Most improved car models of 2024
Most improved car models of 2024
It's a fact in any industry: Good products can go bad, and bad products either get better or go away. We're a sucker for a good underdog story as much as anyone, and the cars listed here are the biggest comebacks Edmunds has seen in the past five years of our ratings program. We're also looking at the cars that hold the top spots and how they maintain their dominance.
Edmunds has been rating cars for nearly two decades, allowing us to track the evolution of cars and trucks through successive generations. We've documented the changes and refinements that see them rise in ratings and, in some cases, the stagnation and indifference that lead to their fall.
We evaluate cars in more than a half-dozen categories, from performance to interior comfort and utility, before arriving at an average score out of 10 points. We typically put a car through our criteria after it's been significantly updated, or "redesigned" in industry terms. Sometimes we'll reevaluate a specific model if it's received new technology, more safety features or a new engine-basically any substantial changes that might change our opinion.
So, which cars have shown the most improvement in our ratings tests? Let's dig in.
Comeback kids
The most dramatic example is the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. This quirky fastback-style variation on the regular GLE SUV took a hit in Edmunds' initial rating for its reduced rear seat headroom, small cargo space, and diminished outward visibility. But the second-generation model made an impressive comeback, vaulting from its earlier 6.5 rating in 2019 to 8.1 in 2021 (there was no rating in 2020). The new-gen GLE Coupe added newer tech features and slightly more cargo space, as well as improved handling and fuel economy, which helped boost its standing.
Another notable resurgence: the Ford Ranger. The classic midsize pickup disappeared from the American market in 2011 but continued sales in other global markets. With the revival of the midsize pickup segment around 2015, Ford hustled to get its Ranger back to American shores. When the "new" Ranger arrived a few years later, it failed to impress. Ford couldn't hide the truck's aging chassis, wobbly ride, and lack of off-road capability, especially against fresher Chevrolet, Nissan and Toyota rivals.
We gave the Ranger a below-average rating of 6.8, which it carried until the debut of an all-new model in 2024. Today's Ranger couldn't be more different than its predecessor. Gone are the wobbly ride and off-road deficiencies, replaced instead with taut suspension tuning, a strong engine with muscular towing capacity, and a trail-ready Raptor trim. The Ranger scored 8 points or higher (out of 10) in all of our rating categories, earning an overall 8.2 rating-a 20% improvement in one generation. That's a remarkable comeback by any measure, and Edmunds considers the Ranger a great choice for a midsize pickup.
Other surprising second acts include the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), which leapt from earlier ratings of 6.5 and 6.8 to a score of 8.0 in 2024, highlighting the resilience of a brand basically left for dead in the United States.
The chart above illustrates the most improved cars in the past five years of our ratings program. The Toyota Tundra, Cadillac Escalade, and even Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid-one of the last minivans standing-are among those models that significantly improved.
Holding the throne
It's one thing to close the gap between a poor rating and a great one. It's another to hold that rating over successive years. Topping our list, each in its own distinct category, are the Chevrolet Corvette, Ford F-150 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
The S-Class is always a contender for today's top luxury sedan, as Mercedes forever tinkers on the cutting-edge of comfort, infotainment, safety and self-driving technology. The S-Class' 8.5 rating is among our highest of any car and edges out its nearest competitor, the BMW 7 Series (8.2).
The Ford F-150 isn't much of a surprise either. It's one of the top-selling vehicles in the U.S. annually (the entire Ford F-Series lineup typically takes the top spot each year) and routinely outperforms its top rivals, the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500, in our ratings. (The Ram doesn't go quietly, however; note that it currently ties the F-150 in overall rating at 8.1, even though the Ford holds the edge over a five-year period.)
Though the current-generation Silverado hasn't impressed us much (rated at 7.5), another Chevy dominates our sports-car ratings. The Corvette, currently rated at 8.5, has topped our ratings since the current generation's debut in 2020. For power, handling, style, and sheer bang for the performance buck, nothing beats it.
Edmunds says
Edmunds tests, rates and updates our opinion of dozens of cars every year. And when you're shopping for a new or even a used car, it helps to know how a model has progressed over the past few years. A model with big leaps in improvement signals an automaker that takes the competition seriously, making the buyer the biggest winner.
This story was produced by Edmunds and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
© Stacker Media, LLC.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNBC
an hour ago
- CNBC
China issues rare earth licenses to suppliers of top 3 U.S. automakers, sources say: Reuters
China has granted temporary export licenses to rare-earth suppliers of the top three U.S. automakers, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, as supply chain disruptions begin to surface from Beijing's export curbs on those materials. At least some of the licenses are valid for six months, the two sources said, declining to be named because the information is not public. It was not immediately clear what quantity or items are covered by the approval or whether the move signals China is preparing to ease the rare-earths licensing process, which industry groups say is cumbersome and has created a supply bottleneck. China's decision in April to restrict exports of a wide range of rare earths and related magnets has tripped up the supply chains central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world. China's dominance of the critical mineral industry, key to the green energy transition, is increasingly viewed as a key point of leverage for Beijing in its trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump. China produces around 90% of the world's rare earths, and auto industry representatives have warned of increasing threats to production due to their dependency on it for those parts. Suppliers of three big U.S. automakers, General Motors, Ford and Jeep-maker Stellantis got clearance for some rare earth export licenses on Monday, one of the two sources said. GM and Ford each declined to comment. Stellantis said it is working with suppliers "to ensure an efficient licensing process" and that so far the company has been able to "address immediate production concerns without major disruptions." China's Ministry of Commerce did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment. China's critical-mineral export controls have become a focus on Trump's criticism of Beijing, which he says has violated the truce reached last month to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions. On Thursday, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a lengthy phone call to iron out trade differences. Trump said in social-media post that "there should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products." Both sides said teams will meet again soon. U.S. auto companies are already feeling the impact of the restrictions. Ford shut down production of its Explorer SUV at its Chicago plant for a week in May because of a rare-earth shortage, the company said. The approval for the auto suppliers follows a green light granted to a U.S. electronics firm's suppliers last week and another one issued earlier this week to suppliers of a U.S. non-auto company, the first person said, declining to name the companies. "We have to give the Chinese the benefit of the doubt that they're working through this. It's up to them to show that they are not weaponizing it," said the person. Reuters reported on Wednesday that China has introduced a tracking system for its rare earth magnet sector in a move to improve its control over the sector and crackdown on smuggling.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Johnson tries to protect fate of megabill from Trump-Musk crossfire
Speaker Mike Johnson is working to keep the focus on the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" on Friday as all eyes remain on President Donald Trump and Elon Musk amid their bitter public feud. Johnson is pushing the House-passed bill that advances Trump's legislative agenda, which is being negotiated in the Senate. Musk has publicly criticized the bill, calling it a "disgusting abomination" and encouraging members of Congress to "kill the bill." Musk's criticism reached a boiling point on Thursday -- ending with an explosive spat between the president and the tech billionaire. On Friday morning, Trump told ABC News that Musk had "lost his mind." MORE: Trump tells ABC Musk 'lost his mind'; 'not particularly' interested in talking to him Johnson was once one of Musk's most powerful boosters on Capitol Hill. Johnson met with Musk repeatedly and would even talk him through legislation by phone. Musk even addressed a meeting of House Republicans in March. Asked by ABC News if it was a mistake to trust Musk, Johnson dismissed the question and turned the focus back to the bill. "I'm not going to engage in this back-and-forth stuff. I don't think the American people care much about Twitter wars. I think they care about us accomplishing our legislative agenda, and the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' does that." Johnson reiterated Friday that he has a job to do -- and it's not to get involved in the Musk-Trump squabble. Still, Johnson engaged in the online battle Thursday, responding to a Musk post criticizing the speaker. MORE: Trump Musk feud explodes with claim president is in Epstein files Several other House Republicans are weighing in on the dispute and whether Musk's influence and strong opinions about the megabill could influence its passage. "I think Elon probably did change the trajectory of this bill two or three days ago when he came out against it because people trust the guy who can land rockets backwards more than they do the politicians," Republican Rep. Thomas Massie said. Massie was one of two House Republicans who opposed the bill when the House voted on it last month. GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene sided with both Trump and Musk on different aspects of the bill -- favoring Musk on the price tag. She said ultimately she thinks the focus should be on passing Trump's agenda. "I don't think lashing out on the Internet is the way to handle any kind of disagreement, especially when you have each other's cell phones," Greene told reporters Friday. "I hope this gets worked out, but I will tell you right now that people are going to be focused on making sure that we get the agenda that we voted for." Republican Rep Troy Nehls, a staunch Trump ally, called for an end to the spat between the president and Musk, saying "enough is enough." MORE: Thune plows ahead to pass Trump's megabill as Musk continues to bash it Despite Musk publicly clashing with the head of their party -- even seeming to suggest the House should impeach the president -- some Republicans didn't go out of their way to bad mouth the billionaire. "Elon Musk can use his funds as he sees fit," Republican Rep. Ralph Norman said when asked if he's worried Musk would primary Republicans. "Again, he's a patriot and if he disagrees, I respect the honesty, really." Republican Rep. Warren Davidson called for unity. "I just hope that people that I care a lot about get along, that they mend, that they patch up their relationship," he said. "It's disappointing to see them arguing in public that way." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries capitalized on the clash, calling it a "welcome development." "To the extent that the developments of this week will make it more likely that we can kill the GOP tax scam, that's a welcome development," he said.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
China eases stranglehold on rare minerals in welcome news for GM, Ford: report
China has granted temporary export licenses to rare-earth suppliers of the top three US automakers, two sources familiar with the matter said, as supply chain disruptions begin to surface from Beijing's export curbs on those materials. At least some of the licenses are valid for six months, the two sources said, declining to be named because the information is not public. It was not immediately clear what quantity or items are covered by the approval or whether the move signals China is preparing to ease the rare-earths licensing process, which industry groups say is cumbersome and has created a supply bottleneck. Advertisement On Thursday, President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a lengthy phone call to iron out trade differences. 3 China has granted temporary export licenses to rare-earth suppliers of the top three US automakers, sources said. GM cars, above. Getty Images Trump said in social-media post that 'there should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products.' Both sides said teams will meet again soon. Advertisement China's decision in April to restrict exports of a wide range of rare earths and related magnets has tripped up the supply chains central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world. China's dominance of the critical mineral industry, key to the green energy transition, is increasingly viewed as a key point of leverage for Beijing in its trade war with the US. China produces around 90% of the world's rare earths, and auto industry representatives have warned of increasing threats to production due to their dependency on it for those parts. Advertisement Suppliers of three big US automakers, General Motors, Ford and Jeep-maker Stellantis got clearance for some rare earth export licenses on Monday, one of the two sources said. GM and Ford each declined to comment. Stellantis said it is working with suppliers 'to ensure an efficient licensing process' and that so far the company has been able to 'address immediate production concerns without major disruptions.' China's Ministry of Commerce did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment. 3 Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Trump had a lengthy phone call on Thursday to iron out trade differences. Getty Images Advertisement China's critical-mineral export controls have become a focus on Trump's criticism of Beijing, which he says has violated the truce reached last month to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions. US auto companies are already feeling the impact of the restrictions. Ford shut down production of its Explorer SUV at its Chicago plant for a week in May because of a rare-earth shortage, the company said. The approval for the auto suppliers follows a green light granted to a US electronics firm's suppliers last week and another one issued earlier this week to suppliers of a US non-auto company, the first person said, declining to name the companies. 3 China produces around 90% of the world's rare earths, and auto industry representatives have warned of increasing threats to production due to their dependency on it for those parts. The Bayan Obo mine in Inner Mongolia, above. REUTERS 'We have to give the Chinese the benefit of the doubt that they're working through this. It's up to them to show that they are not weaponizing it,' said the person. Reuters reported on Wednesday that China has introduced a tracking system for its rare earth magnet sector in a move to improve its control over the sector and crackdown on smuggling.
