Just when everyone insisted traditional, gas-powered performance cars were dinosaurs, they made a big recovery in 2014. From the redesigned, muscled up Viper to the refined Jaguar F-Type, there are signs that the hybrids and 1.5 liter engines out there won’t rule the automotive world just yet.
When you add the fact that SUVs and Crossovers rank amongst the fastest growing automotive segments in the market, the reports of the internal combustion engine’s death have been greatly exaggerated.
Related: Automotive Holiday Gift Guide 2014
As a result, you won’t find tiny engines and quietly humming engines on this Best Cars of 2014 list. We’re going with power, performance, style and a little bulk. While there’s bound to be some debate about cars I put on this list or cars I left off, below you’ll find the overview of the top machines of 2014.
Best of 2014: Cars
In an era of hybrids and compacts, the 2014 automotive year was dominated by performance engines, beautifully designed cars and a luxury SUV.
-
Alpha Romeo 4C
It was a special year in the USA because Alpha Romeo returned to the American market. You'll be hard pressed to find a better looking sports car than their first offering here, the 4C. Here's hoping Alpha will bring more models stateside.
-
Aston Martin DB9
I could litter this list with Aston Martin models after driving the Vanquish, the Rapide S and the Vantage. I'm rolling with the DB9 because I think it's the automaker's finest blend of performance car and luxury ride.
-
BMW 4 Series
"Best of" lists next year will no doubt include the BMW M4 around the world. For this year, the introduction of the fast, smooth and deft 4 Series highlighted the Bavarian year.
-
Dodge Charger Hellcat
I'm cheating here. While the Hellcat line is technically earmarked for 2015, I drove the car in autumn, 2014. With a top speed north of 200 mph, it managed to speed through time and land on this year's list out of sheer anticipation.
-
Fiat 500 Abarth
As long as Fiat keeps making the 500 and handing it over to Abarth for tuning, this car belongs on "best of" lists. A little rally car safe for street driving, it's loud, quick, silly and obnoxious as it zips away from everybody else.
-
Jaguar F-Type Coupe
A perennial player on "Car of the Year" lists, the F-Type added a coupe version during its "Villain" campaign and provided a perfect blend of power, exhaust noise, technology, handling and comfort. It really was good to be bad.
-
Range Rover Sport
Honestly, I could put any SUV model from Land Rover on a list like this, but I find the Range Rover Sport to be the best available blend of sophistication and off-road capability. No other make on the road combines the ability to take it to the wilds in absolute confidence and comfort.
-
Mazda 3
I could include three Mazdas on this list — the 3, the Mazda 6 and the MX-5 Miata. While the MX-5 is one of the last true roadsters, the 6 and 3 are the best, affordable mass market cars going. I choose the 3 only because I love the way the hatch version handles.
-
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Any Mercedes-Benz offers sporty luxury. That's what they do. But, I love the C-Class because it keeps the price tag around $40,000 and keeps Mercedes accessible to more people.
-
SRT Viper
It's a challenge to drive, and it's not for everybody with its aggressive styling and raw power, but the SRT Viper (or Dodge Viper, depending on what week it is) is a true muscle car designed to scare less mortals out of the way.
