A Guide to 2015 Cars

From the best truck to the best luxury midsize car, here are the best cars of 2015.
Written by Meaghan Branham
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Tesla Model S made a splash when it came on the scene in 2015, but contemporaries like the BMW 5 Series and Ford F-150 gave it a run for its money. 
2015 was a banner year for car manufacturers and enthusiasts, with sleek-looking speedsters, electric trailblazers, and pickup trucks that refuse to sacrifice luxury. The mid-2010s weren’t about compromise for car buyers—they were about getting exactly what you need.
Whether you’re looking for a car from 2015, or you just want a quick history lesson on today’s most popular picks, we've compiled a guide to the best cars from 2015.
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The best cars of 2015

From electric cars to SUVs, here are the best cars of 2015 in nearly every class. 

The best car of 2015: Tesla Model S 

KBB fair market range: $43,200 to $47,700
Powertrain: AC electric motor with 60, 70, or 80 kWh battery pack
What makes it special
The
Tesla Model S
is a stand-out as some of the
best electric cars
on the market, in part because it stands alone, thanks to its incredible engineering and unmatched technology.
Whether you choose the 60, 70, 85, or 90kWh battery pack trims, you’ll get a powertrain that doesn’t rely on a combustion engine to pack a punch. The electric battery in these models gets anywhere from 302 to 691 hp and up to 97 MPGe on the highway. 
With that electric motor placed close to the rear axle, the Tesla Model S boasts a rear-biased weight distribution that helps it drive more like a mid-engined sports car. That, plus the low center of gravity, makes for a smooth and serene ride. 
But it's the Tesla technology that pushes this model into the top spot in the ranking of best cars of 2015. From the 17-inch infotainment display to the ability to download upgrades as soon as they become available, this space-age sedan is one for the history books. 

The best luxury car of 2015: BMW 5 Series

KBB fair market range: $21,300 to $49,500
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6, 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 hybrid, 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 diesel, 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, or 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8
What makes it special
The
5 Series
offered size and power over sports-car-like handling—to the delight of consumers everywhere. 
All four trim options for the 5 Series offer drivers looking for luxury a welcome surprise in the way of speed. Even the lowest trim model, the
BMW 528i
, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, produces 240 hp. The highest trim level, the
550i
is the real crowd-pleaser, though, with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that gets 445 hp
The cherry on top of all of that power? The interior is exactly what drivers have come to expect from the luxury experts. High-quality materials and tasteful finishes abound, including a 10.2-inch infotainment screen. The front and rear seats are roomy and comfortable, and the optional 20-way multi-contour seats make you feel right at home. 

The best SUV of 2015: Toyota Highlander

KBB fair market range: $23,500 to $27,500
Powertrain: 2.7-liter inline-4, 3.5-liter V6, or 3.5-liter V6 + AC 650-volt permanent-magnet motors
What makes it special
Billed by Kelley Blue Book as “the safe choice”, the
2015 Toyota Highlander
eclipsed the competition with its winning combination of practicality and fun.
The eight-passenger ride drew even more drivers this year with the choice of 4-cylinder, V6, or hybrid engines, as well as options for front- or all-wheel drive. The V6 proved an instant hit, thanks to its 270 horsepower and better acceleration, and the
all-wheel drive
gave those looking for some off-roading ability a bit of confidence. 
For those lucky enough to take a seat in the Highlander, you can enjoy luxury features like the 6.1-inch infotainment display, second-row captain’s chairs, and rear-seat entertainment system. Add the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick+ and crash-test rating and you get a breakaway hit for families and thrill-seekers alike. 

The best luxury SUV of 2015: Cadillac Escalade 

KBB fair market range: $39,000 to $48,300
Powertrain: 3.0-liter V6 engine w/ four-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
For those looking for the perfect luxury SUV in 2015, the
Cadillac Escalade
left little to desire. 
For many drivers of the popular ride, it was the first-class materials and amenities of the interior that drew their attention: ample legroom for up to eight passengers, standard leather upholstery, heated seats, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and an option for rear-seat entertainment. Plus, the Escalade earned a five out of five safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 
Giving the Escalade an edge above the competition, though, was its power—a standard V8 engine, producing an impressive 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The SUV also allows drivers to add even more grit to their glam by swapping out the six-speed transmission for an eight-speed automatic and the front-wheel drive for all-wheel drive. Topping it all off is an impressive towing capacity of 8,300 pounds, higher than many other SUVs in its class. 
MORE: Is there a self-driving Cadillac?

The best family car of 2015: 2015 Mazda 3

KBB fair market range: $17,700 to $27,400
Powertrain: 2.0-liter inline-4 and 2.5-liter inline-4
What makes it special
A darling of the compact car class for years, the
Mazda 3
set the bar for family cars in 2015.
From its
five out of five overall crash protection safety rating
to its dreamy 32 combined mpg, the Mazda 3 does plenty to give families peace of mind when on the road. Plus, the Mazda 3’s hatchback-style allows for ample space for any extra cargo. 
The Mazda 3 also dared to go where other compact car models feared to tread, adding some pizazz to the family-friendly genre. On top of its charming standard features, like intuitive controls and touchscreen infotainment system, the car also comes with options like  adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation technology, and a head-up display—all unique for a compact car at such a competitive price. 

The best sports car of 2015: Chevrolet Corvette

KBB fair market range: $42,300 to $67,700
Powertrain: 5.7-liter V8 engine w/ four-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission
What makes it special
With a history of freedom and adventure that spans 60 years, the
Chevrolet Corvette
had a lot to live up to in 2015. Luckily for sports car lovers, “America’s Sports Car” brought its A-game. 
Both available Corvettes from this year deliver on speed above all else. The base Stingray model, with its naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine, gets an impressive 455 to 460 hp, while the Z06, with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, boasts a legendary 650 hp
The only thing that could rival the Corvette’s speed, though, is its style. Available both as a coupe and a convertible, the sleek and sexy styling of the Stingray and Z06 remains just as iconic for the 2015 year, with leather seats, an impressive infotainment system, and an optional head-up display.

The best truck of 2015: Ford F-150

KBB fair market range: $25,100 to $30,500
Powertrain:3.5-liter V6, 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6, 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6, 5.0-liter V8
What makes it special
In 2015, the
Ford F-150
beat out fierce competitors like the Toyota Tundra and the Chevrolet Silverado to earn its spot as the best full-size pickup. 
Proving that a tough-as-nails truck can deliver a ride smooth as silk, the F-150’s 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 365-horsepower engine makes the full-size truck feel light and agile. Then there’s the impressive fuel economy for a vehicle of its class and size, at up to 16 mpg on the highway
The cabin once again proves that a hardworking truck doesn’t have to sacrifice comfort, offering plush seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, 360-degree camera system, and Sync entertainment system

What cars came out in 2015? 

2015 ushered in plenty of new cars, from supercars to SUVs. Here are some of the most exciting cars introduced that year.
Model
Vehicle type
Engine
KBB Fair Market Range
Notes
Mid-size luxury crossover SUV
Electric engine
$61,800 to $85,700
Includes falcon-wing passenger doors
Ferrari 488
Sports car
3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8
$245,400 to $264,800
Named "The Supercar of the Year 2015" by Top Gear Magazine
Compact car
1.8- or 2.4-liter inline-4, 1.5-liter inline-4 + electric motor, or 1.8-liter inline-4 CNG
$13,800 to $16,800
Kelley Blue Book’s Compact Car Best Buy for 2015
Luxury crossover SUV
3.5-liter V6
$22,300 to $25,100
The RDX came with improved fuel economy and horsepower.
Midsize truck
2.5-liter four-cylinder or 3.6-liter V6
$25,200 to $29,800
Available in three body configurations and three powertrain options.
Midsize truck
3.7-liter V6, 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-4, 5.0-liter V8
$18,200 to $32,600
The Ford Mustang got a full redesign in 2015.
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How to save money on used car insurance

If a 2015 model caught your eye, you’ll want to make sure you have the right
car insurance
policy to cover your top-of-the-line pick. 
The good news? Used cars tend to cost less to insure than newer cars. The better news? Car insurance app Jerry can help you find even lower rates on the best coverage.
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FAQs

The Toyota Corolla was the best-selling car worldwide in 2015.
The 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder takes the top spot for the fastest car of the year, with 608 horsepower and a 0-60 speed of 2.1 seconds.
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