There was no shortage of new cars launched and revealed in 2022. Some were humdrum, and some were boring, but in and among the dozens of reveals covered here at CarBuzz, some stood out more than others. These were the cars that surprised us the most this year, and all for different reasons. In some cases, these were cars that we thought would never happen - so expect a Tesla Cybertruck on this list next year if it actually comes to life - while others just shook up the status quo. Some defied the concepts of their segments, and some were just plain bonkers. Either way, these were some of the biggest surprises of 2022.

Mercedes-AMG ONE

Every year, the world's manufacturers prepare to unveil a slew of new cars. Some are expected, but others? Well, not so much. The inimitable Mercedes-AMG ONE is perhaps the biggest surprise of 2022.

But why? After all, we knew it was in the pipeline for years. The fact that the hypercar even made it to fruition is the big surprise here. When Mercedes said it plans to introduce a road-going car powered by an F1 engine, many scoffed and said it couldn't be done. Even the company jokingly referred to it as a drunken mistake.

Not to be defeated, those pioneering engineers in Affalterbach pulled it off, and the ONE was revealed earlier this year with four electric motors, more than 1,000 horsepower, and a penchant for destroying lap records. Sadly, it's not coming to America.

Koenigsegg CC850

Mind-blowing hypercars weren't the reserve of German marques this year. To celebrate his 50th birthday and the 20th anniversary of the CC8S, Christian von Koenigsegg pulled the wraps off the awe-inspiring CC850.

Powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V8, the CC850 produces a staggering 1,353 hp when running on E85 fuel. But that's not the headline-grabbing detail. No, that's reserved for the six-speed manual transmission that also doubles as a nine-speed automatic gearbox. If you want to learn more about this engineering marvel, click here.

Just 70 examples will be made, and, with a rumored price tag of $3.65 million, the CC850 doesn't come cheap.

Porsche 911 Dakar

Determined to fill every possible niche, Porsche unveiled the 911 Dakar as a desert-destroying sports car that's more at home on the dunes than it is on the racetrack.

Gaining motivation from a twin-turbo flat-six engine, the Dakar produces 473 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. But this limited edition 911 isn't built for straight-line speed. With a maximum ground clearance of 7.5 inches, Porsche says the rugged Dakar can match regular SUVs when it comes to ramp-over angles.

Specially developed all-terrain tires keep the Dakar firmly planted on any surface it tackles. Just 2,500 units will be made, promising exclusivity, but will it be able to fend off an attack from Italy?

Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato

The world has done without off-road supercars for pretty much the history of the car, and yet in one year, we get two of them. Shortly after the Porsche was unveiled, Lamborghini threw its hat into the ring with the Huracan Sterrato, a high-riding supercar based on the striking Huracan. Like the 911 Dakar, the Italian brand has transformed its entry-level mid-engined offering into a serious off-roader.

With 602 hp from the unassisted V10 engine, the Sterrato is even more powerful than its rival from Stuttgart, and rarer too - just 1,499 units will be made. Long-travel suspension and specially developed tires ensure it's a hoot to drive on dirt roads, while an array of reinforced components ensure you can race down a gravel road without fear of damaging your pricey Lambo.

Ferrari Purosangue

After years of saying it would never build an SUV, Ferrari finally caved into market demands and introduced the Purosangue. In typical Maranello fashion, there's nothing conventional about the company's first-ever four-door car. It's an absolutely gorgeous design, enhanced by features such as pillarless rear suicide doors.

Ferrari doesn't refer to it as an SUV, but it's a direct rival for the Lamborghini Urus and Aston Martin DBX. But only the Purosangue can lay claim to V12 power. The front mid-mounted 6.5-liter musters up 715 hp, making this one serious performance SUV (or four-door sports car, if you're Ferrari).

If you think the brand has diluted its reputation with the Purosangue, think again - loyal customers are queueing around the proverbial block for a shot at owning one.

Drako Dragon

If you thought the Ferrari Purosangue is as extreme as SUVs can get, you haven't laid eyes on the Drako Dragon yet.

This luxury electric vehicle is the work of a little-known automaker in California, which claims the Dragon is the fastest production SUV in the world. Looking at the figures, it's entirely believable: 2,000 hp enables the 4,969-lb brute to hit 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, dispatch the quarter-mile in nine seconds, and reach a top speed of 200 mph.

Inside, you'll find a sumptuous cabin and all the technology you could ask for. Pricing starts from $290,000, but the Dragon is a lot of car for the money. Beat that, Tesla Model X Plaid.

Toyota Prius

What's the Toyota Prius doing on this esteemed list, you ask? It's a humdrum hybrid that's been a staple of American roads, you say, and you're 100% correct. But no one expected the fifth-generation model to be as gorgeous as it is.

The coupe-like side profile is an absolute treat for the eyes, and so too are the front and rear portions which are decidedly sporty. Eschewing the frumpy image of predecessors, the latest Prius is that rare thing: a truly desirable, sensible car that doesn't break the bank.

There's performance to match its new looks too. The Prime model now offers 220 hp and a 0 to 60 mph sprint time of 6.6 seconds. As far as automotive surprises go, the new Prius is a revelation.