The automotive world is having its iPhone moment, and frankly, it’s about time. Between now and 2027, you’re watching an industry transform faster than your patience during a Windows update. Electric powertrains are becoming mainstream, autonomous features actually work, and luxury brands are finally admitting the future isn’t powered by dinosaur juice. Some of these rides will redefine what you expect from four wheels and a battery pack. Others will remind you why the steering wheel isn’t going anywhere soon. Here are the 11 vehicles that’ll shape how you think about getting from point A to point B.
11. Rolls-Royce Spectre (Exterior)
The Spectre maintains Rolls-Royce’s imposing presence while embracing aerodynamic efficiency. Clean lines replace some traditional chrome, and the grille remains massive but now houses charging ports instead of radiator fins.
The Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament retracts automatically, because even luxury brands care about drag coefficients now. LED lighting signatures create a distinctive nighttime presence that announces your arrival from three blocks away.
Rolls-Royce Spectre (Interior)
The cabin requires 400 hours of handcrafting, creating interiors that cost more than most people’s houses. Starlight headliner now extends to door panels, turning your commute into a personal planetarium experience.
Sustainable materials meet traditional luxury, with leather alternatives that feel more expensive than the real thing. The digital dashboard integrates seamlessly into wood veneers, proving technology doesn’t have to look like an afterthought.
10. Maserati GranTurismo Folgore (Exterior)
The Folgore maintains Maserati’s sensual curves while adding aerodynamic elements that actually serve a purpose. The closed-off grille design creates a distinctive face that doesn’t scream “I’m missing an engine.”
LED headlights wrap around the fenders in signature Maserati fashion. The proportions remain perfect, looking like it belongs cruising the Amalfi Coast rather than sitting in Silicon Valley traffic.
Maserati GranTurismo Folgore (Interior)
Sustainable materials meet traditional Italian craftsmanship in a cabin that doesn’t lecture you about saving the planet. The 12.3-inch central display integrates cleanly without dominating the dashboard.
Sport seats provide genuine support during spirited driving, wrapped in materials that feel appropriately premium. Controls fall naturally to hand, maintaining the driver-focused experience that makes Maseratis special.
9. Mercedes-Benz E-Class (Exterior)
The exterior evolution is subtle but purposeful, like expensive plastic surgery that doesn’t look obvious. LED headlights flow into the grille design, creating a cohesive front end that looks more expensive than it is.
Aerodynamic improvements boost efficiency without sacrificing the elegant proportions that make the E-Class instantly recognizable. Chrome accents remain tasteful rather than excessive, showing restraint that some luxury brands could learn from.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class (Interior)
Mercedes flexes hardest with the interior, where the latest MBUX system includes a “Superscreen” that makes Tesla’s tablet look like a calculator from 1995. Three displays integrate seamlessly into the dashboard architecture.
Seats adjust in more ways than your relationship status, with acoustic glass keeping the outside world where it belongs. Materials feel genuinely premium throughout, justifying the three-pointed star on your driveway.
8. Genesis G90 (Exterior)
The distinctive Genesis grille creates road presence without looking aggressive. Clean lines and thoughtful proportions make the G90 look more expensive than its price tag suggests.
LED lighting elements create a sophisticated nighttime signature. The overall design feels fresh rather than derivative, proving Korean designers have found their own aesthetic voice.
Genesis G90 (Interior)
The cabin rivals anything from Stuttgart, with materials that feel expensive because they actually are. The 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen system creates a soundstage so precise you’ll discover details in familiar songs.
Rear passengers get airline-style reclining seats with heating, cooling, and massage functions. It’s luxury for people who care more about substance than badge recognition.
7. Toyota Corolla (Exterior)
The 2026 design adds character lines that create visual interest without looking busy. LED headlights come standard, because even economy cars deserve decent lighting in this decade. Proportions remain sensible, with aerodynamic improvements that boost efficiency without making the car look like a wind tunnel experiment. It’s attractive in a dependable, non-threatening way.
Toyota Corolla (Interior)
Hard plastics have been banished in favor of soft-touch materials that wouldn’t look out of place in a Camry. The 10.5-inch infotainment system finally has processing power from this century.
Controls fall logically to hand, with physical buttons for climate control that don’t require a PhD to operate. It’s still a Corolla – just one that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
6. Chevrolet Malibu (Exterior)
The 2025 redesign brings styling borrowed from the Blazer EV, with a front end that turns heads for reasons other than rental car recognition. Proportions look more athletic than previous generations.
LED lighting creates a modern signature that helps the Malibu stand out in parking lots. It’s not groundbreaking design, but it’s competent enough to avoid embarrassment at the country club.
Chevrolet Malibu (Interior)
The cabin sees the biggest upgrade, with an 11.3-inch touchscreen running Google Built-In services. Materials no longer feel sourced from recycled Happy Meal toys, showing real improvement in perceived quality.
Physical controls remain for essential functions, proving someone at Chevrolet understands that touchscreens aren’t always the answer. It’s a solid improvement that makes the Malibu feel competitive again.
5. Audi Q5 (Exterior)
The design is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, like your friend who gets the same haircut every three years but somehow looks more polished each time. Clean lines maintain Audi’s minimalist aesthetic.
LED lighting signatures create the distinctive four-ring brand identity. The overall package looks premium without being flashy, hitting that sweet spot between understated and invisible.
Audi Q5 (Interior)
Three screens handle digital duties – gauge cluster, central infotainment, and climate controls – integrated seamlessly into the dashboard. The minimalist approach avoids the visual chaos plaguing some competitors.
Materials feel appropriately premium throughout, with soft-touch surfaces where your hands naturally fall. It’s the automotive equivalent of expensive jeans without visible logos.
4. Mazda CX-70 (Exterior)
The CX-70’s proportions hit the sweet spot between the compact CX-50 and three-row CX-90. Mazda’s signature design elements create visual interest without looking overwrought or busy.
The front grille maintains brand identity while improving aerodynamics. LED lighting elements integrate cleanly into the overall design, creating a cohesive appearance that photographs well.
Mazda CX-70 (Exterior)
Mazda continues punching above its weight in interior design, with materials that shame competitors costing $10,000 more. The infotainment system finally supports touch inputs while retaining the rotary controller.
The driving position remains perfect, with controls falling exactly where your hands expect them. Attention to ergonomic details shows someone at Mazda actually drives their own products. Upgrading your ride? Don’t miss our guide to the best car accessories
3. Toyota Crown (Exterior)
The Crown defies easy categorization, sitting taller than a sedan but lower than a traditional crossover. The elevated stance creates road presence without looking like a suburban assault vehicle.
LED lighting creates a sophisticated signature that differentiates the Crown from lesser Toyotas. The proportions work better than they should, proving sometimes weird design choices actually succeed.
Toyota Crown (Interior)
Materials step above Camry grade, with copper accents that don’t look like they came from a craft store. The 12.3-inch touchscreen runs Toyota’s latest infotainment system.
Panoramic glass roof comes standard on higher trims, creating an airy cabin feel. It’s premium enough to justify the Crown badge without feeling like luxury theater.
2. Kia EV6 (Exterior)
The EV6 represents Kia’s design transformation better than any press release could. Sharp angles and distinctive lighting create a futuristic appearance that doesn’t look like a concept car compromise.
The closed-off front end works better than most EV interpretations of traditional grilles. Proportions remain athletic rather than awkward, proving electric vehicles don’t have to look like rolling suppositories.
Kia EV6 (Interior)
Recycled materials don’t feel like a compromise, with build quality that rivals premium brands. The floating center console creates useful storage underneath while maintaining clean aesthetics.
Dual 12.3-inch displays handle instrumentation and infotainment duties without overwhelming the cabin. The overall design feels fresh rather than derivative, showing genuine creativity in the interior architecture.
1. Rivian R2 (Exterior)
The R2 takes Rivian’s distinctive design language and shrinks it to a more city-friendly package. The light bar creates instant brand recognition while serving actual functional purposes.
Clean lines emphasize capability over prettiness, with design elements that look purposeful rather than decorative. It’s attractive in a rugged, outdoorsy way that doesn’t require actual outdoor adventures.
Rivian R2 (Interior)
The minimalist interior focuses on durability and functionality, with materials designed to handle whatever outdoor activities you pretend to do every weekend. Controls prioritize simplicity over complexity.
Storage solutions show thoughtful design throughout the cabin. The overall aesthetic feels more like quality outdoor gear than traditional automotive luxury, which perfectly matches the brand positioning. For more inspiration, see our picks for the best cars.
