Evelyn Reynolds

Given the smashing success that is the Kia Telluride, it might have been smart for Kia’s designers to simply scale down that three-row SUV’s squared-off looks when it came time to redesign the brand’s smaller crossovers. But the latest generation of the mid-size Sorento doesn’t stick to that template, nor does the new 2023 Sportage, which brings a distinctive look to the compact segment.Whether or not you’ll be a fan of the Sportage’s design is another story. We won’t call it ugly, but its face is somewhat polarizing. With boomerang-shaped accent lights, low-mounted headlights, and a wide-mouth grille, the front end makes a strong statement. What exactly that statement is, we’ll leave up to you. The rear end is a bit more cohesive, with smooth surfaces and taillights that remind us of the handsome units on the Kia EV6. The Sportage surely won’t be mistaken for its corporate sibling, the Hyundai Tucson, which also looks striking for a mainstream crossover.

The Sportage is not all about form, though. Significantly larger than its predecessor in length, wheelbase, and many other dimensions, the new model is on the big end of the compact-SUV spectrum. It doesn’t offer a third row of seats like the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Mitsubishi Outlander, but a 3.4-inch increase in wheelbase greatly expands its rear-seat and cargo space. We like how the rear seats slide and recline, and the Sportage’s 40 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the second row just edges out what the Honda CR-V offers.This Kia’s interior trappings also are nicer than that Honda’s. Upper-trim Sportage models have two integrated 12.3-inch display screens in front of the driver, one for the digital gauge cluster and the other for infotainment. Both screens have bright, crisp graphics, and the dashboard’s various materials are pleasant to the touch where it counts (and still nicely grained hard plastic where it doesn’t). Another screen down on the center stack is flanked by two physical knobs that can display either haptic climate-control buttons or a row of navigation and audio controls. The functions of those two knobs can also change depending on inputs, which is a neat feature but not necessarily a convenient one when you reach down to adjust the volume and realize the knob is currently set for temperature control.
More knobs and buttons reside on the center console to manage everything from the optional heated and ventilated seats—an EX model we drove had glaringly blank buttons for the ventilated seats it wasn’t equipped with—to the various drive modes and off-road settings, such as hill-descent control and the ability to lock in the all-wheel-drive system. Like basically every other crossover maker these days, Kia is touting its vehicle’s capability in the dirt, and it’s now offering the Sportage in X-Pro trim with all-terrain tires and some rugged-looking visual tweaks. While the X-Pro performed well on a fairly aggressive (Kia-prepped) off-road course, all Sportage models equipped with all-wheel drive have a decent 8.3 inches of ground clearance.On pavement, the Sportage exhibits a nicely sorted ride-and-handling balance, but, unsurprisingly for an everyday SUV, isn’t what we’d call engaging to drive. Much of the blame goes to steering that’s bereft of feedback, a brake pedal without much initial bite, and throttle response that is somewhat sluggish. There may not be much here for enthusiasts, but the Sportage is a perfectly pleasant vehicle to pilot day to day, even if it doesn’t turn in as sharply as, say, a Mazda CX-5. Sadly, Kia has abandoned the outgoing Sportage’s zippy optional turbo 2.0-liter engine in the new model. Instead, it’s focusing on hybrid variants to pad out the model range. The base naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four, which pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission, produces an unremarkable 187 horsepower and feels rather pokey on the road. It also can sound buzzy when you push it above 4000 rpm or so.
We think the better option is the quieter and more refined hybrid setup, with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four, two electric motors, a 1.5-kWh battery, and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. This combination is both more powerful (a combined 227 horsepower) and responsive than the base engine. We’re willing to forgive the hybrid’s occasionally lumpy power delivery because of the fuel-economy boost it provides: Its EPA combined estimate of 43 mpg with front-wheel drive and 38 mpg with all-wheel drive is a huge jump over the nonhybrid’s 25 to 28 mpg combined. However, we will point out that the mechanically similar Tucson hybrid returned disappointing real-world fuel economy, so we’ll need to see whether that’s the case with the Sportage once we get one to test. A 261-hp plug-in hybrid is also coming later this year; we have yet to drive that model.Kia doesn’t price its vehicles as aggressively as it used to, but the starting points for the new Sportage—$27,245 for the base LX model up to $38,045 for a X-Pro Prestige—fall into a competitive range for compact crossovers. We’d be reluctant to pay close to $40,000 for a version with the base engine; the X-Pro, for example, can’t be had with the hybrid powertrain. But a nicely equipped EX hybrid in the mid-$30K range strikes us as an attractive proposition, distinctive styling and all.

Specifications

Specifications
2023 Kia SportageVehicle Type: front-engine or front-engine and front-motor, front- or all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base: LX, $27,245; LX Hybrid, $28,545; EX, $29,245; X-Line, $32,045; EX Hybrid, $32,245; SX, $32,745; SX-Prestige, $34,745; X-Pro, $36,425; SX Prestige Hybrid, $37,445; X-Pro Prestige, $38,045
POWERTRAINS
DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter inline-4, 187 hp, 178 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 1.6-liter inline-4, 177 hp, 195 lb-ft + 2 AC motors, 17 and 59 hp, 32 and 195 lb-ft (combined output: 227 hp, 258 lb-ft; 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack)Transmissions: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic, 8-speed automatic

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.5 inLength: 183.5 inWidth: 73.4 inHeight: 65.4–66.9 inPassenger Volume: 104–109 ft3Cargo Volume: 35–40 ft3Curb Weight (C/D est): 3400–3900 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 8.0–8.8 sec1/4-Mile: 15.9–16.8 secTop Speed: 130 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 25–43/23–42/28–44 mpg

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It doesn’t come as a surprise that Toyota expects to sell more GR86 coupes fitted with the optional six-speed automatic transmission than with the standard six-speed. Similar to how not all music lovers like to dance, not all driving enthusiasts prefer to shift their own gears, especially in today’s hyperautomated world. While we say it’s never too late to learn the three-pedal tango that a stick shift requires, buyers who do spend the $1500 for the GR86’s autobox will still get an excellent rear-wheel-drive coupe that recently won a 10Best award (alongside its mechanical twin, the Subaru BRZ). The catch is that they’ll be giving up both some driver involvement and some straight-line speed. Every GR86 features a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat-four that sends 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. That’s 28 horses and 33 pound-feet more than its predecessor’s 2.0-liter flat-four made when paired with the automatic. The GR86’s new engine is a revelation thanks to how that power is deployed. The first-generation car’s infamous midrange torque valley has been vanquished, with peak torque now arriving at 3700 rpm instead of 5400, which helps make right-foot inputs feel more responsive. Winding the new 2.4-liter up to its 7500-rpm redline is a joyful experience, and while the accompanying soundtrack isn’t exactly a serenade to internal combustion, its tone is richer than before. To handle the engine’s added power, the six-speed automatic receives an updated torque converter and additional clutch discs.[image id=’27b99665-fa47-40c3-8bb1-cd51577d2b36′ mediaId=’53b86e0a-cb65-4a34-b2c8-5ca01422233a’ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image][pullquote align=’center’]HIGHS: Quicker than its automatic predecessor, joyous handling character, additional features not available with the stick.[/pullquote]If there’s a reason to dog the automatic GR86, it’s that it’s not as quick as the manual car. Our 2862-pound test car sprinted to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in 14.7 seconds at 97 mph. Both times are 0.7 second behind the 24-pound-lighter manual version we recently tested, which means the gap between the manual and automatic in the sprint to 60 mph has been cut in half for this latest generation. The automatic’s times are also 1.5 and 1.2 seconds, respectively, quicker than what we got from a self-shifting 2017 model. We’ll argue that there’s no substitute for the rewarding choreography of clutching and shifting your own gears, but the automatic GR86’s steering-wheel-mounted paddles do prompt snappy ratio swaps, and the transmission won’t automatically upshift at the engine’s redline if you put it in manual mode. [image id=’9b43d377-32b1-4dfd-b173-aed461ac0201′ mediaId=’3af45964-229f-430b-b8ae-04a5788ead05′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’6×4′][/image][editoriallinks id=’da63effa-c836-4c0b-ac04-bd51c2146881′ align=’left’][/editoriallinks]Regardless of its gearbox, the GR86’s goodness is most evident when the pavement turns curvy. This coupe’s high-fidelity steering offers terrific feedback, which helps its driver confidently probe the limits of adhesion (0.95 g on our test car’s 18-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires). Likewise, a firm brake pedal makes for reassuring 153-foot stops from 70 mph. Stopping from 100 mph brought out the brake fade, however, just like we experienced on track in a GR86 at our most recent Lightning Lap. Reinforcements to the latest GR86’s front and rear subframes lend it a more refined, solid-feeling ride that is appropriately taut but not flinty or harsh. Most important, the GR86 remains effortlessly easy to exploit as both a willing cohort for seasoned drivers and a tool for teaching car control to novices. [pullquote align=’center’]LOWS: Slower than its manual counterpart, noisy on the highway, reduced driver involvement.[/pullquote][image id=’59fc9ab7-d74a-423e-8bbb-efb9e0c1a810′ mediaId=’a4656b89-feee-41d5-b702-79ed125cb5c6′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’6×4′][/image]Despite its excellent man/machine connection, the GR86 does have some minor flaws. The interior design and material quality are better than the outgoing 86’s, but this working environment is still more functional than fashionable. And the back seats remain pretty laughable, even for modestly sized humans. Interior noise at 70 mph is a tiring 76 decibels, too, which matches that of the manual. Our other gripes border on nitpicks, but we did wish for additional lumbar support in the driver’s seat, and the ease with which your elbow can accidentally open the center-console lid is annoying. Overall, the automatic GR86 proves that this is still a riot of a car to drive even with only two pedals. What’s more, opt for the slushbox and you’ll get an extra cubby in the center console for storing phones and the like, plus model-exclusive adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The EPA also prefers the automatic version, labeling it with a 25-mpg combined estimate versus the manual’s 22 mpg. Along with the $2600 Premium bundle (summer tires, blind-spot monitoring, heated front seats, and a larger rear spoiler) and a few other options, our test car amounted to a $33,507 ask—a solid value for a stellar driver’s car, even for those not keen on fancy footwork. [vehicle type=’specpanel’ vehicle-body-style=” vehicle-make=” vehicle-model=” vehicle-model-category=” vehicle-submodel=” vehicle-year=”][/vehicle][image id=’bf222a99-967e-406f-a4d3-886f2d33b440′ mediaId=’8620fd85-2d3b-4161-93b7-feaa101935d7′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=’A car-lover’s community for ultimate access & unrivaled experiences. JOIN NOW’ expand=” crop=’original’][/image]

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Who put a Volkswagen engine in my Porsche? It’s a question as old as the brand itself, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Porsche equips its base Macan crossover with a VW/Audi-sourced turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. Also, the brand has been doing it for years, it’s just that this is the first time we’ve been able to test one. Sure, it’d be a potentially more Porsche experience if the Macan borrowed the turbo 2.0-liter flat-four from a 718 Boxster or Cayman, but we know that playing these sorts of “what if” games always end with Bugatti’s quad-turbo 8.0-liter W-16.

We’ve long had some “what ifs” about the base Macan, as Porsche has never loaned us one. It’s the bestselling Macan model, accounting for around 60 percent of sales, and its engine is a ripper in things like the Volkswagen GTI and the Audi A4. In the Macan, the 261-hp turbo four finds itself pushing against 4199 pounds of Porsche. But equipping the Macan with the Sport Chrono option ($1220) adds a wart-like stopwatch to the top of the dashboard and some critical launch-control software. Engaging the system revs the Macan’s four to 5200 rpm before sending all 261 horses charging into the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Porsche doesn’t dumb down the launch control for its SUVs, and it works as well here as it does in its sports cars. Thanks to the aggressive take-off procedure, 60 mph falls in a respectable 5.0 seconds flat. Take out the hard launch and floor it from a 5-mph roll, and the 60-mph trip stretches to 5.9 seconds.

HIGHS: Smarty-pants automatic transmission with launch control, sufficient poise to loom large in sports cars’ mirrors.

If this is the only Macan you’ve driven, this engine will rate somewhere between lovely and more than adequate. But we’ve driven other Macans, and next to the rich timbre and backrest-imprinting thrust of the rest of the lineup’s turbocharged V-6s, the four has to work harder and will occasionally sound like it’s gathering a loogie. The sound does remain in the background, though, as the engine only musters 73 decibels of noise at full throttle. The dual-clutch automatic works well to give you a Porsche experience, quickly downshifting and holding lower gears to help make the most out of the engine. But even it seems to recognize the futility of sending this 2.0-liter mill to its 6800-rpm redline. Unlike the engines that Porsche builds, this one doesn’t get sweeter the closer you are to the redline. Fuel economy is slightly better than the turbocharged V-6s in the rest of the Macan lineup. The four-cylinder earns 21 mpg combined in EPA testing versus the 19 combined for the 375-hp Macan S and 434-hp Macan GTS models.
Aside from the sound of the engine, there aren’t many clues inside this Macan to indicate you’re in a basic version. At 70 mph the cabin only registers a luxury-car-quiet 66 decibels. Porsche’s touchscreen infotainment system does require some familiarization, as the menu structure will undoubtedly confuse new users, but phone mirroring through Apple CarPlay (Android Auto isn’t on the menu) ameliorated most of our complaints. Rear-seat space remains on the tight side of the segment, but headroom is excellent, and the rear-seat shape and cushioning provide long-distance support. On the base version’s 19-inch wheels the ride quality is free of jitters and whacks, provided you don’t set the optional adaptive dampers to Sport mode.

LOWS: Occasional moans from the engine room, relatively soft on power.

Thanks to the selection of chassis upgrades on our test car, this base Macan untangled twisty tarmac with an enthusiasm that reminds us of Porsche’s own sports cars. If that’s important to you be sure to specify the adaptive dampers ($1360), Torque Vectoring Plus ($1500), and summer tires for the standard 19-inch wheels—at least that one’s a freebie—and this lightest version of the Macan, with its 0.89 g of grip, will run with most traffic you’ll likely find on a canyon road. If you read our Macan GTS review, you’ll note that the GTS pulled 0.98 g on the skidpad. But credit its wider tires and track-focused Pirelli P Zero Corsas for that impressive achievement. Most of the suspension upgrades on our test car can now be had on the new Macan T, which will make finding the right mix of handling options easier. Driven aggressively and with a badge delete, no one will ever suspect that there’s anything but a Porsche engine under the hood.

Specifications

Specifications
2022 Porsche MacanVehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $56,250/$63,270 Options: Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, $1500; Porsche Active Suspension Management, $1360; Sport Chrono package, $1220; adaptive cruise control, $990; Bose stereo system, $990; Lane Change Assist, $700; Black and Mojave leather seat trim, $260
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, iron block and aluminum head, direct fuel injectionDisplacement: 121 in3, 1984 cm3Power: 261 hp @ 6500 rpmTorque: 295 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSION
7-speed dual-clutch automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilinkBrakes, F/R: 13.8-in vented disc/13.0-in vented discTires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4F: 235/55R-19 101Y NEOR: 255/50R-19 103Y NEO
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 110.5 inLength: 186.1 inWidth: 75.6 inHeight: 63.8 inPassenger Volume: 96 ft3Cargo Volume: 17 ft3Curb Weight: 4199 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.0 sec1/4-Mile: 13.7 sec @ 98 mph100 mph: 14.4 sec130 mph: 32.5 secResults above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.9 secTop Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.0 secTop Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.0 secTop Speed (mfr’s claim): 144 mphBraking, 70–0 mph: 163 ftBraking, 100–0 mph: 342 ftRoadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.89 g
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 21/19/25 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

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Jeep introduced its 4xe hybrid powertrain last year in the Wrangler, and although Jeep won’t divulge Wrangler 4xe sales numbers, it claims the model was the bestselling plug-in hybrid in 2021. That would mean it beat out PHEVs including the Toyota RAV4 Prime (27,000 units) and Prius Prime (25,000), and that better than 13 percent of the more than 204,000 Wranglers sold last year were PHEVs. Given that reception, applying the 4xe treatment to the brand’s bestseller, the Grand Cherokee, must have seemed like a no-brainer. For Grand Cherokee buyers, however, the decision to step up to the plug-in hybrid is not so obvious.The Grand Cherokee 4xe, which is exclusive to the two-row version, uses the same plug-in-hybrid powertrain as the Wrangler. A 270-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine with 295 pound-feet of torque is assisted by a belt-driven 44-hp motor and another 134-hp electric motor that replaces the eight-speed automatic transmission’s torque converter. The combined output is 375 horsepower with 470 lb-ft of torque. Those figures are higher than the 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft from the 5.7-liter V-8, but only for as long as the 14.0-kWh lithium-ion battery (C/D-estimated usable capacity) has enough juice to contribute.

In the Wrangler, we noted this powertrain’s rocky transitions between gas and electric propulsion, although they were somewhat lost amid the Wrangler’s general cacophony and numb, vague chassis. In the vastly more polished Grand Cherokee, the powertrain’s hesitation and its abrupt transitions stand out. Flatten the accelerator and there’s a pronounced delay before any actual movement. We also were unable to replenish noticeable EV range while in Hybrid mode, but were able to recharge some of the battery while driving in eSave, a mode that uses power from the gas engine only.We found the gas engine—which isn’t fully defeatable in any of the three drivetrain modes—always eager to take over. Naturally, full throttle fires up the engine, but gentler driving can too. During our drive in Austin, Texas, our speed dropped from roughly 33 to 26 mph while we were climbing a grade in Electric mode, and the four-cylinder awoke, interrupting an otherwise silent drive. The punchy turbo four-cylinder has enough torque to get things moving despite Jeep’s claim that the Grand Cherokee 4xe weighs roughly 500 pounds more than V-8 models.
This Grand Cherokee claims 26 miles of EV range. If your commute is roughly 10 miles each way, you never floor the accelerator, you pack your own sandwich for lunch, and you plug the Grand Cherokee 4xe into a Level 2 charger overnight, you could theoretically operate the 4xe like an EV. But the most likely application for the 4xe’s battery-powered driving capability would be to quietly motor to the bathrooms at the other end of a campsite or to make for a silent escape from the parents’ house on a school night. Driving in Hybrid mode makes the most sense in nearly every application, and reaping this powertrain’s fuel-saving benefits will require vigilant at-home charging. (Jeep says replenishing the battery using a 240-volt source takes two to three hours.) The EPA combined rating is 56 MPGe, which is slightly better than the Wrangler’s 49 MPGe (although the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4xe we tested with this powertrain returned just 16 MPGe). After the battery is depleted, the Grand Cherokee 4xe gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined, which is just 1 mpg more than all-wheel-drive V-6 models.
Competing plug-in-hybrid SUVs such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento are better at being PHEVs, with their higher fuel-economy ratings and greater EV range. The Santa Fe, for instance, returns 76 MPGe or 33 mpg and is good for 31 miles of electric range. For the Sorento, those figures are 79 MPGe, 34 mpg, and 32 miles. The beefier Grand Cherokee 4xe, though, is a better SUV, with an impressive 6000-pound towing capacity that among PHEVs is second only to the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid’s 7716-pound limit. And its off-road advantage over more fuel-efficient crossovers is as righteous as Moab’s Hells Gate.
The Grand Cherokee 4xe starts at $57,660, roughly $15,500 more than the base four-wheel-drive V-6 Laredo, and it includes additional standard equipment. The 4xe comes with 18-inch wheels, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation, a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, and a dual-pane sunroof. The 4xe powertrain is also available in Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve grades, and the upcharge over the four-wheel-drive versions of those trims ranges from $8250 to $9915—which can be largely offset by the 4xe’s $7500 federal tax credit. In Summit Reserve form, the Grand Cherokee 4xe tops out at $76,490. At those lofty prices, and given the Grand Cherokee’s overall refinement, the plug-in hybrid’s rough edges begin to grate. And with its limited EV capabilities and relatively modest fuel-economy improvement over a V-6 or V-8 model, the Grand Cherokee 4xe doesn’t seem to offer enough reward for the extra cost and effort.

Specifications

Specifications
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xeVehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base: 4×4, $57,660; Trailhawk, $64,280; Overland; $67,555; Summit, $71,615; Summit Reserve, $76,490
POWERTRAIN
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 270 hp, 295 lb-ft + AC motor, 134 hp, 195 lb-ft (combined output: 375 hp, 470 lb-ft; 14.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack [C/D est]; 7.2-kW onboard charger)Transmission: 8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.7 inLength: 193.5 inWidth: 77.5 inHeight: 70.8–70.9 inPassenger Volume: 107 ft3Cargo Volume: 38 ft3Curb Weight (C/D est): 5400–5600 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 6.8 sec1/4-Mile: 15.0 secTop Speed: 115 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 23/24/23 mpgCombined Gasoline + Electricity: 56 MPGeEV Range: 26 mi

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A strange thing happened multiple times while we were piloting the new Land Rover Range Rover on a beautiful selection of winding two-lane roads that meander through Northern California’s wine country and along its scenic Pacific coast. We’re not sure why, but when we invariably came upon a slower vehicle, they promptly found a turnout and moved out of the way within a couple of corners. This never happens.It’s not as if we were tailgating or flashing our lights, and our SUV wasn’t painted black and white with a light bar on top. Sure, the new Range Rover is easy to hustle along at a good clip and there was a certain closing rate involved, but in our experience the usual reaction is to patently ignore the desires of those behind and stay put until they’re good and ready— especially if they’re holding up just one vehicle.

Land Rover

Perhaps the new Range Rover looks impressive in a rearview mirror, and they wished to take a gander. That’s certainly the case when it’s parked, because there’s a simple elegance to the flowing shape of the new Range Rover that stands in direct opposition to some of the more gimmicky new vehicles of late. Its proportions and roofline are unmistakably Range Rover, but there’s a precision to the execution that makes it appear to be a design study brought to life. Smooth lines flow along its flanks, barely interrupted by gentle curves and subtle creases. It’s a design that demands a precision build, so considerable effort has been put into tightening flushness tolerances and slimming panel gaps. Our favorite such detail might just be the way the body sides roll through 90 degrees to meet the side glass with no chamfer, crease, or molding. We also like how the taillights appear to be black accents until they’re illuminated, at which point they reveal themselves for what they are. The overall shape is as pleasing to the air as it is to the eye, with a remarkable (for an SUV) 0.30 coefficient of drag.

Land Rover

Both the standard (SWB) and long-body (LWB) versions have had their wheelbases stretched by some three inches: from 115.0 to 118.0 inches in the case of the former and 122.9 to 125.9 for the latter. The result is a welcome 1.1-inch increase in rear-seat legroom for the SWB (1.2 inches for the LWB) and an extra six cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Critically, the stretched LWB now allows Land Rover to offer three-row seating for the first time. Proportions remain familiar, though, because tidier overhangs limit the overall length increase to just 2.0 inches, and larger 32-inch tires nicely fill out the subtly enlarged fender openings. Underneath, the rear suspension has been changed from an “integral link” multilink with a complex lower arm to a true five-link setup. The benefits are twofold and significant. The setup makes rear-wheel steering possible, and this new feature (which is standard) chops some five feet off the turning radius despite the elongated wheelbases. A new long-body Rover can hang a U-turn in just 37.9 feet, a maneuver that required 42.8 feet in the outgoing LWB machine and 40.5 in the old SWB model. A new SWB Range Rover can do the deed in just 35.9 feet, which is only 1.5 feet shy of a two-door Jeep Wrangler. The new multilink setup also consumes less inboard packaging space where the links attach, a crucial attribute that allows for the fitment of a transverse electric motor in a full battery-electric (BEV) version. The longer wheelbase also comes into play with the size of the all-important underfloor battery, but such specifics won’t be revealed until later. We know a bit more about how this affects the soon-to-be-released plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model, which has a significantly enlarged 31.8-kWh battery that will enable an expected EPA range rating of 48 miles instead of the outgoing one’s near-useless 19 miles.

Land Rover

Until those plug-ins arrive, two gasoline engines are available. The P400 is a supercharged and turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, which carries over from last year. As before, it makes 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque and is paired with an eight-speed automatic. The combination moves out smartly and smoothly, even when motivating the seven-passenger long-wheelbase SE. Land Rover claims the LWB will reach 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, which is quicker than the previous SWB model. What’s more, EPA-estimated fuel economy is up from 20 to 21 mpg combined (18 city/26 highway) on the strength of a 3-mpg increase in highway fuel economy that owes much to slippery aerodynamics. The P530 twin-turbo V-8 is a new offering, designed and built by BMW to Land Rover specifications. It cranks out 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque and delivers its smooth rush of thrust through an eight-speed automatic. Land Rover says it’s good for a 4.4-second 60-mph time and 8200 pounds of towing capacity. The P530 delivers a refined growl when you stand on it, then fades appropriately into the background when you achieve cruising speed. Changes made for Range Rover duty include a higher intake tract that enables 35.4 inches of water-fording depth and a reworked sump that won’t oil-starve the engine during extreme forward, back, or sideways off-road driving angles.

Land Rover

Northern California’s meandering two-lanes are always being reshaped by earth movement, and the Range Rover handled them admirably. In Comfort mode, the short-wheelbase model’s air springs tended toward float, but in an intentional, stately Range Rover way that could be firmed up by setting the Bilstein adaptive dampers to Dynamic mode. Either way, body motions are far more controlled than before, particularly in roll, where a new faster-acting active anti-roll-bar system can offer counteracting torque to flatten curves and then go appropriately limp on wavy straightaways to combat head toss. Notably, the long-wheelbase seven-seater tended to be a bit less buoyant, perhaps because of rear-suspension tuning differences needed to accommodate seven occupants.Inside, the accommodations are as classy as the appearance outside, with straightforward controls and handsome appointments. The Achilles heel was perhaps the infotainment system, but that may be a case of guilt by association because the menu flow looks similar to earlier versions we didn’t much care for. To be fair, the functions and camera views we did access through the touchscreen were carried out directly, but it’ll take additional interactions and a degree of familiarity to get a better sense of its user-friendliness. We did try out the third-row seat, and it’s easy to access with a tip-forward second row that moves in a way that allows you to keep many forward-facing child seats or boosters belted in place. Once inside, headroom is tight if you’re six feet tall, but you’ll find cupholders, USB-C ports, air-conditioning vents, and seat heaters back there. Land Rover did this part right.

Land Rover

For 2023, the SE is the entry level model, though it hardly feels bare bones. A P400 SE five-seat SWB goes for $102,350, with the long-wheelbase three-row with the same engine going for $108,350. Stepping up to a P530 V-8 in either one costs $17,700. And while we don’t know much about how the P440e plug-in hybrid will drive, we do know it’ll be an SE five-seater starting at a comparatively reasonable $106,250. Meanwhile, the V-8 is standard in the three Autobiography models that span the mid- to high-$150,000 range. Above that, the First Edition executive four-seaters slot in, and if you want the ultimate chauffeured-limousine experience, you’re staring down the barrel of a base price of $212,550 for a long-wheelbase four-place SV.But that vehicle isn’t the one that impresses us most. The brilliance and style of the new Range Rover is apparent even at the SE level with the base P400 powertrain. That’s what really moves the Range Rover up the consideration list, along with the new three-row configuration and useful chassis changes that not only make it more livable every day, they also set the stage for relevant plug-in models in the very near future. Get out of the way, Range Rover is coming on through.

Specifications

Specifications
2023 Land Rover Range RoverVehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 4-, 5-, or 7-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base: P400 SE, $102,350; P440e SE, $106,250; P530 SE, $120,050; Autobiography, $153,800; First Edition, $160,000; SV, $188,200
POWERTRAINS
supercharged, turbocharged, and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter inline-6, 395 hp, 406 lb-ft; supercharged, turbocharged, and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter inline-6, 395 hp, 406 lb-ft + AC motor, 141 hp (combined output: 434 hp, 457 lb-ft; 31.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; 7.2-kW onboard charger; twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve 4.4-liter V-8, 523 hp, 553 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 118.0–125.9 inLength: 198.9–206.8 inWidth: 80.6 inHeight: 73.6 inPassenger Volume: 109–141 ft3Cargo Volume: 9–41 ft3Curb Weight (C/D est): 5500–6100 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 4.2–5.8 sec100 mph: 10.5–15.0 sec1/4-Mile: 12.7–14.5 secTop Speed: 140–155 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 18–21/16–18/21–26 mpgCombined Gasoline + Electricity: 50 MPGeEV Range: 48 mi

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The era where mid-grade luxury SUVs can tangle with American muscle cars is upon us. Take, for example, the $58,795 BMW X3 M40i, which sits between the X3 xDrive30i and the X3 M. It’s propelled by a 382-horsepower turbocharged inline-six that rockets this SUV to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. As impressive as that stand-alone number is, the fact that it flirts with lighter and more powerful V-8–equipped Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Camaros is bonkers. Those Detroit-bred icons will nudge ahead of the X3’s 12.8-second and 107-mph quarter-mile pass, but they can’t fit 24 carry-on-size boxes in their cargo hold while doing so.Behind the X3’s new-for-2022 headlights and larger kidney grille, BMW’s ubiquitous and robust B58 3.0-liter gives a 27-hp bump over the inline-six BMW used before the 2020 model year. The engine’s ability to transform from smooth operation to a lag-free wallop of torque never fails to impress. Nor does the ZF eight-speed automatic, which has a relaxed demeanor under normal operation that mutates into an ability to snap off rapid-fire gearchanges when it’s time for business. The powertrain has been augmented by a newly added 48-volt hybrid system that fills lulls of the engine’s powerband, but if it weren’t for the buttery auto stop/start operation, its presence beneath the hood would go undetected.[image id=’73abb28c-888a-4fdf-92e7-56f30cf83285′ mediaId=’5fd0d4f9-abfd-46f1-becb-2a937b295469′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’6×4′][/image][pullquote align=’center’]HIGHS: Blistering acceleration courtesy of a phenomenal powertrain, powerful brakes.[/pullquote][editoriallinks id=’2817a6d2-ec01-4dfe-b442-08c12fecc5fa’ align=’left’][/editoriallinks]Even with the electric motor and its accompanying battery, the X3 M40i weighs in at a svelte 4378 pounds, just 70 more than the previous M40i. Being from the junior reach of BMW’s M performance tuning outfit, the X3 M40i comes standard with M Sport disc brakes measuring 13.7 inches up front and 13.6 inches in the rear. Our test car rolled on the optional ($600) 20-inch Bridgestone Alenza 001 RFT summer tires, which helped it stop from 70 mph in a tidy 158 feet. Also standard on the M40i are BMW’s Adaptive M dampers, which keep the body largely in check as the Bridgestones cling to the skidpad at 0.88 g while the optional electronically controlled limited-slip differential maximizes available traction on the rear axle.[image id=’b3f76b81-7725-4e50-9211-79ba738f53af’ mediaId=’85c17567-7db4-4414-935c-3da647b91aab’ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’6×4′][/image]Although the M40i puts on a dynamic showcase at the track, it comes at great cost in daily use. BMW has yet to tune electrically assisted power steering to our liking—it’s as if a Porsche or Cadillac product has never graced its benchmark fleet. The steering rack’s hyperactive response to inputs from the thick M Sport steering wheel requires frequent midcorner corrections, and there’s just no sense of what the front wheels are doing. And we’d love to tour the glassy road BMW employs to sign off on the adaptive damper tuning, because in the real world, the dampers’ two modes (Comfort and Sport) may as well be labeled Uncomfortable, Spine Compression, and Rigor Mortis. [pullquote align=’center’]LOWS: Brutal ride quality, steering is out to lunch, missing common driver-assist features.[/pullquote][image id=’3c1148d7-5c10-4bb2-8535-8af52753d9c1′ mediaId=’07911a29-0f57-4cc4-8d67-14be33d2ce56′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]The interior has undergone subtle changes for the mid-cycle refresh, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen infotainment display. With an as-tested price of $64,990, our lightly optioned X3 M40i lacked high-tech niceties such as adaptive cruise, wireless charging, and 360-degree-view camera system. The front seats don’t offer the comfort of those in the Genesis GV70, nor does the interior overall have the same level of opulence as the Korean luxury brand. While the M40i shines as a performance machine, it’s too narrowly focused. Other manufacturers have sorted out how to make their sporty SUVs drive smaller than their profile suggests without compromising regular use, but the M40i falls short of the mark. The X3 may only be one launch-control start away from embarrassing an unsuspecting muscle car, but it’s a few lines of code away from greatness. [vehicle type=’specpanel’ vehicle-body-style=” vehicle-make=” vehicle-model=” vehicle-model-category=” vehicle-submodel=” vehicle-year=”][/vehicle][image id=’bf222a99-967e-406f-a4d3-886f2d33b440′ mediaId=’20506469-c03b-4845-b807-2640952069fd’ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=’A car-lover’s community for ultimate access & unrivaled experiences. JOIN NOW’ expand=” crop=’original’][/image]

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While we were in Germany to enjoy a lengthy stint behind the wheel of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE, our handlers shoehorned in a brief drive of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB as a first taste of the battery-powered subcompact SUV that goes on sale in the States later this year. Whereas the EQE is highly advanced in every way—leading-edge aerodynamics, intergalactic sensor array, sci-fi Hyperscreen, sepulchral silence—the EQB is brighter, lighter, easier to use, and more fun to drive. That brightness is literal. The gas-powered GLB’s upright, roller-skate form is unchanged for the electric version, and the tall windows welcome heaps of light into the cabin and offer far better visibility out of it than we experienced through the compressed greenhouse of the EQE.

Mercedes-Benz

Exterior changes from GLB to EQB are few. The only way to identify this as the all-electric model is from the front by the black panel grille topped with a full-width LED light bar and at the rear by the full-width LED bar connecting the taillights. The EQB will also offer an exclusive rose-gold exterior hue and wheel choices, plus blue trim highlights, depending on chosen option packages. There are some hidden aerodynamic tweaks. Air runs past a resculpted front bumper to active lower shutters, the front lower and rear hatch spoilers are reshaped, there’s a fully enclosed and ribbed underfloor, and the wheel designs are altered. These efforts lower the coefficient of drag from the 0.31 clocked by the GLB 250 4Matic to 0.28. The EQB interior maintains the passenger space of the GLB, and it too offers a pint-sized third row as an option. Cargo room, however, is diminished. The EQB gives up as much as five cubic feet of luggage space depending on how the second and third rows are arranged.

Mercedes-Benz

Compared to the EQE, the tech suite is vastly downsized. The 10.3-inch digital cluster and 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen are the whole show for interactive displays; a head-up display is an option. Once on the road, the EQB is mainly analog and mute. Nothing to do here but drive. Mercedes lists the curb weight for the EQB 350 4Matic we drove at 4795 pounds, which makes it more than 1000 pounds heavier than its gasoline-powered counterpart. Spreading that weight low in the chassis acts like a mass damper, tamping skittishness over rough roads around town as well as countering roll through twisty bits. The EQB, though, is a claimed 400 pounds lighter than the EQE 350 4Matic. And the EQB 350 4Matic makes the same 288 horsepower as the EQE 350, and its 384 pound-feet of torque is just fractionally lower, so those missing 400 pounds make their absence felt when accelerating or cornering. (An EQB 300 4Matic with 225 horsepower and 288 pound-feet will also be offered.) The electric motors in the EQB also vanquish the laggy throttle we lamented in the GLB 250 4Matic, with the result being that the crossover dove through serpentine roads outside Stuttgart feeling more like the AMG GLB 35.

Mercedes-Benz

With a 66.5-kWh battery, the European WLTP range figure checks in at 260 miles. Our EPA-rated number will be lower, although we don’t expect the EQB to end up far from the Audi Q4 E-tron and the Volkswagen ID.4—the competition Mercedes-Benz is targeting. Hooking up to a DC fast-charger at the pack’s max charge rate of 100 kW takes the battery from 10 percent to 80 percent in 32 minutes, according to Mercedes.The EQB welcomes drivers to the world of electron-fueled powertrains without risk of digital overload, making it a steppingstone to the EQE in more ways than platform, price, and model designation. Both EVs are dandy for different reasons. The EQE wants to be all you need and all you can imagine needing for the foreseeable electric future, but its learning curve is long. The EQB, by contrast, is a familiar, laid-back, practical city car that also enjoys a little electric boogaloo along fun two-lane back roads. For anyone who finds the GLB appealing, there’s nothing here not to like.

Specifications

Specifications
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQBVehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5- or 7-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE (C/D EST)
Base: 300 4Matic, $45,000; 350 4Matic, $65,000
POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: permanent-magnet induction ACRear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous ACCombined Power: 225 or 288 hpCombined Torque: 288 or 384 lb-ftBattery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 66.5 kWhOnboard Charger: 11.0 kWTransmissions, F/R: direct-drive

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 111.4 inLength: 184.4 inWidth: 72.2 inHeight: 67.0–67.2 inCargo Volume: 23 ft3Curb Weight (C/D est): 4800 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 6.0–7.8 sec1/4-Mile: ¬14.7–16.2 secTop Speed: 100 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 97/97/97 MPGeRange: 250 mi

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The 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 has one analog gauge: the tachometer. It’s huge, dead ahead through the steering wheel. And if you spec a GT3 with the six-speed manual transmission, it’s a vital instrument. That’s because, unless you own an early Honda S2000 or some type of Hayabusa-powered Ford Festiva, you’re probably not accustomed to shifting gears at 9000 rpm. Shift by ear in the GT3, and you might grab the next ratio at 7000 rpm—which is, preposterously, short-shifting by a wide margin. So, you keep that tach in your peripheral vision, and when the yellow lights alongside it start to flash, that’s when your left foot goes to the clutch and your right hand to the shifter. At 9000 rpm, it sounds as if the 502-hp 4.0-liter flat-six is trying to overtake the car itself. It sounds like a GT3 Cup car’s engine back there. Which, of course, it mostly is.The GT3’s six-speed manual is a different animal than the seven-speed stick in other 911s, tracing its lineage back to the 2016 911 R model. While the seven-speed unit uses Porsche’s clever “mechanically converted shift actuator” (MECOSA) to translate its PDK dual-clutch-automatic-derived guts into an H-shift pattern, no such system is needed on the six-speed, which is gloriously easy to slot into the proper gear. It feels somehow frictionless until the soft crunch of engagement tells you you’ve hit the next cog. Revs climb—and fall off—instantly, as if the 4.0-liter has a fidget spinner for a flywheel. Mundane chores like parallel parking inevitably attract lookie-loos, so keep those revs up. Stalling a GT3 is almost as bad as stalling an airplane, in terms of embarrassment, if not consequences.

HIGHS: A six-speed connected to a 9000-rpm masterpiece, race-car grip, the manual costs nothing extra.

A manual gearbox suits a machine that’s so thoroughly devoted to an unfiltered driving experience. Our $197,935 test car’s limited selection of options was almost all related to speed or performance: $10,110 for carbon-ceramic brakes, $5900 for fixed-back carbon bucket seats, $230 for the extended-range 23.7-gallon fuel tank that maybe ought to be standard, given that the GT3 drinks fuel like a four-wheel-drive Chevy Tahoe (16 mpg combined, per the EPA). The GT3’s $164,150 base price does include a single cupholder, positioned directly in front of the shifter. Do not use the cupholder.In the GT3’s Normal drive mode, you can try to rev-match downshifts yourself. In Sport and Track modes, the car does it for you. Reverse is up and to the left of first gear, and its detent—pushing down on the shifter—does not exactly require the hand of a seven-foot-tall bouncer with brass knuckles. Tip: If you think you’re in first gear but the backup camera is on, best check your work before dropping the clutch.

LOWS: Not as quick as the PDK model, makes you sad to drive cars that are not manual-transmission GT3s, good luck finding one.

Grab a perfect launch and the six-speed GT3 will hit 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and run the quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds at 124 mph. Those are great numbers, but far in arrears of the automatic car’s 2.7-second dash to 60 and its 10.9-second quarter-mile pass at 129 mph. The manual GT3 weighs slightly less than the PDK car (3199 pounds versus 3222 pounds) and manages to improve on the automatic model’s skidpad grip (1.16 g’s compared to 1.11 g’s). But there’s a reason that Porsche sent an automatic GT3 to represent the car at our Lightning Lap event—the dual-clutch gearbox makes for quicker lap times. In choosing the manual transmission, you’re deliberately surrendering performance. And why would you do that?
Well, because you can spare a half-second here or there in the name of glorious mechanical involvement. And because, with a manual, this car draws a straight line back to the first 911s, except it’s so much better. Plus, there’s the snob appeal. The GT3 is its own exclusive club, and the manual GT3 is the roped-off VIP area inside that party. No poseurs allowed. This is like the GT3 versus 911 Turbo debate distilled to an intra-GT3 rivalry. Do you prioritize raw emotion or raw speed? While the manual option costs zilch, it ought to be a statement credit. But that is an accounting oversight we can stomach, especially when the GT3 feels like a bargain.

Specifications

Specifications
2022 Porsche 911 GT3Vehicle Type: rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $164,150/$197,935 Options: Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes with high gloss black calipers, $10,100; full bucket seats, $5900; leather and Race-Tex interior in black with GT Silver stitching, $4730; Lava Orange paint, $4220; front axle-lift system, $3670; Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, $2032; wheels painted Satin Dark Silver, $1290; LED headlights in Black, $850; auto-dimming mirrors with rain sensor, $700; 23.7-gallon fuel tank, $230
ENGINE
DOHC 24-valve flat-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injectionDisplacement: 244 in3, 3996 cm3Power: 502 hp @ 8400 rpmTorque: 346 lb-ft @ 6100 rpm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed manual
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilinkBrakes, F/R: 16.1-in vented, cross-drilled, carbon-ceramic disc/15.1-in vented, cross-drilled, carbon-ceramic discTires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 RF: 255/35ZR-20 (97Y) N0R: 315/30ZR-20 (105Y) N0
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 96.7 inLength: 180.0 inWidth: 72.9 inHeight: 50.4 inPassenger Volume: 49 ft3Cargo Volume: 5 ft3Curb Weight: 3199 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.3 sec100 mph: 7.5 sec1/4-Mile: 11.5 sec @ 124 mph130 mph: 12.5 sec150 mph: 18.2 secResults above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.2 secTop Gear, 30–50 mph: 7.5 secTop Gear, 50–70 mph: 7.0 secTop Speed (mfr’s claim): 199 mphBraking, 70–0 mph: 134 ftBraking, 100–0 mph: 262 ftRoadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.16 g
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 16/14/18 mpg

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