Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2024 i MotorTrend

As you might have noticed, there’s a major shift happening in the automotive industry right now. The EV revolution is coming. Love it or hate it, every major automaker is making major plans to electrify half—or more—of its vehicle lineup by 2030. California and New York have already put legislation in place to prohibit the sale of new ICE vehicles by 2035. For those looking to EVs as a path toward lowering greenhouse gas emissions, this is all great news, but there’s a problem with infrastructure that manufacturers need to overcome. The charging infrastructure in the United States simply isn’t ready to handle mass EV adoption. There just aren’t enough chargers, and many of the existing ones, from Electrify America, EVgo, and others, suffer from reliability issues. The one shining…

Launched in 1980, the Audi Quattro coupe changed the world. Until the Quattro, all-wheel drive was considered useful only for off-road vehicles. But the Quattro, whose all-road, all-weather traction enabled it to utterly dominate the World Rally Championship in the Group B era, showed that driving all four wheels could make high-performance road cars even quicker. There are few modern high-performance cars that don’t rely on AWD to deliver their otherworldly acceleration, cornering, and braking. It’s no surprise, then, to learn the ELegend EL1, a 21st-century, electric-powered tribute to the short-wheelbase Audi Sport Quattro coupe, is all-wheel drive. Unlike the Sport Quattro, however, the ELegend EL1’s AWD system is not symmetrical: The rear wheels are powered by a 612-hp motor, while the fronts are driven by a 204-hp motor. You…

Acorner at Vallelunga, the 2.54-mile racetrack just north of Rome, will tell you everything you need to know about the Lamborghini Revuelto. Vallelunga’s Curva Grande is a fast right-hander with a sharp compression at the apex you take hard in fifth gear. In any one of Lamborghini’s previous mid-engine V-12s, it would be a heart-in-mouth, white-knuckle ride. But the Revuelto simply turns in, grips, and grunts, shrugging off the little hop-skip in the middle of the flat-out left-hand kink immediately afterward as it storms toward the 90-degree right at the back of the circuit at 160 mph. Our session with the Revuelto was confined to Vallelunga’s technical twists and turns and fast straights with the powertrain and chassis set to their most extreme modes, so we can’t tell you whether…

This column covers a lot of technologies that aim to increase vehicle efficiency, improve electrification, and enable varying degrees of autonomous driving. So a recent press release for a simple materials breakthrough that can help with all the above caught my eye—a new type of automotive glass. I last visited this topic in November 2016 when the Gorilla Glass used to strengthen smartphone screens had just started making its way into cars. Now the same Corning folks responsible for that innovation have upped the ante with a chemically and molecularly novel automotive glass called Fusion5. In the beginning (and still in most cars today) there was soda-lime glass (SLG), which consists largely of sodium oxide and calcium oxide. Then came Gorilla Glass, which includes a high percentage of aluminum oxide.…

It started as yet another skirmish in MotorTrend’s ongoing Detroit-versus-Los Angeles interoffice rivalry. Editorial chief Erik Johnson and I were down to the usual below-the-belt tropes—Los Angeles offers nothing but traffic and plastic surgery, Detroit is made of snow and despair—when I, the idiot-genius, blurted out, “What do you have in Detroit that we don’t have in L.A.?” “Basements,” Johnson replied. “Snow shovels. Gas under four bucks a gallon. Faygo soda. Detroit Red Wings merch. Coney dogs. Detroit-style pizza.” “OK, I—” “150-year-old buildings that haven’t been destroyed by earthquakes or fires,” he barreled on. “Car factories that haven’t been turned into shopping malls. How about a working Pontiac, Plymouth, or Mercury?” “We have all those things in L.A.,” I said, my witty retort backed by 80 percent certainty. “A hundred…

PROS • Phenomenal front-drive handling• Sounds better than Type R• Price-appropriate equipment CONS • Type R is objectively better• Still loud inside• Softened ride not soft enough VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, FWD, 4-pass, 4-door hatchback ENGINE, TRANSMISSION 2.0L turbo direct-injected DOHC 16-valve I-4, 6-speed manual CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,189 lb (62/38%) WHEELBASE 107.7 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 186.0 x 74.8 x 55.4 in ON SALE Now Surely the Integra Type S, the new high-performance variant of the resurrected Integra compact, would go far in our Car of the Year competition. It has pedigree, being based on the regular Integra, a COTY finalist last year, which in turn is a car adapted from the excellent Honda Civic—a finalist two years running, first in regular guise in 2022 and again last year in Type R form. That last association…

PROS • Mega quick • Whisper quiet • Wild lift-off oversteer CONS • Brake pedal moves during regen • Overcomplicated controls • Wild lift-off oversteer VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-/rear-motor, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan MOTORS, TRANSMISSIONS Permanent-magnet electric motors, 1-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 5,570 lb (50/50%) WHEELBASE 122.8 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 196.9 x 75.0 x 58.8 in ON SALE Now The AMG EQE Sedan should have participated in our 2023 Car of the Year program, but a test car wasn’t available at the time. So AMG’s arguably most important electric vehicle to this point joined the fray for this go-around. Why most important? It’s the division’s most affordable EV to date, though it isn’t remotely cheap with a starting price of $110,250. Our test EQE totaled $125,640…

PROS • More powerful engine • Handing, steering, suspension • Most affordable Subaru CONS • Vertical infotainment screen • Materials could be more premium • The Crosstrek is more compelling VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door hatchback ENGINE, TRANSMISSION 2.5L direct-injected DOHC 16-valve flat-4, cont variable auto CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,213 lb (61/39%) WHEELBASE 105.1 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 176.2 x 70.1 x 58.3 in ON SALE Now Subaru sent us its new Impreza only in its most powerful RS trim. It’s an honest little car, with a low center of gravity, standard all-wheel drive, and a rear roof spoiler. The RS trim comes, thankfully, with the 2.5-liter boxer engine. The flat-four is connected to a CVT with a manual mode and steering wheel “shift” paddles. The…

PROS • Powertrain choices • Amazing rear-seat entertainment • Comfortable, isolated ride CONS • That face • Tech overload • Almost too soft 740i; 760i; i7 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine/motor, RWD; front-engine/motor, AWD; front-/rear-motor, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan ENGINE/MOTORS, TRANSMISSION(S) 3.0L turbo direct-injected DOHC 24-valve I-6 plus permanent-magnet elec motor, 8-speed automatic; 4.4L twin-turbo direct-injected DOHC 48-valve 90-degree V-8 plus permanent-magnet electric motor, 8-speed automatic; brushed synchronous electric, 1-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,360 lb (51/49%); 5,258 lb (54/46%); 6,061 lb (49/51%) WHEELBASE 126.6 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 212.2 x 76.8 x 60.8 in ON SALE Now When it comes to the seventh-generation 7 Series, it’s clearer than the crystalline trim that bedazzles the cabin that BMW went all in on luxury with its updated flagship sedan. There are several…

PROS • Drives beautifully • Pure trim is a good value • Even the base model is quick CONS • Inconsistent build quality • That #$@%&* key fob • Thick A-pillars PURE; TOURING VEHICLE LAYOUT Rear-motor, RWD; front-/rear-motor, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan MOTOR(S), TRANSMISSION(S) Permanent-magnet electric, 1-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,528 lb (50/50%); 4,999 lb (51/49%) WHEELBASE 116.5 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 195.9 x 76.2 x 55.4 in ON SALE Now Let’s talk about one of the sleekest little key fobs you’ll ever see. Like the Air itself, the Lucid key fob looks like it can effortlessly slip through the air. Its slim, buttonless surface displays the stretched Lucid font on top and promises to unlock a car from the future. Sounds cool, right? But it…

“We bought the world’s bestselling EV to see if life is really better with a Tesla.”Scott Evans Base Price $51,880 As Tested $71,630 EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 127/117/122 mpg-e Specs Vehicle Layout Front-/rear-motor, AWD, 7-pass, 4-door SUV Engine Induction (front), permanent-magnet (rear) electric motors Power (SAE Net) 122 hp (front), 268 hp (rear); 384 hp (comb) Torque (SAE Net) 375 lb-ft (comb) Transmissions 1-speed automatic Curb Weight (F/R Dist) 4,456 lb (48/52%) 0-60 MPH 4.5 sec Quarter Mile 12.9 sec @ 112.9 mph Braking, 60-0 MPH 118 ft Lateral Acceleration 0.87g (avg) MT Figure Eight 25.6 sec @ 0.74 g (avg) EPA Range, Comb 330 miles On Sale Now The Tesla Model Y is the Toyota Corolla of EVs. It’s the bestselling EV in the world and the third bestselling…

“We tested driver assistance tech to the max on a 1,000-mile road trip.”Billy Rehbock Service Life 5 months/5,634 miles Average Fuel Econ 27.5 mi/kWh Unresolved Problems None Maintenance Cost $0 (Inspection, tire rotation) Normal Wear $0 Base Price $26,010 As Tested $26,957 EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 31/33/32 mpg Our Corolla Cross spends most of its time shuttling us around Southern California, navigating the region’s spiderweb of freeways and slogging through city traffic. Sure, we’ve visited wine country and gone skiing in Big Bear, but it was finally time to put on some serious mileage with a big road trip. Our destination of choice was Tucson, which meant we’d be driving nearly 550 miles each way. It was finally time to test the Corolla Cross’ chops on the long haul. We…

I snapped the gas pedal to the floor, unleashing the full 670 hp and 685 lb-ft of the prototype Porsche Panamera, and the strangest thing happened: The rear of the car lifted some, but in a good way. The big Porsche launched like Usain Bolt out of the blocks, its weight more evenly distributed than normal. Then, as I turned the steering wheel for the fast-approaching S-bends, the Panamera leaned into each of them, tilting left, right, left, like Maverick’s F/A-18 slaloming through a canyon. And finally, as I tried a full commando emergency stop, the nose of the car rose as the antilock braking system chattered underfoot. It was as if I’d entered an automotive twilight zone, driving through a parallel universe where the normal laws of physics had…

MotorTrend’s first issue was dated September 1949. By the time you read this, MotorTrend will have held the distinction of being in continuous publication as a monthly magazine for 74 years and three months. But just as the media landscape has changed massively for other publishers across the globe over the past several years—specifically how a large majority of multimedia audiences consume content—we’ve reached a point where we too must embrace a new approach. To that end, this February issue you hold in your hands marks MotorTrend’s last as a monthly magazine. Now in our 75th year, we’re ready to do things a little differently. Our print edition will return as a quarterly publication in March, as the Spring 2024 issue, on thicker paper, with more pages and heavier, glossier…

Few races are more prestigious than the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s a grueling test of racer and race car, with multiple classes of vehicles battling for a full 24 hours to go the farthest distance. It’s also a coveted grand stage that automakers use to showcase the best they have to offer before a crowd of thousands in the stands and millions more watching across the globe. Aston Martin is no stranger to the race. The company’s Vantage has run in the GTE Am class for the past few years via customer teams. However, most eyes watching the iconic race are focused on the Le Mans Prototype (LMP) and the Hypercar classes, which tend to produce overall race winners. In pursuit of an overall victory, Aston Martin has…

The upcoming 2025 Macan will be the first of Porsche’s existing model lines to make the transition from internal combustion to electric power. To get a feel for how everything’s coming along, Porsche offered us an early test drive of some Macan EV mules about a year before the new electrified compact SUV goes on sale. As with all new Macans, these mules were underpinned by Porsche’s PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture, which was co-developed with Audi. Almost all future Porsche and Audi EVs will ride on some derivation of the platform. The all-electric 2025 Macan will be available in at least three trims: base Macan, Macan S, and Macan Turbo. The base model will be available in either rear or AWD and will be called Macan and Macan 4,…

In the past, sporty Audis caught criticism for being too heavy—in particular on their front ends—to be much fun. Their ahead-of-the-front-axle engines tended to affect balance and caused fun hunters to pass them over to chase amusement via BMW and AMG. But after testing an Audi RS 5 Coupe fitted with the Competition package, we bring news that ought to give you pause. Against the pedestrian A5, differences are numerous but restrained. The RS 5 gets more streamlined headlights, a bigger grille, wider lower front air dams, a blacked-out Audi badge, far larger wheels, fender flares, and larger, oblong tailpipes. Should you plonk down $16,000 for the Competition package, you’ll get 180-mph top speed, 20-inch Y-spoke wheels, ceramic brake discs up front, a coil-over suspension with special anti-roll bars, an…

JUDGES/TESTERS ERICK AYAPANA Associate Road Test Editor MATT CHUDZINSKI Senior Technical Editor SCOTT EVANS Features Editor MIKE FLOYD Director of Editorial Operations ZACH GALE Buyer’s Guide Director JERED KORFHAGE Technical Writer MAC MORRISON Executive Editor RYAN ONO Content Coordinator ALISA PRIDDLE Detroit Editor BILLY REHBOCK Associate Editor CHRISTIAN SEABAUGH Features Editor ALEXANDER STOKLOSA Deputy Editor CHRIS THEODORE Automotive Industry and Engineering Expert ERIC TINGWALL Testing Director CHRIS WALTON Road Test Editor…

PROS • These Coyote engines make us howl• Great manuals• The Mustang still exists CONS • Awful automatic transmission tuning• Build quality could be better • Mixed reviews on styling ECOBOOST; GT; GT CON; DARK HORSE VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, RWD, 4-pass, 2-door coupe/convertible ENGINE, TRANSMISSION 2.3L turbo port- and direct-injected DOHC 16-valve I-4, 10-speed automatic; 5.0L port- and direct-injected DOHC 32-valve 90-degree V-8, 6-speed manual (GT, Dark Horse)/10-speed automatic (GT Convertible) CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,754 lb (54/46%); 3,931 lb (54/46%); 4,096 lb (54/46%); 3,925 lb (54/46%) WHEELBASE 107.0 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 189.4 x 75.4 x 55.0 in ON SALE Now Thirty years ago, we named the 1994 Ford Mustang our Car of the Year. A heavily revised version of the famed Fox Body Mustang that preceded it,…

PROS • Impressively quick • Great driving dynamics • Improved looks CONS • Harsh ride • Compromised driving range • Relatively cramped interior VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-/rear-motor, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan MOTORS, TRANSMISSIONS Induction electric motor (front), permanent-magnet electric motor (rear), 1-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,719 lb (50/50%) WHEELBASE 107.7 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 181.3 x 70.9 x 58.0 in ON SALE Now The Polestar 2 we evaluated during our 2023 Performance Vehicle of the Year program didn’t blow away any judges, making our 2024 Car of the Year evaluators curious to learn whether the 2—after a midcycle refresh—has come far enough to change their tune in a new setting. In brief, the significant update package sees single-motor variants now using a rear-mounted motor instead of one…

PROS • Excellent fuel economy • Available AWD • Strong value CONS • Cramped passenger space • No hatchback options • Lacks the Prius’ style and refinement VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, front-/rear-motor, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan ENGINE, TRANSMISSIONS 1.8L port- and direct-injected Atkinson-cycle DOHC 16-valve I-4 plus permanent-magnet electric motors, cont variable auto (fr), 1-speed auto (rr) CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,249 lb (58/42%) WHEELBASE 106.3 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 182.3 x 70.1 x 56.5 in ON SALE Now Toyota offers a sizable hybrid lineup with niche-filling models in most segments. The Corolla Hybrid is the smallest and most affordable car of the lot, undercutting even the Prius hatchback, and it receives considerable updates for the new model year. Toyota revised the front and rear fascias, added the latest…

PROS • Incredible performance • Shockingly good ride quality • Still relatively practical CONS • Bit of a wild child • Polarizing body kit • What fuel economy? MANUAL; AUTOMATIC VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, RWD, 4-pass, 2-door coupe ENGINE, TRANSMISSION 3.0L twin-turbo direct-injected DOHC 24-valve I-6, 6-speed manual; 8-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,722 lb (52/48%); 3,746 lb (54/46%) WHEELBASE 108.1 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 180.3 x 74.3 x 55.2 in ON SALE Now Fastidious readers will recall the BMW 2 Series competed in last year’s Car of the Year event, and they’ll also recall the range-topping M2 wasn’t available. With the standard 2 good enough to make it to the finalist round and within a few votes of winning the whole thing, it was only appropriate we…

PROS • Vastly improved interior • Much quieter inside • More comfortable ride CONS • Predictive drive/reverse selector is hit or miss • FSD remains half-baked • So-so real-world range STANDARD RANGE; LONG RANGE VEHICLE LAYOUT Rear-motor, RWD; front-/rear-motor, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan MOTOR(S), TRANSMISSION(S) Permanent-magnet electric, 1-speed automatic; induction electric (front), permanent-magnet electric (rear), 1-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,884 lb (48/52%); 4,066 lb (50/50%) WHEELBASE 113.2 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 185.8 x 76.1 x 56.7 in ON SALE Q1 2024 You can’t have a conversation about affordable long-range EVs without including the Model 3. With a price tag that overlaps with the growing cadre of competitors from mainstream automakers, the Tesla continues to stand out on its position as a status symbol. Indeed, Model 3…

“A call from Ford had us immediately headed to the dealer.“Christian Seabaugh Service Life 8 months/12,261 miles Average Fuel Econ 1.9 mi/kWh Unresolved Problems None Maintenance Cost $53.28 (tire rotation, inspection, windshield washer fluid) Normal Wear $0 Repair $199.95 (four-wheel alignment after off-roading) Base Price $69,269 As Tested $80,889 EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 78/63/70 mpg-e We got an unexpected call from Ford recently. The call—from Ford’s PR team, not its customer service arm—was concerning a high-voltage battery pack degradation issue. Our truck, the rep said, was part of a pilot program tracking early-build 2022 Lightnings, and when they remotely examined our truck, Ford engineers discovered a battery module was malfunctioning. We were highly encouraged to get our Lightning into the dealer immediately. We asked what would happen if the issue,…

“We went with the fancy paint option—and the paint got the final laugh.”Alexander Stoklosa Service Life 7 months/12,481 miles Average Fuel Econ 19.2 mpg Unresolved Problems None Maintenance Cost $0 (2x oil and filter change; tire rotation, fuel system conditioner, windshield washer fluid, inspection) Normal Wear $0 Base Price $99,795 As Tested $101,295 EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 17/24/20 mpg Surveying the damage to our lovely G90’s rear fender and bumper on a Dallas roadside, it all seemed excruciatingly minor. There were some scrapes in the paint, barely rising to gouges just above the right rear tire, and a faint dent in the sheetmetal where it meets the plastic bumper. A careless fellow motorist had bumped into the G90’s flank while attempting to exit a gas station and slip behind our…

What is it about a car that continues to captivate us? Some of it is nostalgic; for many buyers, their first set of wheels was, in fact, a car and not an SUV or truck. Even if it wasn’t, most people refer to whatever they bought as “my first car.” You used to be able to buy a new car in almost any size and at any price point. But the advent of the SUV, and more particularly the car-based crossover version of a utility vehicle, changed the landscape. Many automakers abandoned the full bandwidth of a car lineup, dropping entry-level and mainstream cars while hanging onto luxury, sport, or niche models. Some scary figures: There are only 104 car nameplates for sale in the U.S. right now, according to…

To commemorate Rennsport Reunion 7, Porsche revealed arguably its most exclusive and expensive “collectible” yet, a limited edition seven-figure track-day racer dubbed the 911 GT3 R Rennsport. Imagine a full-blown GT3 race car but with the FIA’s rulebook thrown out the window. Unless you were at Rennsport Reunion 7, chances are you’ll never see this thing in person. The GT3 R Rennsport was specifically created to exceed the performance of the GT3 race car and be a 911 in its “most primal form,” Thomas Laudenbach, vice president of Porsche Motorsport, said. This car starts with a 911 GT3 R 992 race car as its base and is fleshed out from there with no mind paid to the GT3 regulations the race car must adhere to. By ignoring competition rules, nothing…

Immediate. Relentless. Stupefying. They’re the words that spring to mind when you drive the Donkervoort F22. There is simply nothing like it on four wheels. At any price. One fast run in the F22 is to realize how much work today’s supercars do on your behalf and how weight truly is the enemy of performance, both in a straight line and around corners. Pushing the little Donkervoort along a winding mountain road makes even benchmark driver’s cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS feel a little detached, a little lazy. After a session in the F22, hot-shoeing a Ferrari 296 GTB seems video-game easy, and hustling the Lamborghini Revuelto feels like relaxation therapy. A Bugatti Chiron seems lumpen. The Donkervoort F22 is the latest in a long line of fast,…

Two industry titans come to a head with this pairing: longstanding Toyota and recently reinvigorated Kia, with different approaches to their range-topping family haulers. The Toyota Grand Highlander Max Limited is a burly hybrid; the Kia EV9 GT-Line, meanwhile, uses all-electric power. Toyota’s SUV wears conservative styling while the Kia’s design looks like it’s made for a sci-fi video game. With these drastic differences in mind, this matchup represents a clash of car-building philosophies as much as a product evaluation. The Grand Highlander Max makes use of the three-row SUV’s strongest powertrain. A 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine pairs with dual electric motors, one up front and one in the rear, to produce a total of 362 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic handles the shifting, and all-wheel…

“What’s hoof pudding?” Features editor Christian Seabaugh’s question floats over the crowded conference room table, bringing a quiet to the din of conversation between Car of the Year judges, photographers, and support staff. Keyboards clack and phones are deployed as everyone furiously Googles the phrase, which had been inserted (as in “the proof is in the hoof pudding”) into Seabaugh’s 2024 Ford Mustang review by a mystery editor. Some digging in our content management software reveals the culprit. I did it. Perhaps the strangest aspect of this anecdote—besides both my having zero recollection of making the edit and hoof pudding being a real thing—is that the unexpected intrusion on our routine serves as an apt metaphor for this year’s Car of the Year event. Our usual gathering of new and…

PROS • Good handling• Attractive interior design • Impressive safety features CONS • Lots of road noise • Best-driving versions don’t offer desirable features • Small screens on lower models EX; HYBRID TOURING VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine/motor, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan ENGINE, TRANSMISSION 1.5L turbo dir-inj DOHC 16-valve I-4, cont variable auto; 2.0L dir-inj Atkinson-cycle DOHC 16-valve I-4 plus permanent-magnet elec motor, 1-speed auto CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,253 lb (60/40%); 3,497 lb (61/39%) WHEELBASE 111.4 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 195.7 x 73.3 x 57.1 in ON SALE Now When is good not good enough? Honda has a reputation for excellence, but we’ve found many of its latest efforts—the outstanding Civic excluded—don’t quite reach that bar. The new Accord, redesigned for 2023, is one such example. We loved the previous…

PROS • Superlative driving experience • Relative value • More versatile than before CONS • Too many shift gates • Less focused than it used to be• Still can’t see the gas gauge VEHICLE LAYOUT Rear-engine, RWD, 2-pass, 2-door coupe ENGINE, TRANSMISSION 3.0L twin-turbo direct-injected DOHC 24-valve flat-6, 7-speed manual CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,280 lb (38/62%) WHEELBASE 96.5 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 178.3 x 72.9 x 50.8 in ON SALE Now The 911T is, we’ll argue, the ultimate driver’s Porsche. Not the ultimate track 911 or the ultimate 911, period, mind you. And certainly not the quickest or fastest. No, the 911T is the car for people who prize the experience, mechanical connection, and engagement in the act of driving above all else. Porschephiles will note there…

PROS • Impressive hybrid system • High seating position • Lots of rear legroom CONS • Controversial design • Confused whether it should be a cruiser or a sporty sedan • Tricky trunk opening VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, front-/rear-motor, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan ENGINE, TRANSMISSIONS 2.4L turbo port- and direct-injected DOHC 16-valve I-4 plus front/rear permanent-magnet electric motors, 6-speed auto (fr), 1-speed auto (rr) CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,305 lb (56/44%) WHEELBASE 112.2 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 196.1 x 72.4 x 60.6 in ON SALE Now The Toyota Crown nameplate left North America in the ’70s, but the Crown is in its 15th generation elsewhere and covers a full vehicle family in Japan. In the U.S., the Crown returns as a tall, full-size, five-passenger hybrid sedan with standard all-wheel…

PROS • Surprisingly fun to drive • Up to 361 miles of EPA range • Very quick charging CONS • Base trim’s interior • Base model’s 240-mile range • Inconvenient sideview mirror controls SE; LIMITED VEHICLE LAYOUT Rear-motor, RWD; front-/rear-motor, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan MOTORS, TRANSMISSION(S) Permanent-magnet electric, 1-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,221 lb (47/53%); 4,578 lb (50/50%) WHEELBASE 116.1 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 191.1 x 74.0 x 58.9 in ON SALE Now Few 2024 Car of the Year contenders got us talking like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 did. Even in a field with iconic sports cars and an electric four-door that’s nearly as quick as a Bugatti Veyron, the Ioniq 6 became a competitor with staying power. That’s because the electric sedan offers far more than just…

The Toyota Prius—the gold-standard hybrid—has made a cultural impact far greater than its carbon footprint. When you hear “Prius,” you might think of practical, eco-friendly transportation. Or perhaps you think it’s a virtue-signaling nerd-mobile. To many loyal owners, it’s an appliance to get from A to B. To legions of ride-hail drivers, it’s their office as they shuttle people and meals. For others, it’s the annoying car taking up space in the fast lane—or the charming one covered with bumper stickers sitting next to you in traffic. And now, for the first time since 2004, the new Toyota Prius is our Car of the Year. It’s remarkable how much we wrote about that game-changing 2004 Prius that still applies to its Car of the Year–winning successor two decades later: “For…

“The WRX can do it all, but after driving 100 miles off-road, we’re not sure you’ll want to.”Duncan Brady Service Life 12 months/13,246 miles Average Fuel Econ 22.6 mpg Unresolved Problems None Maintenance Cost $297.46 (2x oil change, tire rotation; cabin air filter replacement) Normal Wear $0 Base Price $37,490 As Tested $37,754 EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 19/26/22 mpg The moment we saw Subaru’s redesign of the WRX and its controversial plastic fender cladding, we knew we only wanted one thing: a WRX Wilderness. Subaru’s AWD sport compact has had rally roots from the start—let’s not forget the moniker means World Rally eXperimental. What better time than now to create a lifted, nubby-tired, off-road version of the WRX to enable bombing around forest roads without fear of damage and to…

“I began the loan as a skeptic. Was I convinced?”Frank Markus Service Life 12 mo/20,832 mi Avg Econ 21.9 mpg Base Price $39,055 As Tested $39,940 Options Astra Blue paint ($495), carpeted floormats ($200); cargo tray ($115); bumper applique ($75) Problem Areas None Maintenance Cost $273.97 (2x oil change, oil filter, inspection, tire rotation) Normal Wear $0 3-Year Residual Value* $31,300 (78%) Recalls 23V236: Power door pinch risk This van had one job to do over the course of 12 months and 20,000 miles: convince me the 2022 Kia Carnival deserved to win a May 2021 comparison test. As a former vehicle-packaging engineer on Chrysler’s NS-generation minivan, my first encounters with the loaded Carnival SX Prestige version soured me to the Kia minivan because of its giant, dopey, fixed middle-row…