These Cars Will Define The 2020s, According To Our Readers

I don't know about you, but the 2020s have been straight doo-doo poop from a butt for most people on Earth. I mean, it's hard for a decade to rebound when you start with something as awful and world-altering as Covid, and things haven't exactly gotten better since then. Because of that, the car that will end up defining this decade almost certainly will not be a vehicle that we look back on fondly. That makes sense, though. We're only six years in, and I very much doubt we'll look back on the 2020s as a whole fondly.

That's why I wasn't surprised that your answers to the question I asked you all last week — What Car Will Define The 2020s? — were mostly pessimistic and negative ones. You all seem to feel that the cars that will define the decade are some of the most hateful cars that are currently on the road. Honestly, I agree with you. Hell, my own suggestion was the Tesla Cybertruck, and that's the most hateful vehicle of anything on sale right now.

Anyway, that's enough of my two paragraph examination of society. How about you all scroll on down below and check out what cars your fellow Jalops think will define the 2020s? Unfortunately, it's a dubious honor this time around, so if your car is on here, you might need to look inward and feel a little bit bad about that. 

If it is a vehicle that connected with the customer the most, I would go with the Ford Maverick Hybrid. Introduced in the 2020's and revealing a long-ignored category of compact, fuel efficient trucks that can replace the car in many families.

Submitted by: T A

I will say Corvette. It debuted in 2020 for the first time ever in mid-engine layout bucking almost 70 years of tradition.

It can be had naturally aspirated, turbocharged, or with hybrid set-up.

With the introduction of the ZR1 it is also one of the fastest production cars ever at the fraction of price of normal super cars.

Submitted by: Brewman15

The hot rod truck with F150 Raptor at the top and Ram TRX to some extent.

It became a toy and tank in the arms race on the roadways. Fully optioned models were approaching Mercedes Benz S class entry level price. These trucks had powerful engines, lockers, winches, adjustable shocks, and capability to go anywhere yet most of them never left the pavement and few carried anything beyond groceries and people. The top of the line 3/4 ton trucks like Ford SuperDuty also went crazy in terms of sales. Now it is just common knowledge that a typical diesel King Ranch or Platinum is around $100K and the payment is $1,800 a month.

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I think it will be the rise of the $90,000+ HD/Super Duty pickup truck. We're already at the point where these no longer fit in a typical garage, parking garages, and parking spots. We're at the point where cheap oil and cheap gas is over with. We're at the point where global climate change cannot be denied. We know the danger these massive trucks put pedestrians, kids, and smaller cars are put in with these being used as commuter vehicles. And yet, with all of this knowledge, a sizable chunk of people say "screw it" and want to commute in an 8,000 pound living room and then drive it like a sports car on the interstate. The 2020s might be shaping up to be America's last gasp as the big dog in the world – the country and society that other countries look towards – and I think the sight of one person driving 2 hours to work each day in a Super Duty that cost close to $100,000 sums up the middle finger to the world that has helped put us in the mess we're in now.

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Any personality-problem pickup truck. Pickups were once actually for work. Now they're for invading other peoples' space: blocking our view, polluting the air, destroying your car because their bumpers are three feet above any reasonable crash zone, etc.

Submitted by: Tex & Xavier96 & semica altoid

Hard to pick only one car, but the Subaru Outback Wilderness trim should be the poster child. Formerly, a perfectly reasonable 4WD wagon, good for snow and mild off-roading. Now a plastic-clad, jacked-up, cartoonish attempt at turning a great car into a lousy truck. The 2020's has to be all about the rugged, off-road image. A rebuke of Covid travel restrictions kick started it. From Nissan Rogue Rock Creek to F-150 Raptor, everyone wants to be ready for Adventure.

Submitted by: Singletrack

I don't think it will be single vehicle. However, I believe that the 2020s will become known as the time when electric vehicles became more mainstream, even in the United States of Oil.

Since 2020, there's been virtually zero innovation in gas powertrains (I said virtually zero, not none, you exhaust-huffing EV critics). Most of the hype has been, and continues to be, around electric vehicles.

And, yes, the CyberTurd is included in that, though we can roll it in under the banner of electric vehicles.

Submitted by: DynamicPresence

To offer something that isn't Cybertruck-oriented; anything from BYD. It's the promise of an affordable EV from a country that is aiming to be the century's diplomatic superpower.

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The BYD Seal (or anything with a BYD badge). When Chinese brands and technology takes over our roads in 20 years time, we'll remember that in the 2020s, the BYD Seal came out and showed that Chinese brands were pretty damn close to overtake European and American brands. Considering how far back China was in the 2000s, it's a really big leap.

Submitted by: Alf Enthusiast & Tiago Bastos

I think is going to be the last gen Toyota Camry TRD. Visually extra for no real reason. Overpriced yet not really 'nice', overpowered yet not really 'fast'. For the same price, they could've got a used Scat Pack and actually win some of the 'races' they start.

Submitted by: Marcus C

Have suggestion that I have not seen so far. The Hummer EV and EV truck. Nothing like something that was overpriced to begin with being completely sold out. Then those cars hit the used market and sold more for than they did new. Now a couple years later no one will buy one and they are a complete pile o crap. Its the perfect metaphor for what's going on with everything. It cost too much new. Then the price goes up cause its "rare". Then people realize its not worth a dam thing.

Submitted by: Gerrit DeBoer

I think it's the Rav4/CRV

It effectively killed the sedan and set buyers on the path to either upsize to the big SUVs when their 'needs' grow, or downsize to it after those 'needs' abate.

Affordable compact sedans now are the Hyundai Elanta, Kia Forte, VW Jetta, Honda Civic, and the Toyota Corolla and they are selling in miniscule numbers compared to the compact SUVs.

Submitted by: potbellyjoe

Yup, it's going to be that dumb Cybertruck , just like the Mustang of the 60s, the Pinto of the 70s, the 3-Series BMW of the 80s, Not sure who gets the title for the 90s and aughts. Maybe the Explorer and CRV, respectively?

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2020's are a garbage fire so far, so the CyberDumpster is definitely a good representation.

Submitted by: BuddyS & Bruce Steever

Absolutely not. Don't give the CT anymore attention. Let it become a dusty footnote in history, like its creator, those he supported and their backwards ideas. Incorporate it into fables and children's stories, as things to avoid and never have occur again.

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Tbh I think the Cybertruck is going to end up a goofy footnote in automotive history. Like the Delorean without the iconic movie franchise(HOLLYWOOD! I swear to God, you BETTER NOT!).

Submitted by: Frank in Philly & Marcus C