The Best of 2010 Autos

Each year, the editors of Automobile Magazine convene to test, evaluate, and debate the performance, significance, and pure enthusiast appeal of the cars that make the biggest impact.





Jaguar XF,XFR

Despite the auto industry coming off its worst year in recent history, "the level of excellence found during our annual All-Stars competition was at an all-time high and the competition was strong" said Jean Jennings, president and editor-in-chief of Automobile Magazine. "We whittled down a list of thirty-nine finalists to the ten All-Stars. The end results produced a list of true standouts, spanning a wide range of the automotive spectrum."

Jaguar XF,XFR

Base price range: $52,000-$80,000



When the XF received significant improvements for 2010, including three new V-8 engines, Jaguar was rewarded for making a good thing even better.



The XF/XFR is both a sports car and a luxury touring sedan, and its uncompromising practicality and refreshed performance establish the Jaguar XF as an All-Star.

Audi S4

Base Price: $46,725



Cheaper than the car it replaces, the sure-footed, all-wheel-drive Audi S4 takes everything from the Audi A4 on which it's based — comfort, safety, and solid build quality — and cranks it up.



Compared with the previous model, the S4 sheds half a second in the 0 to 60 mph run (5.2 seconds with a six speed manual) while managing to increase fuel economy.

Chevrolet Camaro

Base Price Tange: $23,530-$34,595



2009 wasn't a good year for General Motors, but amid all the turmoil there have been glimmers of hope.



One need look no further than the brash, beautiful Chevrolet Camaro — if one can be found on dealer lots, that is — for proof that GM can build great cars. With its old-school charm, the Camaro is a smashing sales success.

Porsche Boxster,Cayman

Base price range: $48,550-$62,450



According to Automobile Magazine, the Porsche Boxster roadster and its hardtop sibling, the Cayman, are as close as a car company can get to the perfect everyday sports car. With fully optioned models climbing to $70K and beyond, the Boxster/Cayman isn't cheap, but buying one will allow you to achieve sports car nirvana.

Mazda 3

Base Price Range: $15,795-$23,945



With three engines and five trim levels, the 3 accounts for nearly half of Mazda's U.S. sales. The 2010 version brings a stiffer unibody, firmer suspension, tauter steering, revised seats, and a larger engine.

Ford Fusion Hybrid

Base price: $28,350



Quietly, Ford has put a car on the road that essentially enlists Toyota hybrid technology but uses it more cleverly than the originating company did. It is not a performance machine, but neither does it feel hobbled or inadequate for daily driving. Perhaps the best thing about it is that, apart from the LCD color screens, you might never know you're driving a hybrid.

Ford Flex

Base Price Range: $29,325-$43,635



For 2010, Ford has equipped the Flex with its much anticipated EcoBoost engine, thereby addressing the Flex's only weakness — power — and effectively transforming it from a well rounded family hauler into a large sport wagon. The Flex is unique in a market brimming with compromised, look alike utility vehicles and is one of the best-handling full-size crossovers on the market.

Dodge Ram 1500

Base Price Range: $21,510-$43,550



Dodge engineers created a vehicle that works smarter, drives quieter, uses less fuel, and secures cargo storage better. The Ram sets the standard by living up to the radical idea that the cabin of a $40,000 truck should be as nice as that of a $40,000 car.

BMW Z4

Base Price Range: $46,575-$52,475



The previous Z4 was a little rough and tough, a little unsophisticated, and undeniably masculine. BMW took a good look at its customers' needs and traded racetrack readiness for everyday elegance.



The interior is a marvel of simplicity and elegance, the sheetmetal is at once sexy, sultry, and supremely muscular, and 60 mph can be yours in five to six seconds, depending on the powertrain combination you choose.

BMW 335d

Base price: $44,725



The BMW 335d is the most important car this year to get lost in the crowd. Going from 0 to 60 mph in six seconds, the 335d is game for hard driving, but its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged diesel six-cylinder also returns subcompact-like fuel economy. There is no other car that combines performance and fuel economy at this level.

World's 7 Most Expensive Cars

1933 Delage D8S



Sold for: $3,740,000By: RM AuctionsWhen: Aug. 17, 2007Where: Monterey, Calif.This French car has a one-of-a-kind body. The car was presented at the Salon de Paris, the Paris auto show, in 1933, according to RM Auctions. The car could go from 0 to 60 mph in 15 seconds, which was faster than a supercharged Bentley of the era, the auction house said. Sports Car Market called it a "spectacular car with known ownership since new," which adds greatly to the value.

11935 Duesenberg SJ



Sold for: $4,400,000By: RM AuctionsWhen: Aug. 17, 2007Where: Monterey, Calif.This over-the-top car was a "Doozy for a Floozy"—at least, she played one in the movies. This Duesenberg was supposed to have been designed for Mae West, but she never took delivery. According to RM Auctions, this was one of only 36 cars supercharged by the factory. The passenger compartment is finished in an Art Deco design with burgundy upholstery.







1931 Bentley 4-Liter

Sold for: $4,510,000By: Gooding & Co.When: Aug. 18, 2007Where: Pebble Beach, Calif.This rare find is one out of only 43 remaining examples, out of 50 units of the so-called "Green Hornet," according to Gooding & Co. It sold for just over $4.5 million last summer, despite what Sports Car Market described as a "leaky engine, ripped seat, faded paint, and ratty top." However, such authentic touches in a rare model make it even more desirable than inauthentic restoration.

1966 Shelby Cobra

Sold for: $5.5 millionBy: Barrett-JacksonWhen: Jan. 18, 2007Where: Scottsdale, Ariz.This Shelby Cobra has a supercharged V8 that produces 800 hp, according to Barrett-Jackson. It was originally configured as a competition car, and then retrofitted as a street-legal car. At one point it was used by Carroll Shelby himself, according to the auction house. Sports Car Market said Bill Cosby once owned a similar car, in which a later owner was killed. Sports Car Market called the sale "a crazy price for a crazy car."

1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM

Sold for: $5.7 millionBy: RM AuctionsWhen: May 20, 2007Where: Maranello, ItalyThis Ferrari racer is about as rare as they get. It is one of only two surviving models of its exact type, out of only three ever built, according to RM Auctions. It is restored to look as it did when it was driven in the Carrera Panamericana road race in Mexico. In May, it fetched $1.5 million above the highest pre-auction estimated price, thanks to what Sports Car Market called "potent provenance, rarity, 5-liter V12 power, stunning on-the-button condition, and great beauty."

1962 Ferrari 330 TRI/LM

Sold for: $9.3 millionBy: RM AuctionsWhen: May 20, 2007Where: Maranello, ItalyThis well-traveled V12 race car was the 1962 Le Mans winner, driven by the legendary Phil Hill and the late Olivier Gendebien. It raced on other circuits like Bridgehampton and Sebring, and crashed at Le Mans in 1963. Believe it or not, it was a daily driver in New York City from 1965 to 1974, according to RM Auctions. Sports Car Market called it "one of most important Ferraris ever to cross the auction block." Ironically, it was offered for $8 million in 2005 and didn't sell.

Think the $1.4 million Bugatti Veyron is the world's most expensive car? Here's a list of 15 cars that sold this year for $2.8 million to $9.3 million each

World’s Most Expensive Cars

What is the most expensive car in the world? The 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe was sold for $8,700,000 in 1987. However, that car and many alike will not be included in this list because it is not available on the market today. It is hard to imagine someone would actually spend 8 million dollars on a car instead of using it for something more productive. However, if you have the money and the opportunity, you will definitely spend a small fraction of it to place a few of these supercars in your garage. Here is the 10 most expensive cars available on the market.

Bugatti Veyron

1.Bugatti Veyron $1,192,057. This is by far the most expensive street legal car available on the market today. It is the fastest accelerating car reaching 0-60 in 2.5 seconds. It claims to be the fastest car with a top speed of 253 mph+. However, the title for the fastest car goes to the SSC Ultimate Aero which exceed 253 mph pushing this car to 2nd place for the fastest car.



2.Pagani Zonda C12 F $667,321 Produced by a small independent company in Italy, the Pagani Zonda C12 F is the 8th fastest car in the world. It promises to delivery a top speed of 215 mph+ and it an reach 0-60 in 3.5 seconds.

3.SSC Ultimate Aero $654,400 Don’t let the price tag fool you, the 3rd most expensive car is actually fastest street legal car in the world with a top speed of 257 mph+ and reaching 0-60 in 2.7 seconds. This baby cost nearly half as much as the Bugatti Veyron, yet has enough power to top the most expensive car in a speed race. It is estimated that only 25 of this exact model will ever be produced.

4.LeBlanc Mirabeau $645,084 Doesn’t this look like a race car? Yet, with $645k, you can get this car and legally drive to your local supermarket and buy groceries. It has a top speed of 229 mph+ and although it was intentionally made for racing, it may be bought and show off to your neighbors.

5.Saleen S7 Twin Turbo $555,000 The first true American production certified supercar, this cowboy is rank #4 for the fastest car in the world. It has a top speed of 248 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. If you are a true American patriot, you can be proud to show off this car.

6.Koenigsegg CCX $545,568 Swedish made, the Koenigsegg is fighting hard to become the fastest car in the world. Currently the 3rd fastest car in the world with a top speed of 250 mph+, the car manufacture Koenigsegg is not giving up and will continue to try and produce the fastest car.

7.Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren $457,250 A GT supercar, the SLR McLaren is the fastest automatic transmission car in the world with a top speed of 207 mph+ and reaching 60 mph in 3.8 seconds from stand still point.

8.Porsche Carrera GT $440,000 A supercar with dynamic stability control and a top speed of 209 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. The Porsche Carrera GT applies the absolute calibers of a true racing car to offer an unprecedented driving feeling on the road.

9.Maybach 62 $385,250 The first 4-doors sedan to make the list, the Maybach 62 includes many luxurious features and it was made for comfort rather than speed.

10.Maybach 57 S $367,000 High-end luxury saloon with sporty handling and top performance technology.