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8 cars we're most looking forward to driving in 2015

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.

2015 Chevy Colorado takes Motor Trend Truck of the Year calipers [w/videos]

The final winner of Motor Trend's prestigious Golden Calipers has been named, with the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado taking the title of 2015 Truck of the Year, likely shocking those who thought Ford's all-aluminum, next-generation F-150 would take the crown. But win the Colorado did, beating not only the new Ford, but two other brutish Blue Ovals in the F-450 and Transit. The midsize pickup also bested its brethren from General Motors, beating the heavy-duty Chevy Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra Denali 2500 and the GMC Canyon, the Colorado's fraternal twin. After an unprecedented two-year stint with the Golden Calipers, Ram sat this year's awards out. Most impressive about the Colorado's victory isn't that it simply beat the US market's other trucks, it did so with a unanimous vote. Praise from MT's editors focused on the trucklet's price, spacious interior, fit and finish and performance. Former Autoblog staffer Jonny Lieberman called the Colorado's steering the best he'd "ever experienced on any truck, full stop," in MT's awards article. "After days of testing, hundreds of miles on the road, and our most rigorous truck testing program to date, our editors unanimously selected the Chevy Colorado as our 2015 Truck of the Year," said MT boss Edward Loh. "Colorado is a smart, capable, and refreshingly honest truck that makes a strong value and efficiency statement. It's perfectly sized and suited for the needs of many of today's truck users." The Colorado joins the 2015 Volkswagen Golf and 2015 Honda CR-V among Motor Trend 2015 award winners. Scroll down for video commentary from General Motors CEO Mary Barra, Loh and a clip of the Golden Calipers being handed over. Also, check out GM's full press release on its big win. The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. MOTOR TREND Names Chevrolet Colorado 2015 Truck of the Year Midsize pickup outclasses competition in design, engineering, efficiency, safety and more 2014-12-03 EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – After its most comprehensive truck evaluation program in history, MOTOR TREND has selected the Chevy Colorado as its 2015 Truck of the Year®. MOTOR TREND's Truck of the Year program is only open to all-new or significantly updated trucks and vans for the upcoming model year.

Chevy Corvette Stingray picks up another award, this time from Automobile

The new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has picked up another buff book accolade after capturing Road and Track's Performance Car of the Year award. The seventh-generation of America's sports car (sorry Viper, Mustang, et al.) has been named Automobile Magazine's Automobile of the Year.
Automobile's award to the Corvette over competitors is the mirror image of its rival Motor Trend, which named the Cadillac CTS its car of the year over the C7. The CTS was, according to the Automobile team, the closest contender to the mighty Stingray. Great news all around for General Motors it seems.
As for what pushed the Corvette past its distant, four-door cousin, Automobile commended its excellent, 6.2-liter V8 calling the car's performance "simply awesome" while also remarking that it is easier to drive fast than ever before thanks to steering and chassis tweaks. Following a theme set by other publications, there were also plaudits for the interior, of all things, with the buff book complimenting the car's ergonomics and material quality, while also praising the standard seats.