMW-sourced V8, and it’s even better from the rear, where a new high-dollar, four-seat configuration promises Maybach-rivaling luxury.
