Starin\’ at the Highway through my rear view: 2020

The 2020 Aubernon Highway Podium

Though I\’ve only reviewed a handful of vehicles in 2020, I did review enough to pick my top three for the year. My selections are based on how I feel about them a month or so removed from my driveway (mainly whether or not I would consider owning one).

Before getting into them, though, here are my honorable mentions:

Honorable Mention: Shelby GT500

For one morning back in October, I got a chance to make a few memories, laps, and passes with the top-tier Mustang in the stable, the Shelby GT500. It wasn\’t often I got to drive a high-performance machine in 2020; I hope to review this or the Mach 1 some time in 2021. And get my damn timeslips from the quarter-mile, this time.

Honorable Mention: Toyota 86 Hakone Edition

A car I wound up not being able to truly review due to my lack of manual-shifting skills and a deformed left foot, the 86 Hakone Edition was still pretty to look at, especially when the sun danced upon its special green paint. I need to hit up a driving school with manual training in 2021 to determine once and for all if manuals will ever be a part of my life.

And now, the top three on the Aubernon Highway Podium in 2020:

Bronze: Ford Ranger Lariat FX4

After reviewing a string of full-size trucks and crossovers, the mid-size Ranger was the perfect truck for all I needed out of it. From a trip to Charlotte to drive another Ford, to rescuing a few items from my mom\’s storage locker, the globetrotter handled everything with ease.

Silver: Mazda CX-5 Signature

If ever I needed a ride to take down to Daytona, Sebring, or VIR, the CX-5 Signature would be on my short list. The turbo-four\’s a wonderful-sounding engine (especially on premium fuel), it\’s got some style, and there\’s nothing beating the Soul Red Crystal Metallic Paint when it comes to standing out in the parking lot.

Gold: Ram 1500 Limited

Powered by Stellantis\’ in-house 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 and draped in the optional Black Appearance Package, the Ram 1500 Limited not only had the right looks and cred to hang with the street rods at the NSRA Street Rod Nationals, it felt like the right full-size truck to have in the Year of Our Corona 2020: tough, intimidating, a presence that tells all to stay away. Plus, it gave me a chance to smell some cat pee DEF.