... in Cars
One silver lining in this
most surreal year has
been that, for those of us
interested in cars—or, for
that matter, interested in
any escape whatsoever—
at least the highway was
open. I’ve driven 66 new
vehicles in 2020; plenty
were forgettable. But every
year a handful possess
a certain X factor that
makes them memorable
for generations to come
—Hannah ElliottBEST SEDAN
ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST
No other production sedan can
approximate the upscale accoutrement,
total exclusivity—or, at $332,500, the
price tag—of the next-generation Ghost.
A powerful V-12 engine and an imposing
new grille provide enough of a grand
presence on the road to satisfy the
heads of state who ride in it, while inside
is deep-pile lambswool carpeting and
blessed silence. My multiday test drive
felt like joining a regal club that stretches
back a century, and I realized there’s a
reason the phrase “It’s the Rolls-Royce of
[insert appliance here]” exists. The brand’s
latest does nothing to dispel that.BEST FAMILY SUV
VOLVO XC90
In a segment laden with blah-design
vehicles, the $48,350 XC90 manages
to be quietly elegant, memorable, and,
moreover, fun to drive. Plus, its values are
consistent with those of many families:
laudable efficiency ratings, beaucoup
safety systems, sustainable materials, and
easy-to-use entertainment technology.BEST ELECTRIC CAR
POLESTAR 2
Impressively quick and nimble, the
402-horsepower, all-wheel-drive hatchback
($59,900) offers the solidity of Volvo safety
systems, an ingeniously unique cabin, and
a body style that combines the practicality
and ride height of a small crossover SUV
with a front end that looks like a sedan.
Driving range is 233 miles.BEST GRAND TOURER
FERRARI ROMA
The car that made me the happiest to
be around, inside and out, all year. Starting
from $218,670, it’s the most beautiful
Ferrari since forever, marrying impeccable
elegance with 612-horsepower performance,
refreshingly intuitive technology, and
enough creature comforts to make it
drivable on a daily basis.... in Art
When Covid-19 shut down
museums, exhibitions
that had taken years to put
together were suddenly
postponed or, worse,
snuffed out entirely. Amid
the chaos, several standouts
managed to open to the
public. —James TarmyThe Rest of the Best ...
56
YEAR IN REVIEW Bloomberg Pursuits December 21, 2020Me and My Parrots
(1941), by Frida
Kahlo, as seen at the
Whitney Museum