The drum beat continues because the trade marches into the electrical period, however gas-powered automobiles aren’t useless but. For proof, take a look at this 12 months’s finalists for Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2024.

Final 12 months marked the return of a champion with the Honda Civic Kind R incomes Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2023 honors. However the plot twist got here with the electrical Cadillac Lyriq luxurious SUV making it to the ultimate spherical of the competitors.

After driving practically 25 new or considerably up to date luxurious and efficiency automobiles, vehicles, and SUVs, we whittled down the record of 2024 nominees to only 5 contenders. We argued to get to that record, after which fought much more to find out the winner.

We’ll announce the winner on Jan. 3, 2024, together with the winners from our sister websites, The Automotive Connection and Inexperienced Automotive Stories.

Within the days forward we’ll have an in-depth take a look at every of those nominees. Till then, these are the 5 finalists for Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2024.

Acura Integra Kind S

The Acura Integra nameplate returned in 2022. It was even a finalist for Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2023, however compromised packaging, restricted availability of the guide transmission, and an absence of energy stored it from the winner’s circle. Now the Kind S brings the mannequin again to the finalist circle with a barely tweaked, 320-hp model of the turbo-4 from the Civic Kind R wearing a extra mature bundle.

2023 BMW M2

The BMW M2 received Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2017 when it debuted. The automobile’s turn out to be larger, heavier, extra advanced, extra highly effective, and sooner since then. It’s nonetheless a pleasure to drive, it nonetheless presents a slick-shifting guide transmission, and it’s an incredible automobile for a visit from San Francisco to Napa Valley, however is it as enjoyable because the automobile that received this award seven years in the past? You’ll discover out quickly.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 lastly provides the C8 the powertrain the chassis deserves. The LT6 is an unique engine—a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8 with a flat-plane crank—to match an unique mid-engine design. It sounds and revs gloriously. We additionally mentioned whether or not the brand new electrified AWD Corvette E-Ray must be the Corvette contender, however its restricted electrical vary (3-5 miles) and the particular character of the LT6 meant the Z06 received out.

Ford Mustang Darkish Horse

The Ford Mustang would be the final pony automobile standing on the finish of this 12 months, and the S650 era brings with it a monster, the Darkish Horse. With 500 hp from a naturally aspirated V-8, twin throttle our bodies, and an accessible dealing with bundle with sticky Pirelli Trofeo RS tires, the Mustang has morphed right into a thoroughbred sports activities automobile.

Lucid Air Sapphire

Instantly the Lucid Air Sapphire has turn out to be the de facto benchmark for quick sedans. With 1,234 hp, a 0-60 mph dash of 1.89 seconds, and the flexibility to run 8s within the quarter mile, the Sapphire exhibits electrical automobiles can push the efficiency envelope like gas-powered automobiles by no means may. It additionally carves corners, treats passengers to a comfortable leather-lined inside, and goes greater than 400 miles on a cost.