(March 27, 2020) ATLANTA — As shoppers shift online across all categories for both every day essentials and aspirational needs, they are facing a new reality. Within the automotive space, they are experiencing an increasingly crowded virtual marketplace, where visiting multiple dealerships isn’t practical. So, how are new-car buyers to know which vehicles are most worthy of their consideration in today’s environment?

While there are several mainstays long-known for excellence in the automotive industry, the truth remains that standout vehicles can be found among a variety of price points, categories and brands. To help car shoppers expand their horizons as they consider which new vehicle to buy, Autotrader has named the Best New Cars for 2020.

“Our goal was to provide a helpful list of cars that offer exceptional value for their class, regardless of vehicle type or price,” said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader.

“Anyone in the market for a new car really should look outside their typical go-to brands—they might be surprised what they find. It's also worth noting that out of our 12 best cars of the year, only one is from a luxury brand. That tells you just how good cars from volume brands are now in their top trims when it comes to comfort, technology and design. Every vehicle Autotrader listed as a Best New Car for 2020 has ‘that certain something’ that makes it stand out in a very crowded field.”

Each vehicle on this year’s list was agreed upon unanimously by the entire editorial and data team at Autotrader. To be considered, a vehicle must be of the current or next model-year and available for purchase at the time of the announcement.

The editors capped the base price for consideration at $75,000 (although most vehicles on the list are well under), meaning they offer a significant value for the asking price. Not only was value a top priority, but vehicles also were judged on available technology and a rewarding or dynamic driving experience. Each winning car had to score an overall 3.9 or higher on the editors’ 5-point evaluation sheet.

Listed below, in alphabetical order, are the Autotrader experts’ choices for Best New Cars for 2020: