Search

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]

The article discusses the increase in sales of traditional cars in 2023, despite the fact that they are no longer the preferred choice for most buyers. The variety of options available in the market may have contributed to this increase. The article also describes the Car of the Year event, where new and heavily revised cars are tested and evaluated. The event was disrupted when Tesla sent two Model 3 sedans for testing, which was unusual as the car had just been unveiled a month prior. Despite the decline of sedans in favor of SUVs, the field of competitors was strong and diverse. The article concludes by announcing the winner of the Car of the Year award, which was a surprising choice. [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 discusses the finalists for Motor Trend's Car of the Year award, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each contender. The 2023 BMW 7 Series is praised for its luxurious features, although some judges had reservations about its grille. The BMW M2 is lauded as the best sports car BMW produces, with excellent driving dynamics and a manual transmission option. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is commended for its interior tech, quick charging capabilities, and engaging dynamics, making it a strong competitor in the electric sedan segment. The Lucid Air Pure/Touring is praised for its range and engineering excellence, but still has some areas for improvement. The Tesla Model 3 receives positive feedback for its improved build quality, refined cabin, and quietness, although its range is criticized. Despite this, the article suggests that the improved Model 3 is worth considering in the category of long-range electric vehicles priced around $40,000. Additionally, there are two documents available for library patrons conducting research on electric and hybrid vehicles. One document provides technical specifications for various models, including engine/motor type, power, transmission, dimensions, and seating capacity. The other document offers test data and specifications for different vehicles, including performance metrics, pricing, warranties, and fuel recommendations. Both documents serve as valuable resources for those seeking information on specific car models and their characteristics. [Extracted from the article]

Aaron Gold Base Price $40,455 As Tested $43,241 EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 17/22/19 mpg SPECS VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck ENGINE 3.8L direct-injected DOHC 24-valve V-6 POWER (SAE NET) 310 hp @ 6,400 rpm TORQUE (SAE NET) 281 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm TRANSMISSION 9-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,798 lb (56/44%) 0-60 MPH 7.5 sec QUARTER MILE 15.7 sec @ 89.2 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 122 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.77 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 28.9 sec @ 0.56 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 17/22/19 mpg EPA RANGE, COMB 399 miles ON SALE Now 2022 Volkswagen ID4 "Our ID4 costs pennies to run, but it shouldn't be this hard to figure out exactly how many." Toyota says efficiency wasn't the goal with its hybrid V-6, but the Tundra's 18/20/19 mpg city/highway/combined EPA fuel economy numbers are quite a bit better than many of its competitors - on paper, at least. Arrival: 2023 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro "We want to find out if our long-term Tundra turns out to be a pro or just an amateur." Erik Johnson Service Life 5 months/6,750 miles Average Fuel Econ 35.2 mpg Unresolved Problems None Maintenance Cost $0 Normal Wear $0 Base Price $25,950 As Tested $30,355 EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 40/33/37 mpg Able long-term to hit 60 R1T mph is great in 3.1 seconds, at hauling our ass. [Extracted from the article]

Where the Accord feels like an electric car, the Camry makes it obvious that it's fed by fossil fuels. Tests & Drives It might be weird to consider for anyone who grew up after the 2008 financial crisis, but there was a time when midsize sedans were numbingly boring and known as "family cars." Had the Accord's road noise - an issue as old as the Accord itself - been addressed, and had its rear seat been less spartan, yes, it would have wiped the floor with the aging Camry. Understeer also is far more noticeable in the Camry, whereas the Accord channels Honda's smaller Civic in the way it resists front-end plowing. [Extracted from the article]

JUST TRY TO MAKE IT TO THE END of this story without scouring the internet for an old Jeep. Such is the supernatural desire-stoking ability of the concepts that the [...]

Some editors found it made the car more fun and engaging, but the majority thought the manual car handled worse than the DCT version we also had on hand and that the pedal spacing wasn't great. The front diff lets you just hammer on the car through corners, staying on throttle where other front-wheel-drive cars would wash out." 2022 Audi RS 3 PROS Rambunctious handling • Unique engine • Fun torque-split modes CONS Lake of brake pedal feel • Laughable pricing • Tight cabin The characterful RS 3 is one Audis of the you most can buy today, right up there with the V-10 R8 supercar. "Looking for the most fun lap, I was just driving it sideways, rotating it, working on car control, and it's absolutely beautiful, this car.". [Extracted from the article]

The DBX707 is sublime as far as performance SUVs go, and most of us were having too much fun to care about body type, but in the end, it's still "just" an SUV. Other performance cars delivered more overtly spicy experiences, so although the M240i didn't make our finalist cut, it's far from a bad car. Therein lies the rub with the Genesis G80 - this is a luxury car first and a sport sedan second, and no amount of Sport Prestige (the car's trim level) can change that, not even an electronically controlled suspension with sport tuning and rear-wheel steering (part of a $6,300 package). The judges also took issue with the Michelin Primacy tires, which often squealed for mercy and lacked the grip a performance SUV should deliver. [Extracted from the article]

Toyota doesn't merely try upstaging the Honda with an extra driven axle, nor is the car just wild "for a Corolla." The moment Toyota literally slid the GR Corolla across a stage for its big debut, we were wowed by its "that's a Toyota?!" Despite its three-legged dog of an engine lagging the Honda's by 15 hp and 37 lb-ft of torque, the GR Corolla mostly keeps up at the track. Its bogey for true greatness was clear even then: The Honda Civic Type R has been our favorite hot hatch since 2016, when for the first time in 30 years of the Type R subbrand, Honda sold it in America. [Extracted from the article]

Tests & Drives On the eve of Cadillac's pivot to electrification, we note how the marque came to be defined by the vehicles at its lineup's margins: the now ubiquitous Escalade SUV and a bunch of V-series supersedans. We've enjoyed its amazing sport sedans, but the Lyriq proves Cadillac didn't shrink at the opportunity to show a broader segment of buyers exactly what this American luxury house is capable of. The dual-motor Lyriq will bring about 500 hp later this year, and a Cadillac engineer hinted the brand's V performance badge will stick around through the transition to electrics. [Extracted from the article]

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT has been redesigned to address customer feedback that the previous model was too uncompromising. The new GT is larger, heavier, and more comfort-focused, with the addition of back seats. Despite the weight gain, the GT 63 variant performs impressively, with a 0-60 mph time that is half a second faster than the previous model. While the GT 63 is a better everyday performance car, its pricing is comparable to the Porsche 911 GT3, which offers a more fun and practical driving experience. [Extracted from the article]

The 2024 McLaren 750S is a high-performance sports car that impresses judges with its power and controllability. However, it falls short in certain areas, such as fixed-back bucket seats that may not be comfortable for everyone and a lack of advanced technology compared to its competitors. The 750S is essentially an upgraded version of the 720S, with additional horsepower and revisions. While it achieves McLaren's goals, it is outperformed by other contenders in terms of value and performance. Overall, the 750S is a thrilling car that pushes the boundaries of physics and fun. [Extracted from the article]

Ford engineers also tell us the Lightning went through all the same durability torture testing as any other F-150, and in some cases the tests were more challenging just to make sure no one could say the Lightning was a lesser vehicle. The Lightning is the truck we needed, right when we needed it. 2022 FORD F-150 LIGHTNING BASE PRICE $41,769-$92,669 LAYOUT Front- and rear-motor, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door truck MOTORS 452-580-hp/775-lb-ft AC permanent-magnet electric TRANSMISSION 1-speed auto CURB WEIGHT 6,200-6,600 lb (mfr) WHEELBASE 145.5 in L X W X H 232.7 x 80.0 x 78.3 in 0-60 MPH 4.5-5.5 sec (mfr est) EPA CITY/HWY/ 73-78/60-63/66-70 mpg-e COMB FUEL ECON EPA RANGE (COMB) 230-320 miles ON SALE Now WHY DOES IT LOOK LIKE A REGULAR F-150? This truck has to convince construction workers, farmers, ranchers, surveyors, and everyday truck fans that electric pickups aren't just viable but also desirable. Tests & Drives Pickup trucks were the longest holdout in the transition to electric vehicles, and for good reason. [Extracted from the article]

The term 'infotainment,' despite being a marketing portmanteau that makes our eyes roll, does neatly sum up the increasing variety of human-machine interfaces that dominates today's dashboards. Now, Silicon Valley [...]

The 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty is a heavy-duty truck that has undergone a recent refresh, including new engines and small improvements. The High-Output 6.7-liter diesel engine offers smooth power delivery and impressive hauling capability, with 500 hp and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. However, the Super Duty sacrifices some livability for its towing capacity, with a firm ride and loose steering when unladen. The interior and exterior design of the truck remains largely unchanged, but it offers functionality and clever trailering assists. Overall, the Ford Super Duty competes closely with other heavy-duty trucks in terms of capability and performance. [Extracted from the article]

The 4xe setup is anchored by a 2.0-liter turbo I-4 contributing 270 hp and 295 lb-ft, assisted by a 134-hp, 195-lb-ft traction motor that replaces the eight-speed automatic's torque converter, as well as a 44-hp, 39-lb-ft starter/gener-ator motor that acts on the accessory drive pulley. In certain instances - when stopped at a light, for example - the clutch linking the engine to the drivetrain will open, allowing the engine to rev a little and spin its drive pulley - and thus the starter/generator. The starter/generator motor provides some assistance directly to the engine's crankshaft via the drive pulley, so for the purposes of this clutch-action rundown, it's part of the engine input. [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]

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]

DON'T GET TOO EXCITED--the latest Regal GS isn't what you think it is. Yes, it has torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, a 310-hp 3.6-liter V-6, and knockout good looks, all of which [...]

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]

The gas choice is a 620-hp twin-turbo V-6 that spins the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Departments & Features Alfa Romeo set the bar high with its new 33 Stradale, declaring the sports car "follows in the footsteps of an icon of the 1960s and one of the most beautiful cars of all time, the Tipo 33." Alfa Romeo will offer a broad menu of customization possibilities to give customers wide latitude to make their custom-built cars unique, but even so, the biggest decision will involve the powertrain. [Extracted from the article]

After years of customer requests, Jeep finally put a factory V-8 in the Wrangler for the first time, and, holy heck, it was worth the wait. Because the V-8 is so tall, Jeep increased the suspension height by another inch over the standard Rubicon's to ensure no further hood modifications were necessary. Tests & Drives If we told you there's a new vehicle on the block with 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque from a 392-cubicinch V-8, a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds, a quarter-mile time of 12.9 seconds, and that it's an all-wheel-drive convertible, would you guess we're talking about a Jeep Wrangler?. [Extracted from the article]

YOU'VE SEEN THE PRACTICE BEFORE. Known as 'chalking,' it's when parking enforcement officers use chalk to mark a car's tire placement, allowing them to track how long a car has [...]

Kia's toaster-shaped Soul is a car mimicking a crossover, with a self-image reverse-engineered from TV commercials featuring dancing hamsters. But given that 'real' crossovers are just cars mimicking SUVs, there's [...]

WHEN YOU'RE IN a parking structure, trying to squeeze into a spot between a misaligned Escalade and a rust-eaten Escort, it's hard to appreciate the level of consideration that goes [...]

FOR DECADES, automakers have sought to gain competitive intel by painstakingly disassembling rival carmakers' products to divine their strengths and weaknesses. It is a process that one former car-company engineer [...]

WITH THE DEBUT OF THE Q8 CONCEPT, Audi becomes the second lemming to chase BMW's ungainly X6 coupe/SUV over the edge of vehicular reason. Mercedes recently took the same plunge [...]

* A STARTER FERRARI? To those of us whose 401(k)s contain some pocket lint and an unclaimed McDonald's Monopoly Big Mac, there is no such animal. The $214,533 Portofino replaces [...]

WHEN HYUNDAI LAUNCHED the original 1995 Accent, it did so quite literally. The marketing team luridly punted one airborne in a commercial in which five-foot-three Tyrone 'Muggsy' Bogues, the NBA's [...]

'When sports-sedan makers in this world disappoint the car rags they should fear, and abandon enthusiasts who see or hear, the cry goes up both far and near for... Stinger!' [...]

The Irish wit Oscar Wilde once postulated: 'Deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance.' While Oscar faced his own obstacles with deception and Victorian-era romantic restrictions, Infiniti [...]

But when Lexus unveiled its first car, the LS, at the Detroit auto show in January 1989, America had a lot to learn about Toyota's upstart luxury brand. To build cars as luxurious and gratifying as the Germans while delivering what those cars didn't: commuter-car reliability. Tests & Drives A large swath of American drivers today have always known Lexus as an established power player. [Extracted from the article]

WAR HAS YET TO REACH AUDI'S DOORSTEP. Unrelenting offensives from sedan alternatives--namely crossovers and coupe-ified four-doors--are leaving traditional sedans bleeding on the battlefield of consumer relevance. Yet, at Audi, A6 [...]

THE MX-5 MIATA RF, or 'Retractable Fastback,' cuts a strikingly sexier profile than the third generation's Power Retractable Hardtop model that it replaces. Where that old Miata's hard roof resembled [...]

IN THE EARLY 1960S, Burkard Bovensiepen found escape from his family's German typewriter-manufacturing business by affixing hotter carbs in BMWs. Stealing the Alpina name from the typewriter outfit, he earned [...]

Departments & Features Boho Camper Conversion Boho Camper Vans is chill. Contact: mbvans.com/en/metris-getaway or peacevansmodern.com Modvans Similar to the Free Bird camper (below), Modvans' creations can transition between full-fledged camper vans and empty, cargo-ready vans. Contact: modvans.com Caravan Outfitter Free Bird Camper Caravan Outfitter's Free Bird conversion vans are based on Nissan's humble NV200 cargo van, making them the smallest and most affordable on this list. [Extracted from the article]

RECENT CASES OF 'MISSTATED' fuel economy involving Ford, GM, Hyundai, and Mercedes-Benz have this in common: All were caught by the EPA during audits of data submitted by the manufacturers [...]

Departments & Features MOTORTREND FIRST DRIVE Intake 1.23 Strapped into the new Toyota GR Corolla and sitting in pit lane awaiting our turn at a 2.1-mile section of Utah Motorsports Park's wildly undulating road course, we felt slightly silly. The Circuit and Morizo also add a few pieces that aren't available on the Core, such as a carbonfiber roof panel, a bulgier hood with louvered vents, and a Morizo-signed shift knob. A few difference makers became apparent: the tires on the Core and Circuit, the Morizo's extra boost and torque, plus grip from its spicier rubber. [Extracted from the article]

Indeed, the Recon gets Jeep into the EV game quickly, using a Stellantis platform destined for numerous upcoming EVs already in development. Departments & Features FIRST LOOK Talk about things that escalated quickly: Jeep has gone from offering zero electrified SUVs to two in as many years, introducing the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrids in quick succession. On the Wagoneer front, the family will expand yet again, and the newest sibling is markedly different from the full-size Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and the longer-wheelbase L versions of both SUVs: It is a size smaller, fully electric, and exceptionally quick. [Extracted from the article]

The biggest fear of Jeep die-hards, worse than nuclear war or Disney measles, is the steady dilution of their favorite brand. Like anti-vaxxers, Jeep's fanboys refuse to accept the science, [...]

SORRY DOGS, but man has two best friends--one walks on four legs and the other rides on four wheels. The tricky part is combining the two without either one doing [...]

* WITH THE FOOT-POWERED CAR entombed in the Flintstones' garage, we turn instead to bicycles as our exercise tool of choice. But no one wants to haul a morass of [...]

AUTOMAKERS AND TECH giants are striving to better integrate mobile devices into cars, hoping to increase safety by reducing distraction. The now-ubiquitous center screen is key, allowing direct app integration [...]

A reworked rear motor with a longer stator and rotor (and double the amperage) relative to the M50 is responsible for the M60's upgrade from 516 horsepower and 564 lb-ft to 532 hp and 749 lb-ft. Departments & Features BMW has two distinct EV strategies, one that leverages flexible platforms to deliver electrified versions of otherwise conventionally powered gas models and another that churns out dedicated electrics such as the new iX SUV. Odd though the iX might appear, its lineup follows familiar BMW practice, delivering saucy performance in its standard iX xDrive50 format and even more in the M Performance version, dubbed the iX M60. [Extracted from the article]

PROS Sharp handling • Practical hatchback body • Stellar fuel economy CONS Too much Civic inside not to notice • No summer tire option • Road noise is an issue The resurrected Acura Integra is an exceptional car when viewed within a vacuum. That's because, much like the original Integra from 1986, this new one is essentially a heavily revised Honda Civic, though it combines Civic parts in ways you can't replicate with a Honda badge. Speak the words "Honda" or "Civic", and the Integra's vacuum pops like someone blew the airlock. [Extracted from the article]

Typically, gas cars converted to EVs don't feel as properly baked as dedicated EVs from the Teslas and Rivians of the world. PROS Slick EV integration • Crushingly normal, unlike most EVs • Channels core BMW traits CONS Eco-minded tires can be loud • Awkward ingress/egress • Limited center-console storage space Look at the BMW i4, then look at a current BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. Mash the go pedal, and the rear tires light up; do so while turning, and prepare to catch the oversteer. [Extracted from the article]

Nissan reanimated those old bones for the 370Z in 2010, and here they are again for the new, numberless Z. Next to its mashup of retro Z styling cues - the nose is pure, original 240Z, while the tail is more 300ZX - the car also trades the 370Z's 3.7-liter V-6 for a 400-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6. Nissan upgraded the Z's platform, but the extra bracing, newer interior bits, and new V-6 raise the curb weight accordingly, dulling the impact of the 400 hp on tap. PROS Comfortable ride • Approachable handling limits • More power than before CONS Extra power offset by extra mass • Cabin feels old despite being new • Limited-slip differential only on upper trims What's old is new again?. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers review on several cars from Jeep such as M-715 Five-Quarter concept car, J6 and Wayout.