We drive dozens, if not hundreds of cars every year. Some of them come around with a lot more hype than others. Folks aren’t really waiting in anticipation over things like the new gas-powered Chevy Equinox, but for some cars, there’s a ton of suspense leading up to their release.
Stuff like the new Volkswagen ID Buzz, Dodge Charger Daytona and the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore are prime examples of cars that had a lot of hype ahead of their release dates. Unfortunately for some of them, they don’t live up to that hype, and that’s how they ended up on this list.
We decided to take a look back at some of the most highly-anticipated cars of 2024 that just didn’t match the feverish hype that surrounded them. It doesn’t necessarily mean they were bad cars, but they sure have hell could have been a bit better.
Logan Carter – 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE300 Coupe
Even dating back to the brand’s early days, Mercedes-Benz has been known for its luxurious, sleek coupes, and the new CLE-Class is the latest car to join the storied line of desirable two-doors with three-pointed stars on the nose. Whereas in years past Mercedes-Benz positively spoiled the public with the choice between numerous four-seat coupes across the C, E, and S-Class lineups, the CLE takes the place of both the previous C-Class and E-Class coupes, yet is actually slightly larger than both.
I had the pleasure of masquerading as a new Benz owner for a few days with the entry-level CLE300 model, and it was a delight to be pampered by the brilliant massaging seats and aided by Mercedes’ always-exceptional driver-assistance tech. Long drives aren’t even the slightest bit intimidating when you know your car is a rolling massage parlor slash music venue that can do some of the driving itself, but if you’re looking for a fun and engaging drive, the CLE300 will leave you wanting.
Daniel Golson – 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster Style Edition
The Porsche Boxster and Cayman as we know them aren’t long for this world. Next year, the fourth generation of Porsche’s compact sports car will be revealed, and it will only be available as a fully electric vehicle. The current internal combustion 982 generation of Porsche 718 will remain on sale in the U.S. for another year or so, it’s already getting discontinued in Europe. After spending a few days with a 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster Style Edition, featuring a manual transmission and turbocharged four-cylinder engine, I’m ready for the Boxster to go electric.
Porsche received some of its most negative headlines in decades when the 718 family made the switch to four-cylinder engines in 2016, so much so that Porsche reinstated the flat-6 in the GTS model four years later. I thought the flat-4 was honestly pretty nice in high-powered GTS form, but it’s less enticing in the base Boxster. I think it sounds good, at least in Sport Plus mode, though yes, you’ll probably think it sounds like a Subaru. And despite having “just” 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque it’s plenty quick — Porsche quotes a 4.9-second 0-to-60-mph time with the manual.
You can read Daniel’s full review, The Porsche 718 Boxster Can’t Go Electric Soon Enough, here.
Collin Woodard – His Own 2015 Fiat 500e
As some of you know, I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with my 2008 Subaru Forester for a while now. With an engine that needed to be rebuilt, a transmission that would occasionally drop down into third gear on the highway and who knows how many other gremlins hiding under the hood, it clearly needed to be replaced. At the same time, despite not feeling comfortable selling it to someone else, I also couldn’t quite figure out what to do with it because it still ran, and the gasket sealer I added did stop most of the oil leaking for the last year.
Unfortunately for me, I’m not exactly swimming in cash, so whatever I replaced it with had to be cheap to buy, operate and insure. Second-generation Porsche Cayennes proved to be a tempting option, but as much as I love the idea of owning a cheap Porsche, I just couldn’t bring myself to pull the trigger, especially with the prospect of tariffs on imported parts looming on the horizon. Especially not when my old friend the Fiat 500e was also sitting there, calling my name.
Andy Kalmowitz – 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz
I’m not perfect. I’ll admit that before I drove the 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz, I was pretty skeptical of it based solely on the price. As an auto journalist, this isn’t really what you’re supposed to do before driving a car, but what can I say? I play fast and loose. I mean, can you blame me? $61,500 to $71,500 for a Volkswagen minivan seems like a hell of a price to pay. However, after spending the better part of a day with the ID Buzz, I get it, and I get its price… for the most part.
The 2025 ID Buzz begs the question, “How much would you pay for people to like you?” VW’s reincarnated bus makes up for lack of interior quality and efficiency by being one of the most stylish and well-liked vehicles on the market, and it’s pretty damn practical to boot. If you’ve got about $70,000 to spend on a car that’ll make you tons of friends — and to hell with everything else — the ID Buzz is a compelling package.
You can read Andy’s full review, 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz Asks What Style Is Worth To You, here.
Lawrence Hodge – 2024 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro
Toyota has been on a roll lately. With models like the redesigned 4Runner, Tacoma and Land Cruiser, if you’re an off-road enthusiast and a Toyota fan you should be in heaven right now. If you don’t wanna pay markup or wait on more hardcore versions of the new models to launch, you can indulge your off-road needs with the existing Tundra TRD Pro. You’re just going to need some deep pockets and prepare to look like a bro wherever you go.
The current Tundra debuted in 2021 for the 2022 model year, which was also the last time we drove it. The Tundra’s first redesign since 2007, the current generation has a more bold and commanding presence, and the TRD Pro ups that to 11. Maybe even 20. The first thing you notice is how massive it is — nearly 20 feet long and seven feet wide, you dwarf most vehicles on the road.
You can read Lawrence’s full review, 2024 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Begs For Your Attention, here.
Amber DaSilva – Mercedes-Benz CEL450 Coupe
If I handed you $80,000 right now, what would you do with it? Would you pay off medical debt or credit cards, put it towards a home, perhaps invest it for a rainy day? Maybe, being a Jalop, you’d spend some of it on a new car. Maybe you’d spend all of it on a new car, in hopes of getting something as luxurious as your new 80-thousand-aire lifestyle demands. But, for $80,000, how much luxury car would you really get?
I took a road trip recently in a Mercedes-Benz CLE450 coupe that stickered for $79,140, and I can tell you exactly how much luxury car $80,000 gets you: Very little. Shockingly little, in fact, given the expectations that come with that kind of price tag. If I handed you $80,000 right now, I’d be disappointed in you if that was how you spent it.
Amber’s 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 story hasn’t been published yet, so be on the lookout for that whenever she gets around to it. In the meantime, you can reread Logan’s CLE300 story and just pretend it has a bigger motor.
