Orange Country Auto Show Open This Weekend In Anaheim

The Orange Country Auto Show is open at the Anaheim Convention Center this weekend and though all manufacturers are not represented, there are ride and drive experiences in Jeeps and and electric vehicles. 

Displays staged by Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Nissan, Ram, Toyota, Volkswagen plus electric vehicles from Audi, BMW, Genesis, Mini and Porsche. There are electrified rides provided by Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Nissan, Volkswagen. Dealerships put exotic vehicles on exhibit, like McLaren. 

If you're shopping for a compact SUV, there's plenty of choice to check out: Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Ford Escape, Lexus NX, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, VW Taos, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Jeep Renagade to name a few. There are trucks, large SUVs and sports cars. 

The OC Auto Show ends tomorrow, Sunday Oct. 2. For more info: https://www.autoshowoc.com/

2023 Subaru Forester Starts At $27,620 In December

The 2023 Subaru Forester, offered in Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trim levels, is powered by a 182 horsepower 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine teamed with a Lineartronic® CVT and Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with up to 1,500-lb. towing capacity (3,000-lb. for Wilderness) and features standard Trailer Stability Assist. EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is standard. Automatic Emergency Steering is included on models equipped with Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Keep Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and works with EyeSight and Blind-Spot Detection to assist with steering control to help avoid a collision at speeds less than 50 mph. Forester starts at $27,620 (including $1,225 destination & delivery) when it arrives at Subaru retailers in December.

2023 Jeep® Renegade

The 2023 Jeep® Renegade, powered by a 177 horsepower 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, has Latitude (Altitude Package and RED Edition available), Limited (High Altitude Package available) and Trailhawk 4x4 grade levels and up to 2,000-lb. towing capacity (when properly equipped with the Trailer Tow Package on Trailhawk model).

2023 Kia Rio Starts At $17,505

The sixth-generation entry-level 2023 Kia Rio, powered by a 120 horsepower 1.6L 4-cylinder MPI engine offering up to 41 MPG on the highway, starts at $17,505 (including $1,055 destination) for the LX 4-Door Sedan.

Lamborghini Urus S

The Lamborghini Urus S, successor to the original Urus and powered by a 657 horsepower 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 engine with six drive modes, joins the Urus Performante in the new two-model line-up for the Lamborghini Super SUV and starts at 195,538 Euro or nearly $192,000 US dollars.

2023 BMW Z4 Roadster Starts at $53,795

The 2023 BMW Z4 Roadster sDrive30i open-top two-seater with 255 horsepower now includes an M leather steering wheel, M Sport seats, M pedals, an M driver’s footrest, and a dashboard upholstered in SensaTec and starts at $53,795 (including $995 destination). The M40i with 382 horsepower starts at $66,295.

2023 Kia Niro Hybrid Starts At $27,785 Now

The all-new second generation 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid has larger dimensions and more standard technology and is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with a 32kW electric motor for a combined 139 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft of torque sending power to the front wheels via a six-speed dual clutch transmission. Features include Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Collision Warning with Parallel Exit, and Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance-Assist. The 2023 Niro Hybrid is arriving in dealers now and will be available in all 50 states starting at $27,785 (including $1,295 destination) for the LX.

2023 Nissan Ariya EV Starts At $44,485 Late This Fall

The 2023 Nissan Ariya, with a 100% electric all-wheel drive system, comes in six grades levels and is equipped with either a standard range 63 kWh battery or 87 kWh long range battery of usable capacity (63 kWh exclusive to Ariya Engage), with up to 304 miles of range and output ratings ranging from 214 to 389 horsepower. Ariya goes on sale late fall (FWD models only) and offers a choice between front-wheel drive and e-4ORCE all-wheel drive with a long range and standard range battery option. The 2023 Nissan Ariya starts at $44,485 (including $1,295 destination and handling). Customers who participated in the Ariya reservation program will still be able to purchase their Ariya at the special reservation MSRP. Ariya e-4ORCE models will be available in Spring 2023.

2023 INFINITI QX50 Starts At $41,495 This Month

The 2023 INFINITI QX50, powered by a 268 horsepower 2.0-liter engine paired with an XTRONIC transmission, adds an available SPORT grade slotted in the middle of the PURE, LUXE, SENSORY, AUTOGRAPH trim levels. Fuel economy is 23 mpg city and 29 mpg highway with front-wheel drive or 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway with all-wheel drive. Standard equipment on all grades are: heated outside mirrors, remote engine start, a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror, Rear Door Alert and a wireless phone charging pad. On the QX50 AUTOGRAPH, additional powertrain enhancements give the QX50 the ability to tow up to 3,000 pounds, when properly equipped. The 2023 QX50 arrives in showrooms this month starting at $41,495 (including $1,195 destination and handling charge) for the PURE trim.

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SUV At $41,190 In November

The next generation seven-passenger 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid SUV (PHEV), rated to offer 38 miles of all-electric range from a 350-volt, 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack, is fitted with a new generation of Mitsubishi Motors' twin-motor Super All-Wheel Control system, utilizing the 2.4-liter MIVEC four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle gasoline engine and front motor to drive the front wheels, and a stand-alone rear-mounted motor to drive the rear axle.  Both electric motors are more powerful than previous, with the front at 114-horsepower and rear at 134-horsepower, bringing combined system power to 248-horsepower and 332 lb/ft of torque. The 2023 Outlander PHEV is coming to the U.S., and will be on-sale in select markets starting in November, followed later by availability across the whole country. The vehicle delivers a 64 MPGe (miles-per-gallon equivalent) rating and will offer up to 420 miles of combined electric-gasoline range on a single charge and single tank of fuel. The 2023 Outlander PHEV will start from $41,190 (including $1,345 destination/handling charge) when it goes on-sale in select U.S. markets starting in November, followed later by availability across the whole country. 

2023 Nissan Altima Starts At $26,385 Now

The new 2023 Nissan Altima, powered by a 188 horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers fuel economy ratings of 28 mpg city, 39 mpg highway and 32 mpg combined for the front-wheel-drive S and SV grades, and 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway and 31 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive SR and SL models. Intelligent All-Wheel Drive is available on 2023 Altima SV, SR and SL grades equipped with the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. In addition, Altima SR (FWD only) features an available 248 horsepower 2.0-liter Variable Compression Turbo engine delivering fuel economy ratings of 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined. The 2023 model year adds a new 12.3-inch HD color display with multi-touch control, Nissan Door-to-Door Navigation system, Android Auto™, wireless Apple CarPlay®, wireless phone charging pad and WiFi hotspot, all standard on Altima SL and SR VC-Turbo grades and available on SV. The new 2023 Nissan Altima is on sale now starting at $26,385 (including $1,095 destination and handling). 

Flashback Friday: 45 Years Later - 2023 Nissan Z - 1978 Datsun 280Z

 

The 2023 Nissan Z, offered in Sport and Performance grades, is powered by a 400 horsepower 3.0-liter V6 twin turbo engine with a choice of a 6-speed manual or new 9-speed automatic transmission. Standard driver assistance and safety technologies include Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, High Beam Assist and Intelligent Forward Collision Warning.

The 12.3-inch TFT meter display has "Normal" mode, "Enhanced" mode pushes the tachometer and speedometer to the edges of the display and "Sport" mode prioritizes the tachometer in the center with shift-up light at the top for shift information in the driver's field of view. The all-new, seventh-generation 2023 Z, went on sale this Summer starting at $41,015 (including $1,025 destination and handling) and can be seen this weekend at the OC Auto Show at the Anaheim Convention Center (next to Disneyland).

Test Drive: 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition

Highlander, not the Scottish kind, the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition is test driven through the most British city in North America. This AWD hybrid model has the Bronze touch but when it comes to fuel economy it has the Midas touch delivering an impressive 37 miles per gallon over 400 miles in a real life mix of city and highway driving. 

This fourth-generation Highlander has a Hybrid System powered by a 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine with two electric motors producing 243 total system horsepower. The Highlander Hybrid’s AWD system utilizes a separate rear-mounted electric motor to power the rear wheels when needed. The 2022 Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition AWD starts at $46,815 (including $1,335 delivery, processing and handling).

Click here to watch video.

2024 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE

The new 2024 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE, measuring an extra 3.3 inches, has total power of 671 horsepower from the 469 horsepower AMG 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine combined with a two-speed electric motor and 400-volt high-performance battery that offers a capacity of 6.1 kWh, a continuous output of 94 horsepower and a peak output of 201 horsepower for ten seconds, transmitted via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT® MCT 9G transmission (Multi-Clutch Transmission). The eight AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs are: "Electric," "Comfort," "Battery Hold," "Sport," "Sport+," "RACE," "Slippery" and "Individual". 

2023 Nissan Maxima Starts At $39,235 Now

The 2023 Nissan Maxima, in SV, SR and Platinum trim levels, is powered by a 300 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with an Xtronic transmission and features the  Nissan Safety Shield® 360, which includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist and Rear Automatic Braking. Additional standard driver assistance technologies include Intelligent Cruise Control, Traffic Sign Recognition and Intelligent Driver Alertness. The 2023 Nissan Maxima is on sale now starting at $39,235 (including $1,095 destination and handling).

2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid Starts At $37,885

The 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid, avaliable in EX and  SX-P repackaged trim levels, is powered by a 227 horsepower 1.6T GDI I-4 engine combined with a 44 kW motor and mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 2023 EX FWD which adds an 8-way power front passenger seat and a frameless rear view mirror, starts at $37,885 (including $1,295 destination). The S trim has been discontinued.

2023 Toyota GR Corolla Coming This Fall

The first-ever 2023 Toyota GR Corolla, powered by a 300 horsepower turbocharged, three-cylinder engine, will come in the Core grade, Circuit Edition and the limited, track-focused MORIZO Edition. All grades come equipped with Toyota’s all-new, US-developed multimedia system with an 8-inch touchscreen standard. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 will also come standard. GR Corolla Core grade will arrive in the Fall of 2022. The MORIZO Edition will arrive in Winter 2023 and Circuit Edition will arrive in Spring 2023.

2024 Ford Mustang Coming Next Summer

The all-new, seventh-generation 2024 Ford Mustang, powered by a 2.3-liter EcoBoost or the Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter Coyote V8, goes on sale in the U.S. starting in the Summer of 2023. The 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster can be customized to display different animated designs and new drive-mode dependent visuals. The new Mustang comes equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360™ features, including Speed Sign Recognition, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Lane Centering Assist, Evasive Steer Assist and Reverse Brake Assist. Another key feature is Active Pothole Mitigation, included with the Performance Package, which continually monitors suspension, body, steering and braking input and adjusts suspension response accordingly.

Lexus IS Starts At $41,735 This Fall

The Lexus IS 300, powered by a 241 horsepower2.0-liter, turbocharged and intercooled inline four-cylinder engine with an adaptive transmission and IS 300 AWD has a 260 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The IS 350, in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, is powered by a 311 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 mated to an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission. The IS 500 is powered by a 472 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 connected to an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission. The 2023 IS comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, including Pre-Collision System, which includes Frontal Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection and Bicyclist Detection, features an enhancement to the lens camera and millimeter-wave radar elements to expand the response range. The IS 350 F SPORT will offer an exclusive Special Appearance Package limited to 480 units that will go on sale this Fall. The 2023 IS 500 F SPORT Premium with the Special Appearance Package will be limited to 150 units and will go on sale this Fall. The IS 300 starts at $41,735 (including $1,150 delivery, processing and handling).

2023 Chevrolet Tahoe RST Performance Edition Coming In 4th Quarter

The new 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe RST Performance Edition package, powered by a 433 horsepower 6.2L V-8 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, is priced at a starting MSRP of $8,525. Production begins in the 4th quarter of 2022 with U.S.