​​The 7 Vehicles an Autoblog Writer Reviewed in 2025 That She Would Buy​ 

If, like many Alderman Automotive customers, you are a dedicated used car buyer, you look at the new cars that come out each year. When one particularly appeals to you, you think, “Maybe when one is two or three years old…” and try to file that thought away for safekeeping. As an Autoblog writer, Kristen Brown focuses on new cars and drives several of them each year. On the last day of 2025, she wrote a summary of the seven vehicles she reviewed the previous year that she would buy if she could. Something used car buyers can file away until they start appearing in the Alderman Automotive inventory.    

Brown starts by acknowledging that new cars can look very similar. They all have center touchscreens that can fill the screen with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto icons. Most everything now comes with a collection of safety and driver-assist technologies, and most are relatively fuel-efficient, at least compared to vehicles from a decade or two ago. That said, seven models stood out to the point that, if she didn’t make her living driving new cars that aren’t hers, she would want to buy them herself.  

Nissan Z NISMO

It almost seems like cheating to start with a sports car. After all, when free of the responsibility to carry multiple passengers and/or cargo, or even to be all that comfortable, it isn’t hard for a car to stand out. While the Z does a great job of recalling past Z cars, the NISMO is notable for its 420-horsepower twin-turbo V, which no previous Z could ever claim. In the Sport+ driving mode, it delivers an overabundance of grins in a way only a sports car can. She adds that while there was no 6-speed manual available on the 2025 car, the 2026 model fixes that mistake for even more fun. 

Honda Civic Type R 

When you want a sports car but have responsibilities, the Civic Type R is the answer. Stealing a page from the VW GTI, the Type R is a practical 4-door that carries people in comfort, with a hatch that aids cargo access, and is full of Honda’s clever details and craftsmanship. But under the hood is 315 horsepower (50% more than the GTI) from a stoked 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4. In the cabin is a great-feeling 6-speed stick shift, and behind the wheels is a suspension setup that rewrites the rulebook for high-performance front-wheel-drive cars. Its price in the mid-40s sounds like a lot for something named “Civic,” but not for the high-performance experience it provides, while still being practical for picking up the kids from school or any other domestic duty. 

Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT 

The first of two EVs on her list (both from Hyundai), Brown acknowledges that this off-road-focused IONIQ 5 does little more than add off-road tires, which raises the ride height by default. Still, with two motors and AWD, it takes to unpaved roads like a rally car, creating grin after grin as gravel bounces off the black cladding and bumpers that line the bottom of the body. Like the Civic, it adds practicality to the fun with a spacious cabin and generous cargo space. The rugged tires bring the range down to 270 miles, but DC-direct charging is quick thanks to its 800V electrical architecture. If you prefer to stay on the pavement, the non-XRT models may be to your taste, but the XRT is the most special of the IONIQ 5 line. 

Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro 

This one only makes sense if you have caught the off-roading bug, as Brown has. Unlike the Hyundai XRT, this model is set up bumper to bumper for off-roading, with a locking rear differential, 33-inch all-terrain tires, a Multi-Terrain drive mode selector with effective calibration for mud, sand, rocks, and snow, and skid plates where you need them, just to name a few. It is powered by a hybrid drivetrain, but efficiency was far less of a priority than an output of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. At the same time, it is perfectly capable of doing practical SUV things, such as towing up to 5,800 pounds and having plenty of room for two rows of people and plenty of cargo space behind.  

Genesis GV80 3.5T 

This covers the opposite end of the SUV spectrum from the 4Runner, as a truly luxurious vehicle that earns every penny of its over $81,000 price tag. There are plenty of luxury-badge SUVs, but the GV80 stands out for the style and quality of the interior and for driving modes that really deliver on their names. Brown was particularly impressed by the power rear sunshades, of all things, and also described the Bang & Olufsen sound system as “one of the best in the business.” Brown adds: “every time I thought I had the car figured out, I’d find out something fun and new about it.”  

Hyundai IONIQ 9 

Hyundai has already nailed the 3-row crossover with the Palisade, so it is little surprise that they have made the best 3-row EV crossover on the market. Though EVs are best for driving around town and staying within range of a home charger, the IONIQ 9 can reach 310 miles on a full charge and use a Tesla Supercharger, where it can suck down electrons at a rate of 350 kW, which means charging from 10 to 80% in about 24 minutes, not much longer than a bathroom break would take for all of its three rows of passengers. If only two rows are occupied, second-row passengers in higher trims can slide their seats rearward, raise the built-in ottomans, and lazy-boy it from charge to the next.  

Honda Passport TrailSport Elite 

This Passport is a perfect example of Honda’s ability to build a car that does everything well. Built on the same platform as the 3-row Pilot, it offers plenty of space for its five occupants and their cargo, and it surrounds them with an attractive interior. The ride is smooth despite the off-road tires, and if your destination is way off the beaten path, it is filled with effective off-road technology. The 3.5-liter V6 delivers unstressed power, and the cabin is filled with Honda cleverness.  

So, here are seven models to keep an eye out for in the next few years. And if you are looking for a car now, be sure to peruse Alderman Automotive Inventory for similar models or any vehicle that fits your needs and desires.