---
title: "Which Car Surprised You the Most—in a Good Way?"
description: "Unexpected doesn't always mean unwelcome."
date: "2021-01-22"
modified: "2021-01-22"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/38867/which-car-surprised-you-the-most-in-a-good-way"
categories:
  - "News"
---

# Which Car Surprised You the Most—in a Good Way?

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2021/01/21LEAF3-source.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

Typically the last thing you want when buying a car to rely on for the next several years is some kind of surprise, like oil that hasn't been changed in 30,000 miles, or a shake that sets in after the check is signed. On occasion, though, a car can surprise in a way that doesn't make us anxious for the years ahead, like having great brake feel that nobody talks about, [riding like a Cadillac](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/38474/2021-cadillac-escalade-review-the-standard-of-the-world-takes-back-the-suv-crown>) for the price of a Cavalier, or just not blowing up when the internet said it would. So today, we would like to ask our readers the following question.

Which car surprised you the most—in a good way?

![message-editor%2F1611339263902-21leaf1-source.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1611339263902-21leaf1-source.jpg>)
*2021 Nissan Leaf, *Nissan**

Speaking personally, the car that most exceeded my expectations was the current Nissan Leaf Plus, which I drove back at launch in early 2019, and later on, [down Pikes Peak in a regenerative braking torture test](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/28841/we-regen-braked-down-pikes-peak-in-a-2019-nissan-leaf-sl-plus-to-see-what-happens>). Going into it, I expected an insipid appliance whose best trait was that it no longer looked like the cockroach from *Men In Black*. Instead, I found it a thoughtfully designed compact, with interior styling that's still among the best I've seen and seats whose [NASA influence](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/36173/four-nasa-technologies-that-trickled-down-from-rockets-to-cars>) was pretty clear. Better still, it was no snooze to drive, its one-pedal mode proving less a novelty than a worthwhile alternative to two-pedal driving. I'd liken it to driving a manual with one gear and no clutch, if you can imagine that.

This isn't to say I was completely sold on it, as its range is still on the short side for its price, and its battery lacks a serious cooling system, though overall, it pleasantly surprised me. And now, I'd like you to tell me what cars made you feel the same—minus you, Rafi, I already know how much you miss your [Fleetwood hearse](<https://www.instagram.com/p/CG4TeuEl0kk/>)!

*Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)