10 Great Cars That Deserve More Attention

2019 Volkswagen Arteon R Line ・ Photo by Volkswagen

Some cars get a lot of attention simply because they are so performance-oriented. Think Ferrari 812 Superfast, Porsche 911, and Chevrolet Corvette. And some cars get a lot of attention because they are so popular in the market. Think Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, and Honda Accord.

Then there are the cars that are not notable for their speed or for their sales numbers but are simply good solid values in their segments. These under-sung cars are very often smart, satisfying buys, but to buy them, you first need to know about them. Here is a collection of great cars that deserve more attention. They come from a variety of segments, and while they might not be everyone’s can of motor oil, one of them might very well suit you. 

1. 2020 Kia Rio

OK, we freely admit that the Kia Rio isn’t the most exciting car you’re ever going to drive. But that doesn’t mean this front-wheel-drive, five-seat subcompact isn’t worthy of consideration. It absolutely is based on what it delivers per dollar and the high rankings it has achieved on the benchmark J.D. Power Initial Quality and APEAL Studies.

The Rio is available as a sedan and a five-door hatchback. Like most automotive journalists, I favor the sportier, more versatile hatchback. All Rios are powered by a new 120-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine teamed with Kia’s version of a continuously variable automatic transmission. No, not especially sportif, but the CVT helps it achieve 36 mpg fuel economy. The Rio is inexpensive, but niceties like heated side mirrors and variable intermittent windshield wipers are standard. So is a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Photo by Kia

2. 2020 Acura ILX

We wouldn’t be surprised if you have never heard of the Acura ILX, but there are several good reasons to consider it. First, it is a five-passenger compact luxury sedan that shares a great deal with the previous generation of the ubiquitous Honda Civic, but with more power, a more upscale design, and additional luxury features.

The sporty compact sedan is powered by a 201-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that is coupled to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It comes filled with good stuff like heated front seats, power moonroof, LED headlights and taillights, dual-zone automatic climate control, and push-button start. Oddly, AppleCarPlay and Android Auto aren’t standard, but they are widely available. Adaptive cruise control is one of the nice features of the AcuraWatch safety suite.

Photo by Acura

3. 2020 Lexus IS

The Lexus IS is a performance-oriented compact luxury sedan that epitomizes the pluses and minuses of the rear-wheel drive configuration. The major plus is the sweet, predictable handling that the IS offers compared to the vast majority of its front-drive competition. The downside is somewhat restricted interior and cargo space.

The IS is offered in a variety of flavors. The base model is the rear-drive IS 300 with a 241-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. With all-wheel-drive, the IS 300 has a 260-horsepower naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6. Then there’s the IS 350 that offers a 311-horsepower version of the 3.5-liter V6, and it’s available in both rear-and all-wheel-drive. The car is filled with standard safety features plus other amenities. The 7-inch infotainment screen can be replaced by an optional 10.3-inch screen but the interface proves difficult for some. Otherwise, the IS is very worthy of consideration.

Photo by Lexus

4. 2020 Chevrolet Malibu

Whenever I am at the wheel of the Chevrolet Malibu mid-size sedan, I squint my eyes a bit and pretend I’m in an Audi A6. Although there is more than $20,000 difference between the base prices of the most expensive Malibu and the least expensive A6, the similarities are uncanny.

Both are almost exactly the same length, and both transport five passengers in extreme comfort. The Malibu’s optional 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is the match of the A6’s 248-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter. The Malibu Premier sports a nine-speed automatic while the A6 has a seven-speed automatic. Now, we don’t claim the Malibu will handle as well as the A6, but it is loaded with comfort and convenience features, especially in the Premier trim level. We like the infotainment interface, and available safety equipment includes a forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Photo by General Motors

5. 2020 Mazda Mazda6

When you look at the mid-size Mazda6’s specifications sheet, you won’t be blown away. But once behind the wheel, you’ll find that the car is a step ahead of virtually all the other sedans in its class.

The difference is in tuning. The Mazda6 has been engineered to be a driver’s car, rewarding in its handling and performance. The standard engine is a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, while a 227-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder is also available. Unlike many cars in its class that have CVTs, the Mazda6 uses a conventional six-speed automatic transmission. The Mazda6 offers a raft of standard safety features, including a forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are optional but available on most trims.

Photo by Mazda

6. 2020 Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger takes the classic American family sedan and pushes it to an illogical (but awesome) extreme. Of course, you don’t have to go down the full-on muscle car road if you don’t want to. There is a great deal to like about the base Charger, a full-size sedan that can seat up to five people powered by a 292-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine.

A step up from that is a 370-horsepower 5.7-liter V8, a nice choice, as is the 485-horsepower 6.4-liter V8. The top-of-the-line engine is a borderline-insane 707-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V8. Both rear-drive and all-wheel-drive Chargers are offered. For all its available performance, the Chargers are all very livable and comfortable four-door sedans complete with roomy backseats and plenty of trunk space. They also include the excellent Uconnect infotainment system.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

7. 2020 Volkswagen Arteon

The Volkswagen Arteon is a sophisticated five-seat hatchback that is designed to appeal to those willing to pay for added style. Both front and rear seats are comfortable, although the fast-sloping roofline cuts a bit out of rear headroom. As an added plus, the Arteon offers a generous 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats.

Standard tech includes 8-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and an eight-speaker audio system. Two upscale features are Wi-Fi hotspot capability and three-zone automatic climate control. The standard instrument cluster is clear, but we like the optional Volkswagen Digital Cockpit that is reminiscent of the Audi Virtual Cockpit. Power is provided by a 268-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available.

Photo by Volkswagen

8. 2020 Infiniti Q60

To many, two-doors seem so 1999, but the Infiniti Q60 is a sport coupe that makes the configuration feel very contemporary. Power helps. The standard engine is a 300-horsepower, twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine accompanied by a seven-speed automatic transmission. If that’s not enough, a 400-horsepower engine is available in the Red Sport models.

With rear- or all-wheel drive, the Q60 definitely has performance on its mind. It is also equipped with a wide variety of useful safety items — a forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and prevention, and backup collision intervention. The twin-screen infotainment set-up takes some getting used to, but standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is a definite plus.

Photo by Infiniti

9. 2020 Lincoln MKZ

The 2020 Lincoln MKZ doesn’t necessarily stand out in the sea of mid-size luxury sedans, but its value is hard to resist once you get to know it a little. Offered in front-drive and all-wheel-drive, the five-passenger sedan has a lengthy list of standard features.

Among the highlights are rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, heated front seats, and a split-folding backseat. Heated rear seats, inflatable rear seatbelts, and a power-operated trunk lid are among our favorite optional features. The adaptive suspension is tuned for a supple, quiet ride, and the instrument panel doesn’t bury you in extraneous information. The base powerplant is a 245-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and optional are 350- and 400-horsepower versions of a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6.

Photo by Lincoln

10. 2020 Genesis G80

The Genesis G80 is a mid-size luxury sedan that comes in three trims that offer individual personalities. The most expressive is the 3.3T Sport model, which is powered by a 365-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine. With either rear- or all-wheel-drive, the 3.3T Sport is the one to choose if you ever picture yourself on the racetrack.

If that isn’t your persona, you might be better served by the economical and comfortable base model with its 311-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine. Yet another choice is the 5.0 Ultimate, which is powered by a 420-horsepower 5.0-liter V8. The V8-powered G80 is the pick for fast long-distance highway cruising. It’s designed for smooth comfort rather than razor-sharp handling. With the V8, fuel economy is so-so at best, but it is loaded with standard safety features.

Photo by Genesis