Top 10 Cars to Look Forward to in 2017

Jason Siu
by Jason Siu

This year was a pretty great year for cars, but 2017 is looking like it could be even better.

There are plenty of production cars that are finally arriving in 2017 that we can’t wait to drive. From sports cars to sedans and even crossovers, automakers from all around the world are keeping things exciting. Here are the top 10 cars we’re most excited for in the coming year.

SEE ALSO: Top 10 Best Concept Cars of 2016

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Although the Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio first debuted at the 2015 L.A. Auto Show, it won’t be produced until next year. We’ve spent all last year drooling over the sport sedan’s luscious styling and dreaming about how fun its 505 horsepower will be. There’s not a lot to dislike about the Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio, but like many cars, we’re sure something will creep up once we get in the driver’s seat — it is an FCA product, after all. What might be even more interesting is to see how the standard Giulia performs against heavyweights in the segment like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series.

Learn more: Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Arrives in US Bearing 505 HP


Audi RS3 Sedan

Sporting a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine with 400 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, the Audi RS3 sedan really has us excited. Power is sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, allowing the sedan to sprint to 62 mph from a standstill in 4.1 seconds. Compared to its predecessor, the new Audi RS3 sedan weighs 57 pounds less, mainly thanks to a new light-alloy crankcase. Look for the new Audi RS3 sedan to arrive in the U.S. by summer of 2017.

Learn more: Audi RS3 Will Hit US in 2017 With 400-HP Five Cylinder


Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

If you’re a truck fan, the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 should definitely be on your radar. Sporting a two-inch lift and the first off-road application of the Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) damper technology, the Colorado ZR2 should be a well-rounded off-roader that is capable of tight rock crawling and desert running. It also features a three-and-a-half-inch wider track, functional rockers and revised bumpers for better approach and departure angles.

Learn more: Chevy Colorado ZR2 is Prepped for Dirt, Rocks and Sand


Ford GT

Ah, to be the lucky few people to finally take delivery of the stunning new Ford GT. After making a surprising debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the production version is expected to arrive next year. Final specifications for the Ford GT haven’t been announced, but in concept form, it featured a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine promising to deliver more than 600 hp. Limited to just 500 units over the next two years, the Ford GT is rumored to be priced around $450,000, and Ford is very picky about who gets the privilege to buy one.

Learn more: Production Ford GT Spied in the Wild for the First Time


Honda Civic Type R

It’s finally happening! Hopefully. The Honda Civic Type R will be brought to the U.S. for the first time ever and if the “prototype” is any indication of what’s to come, we’re excited. Sporting a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, Honda hasn’t confirmed the new Civic Type-R’s power output just yet, but it is expected to produce more than the current model’s 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Whatever may come, we can expect a six-speed manual transmission, front-wheel drive, and ridiculously fun driving dynamics.

Learn more: 2018 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Offers First Look at US-Bound Model


Hyundai i30N

It would be realistic not to expect the production Hyundai i30N to resemble the wild RN30 concept that debuted earlier this year at the Paris Motor Show, but we’re really excited to see what direction Hyundai is taking its N performance sub-brand. In concept form, the aggressive RN30 featured a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with about 380 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque, so we’re going to take a wild guess that the hot hatch is really fun to drive. Our hope is that Hyundai doesn’t tone it down to the point that its N sub-brand is boring. Hyundai needs something exciting in its lineup, especially since the Genesis coupe has been discontinued.

Learn more: Wild Hyundai RN30 Concept Debuts Previewing N Performance Brand


Jeep Compass

Some might not find the Jeep Compass overly exciting, but we’re curious to see if it will live up to the automaker’s bold claims that it will deliver best-in-class 4×4 off-road capability, advanced fuel-efficient powertrains, premium and authentic Jeep design, superior on-road driving dynamics, and a host of safety and advanced technology offerings. The new Compass is replacing both the existing Compass and Patriot models. Look for it to arrive in the first quarter of 2017. We’re expecting Jeep to sell boatloads of these crossovers.

Learn more: All-New Jeep Compass Finally Debuts Looking Like a Meaner Renegade


Subaru BRZ STI

We don’t care what everyone else on the internet says! We believe in Subaru and have high hopes that the BRZ STI will arrive next year. Last year, the Japanese automaker confirmed that an STI version of the Subaru BRZ would be coming to the U.S. in “a couple of years” and that means 2017 might be the year our dreams come true. In recent weeks, however, there have been reports that the future of the Subaru BRZ is up in the air, despite Toyota confirming it plans on making a second-generation 86 (formerly the FR-S). To us, it seems like a missed opportunity if Subaru doesn’t move forward with a BRZ STI model, even if it’s just a “tuned by STI” edition.

Learn more: Subaru BRZ STI Coming to US


Toyota Camry

We know what you’re thinking. We must have lost our minds to be excited about the new Toyota Camry, but there’s a reason the Camry is America’s best-selling car. The popular sedan is getting an all-new model next year and the Japanese automaker has teased the above photo suggesting it will be aggressive in design. We do know the next Camry will ride on the company’s modular TNGA platform, so it will be lighter and a hybrid version is all but guaranteed.

Learn more: America’s Best-Selling Car is Getting a Makeover and Here’s the First Teaser


Toyota Supra

There is quite possibly no other vehicle in this world to be more excited for than the successor to the Toyota Supra. Like the Acura NSX, Toyota teased the idea of a new Supra when it unveiled the FT-1 Concept at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. Now years later, spy photographers have caught a heavily camouflaged prototype testing, along with BMW’s Z5 that shares its platform. The sports car is the result of a collaboration between BMW and Toyota, and if it’s anything like the FR-S that came from a partnership with Subaru, we’re excited. For now, all we have is a render to go off and hopefully Toyota sticks to the FT-1 concept for the Supra’s styling and it’s everything we hope for – just like the NSX.

Learn more: This is What the New Toyota Supra Could Look Like

Jason Siu
Jason Siu

Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.

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