News Source: autoblog.com

Now that 2014 is officially in the books, it's time to look ahead. And following our list of the cars we liked best last year, we're now setting our sights at the hot new metal that's coming our way in 2015.

Some of these, we've already seen. And some are still set to debut during the 2015 auto show season. But these are the machines that keep us going – the things on the horizon that we're particularly stoked to drive, and drive hard.

Jeep Renegade

Not the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Not the Ford Mustang GT350. Not the new John Cooper Works Mini. Nope, I'm looking forward to the adorable, trail-rated Jeep Renegade. And that's because I really, really, really like our long-term Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. I do not, however, care too much for the Cherokee's looks, and I really don't like its $38,059 price tag.

The Renegade Trailhawk, meanwhile, promises much of the same rough-and-tumble character as its big brother, but at what we expect will be a more reasonable price (I'm personally wagering on the baby Jeep's off-road model starting at no more than $23,000). With a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a nine-speed automatic, it should also be a bit easier to fill than the V6-powered Cherokee.

Also, I can't help but love the way the Renegade looks. It's like someone took a Wrangler, squished it by 50 percent and then handed it off to George Clinton for a healthy dose of funk. The interior, with its bright, expressive trims and color schemes should also be a really nice place to spend some time.

I'll be attending the Renegade's launch later this month, so I'll have a much shorter wait than my colleagues. Here's hoping the baby Jeep lives up to my expectations.

– Brandon Turkus
Associate Editor

Mazda MX-5 Miata

Here's an uncomfortable truth: I'd rather spend a day driving a properly sorted Mazda MX-5 Miata of any generation on a winding road than I would nearly any other vehicle, regardless of power, price or prestige.

It's not just that I prize top-down driving and enjoy the Miata's small size because it gives me more road to play with. I just find there's more motoring joy to be had with high-fidelity handling and an uncorrupted car-to-driver communication loop than I do with face-distorting power or grip – let alone valet-stand gravitas. But perhaps most of all, I love Miatas because they can deliver that level of feedback and driver reward at modest speeds that won't put the locals on edge or endanger lives – you can use more of the car more of the time.

Thus, it should come as no surprise that I'm more interested in driving the all-new 2016 Miata than I am in any other new car this year. It's tightened up its footprint, it's gone on a diet – around 220 pounds – and it's upped its efficiency and interior quality to boot.

Upon first seeing the new model back in September, I noted: "the Miata is a car that's pretty near to the spiritual center of gravity and moral center of the auto enthusiast world. Only a proper thrashing will really seal the deal, but upon first encounter, I don't see anything in the new fourth-generation Miata that should endanger that lovefest."

I hope I wasn't wide of the mark, and I can't wait to grab the keys and find out.

 – Chris Paukert
Executive Editor

Chevrolet Corvette Z06

I fell madly in love with the standard Chevrolet Corvette Stingray when I first drove it over a year ago. It's one of the best-driving cars ever to come out of America, and I love it.

Before this new Stingray, the only version of the Corvette to ever get my motor running was the Z06, with its massive 7.0-liter V8. It was a total charmer, and I even preferred it to the more powerful ZR1. And then I saw the specs for the new Z06 and, well, I about fell out of my chair.

With a 650-horsepower, supercharged, 6.2-liter V8 underhood, this thing is going to be a total rocket. And since Chevy upgraded every little part of the Stingray's package to handle all that power, the already awesome Corvette is going to be so, so, so much better in Z06 guise. Me, a new Z06, and an empty track. That's what dreams are made of, for sure.

– Steven Ewing
Senior Editor