Test Drive: 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross, powered by a 169 horsepower four cylinder 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve with Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence engine paired with CVT for fuel efficiency, went on sale in the Fall of 2021. In this test drive, onlookers asked if it was a Subaru, another very popular selling Japanese brand which offers only all-wheel drive vehicles. All three Corolla Cross trim levels, the L, LE and XLE, are available in all-wheel drive. The top-of-the-line XLE was test driven and reviewed in this video, which, with options, has an MSRP of about $32,000. The Corolla Cross is assembled at the new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama, that has the capacity to produce up to 150,000 Corolla Cross vehicles per year. At first, it seemed that the Corolla Cross was under-powered with 169 horsepower, but after a 360 mile test drive that included high speed highway driving maneuvering through California rainstorms, it delivered impressive performance and good fuel economy that came in at about 30 MPG as published. Despite being the smaller sibling of the Rav4, it has significant space and cargo capacity. Definitely worth considering when shopping for a compact SUV.

Click to watch video.

2023 Honda Accord - All-New 11th Generation

The all-new 11th-generation 2023 Honda Accord is 2.8 inches longer and available in six trim levels starting with the LX and EX powered by a 192 horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with VTEC® variable valve lift technology and topped by the Sport, EX-L, Sport-L and Touring powered by an all-new, more powerful 204 horsepower 4th-generation two-motor hybrid-electric system with a pair of electric motors that are now mounted side-by-side and an all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine that adds direct fuel injection. A standard 10.2-inch digital instrument panel has unique display functions depending on powertrain. Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, Touring hybrid models come standard with a 12.3-inch unit with a physical volume knob, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility and a simplified navigation structure with fewer menus. 

Volvo EX90 Coming In Early 2024

The new fully electric 7-seater Volvo EX90 will be initially available with twin-motor all-wheel drive version that is powered by a 496 horsepower system of a 111kWh battery and two permanent magnet electric motors. The 2024 Volvo EX90 is now available for pre-order in the United States at under $80,000 with deliveries to begin in early 2024. All Americas-bound Volvo EX90 models are expected to be built at Charleston (Ridgeville), South Carolina.

2023 Kia EV6 Starts At $49,795

The 2023 Kia EV6, entering its second model year, starts at $49,795 (including $1,295 destination fee). The 225 horsepower Wind RWD becomes the base EV6 for the 2023 model year, replacing the Light RWD and producing a range of 310 miles. The top-of-the-line 576 horsepower EV6 GT with a range of 206 miles starts at $62,695. Kia EV6 owners will have three years from the date of purchase to use the 1,000 kWh of complimentary charging through the Electrify America network of public charging stations.  

2023 Lexus LX 600 Flagship SUV Goes On Sale Before Yearend

The 2023 Lexus LX 600 flagship SUV is powered by a 409 horsepower 3.4-liter V6 twin-turbo engine mated to a Direct Shift-10AT and adds a standard heated steering wheel. The instrument panel features a 12.3-inch upper screen that shows navigation, audio controls and the Multi-Terrain Monitor during off-road driving and the lower 7-inch touch display shows the climate control screen and serves as a driving-support screen for Multi-Terrain Select. Displaying the camera image on the upper screen while simultaneously displaying the real-time vehicle status on the lower screen allows the driver to monitor off-road driving conditions without switching the display. The LX comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 that includes the Pre-Collision System, which includes Frontal Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection and Bicyclist Detection. The 2023 LX 600 will go on sale by the end of 2022.

2023 Honda Pilot - All-New - Goes On Sale In December

 The all-new fourth-generation 2023 Honda Pilot, in Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring and Elite trim levels, is powered by a 285 horsepower all-new 24-valve dual overhead cam 3.5-liter engine with an available second-generation i-VTM4™ torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission that has been tuned exclusively for Pilot. Paddle shifters are standard for manual control. Blind spot information has been expanded to 82 feet of radar range. Also new are Traffic Jam Assist, Low-Speed Braking Control and Traffic Sign Recognition which are standard. Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Lane Keeping Assist have been updated to feature more natural responses. A standard 7-inch digital instrument panel features an all-digital tachometer on the left and a physical speedometer on the right side. The display also features user-selectable functions such as Honda Sensing® settings, vehicle information and more. Exclusive to Elite is a configurable 10.2-inch digital instrument display with multi-view camera system paired with a color head-up display. A new 7-inch touchscreen audio system is standard on Sport with physical knobs for volume and tuning, and a simplified menu structure. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility are standard. The Pilot goes on sale next month. 

Genesis GV70 EV Production Starts Next Month in Alabama

The electrified Genesis GV70 EV, introduced in China a year ago, is the third electric vehicle in the Genesis lineup and the first Genesis to be assembled in the United States at Montgomery, Alabama. Production is expected to start next month. Range is expected to be 400km or 248 miles.

Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman Style Editions Coming Next Year

The new Porsche 718 Boxster Style Edition and 718 Cayman Style Edition are two new variants within the mid-engine 718 model lineup based on the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman with the 300 horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine equipped a standard six-speed manual transmission or with the optional seven-speed PDK and Sport Chrono Package. 

These new models will be initially offered in Europe in early 2023 with global availability to follow.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ Sedan Starts At $76,050

The all-new 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ sedan, fitted standard with a 90.6 kWh battery, delivers 305 miles of range according to EPA estimates. In addition to the EQE 350+ Sedan, there are the EQE 350 4MATIC and EQE 500 4MATIC sedans, all offered in Premium, Exclusive and Pinnacle trims for the U.S. market. Highlights include Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, LED Headlamps with Highbeam Assist and the Parking Package with Surround View System and PARKTRONIC.  The all-new 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ sedan starts at $76,050 (including $1,150 destination and delivery charge) when it arrives in U.S. dealerships in the Fall.

2023 Nissan GT-R On Sale Now Starting At $115,435

The 2023 Nissan GT-R is powered by a 565 horsepower 3.8-liter DOHC twin-turbo V6 paired with a standard dual-clutch, paddle-shift 6-speed transmission and ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system. Both GT-R grades includes a Bilstein® DampTronic driver-adjustable shock-absorber system, lightweight 20-inch 15-spoke forged alloy wheels by RAYS® and a multi-function display that shows vehicle performance information. GT-R also offers standard NissanConnect® with an 8-inch touchscreen display featuring Apple CarPlay®, a Bose® 11-speaker audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control and Active Noise Cancellation. The 2023 Nissan GT-R is on sale now at select U.S. Nissan dealers starting at $115,435 (including $1,895 destination and handling) for the GT-R Premium and $212,635 for the 600 horsepower GT-R NISMO.

All-New 2023 Toyota Crown Makes An Electrified Comeback In Early 2023

The all-new 2023 Toyota Crown, available in XLE, Limited and Platinum trims, powered by Hybrid MAX with a manufacturer estimated 340 net horsepower exclusive to the Platinum grade, with front and rear electric motors paired with a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and direct shift 6-speed automatic transmission delivering an EPA-estimated 30 MPG combined city/highway fuel economy rating. The XLE and Limited grades are equipped with the Toyota Hybrid system that pairs front and rear electric motors with a 2.5-liter engine producing an EPA-estimated 41 MPG combined city/highway rating. All Toyota Crown models feature Toyota’s Audio Multimedia system featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Toyota Crown starts at $39,950 for the XLE grade, $45,550 for the Limited grade and $52,350 for the Platinum grade. Toyota Crown is expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in early 2023.

2024 Sierra EV Denali Edition Pickup Starting At $108,695 In Early 2024

The 2024 Sierra EV Denali Edition gets a GM-estimated range of 400 miles on a full charge from a GM-estimated 754 horsepower front and rear electric drive unit system. An onboard Power Station Pro turns Sierra EV Denali into a mobile power source, with up to 10.2kW of off-board power that can be used in a variety of situations. The Sierra EV Denali Edition will be offered exclusively in a Crew Cab model with an integrated 5-foot, 11-inch cargo bed. Its storage capacity is maximized with the innovative MultiPro Midgate™, which provides 9 feet of storage between the cab and the tailgate, when the Midgate is open. A trailering package comes standard on the Sierra EV Denali Edition with up to 9,500 pounds of trailering capacity and up to 1,300 pounds of payload. Deliveries of the 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition are expected to begin in early 2024, with a starting MSRP of $108,695 (including estimated destination freight charge of $1,695). Further details for the full range of Sierra EV models will be announced closer to the start of production, with MSRPs starting around $51,695. 

Hyundai Grandeur All-New 7th Generation Flagship

The seventh-generation Hyundai Grandeur, badged as flagship Azera in markets outside Korea, comes six years after the sixth generation launched in 2016.

Porsche 911 Carrera T Starts At $118,050 Next Spring

Porsche is adding the 911 Carrera T (Touring) variant to the 911 model line positioned between the 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S and will be powered by a 379 horsepower twin-turbo six-cylinder engine equipped with a seven-speed manual transmission or optional eight-speed PDK available as well for no additional cost. The top track speed is 181 mph regardless of transmission choice. The 911 Carrera T will reach U.S. dealers by Spring 2023 and has an MSRP of $118,050 (including a $1,450 delivery, processing and handling fee).

2023 Toyota Corolla Sedan Adds 30 Horsepower

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Sedan is powered by a 169-horsepower 2.0L Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine replacing a 139-hp 1.8L engine connected to the standard Dynamic Shift continuously variable transmission. The 2023 Corolla Sedans receive new front fascia styling which varies across grades, LED daytime running lights and a new 8-inch Touchscreen with Toyota Audio Multimedia along with two rear-seat USB-C ports for a total of four in the car. The LE in addition adds an updated rear bumper design, while the SE and XSE feature new 18-inch Gloss Graphite-colored alloy wheels. Toyota Safety Sense technology in Corolla evolves to version 3.0 and includes enhanced versions of Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert system and Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking are optional. 

2023 Mazda CX-30 Starts At $24,225

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 is powered by a 191 horsepower Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter engine with an increase of five horsepower and two miles per gallon in each of the EPA estimated figures of city, highway, and combined, and i-Activ AWD system as standard. The CX-30 Turbo Premium has the 250 horsepower Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo four-cylinder engine. The CX-30 2.5 S starts at $24,225 (including $1,275 for destination and handling).

Rolls-Royce Spectre EV Launches 2023 Q4

The Rolls-Royce Spectre Ultra-Luxury Electric Super Coupé fully-electric car is expected to have an all-electric range of 320 miles from its 430kW powertrain according to preliminary data that will be refined before its fourth quarter of 2023 launch. Spectre pricing will be positioned between Cullinan ($341,500 - $394,500) and Phantom ($465,000 - $545,000). Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BMW Group and is a completely separate company from Rolls-Royce plc, the manufacturer of aircraft engines and propulsion systems.

Lotus Eletre EV SUV Debuts This Week

The Lotus Eletre pure electric SUV will be unveiled this week.

2023 Acura RDX Starts At $42,545

The 2023 Acura RDX, powered by a 272 horsepower 2.0-liter turbo engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, has been updated with new styling, new colors, improved driving dynamics, a quieter and more comfortable cabin and comes with three years of AcuraLink™ services, including Security and Remote packages, at no extra cost. RDX customers for the first time get a complimentary maintenance plan offered to purchasers for the first two years or 24,000 miles. The 2023 Acura RDX, available fourth-generation Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™, starts at $42,545 (including $1,195 destination and handling).

2024 Chevrolet Trax Starts At $21,495 In The Spring Of 2023

The all-new 2024 Chevrolet Trax, offered in LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS and ACTIV trims, is powered by a 137 horsepower 1.2L turbocharged inline-three engine, and has grown by 11-inches and is 2 inches wider than the current model translating to 3 inches more rear legroom and maximum cargo capacity that increases by nearly 12%. The all-new 2024 Chevrolet Trax goes on sale in the Spring of 2023 starting at $21,495 (not disclosed if destination charge is included).