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The BMW M2 has been awarded MotorTrend's 2024 Performance Vehicle of the Year. It features a powerful twin-turbo engine, the option of a manual or automatic transmission, and can accommodate four passengers. The M2's design and engineering are impressive, with a platform borrowed from larger models, off-the-shelf chassis tuning, and an engine that delivers more power than advertised. It offers an engaging driving experience, with customizable settings and excellent steering and chassis control. The M2 is also practical, with a comfortable cabin, usable back seat, and spacious trunk. It is considered one of the best BMW M cars of the 21st century. [Extracted from the article]

Bugatti Rimac, a joint venture between Rimac and Porsche, has developed the Bugatti Tourbillon hypercar as the successor to the Chiron. The Tourbillon is a plug-in hybrid with three electric motors and a V-16 engine, producing a total output of 1,775 horsepower. It features a lightweight carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, Formula 1-inspired suspension, and a design that pays homage to past Bugattis. Production is set to begin in 2026, with a limited run of 250 units and a starting price of $4.3 million. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides a comparison of three electric vehicles (EVs): the 2024 Polestar 2, the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6, and the 2024 Tesla Model 3. The Polestar 2 is described as fun to drive but has a cramped interior and limited range. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is praised for its quick charging, spacious interior, and neat design, but it is not as enjoyable to drive and lacks advanced software. The Tesla Model 3 is engaging to drive, has a luxurious interior, and benefits from the Supercharger network, but its back seat is less spacious and its range falls short of the EPA figure. The article concludes that while the Polestar 2 is an "enthusiast special," the Tesla Model 3 is the top choice for most consumers. [Extracted from the article]

The Toyota Prius has been awarded the 2024 MotorTrend Car of the Year, recognizing its practicality and eco-friendliness. The new model boasts a redesigned exterior and interior, enhanced safety features, and a more powerful hybrid system. With a starting price of approximately $30,000, the Prius offers all-wheel drive as an option. It excels in all six criteria for the Car of the Year award, including design, safety, and value. The 2024 Prius is highly efficient, charging from empty to full in about 12 hours, and offers a smoother driving experience with improved braking. The powertrain calibration in the Prius Prime is particularly impressive, allowing it to stay in EV mode unless the throttle is pushed past a certain point. The updated design of the Prius makes it more attractive and stylish, appealing to those interested in electrification. Overall, the 2024 Prius is an excellent choice for affordable and efficient transportation. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides updates on Motor Trend's long-term fleet, with a focus on their Tesla Model Y. The Model Y is described as the bestselling electric vehicle in the world and the third bestselling vehicle overall. Initial impressions of the Model Y are mixed, with praise for the Tesla Supercharger network but criticism for build quality. The article also briefly discusses a battery degradation issue with the Ford F-150 Lightning and an experiment taking the Subaru WRX on unpaved forest service roads. Additionally, the author shares their experiences with the Subaru WRX, Toyota Corolla Cross, and Genesis G90, providing insights into the pros and cons of each model. Lastly, the article discusses the features, performance, and reliability of the 2022 Kia Carnival EX minivan, highlighting positive feedback from readers and owners. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides an overview of several car models and their performance in Motor Trend's Car of the Year competition. The contenders include the 2024 Acura Integra Type S, the 2024 Ford Mustang, and the 2024 Honda Accord. The Integra Type S is praised for its handling but criticized for its value compared to the cheaper Civic Type R. The Ford Mustang receives mixed reviews for its retro styling and powertrains. The Honda Accord is considered a solid option but lacks standout features. The article also briefly mentions other car models such as the Mercedes-AMG EQE 4Matic+, the Polestar 2, and the Porsche 911 Carrera T, providing their strengths and weaknesses. It also mentions the Subaru Impreza RS and the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, highlighting their features and improvements. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid SE AWD is praised for its infotainment system and safety scores but criticized for its lack of refinement and slow acceleration. The Toyota Crown Hybrid Max Platinum is found to be unsatisfying in terms of performance and overall appeal. The article also briefly mentions other car models such as the Ford Mustang EcoBoost, Honda Accord EX, and Hybrid Touring, providing their specifications and prices. [Extracted from the article]

Tests & Drives If you grew up reading car magazines or sites, it was always a special occasion when American muscle and pony cars faced off. The slew of Last Call special editions includes this 2023 Challenger Shakedown R/T Scat Pack Widebody that Dodge sent us to compare against Ford's latest Mustang. The GT's 5.0-liter V-8 now breathes through twin nostrils in the grille, combining with our test car's active exhaust system to boost power to 486 hp, though torque dips to 418 lb-ft, down 10 versus previous Mustang GTs. On MotorTrend's figure eight, the Mustang managed a 24.2-second lap averaging 0.80 g, while the Shakedown needed 25.0 seconds at 0.76 g average - close enough that we suspect a bad driver in a Mustang could be surprised by a good one in a Challenger. [Extracted from the article]

At our last service appointment, our service adviser noticed one of the tires had a rip that was big enough to see the tire's belts - likely caused by driving over a pothole. Instead of replacing the tire at the dealer, we ordered the tire on TireRack.com for $358.68 and visited a local tire shop to swap it, saving $200 in the process. Brandon Lim Service Life 6 months/3,987 miles Average Fuel Econ 20.0 mpg Unresolved problems None Maintenance cost $0 Normal wear $0 Base price $37,490 As tested $37,754 EPA City/Hwy/Comb fuel econ 19/26/22 mpg 2022 Lucid Air "To prepare you for the coming winter, we explored how our Air does in single-digit temperatures." Our cold-weather stress test used Lucid's winter tire package, though it's unclear if that benefits or hurts range. [Extracted from the article]

The EcoBoost, GT, and Dark Horse all have unique front-end treatments. You don't even get the manual-transmission option on base cars anymore; only 3 percent of Mustang EcoBoost buyers opted to row their own gears in the previous-gen car, so the new one is available only with a 10-speed automatic. (Why do you think spectators seek shelter when Mustangs exit Cars and Coffee events?) But some of that Mach 1 and Shelby special sauce rubbed off on this new GT fastback. Tests & Drives It's difficult not to be a snob about entry-level pony cars. [Extracted from the article]

Visibility - never a Lamborghini strong suit - is improved slightly by the additional ride height, and cabin noise levels remain impressively quiet, even with a touch more noise from the wind whipping around the auxiliary lights and roof rails and from the tires. Tests & Drives FEATURE DRIVE I Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato Perhaps nothing screws with your mind more than whipping a supercar around the bend of a racetrack and aiming not for the next apex but at the dirt track running perpendicular to the course and leading off into the infield. Welcome to the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato, perhaps the most brain-bending supercar ever built. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the challenges faced by the author during a road trip in a Ford F-150 Lightning electric vehicle. The author emphasizes the importance of always charging the vehicle and maintaining a moderate speed for optimal range. However, the road trip was plagued with charging issues, including broken chargers and slow charging rates. The author expresses frustration with the charging network and the vehicle's route planner. The article highlights the limitations and difficulties of long-distance travel in electric vehicles, calling for improvements in charging infrastructure and software programming. [Extracted from the article]

Motor Trend's 2024 Performance Vehicle of the Year competition has expanded its parameters to include all types of factory-built and warrantied performance vehicles, not just sports cars and supercars. The competition now evaluates sporty roadgoing SUVs and off-road trucks and SUVs, which are tested on both pavement and off-road courses. The competition uses six criteria to evaluate the vehicles: Advancement in Design, Efficiency, Engineering Excellence, Performance of Intended Function, Value, and Driver Confidence and Engagement. The competition also introduced the Honda Motocompacto as the official pit bike, which is lightweight, foldable, and has a range of 12 miles. [Extracted from the article]

At every turn when Ford could've either killed the famous pony car or made it worse, the Mustang's wildly vocal and passionate fan base stepped in to save it from ruin (well, except for maybe the Mustang II). Now part of a Mustang family in which its stablemate, the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV, outsells it, the 2024 Mustang is Ford's halo car. How the '90s Saved the Ford Mustang - and What It Means for the 2024 Model Perhaps nothing is more important to the Mustang story than the fans. Fast-forward to Detroit, 2023, where we've gathered a 1993 Fox Body Mustang Cobra, an SN95 1996 Mustang GT convertible, and a brand-new seventh-generation S650 2024 Mustang Dark Horse - the first new Mustang trim since 2001's Bullitt. [Extracted from the article]

Scientific Breakthrough For The Fastest Way To Permanent Lifetime Enlargement Verdict: 2021 Toyota Mirai "A (second) year on the Hydrogen Highway with Toyota's Mirai shows there are still bumps in the road." Toyota pitches the Mirai as an electric car that is fueled rather than charged, just like a gasoline car and nearly as quickly. Erick Ayapana Unresolved problems None Maintenance cost $0 (oil change, inspection) Normal wear $0 Base price $41,945 As tested $44,890 EPA City/Hwy/Comb fuel econ 22/30/25 mpg Of you're considering the XC40 T5 for your next car but wish it were more eco-friendly, you're in luck. Arrival: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 78/63/70 mpg-e "For the next few years, we'll answer every pressing question about Ford's electric pickup.". [Extracted from the article]

Simply put, no SUV in our incredibly diverse 33-vehicle field more faithfully lives up to our six key SUV of the Year criteria than does the new Hyundai Ioniq 5. The Complete Package What is an SUV? The Ioniq 5 might be a somewhat unconventional pick for our 2023 SUV of the Year award, but we're confident it will be more than capable of handling the diverse tasks Americans expect SUVs to perform without complaint, no matter if they live in the Aleutians or the Keys. With no driveshaft bisecting the Ioniq 5's floor, Hyundai was able to rethink what an SUV's interior could look like. [Extracted from the article]

The new GR86 lives and dies by the mantra that it's better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Unlike the Toyota and VW, the WRX was in the running for the top spots, but as good overall as the Subaru is, two other cars are simply more compelling. Instead, the car had to make do with Continental ProContact TX grand-touring all-seasons, a tire model commonly found on sedans like VW's Passat. Essentially a slightly more unhinged Subaru BRZ with a Toyota badge and a GR Supra spoiler, the GR86 is a back-to-basics driver's car powered by a naturally aspirated version of the WRX's 2.4-liter flat-four. [Extracted from the article]

The 2023 Porsche 911 Dakar is a unique and fun version of the 911 Carrera 4 GTS coupe. Despite initial skepticism, the Dakar proves to be a capable off-roader with features like a suspension lift, all-terrain tires, and off-road modes. It also retains the vintage 911 flavor and offers a playful driving experience on pavement. While it may be expensive and already sold out to wealthy buyers, the Dakar represents a new sports car segment that blends performance and rally-ready spunk. [Extracted from the article]

The 2024 Lucid Air Sapphire is a high-performance electric sedan that offers impressive speed and efficiency. With a tri-motor AWD system and a PVOTY-high 1,234 horsepower, the Air Sapphire delivers mind-blowing acceleration. It also features upgraded brakes, suspension, and traction control for enhanced performance on the track. However, during testing, the brakes started to fade and the conditioning mode kicked in, limiting its performance. Despite its limitations on the track, the Lucid Air Sapphire is still a sublime car for everyday driving. [Extracted from the article]

Although both trucks are comparable in battery size and range (130 kWh and 320 miles for the Ford, 133 kWh and 314 miles for the Rivian), we were apprehensive about the Lightning's peak charge rate of 150 kW against the Rivian's 220 kW. Like the Ford, the R1T's four corners are independently sprung, though the Rivian uses air springs, active dampers, and novel hydraulic cross-linked anti-roll bars that help improve the truck's capability. Although the R1T has a distinct software advantage over the Ford, the Ford has an equally big hardware advantage over the Rivian. Thing is, if you were to buy our exact same truck today, you'd need to spend $96,250, as Rivian increased prices of the R1T to make room for the upcoming dual-motor R1T variant, making it much less of a value than it once was. [Extracted from the article]

Rivian aims to "electrify the outdoors", whereas GMC wants the Hummer to be considered the "world's first all-electric supertruck", which, by the look of it, basically means a plus-sized electric Ram 1500 TRX fighter. Tests & Drives By no measure do the new 2022 GMC Hummer EV pickup and the 2022 Rivian R1T feel like they have anything in common. Aided by WTF mode (no launch control exists in the R1T, though we're told Rivian is working on it), the Hummer claws its way to 60 mph in an astonishing 3.0 seconds. The Hummer holds the advantage when it comes to approach, breakover, and departure angles (49.7/32.2/38.4 degrees versus 34.0/25.7/29.3 degrees for the Rivian) and ground clearance, but the Rivian's smaller size, extra motor, and suspension make it the better all-arounder off-pavement. [Extracted from the article]

Four concept vans, a rebadged Dodge Grand Caravan, and an emissions scandal later, VW has finally revealed the production version of its all-electric 2024 ID Buzz. One of the more visible examples of the two automakers' proximity, at least to classic racing fans, are the bright red Renndienst ("Racing Service") VW racing support vans that trailed Porsche's sports cars at circuits decades ago. VW'S ALL-ELECTRIC MODERN BUS IS HERE … Around back, the passenger van features a hatchback (split-opening barn doors are optional on the Cargo version), a full-width LED taillight, and another massive VW logo with "ID Buzz" beneath it. [Extracted from the article]

Some editors found the BMW's carbon-ceramic brakes difficult to modulate smoothly when driving hard, but their stopping power impressed us, just not as much as the Caddy's. Despite lacking fancy (read: expensive) carbon-ceramic rotors, the steel rotors' stopping power and the CT4's brake tuning are exceptional. Tests & Drives We're at the end of an era for luxury sport compact sedans. [Extracted from the article]

JUDGES/TESTERS ERICK AYAPANA Associate Road Test Editor SCOTT EVANS Features Editor MIKE FLOYD Editorial Operations Director ALAN LAU Road Test Analyst JONNY LIEBERMAN Senior Features Editor ED LOH Head of Editorial MAC MORRISON Executive Editor CHRISTIAN SEABAUGH Features Editor ALEXANDER STOKLOSA Deputy Editor CHRIS WALTON Road Test Editor PHOTOGRAPH: RENZ DIMAANDAL ACURA TLX TYPE S • AUDI RS Q8 • BMW ALPINA B8 GRAN COUPE • BMW ALPINA XB7 BMW M3 COMPETITION • BMW M4 • BMW M5 CS • CADILLAC CT4-V BLACKWING CADILLAC CT5-V BLACKWING • FORD MUSTANG MACH 1 • FORD MUSTANG MACH-E GT HONDA CIVIC SI • HYUNDAI VELOSTER N • LAMBORGHINI HURACÁN STO MERCEDES-AMG GT BLACK SERIES • PORSCHE 718 BOXSTER GTS 4.0 PORSCHE 911 GT3 • PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO GT • PORSCHE TAYCAN TURBO S SUBARU BRZ • TOYOTA GR86 • VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY MOTORTREND STAFF PERFORMANCE VEHICLE OF THE YEAR | Behind the Scenes BEST DRIVER'S CAR IS DEAD. After all, we previously evaluated both it and the new GTI as part of the 2022 MotorTrend Car of the Year contest, and despite the car generating some enthusiasm among our judges, we uncovered a few major issues. Despite knowing the Type S carries 59 percent of its hefty 4,100 or so pounds on its front wheels - and as such needs to be driven like a FWD car - and despite knowing the torque-vectoring AWD system won't kick in until power is applied, judges couldn't provoke consistent responses from the car. "If smooth is fast, then this is the opposite", senior features editor Jonny Lieberman said. BMW's xDrive sends so much engine torque to the rear wheels that you'd swear the car is rear drive. Slotting in above the Cayenne Turbo S, the Turbo GT gets a reworked 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, a quicker-shifting eight-speed auto, a water-cooled AWD system to aid more aggressive torque vectoring, a retuned four-wheel steering system, stiffer air springs, and massive carbon-ceramic brakes. [Extracted from the article]

Miguel Cortina Unresolved problems None Maintenance cost $0 (2-inspection, tire rotation, 1-oil change) Normal wear $0 Base price $37,175 As tested $39,735 EPA City/Hwy/Comb fuel econ 40/37/39 mpg Our Toyota Venza has been rolling nonstop. Christian Seabaugh Unresolved problems None Maintenance cost $143.18 (oil change, inspection, tire rotation) Normal wear $0 Base price $30,700 As tested $31,625 EPA City/Hwy/Comb fuel econ 27/37/30 mpg It's amazing how quick a year goes by. ARRIVAL: 2021 Land Rover Defender P400 110 SE EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 17/22/19 mpg "Our new Land Rover Defender, last year's SUV of the Year, is already in high demand." In regards to that other financial consideration, gas mileage, the SR comes in slightly weaker at 28/37/32 mpg city/highway/combined to the SV's 29/39/33 mpg. [Extracted from the article]

PROS Stellar standard hybrid powertrain • Affordable but doesn't punish you for it • Textbook example of how to do "cheap" interiors CONS No AWD available on the hybrid • Optional 2.0-liter engine isn't as good as the hybrid • Exterior styling a bit plain It's been a long time since Americans have been able to buy a new compact pickup truck, but as the 2022 Ford Maverick proves, it's not the size of your truck that matters, but rather how you use At first glance, the Maverick probably wouldn't have the makings of a Truck of the Year finalist. Hyundai's first pickup in this market (it has sold a light-duty pickup in South Korea since the late 1970s), the Santa Cruz is a new compact pickup based on the Tucson crossover. Our loaded turbocharged test truck, which included an aftermarket trailer hitch and trailer brake controller because neither is available from the factory on turbo models, stickered for $41,990. [Extracted from the article]

Our Ram 1500 TRX support truck chewed through four tires; each R1T suffered two tire failures. Departments & Features As I pull our Glacier White 2022 Rivian R1T electric pickup truck off its charger somewhere in western North Carolina overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains, many firsts left in this world. Rounding out the package, our test Rivian has all-terrain tires and the available Yakima rooftop tent; our "El Cap Granite" support Rivian features a camp kitchen that slides out of the gear tunnel. On the R1T piloted by the Rivian crew, a tie rod snapped during a rock-crawling session, and two suspension struts were replaced on our R1T, as well. [Extracted from the article]

Brian Vance Unresolved problems None Maintenance cost $0 Normal wear $0 Base price $38,495 As tested $48,495 EPA City/Hwy/Comb fuel econ 23/33/27 mpg After a quick glance at this smallish BMW sedan, the idea of fitting a full-size bike into its trunk seems laughable. ARRIVAL: Mercedes-Benz E 450 EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 21/28/24 mpg "Will we still love our 2021 Car of the Year after spending 12 months with with it?" Subaru keeps the wagon spirit alive in a world overpowered by view-blocking SUVs, and the Outback is worthy of your shortlist if you can think outside the SUV-shaped box. Of course, with the two-wheeler in the trunk, there wasn't much room for anything else, but when I learned this compact sedan could fit more than meets the eye, its value as an entry-level luxury sedan took a step up. 2020 Ram 2500 Service Life: 10 mo/23,288 miles Average Fuel Econ: 17.4 mpg "Four tons of exceptionally capable and remarkably comfortable truck never seemed so thrifty." thrifty.". [Extracted from the article]

Officially capable of a 350-kW peak charge rate (unofficially 400 kW, according to Lotus powertrain engineers), the Eletre will accommodate Level 3 DC fast charging from 10 to 80 percent in just 20 minutes, while a 22-kW onboard AC charger will allow for a six-hour Level 2 charge, provided you have the correct equipment at home. The new Eletre aims to secure that future, even if an electric SUV is the polar opposite of every Lotus to have come before. There's a hint of classic Lotus looseness as the Eletre transitions between bends, lending an impression that on the right roads (and without company minders on hand) it'd be easy to steer the Eletre with throttle inputs. [Extracted from the article]

Neither Tesla nor PepsiCo disclosed the price, but Frito-Lay employees told us Tesla is responsible for all maintenance and service for the first year. A Tesla rep wouldn't confirm the Semi's exact output, stating only that it's "three times the power of the average diesel semi" via what is effectively a lightly modified Model S Plaid tri-motor powertrain installed backward. - the electric Tesla Semi's initial customer, PepsiCo, has taken delivery of its first examples of the big rig. [Extracted from the article]

The P530's 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8, which produces 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, is also available on all 2022 Range Rovers. First impressions aside, the new Range Rover quickly revealed itself to be a decisively well-conceived rethink of what a Range Rover is and what it can be. Departments & Features For those looking to step beyond the Ingenium powertrain, a plug-in hybrid with 48 miles of electric range is on the way. [Extracted from the article]

Departments & Features FIRST RIDE Car enthusiasts often point to sound as the reason they'll never consider an electric car. Porsche won't outright say so, but we won't be surprised if the GT4 E-Performance serves as a test mule for the coming electric 718 Boxster and Cayman production models. Its Mission R concept demonstrated what its electric GT race car might look like as much as how it can drive, while the new GT4 E-Performance - essentially an electric 718 Cayman GT4 - aims to show people how electric racers can actually perform. [Extracted from the article]

As mentioned, the big battery pack under the floor, coupled with the rear motor, eats into cabin space; the Electrified G80 sports 7.0 cubic feet less passenger volume and 2.3 cubic feet less cargo volume compared to the gas G80. Riding on Genesis' M3 platform, the electric 2023 G80 throws out the standard G80's somewhat lackluster gas engines and running gear and in their place plops in a permanent-magnet electric motor at each axle and a big 87.2-kWh battery pack under the raised floor. PROS Looks great without rubbing its EV-ness in your face • Refined and powerful • Long legs and quick-charging capability CONS Sometimes-uncomfortable driving position • Battery and motors eat into space • Shares infotainment with non-luxe products In our experience, vehicles that serve up both gas and electric powertrain options are masters of none. [Extracted from the article]

Although the Leaf was always sort of a niche vehicle for buyers, the Ariya is aimed at the heart of the American SUV market. Of comparably equipped single-motor electric SUVs, the Ariya is closest to the VW ID4, which hits 60 mph in 7.3 seconds and runs the quarter mile in 15.8 seconds at 88.8 mph. The Ariya's specs likely won't raise the eyebrows of EV early adopters, but they're roughly analogous to the four-cylinder-powered compact crossovers Nissan expects most Ariya buyers will be swapping out of. [Extracted from the article]

The WRX sports a new 2.4-liter turbo- charged flat-four good for 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, an upgraded six-speed manual, and, on top-trim CVT-backed models, a new electronically adjustable suspension. "The CVT version feels like a slightly edgier Legacy sedan", deputy editor Alexander Stoklosa said. PROS Feels a lot like the original • More practical than the previous sedan • Manual version is quite fun CONS Powerband is too narrow • Among the slowest WRX models ever • The automatic option isn't fun The Subaru WRX has long been the enthusiast's default choice for an all-weather sport compact. [Extracted from the article]

Departments & Features Editor's Note Looking at our 15-strong 2023 Car of the Year field, it's apparent we're witnessing the form's decline. SUVs may be more inefficient than the sedans they replace, but they're more practical and comfortable for many families and often handle 21st-century America's increasingly inconsistent roadways better than their car counterparts. Regardless of whether news of the car's death is exaggerated, we'll continue doing what we set out to do in 1949, right as three-box car sales started taking off: keeping you abreast of all the trends in the motoring world. [Extracted from the article]

There's a new modular architecture (a derivative of the platform underpinning the 2021 SUV of the Year - winning Land Rover Defender), which in turn allows for more powertrain options, wheelbase lengths, and seating configurations than any Range Rover in the previous 54 years. Land Rover's attempt to bring the Range Rover into the über-luxe stratosphere looks to have paid off in a big way. The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover is a feast for the senses. [Extracted from the article]

This Genesis is an appealing electric luxury SUV, but you give up little to nothing by opting for the Kia or Hyundai. The GV60 was initially successful on the design front. "Credit must be given to the Genesis designers", associate editor Alex Leanse said. But start poking around, and, well, other Genesis models like the 2022 SUV of the Year - winning GV70 wouldn't be caught dead with Hyundai or Kia switchgear, yet it's prevalent in the GV60's cabin. [Extracted from the article]

Ultimately, the MDX Type S is a marked improvement on the core MDX product, yet it lacks the special joie de vivre of rivals such as the Audi SQ7 and Dodge Durango SRT 392, to say nothing of the most special cars in Acura's past. Its steering is nicely weighted and quick, and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system helps virtually shrink the wheelbase to make the SUV more maneuverable than its size would suggest. Contenders A year ago, the Acura MDX went home from our SUV of the Year competition empty-handed as it felt a touch underpowered, unrefined, and claustrophobic in the third row. [Extracted from the article]

Departments & Features FIRST TEST Not too long ago, automakers believed hybrid buyers all wanted the same boring, amorphous blob of a hatchback. The 4xe combines the capability, practicality, and luxury that moves SUVs off showroom floors with the efficiency and performance of a rock-solid plug-in hybrid powertrain. It's great for getting the engine up into operating temperature quickly but lends to the impression that the Jeep's motors aren't powerful enough for electric driving. [Extracted from the article]

The Genesis GV60 and its Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 siblings fully embody this strategy. All three EVs share Hyundai's E-GMP architecture, 77.4-kWh battery packs, and dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrains (though the Hyundai and Kia are both available with single-motor rear drive and a smaller battery pack). Additionally, the fastback Genesis is slightly smaller than the Kia wagon and Hyundai hatch. [Extracted from the article]

Automotive data brokers - compa-nies that collect and monetize everything from vehicle speed and location to windshield wiper status and whether you're using your blinkers - are becoming increasingly common as automakers attempt to open up additional revenue paths for shareholders. Otonomo claims it anonymizes data it collects, but a source from a company that uses vehicle location data told Vice it's relatively easy to de-anonymize the info. A robust autonomous vehicle suite (page 82) likely includes radar, lidar, cameras, precise GPS data, and a high-speed internet connection. [Extracted from the article]

A year later with a new, more efficient single-motor rear-drive variant, is 2022 now the time for the Porsche Taycan to shine? The updated 2021 Taycan sports the same underpinnings as last year's finalist car, but it loses the Taycan 4S' front motor and instead offers two power and battery pack configurations. PROS Space Age looks • Drives like a Porsche should • • Supple suspension tuning CONS CONS Clunky Clunky two-speed two-speed automatic automatic • • Not enough regenerative braking for most • • Range mode limited to 60 mph One of the most intense debates we had during the 2021 Car of the Year program concerned the 2020 Porsche Taycan's efficiency. [Extracted from the article]

Representing the E-Tron GT in this year's competition: both an E-Tron GT and an RS E-Tron GT. We eagerly anticipate Audi's coming generation of forward-looking electrics, but for now, the E-Tron GT has its foot too far in the past to advance to our final round. The E-Tron GT has a nose-heavy understeer characteristic reminiscent of Audi's gas-powered performance cars. [Extracted from the article]

We also test each vehicle's advanced driver assist systems for their ability to keep the car driving predictably and safely on the road, evaluate emergency stop and lane departure features, and ensure the screens that increasingly are a part of auto design don't needlessly distract drivers. Our 2022 MotorTrend Car of the Year program was a significant one for many reasons. [Extracted from the article]

Rimac was in L.A. to show prospective buyers a pre-production Nevera, and it tossed us the keys to its $2.4 million baby. Built by hand in Sveta Nedelja, Croatia, the Nevera is an engineering marvel - especially when you consider Rimac is a 12-year-old company headed by 33-year-old Mate Rimac, and that it hails from a country that technically has never built a car before. Departments & Features Tiny Croatian automaker Rimac says its 2022 Nevera electric hypercar will be both the quickest car and the fastest electric car in the world, with a top speed of 258 mph. [Extracted from the article]

Departments & Features With the midsize pickup segment fully revitalized, smaller trucks like the Maverick are splashing onto the scene, aimed at folks for whom a midsizer might still be too much vehicle. Hybrids and EcoBoosts can lug 2,000 pounds, while Maverick EcoBoosts with the optional 4K Tow package can pull - you guessed it - up to 4,000 pounds, or the weight of an average 21-foot boat. Ford says the FWD-only Maverick Hybrid will offer 40/33/37 mpg city/highway/combined and can travel up to 500 miles on a single tank. [Extracted from the article]