Car Reviews

It can be tough when you have a world-famous sibling. Just ask Jeb Bush. At Hyundai, the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 have been basking in the limelight; together they’ve garnered back-to-back EV of the Year wins, among other accolades. Other Hyundai EVs haven’t been so lucky. The now-defunct and just-plain Ioniq EV never got the same attention—proving it doesn’t always pay to be first—nor has the battery-powered Kona been elevated to celebrity status. The Kona Electric arrived for 2019, one year after the gas-engine subcompact SUV version joined the lineup, but buyers remained focused on the more traditional one. For 2024, the Kona—both versions—enters its second generation. It gets a new look and other upgrades, but we’re still not predicting that the Kona Electric will become a marquee name among EVs.Hyundai has has amped up the styling for both the gas and electric versions. At the front is a blanked-off fascia topped by a full-width light bar, a flourish echoed at the rear. Beyond the new look, the other major change is a bigger footprint, as the new Kona is larger than before in length (ICE Kona, 5.7 inches; Kona Electric, 5.9 inches), width (1.0 inch), and wheelbase (2.3 inches). It goes from being among the smallest of its ilk to the largest.HIGHS: Newly accommodating cabin, agreeable dynamics, solid range.One result is that the new Kona is much roomier than before. The back seat adds 3.0 inches of legroom, and passengers enjoy a flat floor, decent headroom, and seats with a comfortable H-point. Narrow door openings limit access however. The cargo hold has grown too, by seven cubic feet.The cabin now boasts side-by-side 12.3-inch digital displays, just like Hyundai’s more expensive models. The switchgear consists largely of real buttons rather than touch nonsense. And while we’re generally averse to novelty shifters, the Kona Electric’s column-mounted twist-flipper isn’t hard to acclimate to. There’s also stowage, stowage everywhere: all kinds of space in the center console, plus a tray in the dash ahead of the front-seat passenger. But nearly everything in the cabin is formed out of hard plastic.Two powertrains are on offer, a 133-hp base motor—a new addition for 2024—and a 201-horse example. Both are front-wheel drive. We drove the 201-hp version, which is quick enough for its intended mission of scooting around town, although drivers who’ve been hearing about EVs with muscle-car-beating acceleration might be left scratching their head. To wit, the Kona Electric hummed its way to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds in our testing and motored through the quarter-mile in 15.5 seconds at 93 mph. Both figures represent some backsliding compared to the previous-gen Kona EV we tested, which along with being 98 pounds lighter, was 0.6 second quicker to 60 and half a second quicker in the quarter-mile.LOWS: Hard plastics inside, modest acceleration, Limited’s eyebrow-raising price.Buyers likely will be far more interested in a different number: the EV’s range. Here, the story is brighter. The EPA pegs the Kona Electric with its 64.8-kWh battery at 261 miles (versus 258 miles for the previous model with a similar-sized pack). In our 75-mph highway range test, the Kona Electric wasn’t far off that estimate, with a 230-mile result. Note that those figures are for the SEL and Limited; the base SE gets a smaller, 48.6-kWh battery that carries an EPA estimate of just 200 miles.The Kona Electric doesn’t share its flashier siblings’ 800-volt architecture, so it’s not as quick to charge, but it is quicker than before. At a DC fast-charger, the Kona’s 400-volt architecture can gulp electrons at up to 100 kilowatts. And the car’s L2 charger has been upgraded from a 7.2-kW to a 10.8-kW unit, which slashes the 10 to 100 percent charging time at a 240-volt source by a third (now 6 hours, 5 minutes), according to Hyundai.Related StoriesThe Kona Electric isn’t at the level of the Ioniq 5 and 6, but it’s still a pleasant EV. The chassis is also well sorted for an in-town runabout, albeit with a fair bit of lean in the corners. The steering has some artificially added weight—it doesn’t change with cornering forces—but the effort levels are fine. The Kona Electric’s braking should please drivers no matter where they fall on the regenerative braking spectrum. Paddles allow you to adjust the level of liftoff regen from none (full coasting) to one-pedal driving (i-Pedal) with several steps in between. And those who do use the brake pedal will find predictable modulation. Stopping distances from 70 mph, however, were a longish 179 feet, which is six feet worse than we recorded with the previous Kona Electric.VERDICT: Nothing that a $7500 tax credit couldn’t fix.We tested the Limited, which is generously equipped, with heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, Hyundai’s blind-spot monitor, a 360-degree-view camera system, key fob–operated remote parking, and digital key. At $42,650 as tested, though, a wandering eye looks longingly across the showroom at the Ioniq 5 for less than $1000 more or the Ioniq 6 SE Long Range for $43,600. Perhaps, then, you’d drop down to the Kona Electric SEL, which starts at $38,070. We’d avoid the entry-level SE ($34,070), with its smaller battery and shorter range. At the high end, though, we’d be more tempted by one of the Kona Electric’s superstar siblings.SpecificationsSpecifications
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric LimitedVehicle Type: front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $42,440/$42,650Options: carpeted floor mats, $210
POWERTRAIN
Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 201 hp, 188 lb-ftBattery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 64.8 kWhOnboard Charger: 10.8 kWPeak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 100 kWTransmission: direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilinkBrakes, F/R: 12.0-in vented disc/11.8-in discTires: Kumho Solus TA51 Premium All Season215/60R-17 96H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 104.7 inLength: 171.5 inWidth: 71.9 inHeight: 62.0 inPassenger Volume, F/R: 52/45 ft3Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 64/26 ft3Curb Weight: 3865 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.0 sec1/4-Mile: 15.5 sec @ 93 mph100 mph: 18.1 secResults above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.1 secTop Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.6 secTop Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.7 secTop Speed (gov ltd): 109 mphBraking, 70–0 mph: 179 ftRoadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.83 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
75-mph Highway Driving: 110 MPGe75-mph Highway Range: 230 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 116/129/103 MPGeRange: 261 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINEDJoe Lorio has been obsessed with cars since his Matchbox days, and he got his first subscription to Car and Driver at age 11. Joe started his career at Automobile Magazine under David E. Davis Jr., and his work has also appeared on websites including Amazon Autos, Autoblog, AutoTrader, Hagerty, Hemmings, KBB, and TrueCar. More

Typically, if you want a two-row SUV with the extra cargo-carrying capacity of a three-row, you must suck it up, buy the latter, and just live with stowed seats eating up a bit of that space. But not at Mazda. In creating the two-row CX70 hybrid, the Japanese automaker took its largest SUV, excised the rearmost seats, and—well, actually, that’s about it. But just as the 2025 Mazda CX-70’s provenance is one of compromise, the result feels equally full of concession.Fewer Seats, Same PerformanceThe Mazda CX-70 is, quite literally, a CX-90 without the extra seats. The mid-size hybrid’s body is no different—even inside, where cargo capacity is an identical 40 cubic feet behind the second row and the same 75 cubic feet with the rear seats stowed (that’s compared to a CX-90 with a two-seat third row; next to a CX-90 with a three-seat third row, the CX-70 has one more cube). Heck, even the cabin’s cargo-hold panels still retain the third-row cupholders. After all, groceries and baseball equipment must have their thirst quenched on occasion too. Thankfully, aside from that oddity, the CX-70 interior is delightfully upscale and full of materials that are interesting to both gaze upon and touch. Par for the Mazda course there.It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the CX-70’s copy-paste job extends beyond its hard-plastic inner walls. Our top-trim CX-70 test car also relies on the same plug-in-hybrid powertrain as its sibling. A 189-hp 2.5-liter inline-four pairs with a 173-hp electric motor nestled between the engine and its eight-speed automatic transmission. Net output is the same as the CX-90 PHEV: 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Even the battery is the same, with an estimated usable capacity of 14.8 kilowatt-hours.HIGHS: Loads of cargo space, good looks inside and out, CX-50-rivaling economy.Expunging the third row has a negligible weight difference—the CX-70 is just 52 pounds lighter on our scales—and thus the two Mazdas are nearly equally matched in performance as well. Both models required 5.9 seconds to reach 60 mph in our testing, and both crossed the quarter-mile mark at 97 mph, although the CX-70 got there 0.1 second quicker (14.4 seconds versus 14.5). The CX-70’s 0.82-g skidpad run is within a rounding error of the CX-90’s 0.83 g. Braking is nearly even too, with the CX-70 adding five feet to the CX-90’s 166-foot result.What these numbers translate to is a two-row hybrid SUV that feels more than a little porcine. The CX-50, by contrast, is a true two-row mid-sizer, and its properly proportioned footprint makes it way more rewarding to drive than the CX-70. The PHEV’s bulk is down low, so it doesn’t feel top-heavy, just regular heavy. Throw Mazda’s surprisingly overweight steering tuning into the equation, and at no point is a CX-70 driver unaware of the mass hulking underfoot.Sadly, we didn’t get a chance to run the CX-70 through our usual highway fuel economy test. But given the CX-70’s near-copycat job of the CX-90, we expect roughly the same performance. That would mean about 26 miles of electric-only range and about 28 mpg at a steady 75 mph. That’s the same fuel economy we clocked in a CX-50 Turbo, which is smaller and carries less cargo, so moving up to the CX-70 won’t make one’s time at the pump any worse on the wallet.A Puzzling PowertrainMazda’s plug-in-hybrid arrangement isn’t as smooth as others. Some of that comes down to packaging. In the CX-70, the electric motor lives between the engine and eight-speed transmission. That means e-motivation must go through the transmission, a largely uncomfortable experience that ruins the consistent, effortless, off-you-go vibe a single-speed electric motor provides. You don’t know when the EV gear changes are coming, but they will, and they’re all bad.LOWS: Clumsy PHEV powertrain, unavoidable mass, CX-90-matching price.We also discovered a strange powertrain interplay in one specific scenario. As you wrap up second gear at wide-open throttle, the cabin will fill with a deep, loud resonance just before shifting to third, but only sometimes, and never outside that situation (as far as we could determine). And unlike our sense of self-importance, this isn’t imaginary: The clamor registered at 85 decibels on our microphones, a far cry from the 79 decibels we reported during normal WOT sound testing. The pedals could use a little bit of tuning too. The throttle is a tricky one. Tip-in behavior is too jumpy, but it’s better to have the internal-combustion engine kick in sooner; if you need to call it up mid-drive under EV operation, the whole process takes about two Mississippis, so you spend far too much time with the throttle buried and nothing to show for it. The brake is also touchy at the top end, but it blends friction and regeneration nicely later in the throw, and we found it easy to modulate in traffic past the initial bite.In general around-town driving, like what we imagine most CX-70 buyers will do with their cars, it’s a perfectly fine conveyance. The dynamic power gauge makes it easy to stay in EV mode as desired, and it shows you the exact point where your right foot will engage the internal-combustion engine. The changeover is far from graceful, but once every part of the powertrain clocks in for work, things don’t feel as clumsy.Some PHEVs don’t let you charge the battery an appreciable amount while out and about. Which is fine—plugging in is really the way to go—but having the option doesn’t hurt, and Mazda is happy to oblige. All it takes to do so is a quick press of a center-console button. And, unlike others, Mazda even lets you set a max charge percentage, so if you only need the last half of the battery to make it home from the highway, you can ask the system to charge and hold only that much in reserve. Don’t expect speedy charging though; since the engine still has to motivate the CX-70, it only siphons off a bit of power to juice up the battery, which means you might only add a few miles of EV range in an hour of highway driving. Dollars and SenseIf you were hoping that the CX-70 PHEV would split the price difference between the CX-50 and the CX-90 hybrid, consider your hopes dashed. As of this writing, the most expensive CX-50 starts at $44,720, while the cheapest CX-90 Preferred PHEV will set you back $51,400. But the CX-70’s two available plug-in trims—the $55,855 Premium and $58,905 Premium Plus—cost the same as the commensurate CX-90 PHEV trims. C’mon, Mazda, you can’t even throw us 50 bucks for skipping the extra seats? (The CX-70 has five gas-only trims between $41,900 and $57,405.)VERDICT: While neither a clown nor a joker, this PHEV answers a question we’re not sure anybody asked.Mazda’s marketing department may have won the war to make the CX-70 its own model, instead of a simple option box for the CX-90. No matter, the CX-70 is sort of a weird in-betweener. It’s a two-row SUV with the space of a three-row, and that extra capacity could be a huge boon to families who haul things more often than people. However, the CX-70 is more unwieldy than a properly sized two-row, and deleting the third row doesn’t free up any appreciable storage space, although it does limit you to five occupants max. For better or for worse, there’s nothing quite like it.SpecificationsSpecifications
2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV Premium PlusVehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, all-wheel drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $58,905/$59,355Options: Melting Copper Metallic paint, $450
Powertrain
DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter inline-4, 189 hp, 192 lb-ft + AC motor, 173 hp, 199 lb-ft (combined output: 323 hp, 369 lb-ft; 14.8-kWh [C/D est] lithium-ion battery pack; 7.2-kW onboard chargerTransmission: 8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilinkBrakes, F/R: 13.7-in vented disc/13.8-in vented discTires: Falken Ziex CT60A A/S275/45R-21 107W M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 122.8 inLength: 200.8 inWidth: 78.5 inHeight: 68.2 inPassenger Volume, F/R: 57/51 ft3Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 75/40 ft3Curb Weight: 5184 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.9 sec1/4-Mile: 14.4 sec @ 97 mph100 mph: 15.2 secResults above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.2 secTop Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 secTop Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.9 secTop Speed (gov ltd): 118 mphBraking, 70–0 mph: 171 ftRoadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.82 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 27 MPGe
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway (C/D est): 25/24/27 mpgCombined Gasoline + Electricity: 56 MPGeEV Range: 26 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINEDCars are Andrew Krok’s jam, along with boysenberry. After graduating with a degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009, Andrew cut his teeth writing freelance magazine features, and now he has a decade of full-time review experience under his belt. A Chicagoan by birth, he has been a Detroit resident since 2015. Maybe one day he’ll do something about that half-finished engineering degree. More

From the July/August issue of Car and Driver.It was big news when Nissan revealed the latest Z. After years of seemingly ignoring its iconic sports car, Nissan brought it back with a 400-hp twin-turbo V-6. The excitement didn’t last, and the redesigned Z finished last in its first C/D comparison test. The “new” Z simply felt like a reskinned version of the old car but with a bit more power.Enter the Z NISMO. A thorough redo by Nissan’s performance division, the Z NISMO impressed us at our Lightning Lap competition at Virginia International Raceway. With 420 horses and 384 pound-feet of torque—gains of 20 and 34, respectively—as well as wider tires on forged wheels, stiffer anti-roll bars, larger front brakes, and bigger dampers with firmer springs, the NISMO felt in its element racing against the clock. Tracks usually expose weaknesses, but this one actually masked the NISMO’s flaws. In the real world, where the streets aren’t freshly steamrolled, the added stiffness becomes tiresome, and the tight body control that feels so nice at 1.02 g’s shakes you silly in the NISMO’s standard Recaro seats. The brakes that performed so well when pushed to their limit at VIR are grabby and inconsistent, making it impossible to come to a complete stop smoothly.More on the Z NISMOChassis shortcomings aside, the model-specific Sport+ drive mode and launch control for the automatic transmission deliver drama-free 3.9-second blasts to 60 mph and 12.4-second trips through the quarter-mile at 114 mph. Those numbers are within striking distance of the more powerful BMW M2 and Ford Mustang Dark Horse.While BMW and Ford offer manuals, Nissan makes the NISMO only with a nine-speed automatic. And then there’s the $66,890 price and the HVAC controls from the George W. Bush era. We’re happy a vehicle like the NISMO exists, but it could be a better road car. SpecificationsSpecifications
2024 Nissan Z NISMOVehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door hatchback
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $66,890/$69,095Options: Brilliant Silver Metallic and Super Black two-tone paint, $1295; floor mat package (NISMO floor mats, trunk mat, first aid kit, cargo net, owner’s manual branded portfolio) $410; illuminated black metallic kick plate, $500
ENGINEtwin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injectionDisplacement: 183 in3, 2997 cm3Power: 420 hp @ 6400 rpmTorque: 384 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm 
TRANSMISSION9-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilinkBrakes, F/R: 15.0-in vented disc/13.8-in vented discTires: Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600F: 255/40R-19 100Y Extra LoadR: 285/35R-19 103Y Extra Load
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 100.4 inLength: 173.2 inWidth: 73.6 inHeight: 51.8 inCurb Weight: 3673 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.9 sec100 mph: 9.4 sec1/4-Mile: 12.4 sec @ 114 mph130 mph: 17.0 sec150 mph: 26.6 secResults above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.4 secTop Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.8 secTop Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.4 secTop Speed (C/D est): 165 mphBraking, 70–0 mph: 153 ftBraking, 100–0 mph: 305 ftRoadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.02 g 
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 18 mpg75-mph Highway Driving: 27 mpg75-mph Highway Range: 440 mi 
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 19/17/24 mpg 
C/D TESTING EXPLAINEDDavid Beard studies and reviews automotive related things and pushes fossil-fuel and electric-powered stuff to their limits. His passion for the Ford Pinto began at his conception, which took place in a Pinto. More

At the launch of the 718 Spyder RS, Andreas Preuninger, the man in charge of all Porsche GT cars, was asked which non-GT 911 is his favorite. There are after all some 20 models between the 911 Carrera and whatever is the current most expensive variant (at the moment, the Turbos). He said the Turbo S, because he can make calls at high speed and it’s comfortable and very quick. Then he posed the question to me, and I said, “Whatever is the cheapest one with a manual transmission. The 911 T, right?” At which point he slapped me on the shoulder, affirmed that was the correct answer, and changed his. So, I’ve got that going for me.The point of that story is that he knows the bones of the cars he molds and that the greatness of a GT3 RS or an S/T wouldn’t be possible if the starting point were anything but exceptional. This holds true for the newly refreshed 2025 911 Carrera. A manual transmission may not be in the cards at the moment, but the incremental changes to the rest of the car are an improvement. Power comes from a lightly breathed upon but otherwise carryover 3.0-liter flat-six. Unlike the new GTS, which utilizes a single electrified turbocharger, the Carrera carries on with two turbos, but they are from the outgoing GTS, and the intercoolers are from the previous-gen 911 Turbo. These changes net efficiency gains that contribute to a small power increase of nine horsepower for a total of 388 horses at 6500 rpm. Peak torque remains 331 pound-feet, though that’s available at 2000 rpm, 100 rpm higher in the rev range. Redline is unchanged at 7400 rpm. Response is good. Not the lag-free experience of the new Carrera GTS, but not much is. More on the 911 CarreraThe exterior shape is unchanged—why mess with a shape that’s worked for eight generations?—though typical of a mid-cycle refresh, the bumpers have been revised, and there’s more standard content. The LED Matrix headlights with auto high beams constitute the most noteworthy addition. HD LED Matrix lights are also available, but as we’ve seen with other automakers’ dynamic high-beams, their 16,384 light sources per side work in unison rather than illuminating specific parts of the road to keep bright lights from shining on oncoming traffic. Active cruise control is available and so is night vision, which displays in the now 100 percent digital instrument cluster, but avoid those options as they come with unsightly sensors in the grille.That’s right, not only does the 911 not have an analog speedometer, it doesn’t have an old-timey tach either. The 12.6-inch curved screen can display up to seven different views, depending on how the car is equipped. Every Carrera also gets the steering-wheel-mounted drive-mode switch as standard. (It was previously reserved for models equipped with the Sport Chrono package.) Added to the list of no-cost options, which also includes the Smoking package (an ashtray insert for the cupholder) and a storage net in the passenger footwell, is the small back seat. The back seat may add a bit of weight, but its versatility is mandatory, in our opinion. A base Carrera should weigh just under 3400 pounds, and Porsche says the car is 0.1 second quicker to 60 mph, but the last Carrera we tested hit 60 in 3.2 seconds, which is 0.5 second quicker than Porsche’s estimate for the new model (with the Sport Chrono package). So don’t be too shocked if it ties the outgoing car in terms of acceleration. From behind the wheel the experience is all but unchanged. The steering is communicative; the eight-speed dual-clutch behaves like a professionally trained German shepherd and never barks back or ignores a command. The 911 is a cohesive round pod that brings joy to each mile. That’s a difficult thing to price, but Porsche has, as you expect. The 911 has gotten more expensive, now starting at $122,095. There isn’t a lot of competition at that price point. You can get a V-8 by either undercutting it with the much less pricey Chevrolet Corvette or spending a good bit more on a Mercedes-AMG GT55. Or try to find a Lotus Emira or one of the few remaining Jaguar F-Types. All these cars try to capture the 911’s magic, because the Carrera remains the gold standard by which all other sports cars are judged. SpecificationsSpecifications
2025 Porsche 911 CarreraVehicle Type: rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2- or 2+2-passenger, 2-door coupe or convertible
PRICE
Base: Carrera, $122,095; Carrera Cabriolet, $135,395
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve flat-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injectionDisplacement: 182 in3, 2981 cm3Power: 388 hp @ 6500 rpmTorque: 331 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed dual-clutch automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 96.5 inLength: 178.8 inWidth: 72.9 inHeight: 51.2 inTrunk Volume: 5 ft3Curb Weight (C/D est): 3400–3550 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 3.2–3.3 sec100 mph: 7.9–8.0 sec1/4-Mile: 11.5–11.6 secTop Speed: 183 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 20/18/24 mpgK.C. Colwell, the executive editor at Car and Driver, is a seasoned professional with a deep-rooted passion for new cars and technology. His journey into the world of automotive journalism began at an early age when his grandmother gifted him a subscription to Car and Driver for his 10th birthday. This gift sparked a lifelong love for the industry, and he read every issue between then and his first day of employment. He started his Car and Driver career as a technical assistant in the fall of 2004. In 2007, he was promoted to assistant technical editor. In addition to testing, evaluating, and writing about cars, technology, and tires, K.C. also set the production-car lap record at Virginia International Raceway for C/D’s annual Lightning Lap track test and was just the sixth person to drive the Hendrick Motorsport Garage 56 Camaro. In 2017, he took over as testing director until 2022, when was promoted to executive editor and has led the brand to be one of the top automotive magazines in the country. When he’s not thinking about cars, he likes playing hockey in the winter and golf in the summer and doing his best to pass his good car sense and love of ’90s German sedans to his daughter. He might be the only Car and Driver editor to own a Bobcat: the skidsteer, not the feline. Though, if you have a bobcat guy, reach out. K.C. resides in Chelsea, Michigan, with his family. More

From the May 1986 issue of Car and Driver.Svenska Aeroplan AB, commonly known as Saab, was formed in 1937. Despite its background, this famed Swedish aircraft producer, which branched out into auto­mobile production in 1949, has recently built fairly blunt-looking cars. The new 9000 (C/D, December) may ruin that repu­tation, but even in the face of that sleek se­dan, Saab continues to bluff the winds of change with the relatively upright 900. It survives because it’s practical and because Saab’s engineers regularly sneak the dev­il’s work under its hood. When the Saab Turbo appeared, its hissing exhaust spoke with a forked tail. Then Saab loaded it with twin cams and sixteen valves, and its clo­ven hoofs scrabbled to put the power down, spelling out its personality in black strips, the most lurid of highway hieroglyphics. But not everybody wants to sell their soul to the devil for eternity, and to the bank for 48 months, and that’s where the new 900S comes in. By offering sixteen­-valve responsiveness without the expense of the turbo package, the S splits the whop­ping $6000 difference between the saintly 900 and the satanic 900 Turbo.Dick Kelley|Car and DriverThe S boots up on 195/60HR-15 steel-­belted radials and alloy wheels and high­-pressure gas shocks, but lacks the Turbo’s anti-roll bars. Nevertheless, its cornering, even at the 0.76-g maximum, feels flatter and better controlled than that of past mid-market Saabs. Luckily, the Turbo’s firmly contoured seats have made the tran­sition to the S, and the accommodations all around are couched in velour. The picky driver may note the proximity of pedals to seat and may wish the accurate steering were heavier, but their complaints will be drowned by huzzahs from happy passen­gers, who have for themselves and their luggage plenty of room and comfort. Any dunce who absconds with your stereo, however, will be genuinely unhappy about the steal-me, junk-me electronic AM/FM­-stereo/cassette unit, which takes a perma­nent nap unless the correct code is fed back into its memory after any interruption of power. Of the 100,000 cars built by Saab last year, America snapped up 38,000—enough to qualify the U.S. as a major piece of Saab’s automobile action. Americans hanker for cars that can flat scat across an intersection at the drop of a light. We like to get to the far side first, so we need torque down low, where it rolls out in our favor like doctored dice. More on SaabSaab figures its sixteen-valve four­-banger will roll sevens all night long. At 2.0 liters, the upgraded normally aspirated four produces more than one horsepower per cubic inch, and fifteen horsepower more than the eight-valver in the base 900; the 900 makes 110 hp at 5250 rpm, while our S puts out 125 hp at 5500 rpm. The torque peaks at 123 pounds-feet at 3000 rpm for the S, a handy 500 rpm lower than the 900’s 119 pounds-feet. Like all four-valve-per-cylinder layouts, Saab’s is aimed at increased efficiency and flexibility through improved breathing and combustion. The S’s fuel charge arrives with the impetus of Bosch LH­-Jetronic fuel injection behind it, and air travels into the engine via ram-tuned in­take tracts. Saab tech director Gunnar Larsson chose not to provide two small and symmetrical intake ports per cylinder, but instead developed one round and one D-shaped tract to feed each combustion chamber. This causes a valve-to-valve ve­locity difference that helps generate useful turbulence inside the chambers.Dick Kelley|Car and DriverFuel economy hovers at 20 mpg, 1 mpg less than the 900’s. The sixteen-valve en­gine produces clearly superior drivability; because it’s boxed inside such a tall, rela­tively weighty shell, however, it makes the S no Krakatoa among factory-souped se­dans. Even so, it cures the breathlessness that straps the 900, noticeably lightening its load and transforming the selection of the five gears in the somewhat clunky box into headier steps. At 10.0 seconds, the S does reasonably well from 0 to 60, though its towering façade, which ranks behind only that of Yosemite’s El Capitan, turns a 0-to-100 test into a 51.8-second enduro and quells the top speed at a ho-hum 104 miles per hour.Even without Saab’s turbocharger to huff and puff in assistance, the sixteen valves pump their little hearts out. Fortu­nately, they’re covered by Saab’s new three-year/36,000-mile warranty, which lasts for the full duration even if the car is resold to other owners. By next summer, 900-series Saabs will scamper ashore with optional convertible tops. Topped or top­less, the 900S will hit it off with those who crave practicality as much as performance, at a base price of $16,095. The S feels faster than the 900, and it is, just as the devil intended, but its middling performance may still leave you on the horns of his dilemma.SpecificationsSpecifications
1986 Saab 900SVehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 3-door hatchback
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $16,095/$16,401
ENGINEDOHC 16-valve inline-4, iron block and aluminum headDisplacement: 121 in3, 1985 cm3Power: 125 hp @ 5500 rpm 
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 99.1 inLength: 186.6 inCurb Weight: 2776 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 10.0 sec1/4-Mile: 17.4 sec @ 77 mph100 mph: 51.8 secTop Speed: 104 mphBraking, 70–0 mph: 209 ftRoadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.76 g 
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 19 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMYCity: 20 mpg 
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED More

Not since Porsche blew air cooling out the back door in 1999 with the 996-generation 911 has there been a bigger change that will upset more Porsche fans than the hybridization of the 911. Fans, however, are not necessarily owners, and those with the means will not mind the 21st-century tech one bit, because if Porsche didn’t tell anyone this updated 992.2 was a hybrid, no one would know by how it drives.For now, the new 3.6-liter flat-six operating in perfect stoichiometry all the time, its electrified turbocharger, and eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox with an integral electric motor are limited to the GTS, which used to be powered by a jazzed-up version of the twin-turbo 3.0-liter in the base Carrera. The three-letter suffix is still the second step in 911 addiction following the Carreras but not as intense as the Turbo or GT models. Porsche says that the 40-pound lighter engine, which no longer has any accessory drive (A/C and all other ancillaries are either electric, moved inside the engine, or made redundant by the motor in the gearbox); the addition of an estimated 1.5-kWh 400-volt battery; and the numerous small changes for this facelift add 103 pounds to the GTS. The 478-hp engine and 53-hp motor combine for a total of 532 horses (yes, it’s fuzzy math). That’s 59 more ponies than the outgoing GTS, which if you are to believe the claimed weight, will be more than enough power to keep the pounds-per-hp ratio moving in the right direction. The last 911 GTS we tested hit 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, so it’s safe to assume the new model will at least match that, though we wouldn’t be surprised if it shaves a couple tenths of a second off that time. The dot-two maintains the 911’s iconic shape. The bumpers are new, and there are aggressively styled active shutters in front to bring the coefficient of drag down to 0.29 Cd. Europeans get an even slipperier 0.27-Cd GTS because it can take advantage of a partially deployed spoiler in an Eco mode, but that doesn’t comply with U.S. CHMSL regulations. Gone is the twisting ignition switch to the left of the steering wheel. Porsche replaced it with a simple button. There’s been much hand-wringing regarding this, but our issue with the interior is the fully digital instrument cluster. The outgoing car had a mechanical tach at the center of the cluster, and Porsche says many owners complained about the steering wheel blocking some of the gauges. But the 911 has almost always suffered from its steering wheel obstructing some of the gauges, so we have a hard time believing the 992.1 was the nail in the coffin on mechanical instrumentation. Though we suppose if you complain about something long enough, it’s destined to change. Anyway, the screen is cheaper, but at least Porsche does some cool stuff with it. There are seven different views, including a classic five-gauge cluster, but the most interesting of them is a track-focused mode that clocks the tach so that the redline is near 12 o’clock. Porsche would have scored more points if it had kept the orientation of the tach numbers so that they locked with the twist, like a real clocked tach out of a 917. Comparisons to the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray are inevitable. The two couldn’t behave more differently. There’s a lot of EV theatrics in the E-Ray—motor whir and Jetsons-like noises. You even feel the electric torque tug on the front axle. But the GTS’s optional all-wheel-drive system remains a conventional setup with a driveshaft running to the front. Also, just as in the first-gen Honda Insight, the GTS can’t drive under electric power alone. So the Vette has the edge with that party trick. Summon all the thrust, and the perception of boost building is instantaneous. The motor in the transmission contributes wait-free grunt while the motor in the turbocharger builds manifold pressure. There is a display in the central touchscreen that shows what’s happening and how electrons are being shuffled about, but this is a car where you shouldn’t be paying attention to any screen. Getting lost in a drive is what a sports car should embody, and this hybrid 911 is fully capable in that regard. The GTS comes out of the gate in coupe, Cabriolet, and Targa body styles, with rear- or all-wheel drive. If the purest of dynamics is your wish, keep it two-wheel drive. The driven front axle seems to increase the steering’s centering effort and otherwise muffle the feedback just a touch. More on the 911 GTSMatthias Hofstetter, powertrain chief for the 718 and 911, confirmed that the 992 was supposed to be a hybrid from the start but that the engineering team couldn’t decide on what hybrid setup to implement. The system they settled on is a good one, because it works in the background mostly undetected while keeping the crisp dynamics and solid feel we’ve come to expect from a 911. He also confirmed that there is no chance of this hybrid ever getting a manual transmission. Not even the leakiest of leaky sources inside Porsche will comment on the fate of a three-pedal 911. We suspect one will come with the surely forthcoming 992.2 Carrera S, and if Honda could figure it out with the Insight, we bet the great minds at Porsche could find a way.The bad news is that the GTS coupe starts at $166,895. The back seat is no longer standard, though adding the +2 second row is a no-cost option. That’s mega money, but until Porsche sees sales drop, you better believe it will keep raising its prices. That’s just basic supply-demand, and plenty of people will line up for this water-cooled hybrid. SpecificationsSpecifications
2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTSVehicle Type: rear-engine, rear-motor, rear- or all-wheel-drive, 2- or 2+2-passenger, 2-door coupe, convertible, or targa
PRICE
Base: Carrera GTS, $166,895; Carrera 4 GTS, $174,695; Carrera GTS Cabriolet, $180,195; Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet, $187,995; Targa 4 GTS, $187,995
POWERTRAIN
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter flat-6, 478 hp, 420 lb-ft + AC motor, 53 hp, 110 lb-ft (combined output: 532 hp, 449 lb-ft; 1.5-kWh [C/D est] lithium-ion battery packTransmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 96.5 inLength: 179.3 inWidth: 72.9 inHeight: 50.9–51.3 inTrunk Volume: 5 ft3Curb Weight (C/D est): 3550–3850 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 2.5–2.8 sec100 mph: 6.4–6.7 sec1/4-Mile: 10.6–10.9 secTop Speed: 194 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 20–21/18–19/22–23 mpgK.C. Colwell, the executive editor at Car and Driver, is a seasoned professional with a deep-rooted passion for new cars and technology. His journey into the world of automotive journalism began at an early age when his grandmother gifted him a subscription to Car and Driver for his 10th birthday. This gift sparked a lifelong love for the industry, and he read every issue between then and his first day of employment. He started his Car and Driver career as a technical assistant in the fall of 2004. In 2007, he was promoted to assistant technical editor. In addition to testing, evaluating, and writing about cars, technology, and tires, K.C. also set the production-car lap record at Virginia International Raceway for C/D’s annual Lightning Lap track test and was just the sixth person to drive the Hendrick Motorsport Garage 56 Camaro. In 2017, he took over as testing director until 2022, when was promoted to executive editor and has led the brand to be one of the top automotive magazines in the country. When he’s not thinking about cars, he likes playing hockey in the winter and golf in the summer and doing his best to pass his good car sense and love of ’90s German sedans to his daughter. He might be the only Car and Driver editor to own a Bobcat: the skidsteer, not the feline. Though, if you have a bobcat guy, reach out. K.C. resides in Chelsea, Michigan, with his family. More

It’s a real angel/devil shoulder situation. On the side of good, you’ve got two freshly baked pies in the passenger’s-side footwell. On the pointy red side, you’ve got 355 horses in a turbocharged 3.0-liter engine and a twisty route home. What to do? The 2025 Acura MDX Type S offers a solution with adaptive dampers, air springs, and Brembo brakes; it’s quiet enough to enjoy the 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, quick enough to need the passing lane, and smooth enough not to crumble your crust. Acura didn’t make huge changes to the 2025 MDX lineup. There are still two engine options. The 290-horse naturally aspirated 3.5-liter making 267 pound-feet of torque sits under the hood in the majority of the models, while the Type S gets the 355-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter making 354 pound-feet of torque that gave our pies an exciting ride. The transmission is the same 10-speed automatic, and there are no updates to the drivetrain or the suspension. That consists of control arms in the front and a multilink setup in the rear, with only the Type S offering the adaptive air springs. You can get two trims with front-wheel drive (MDX and MDX with Tech package). The rest come AWD-only with Acura’s torque-vectoring system that can send up to 70 percent of torque to the rear axle. The changes Acura did make are more of the cosmetic and user-friendly variety, aimed at polishing a few rough edges from what was already an excellent offering and updating the driver-assist systems. The 2025 MDX uses an upgraded version of AcuraWatch with a new front camera and new grille-mounted radar, and for the first time it offers a lane-change assist that can move the MDX over on multilane highways without steering input from the driver when using adaptive cruise mode. We tried it, it works fine, it takes about the same amount of attention and effort as simply looking in the mirror and moving the wheel, but hey, it’s there. Parked in a driveway or coming up in a rearview mirror, the 2025 MDX adds interest to the usual large-SUV rectangle shape with bigger air ducts in the bumper and sharper, sparklier mesh in its angular grille. The Type S loses the grille surround altogether and opens up the insert pattern to highlight its performance nature. Big crossovers all tend to look the same, but the MDX’s elegantly creased hood, wide fenders, and big 20-inch wheels (21-inchers on the Type S) make it distinctive enough that you won’t have to press the key fob to find it in a parking garage.Leaving the Type S parked is a terrible waste though, because it’s genuinely fun to drive. It’s not just fun for a seven-seater, it’s a good-handling, quick machine with comfortable yet responsive ride motions. The 10-speed was ready to upshift, both on its own and with the paddles, and it downshifted gently during gradual deceleration, avoiding the shuddering slow-down of many modern automatics. Both braking and steering are electronically assisted and offer better feedback than you might expect. The Type S gets a front brake upgrade in the form of larger 14.3-inch rotors and four-piston Brembo calipers. It also uses Acura’s Electro-Servo Brake (ESB) brake-by-wire, whereas other trims use i-Booster, which is an electrically assisted hydraulic system. When we tested the previous MDX Type S, it got to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, ran a 14.1-second quarter-mile, and stopped from 70 mph in 180 feet. We’re not expecting huge numerical changes for the 2025 model, but we’ll update those numbers when we get a chance to test one on more than a local bakery jaunt. Same goes for gas mileage. EPA ratings for the MDX Type S predict 17 city, 21 highway, and 19 combined, but the previous Type S beat its highway estimate in our testing, so this one might be an overachiever too. Because Type S is the hottest sauce on the MDX shelf, it gets added spice in the form of a Sport+ mode. Pressing it does stiffen the ride and sharpen the pedal response, but the best part of Sport+ is the accompanying growly engine note. We preferred Individual mode to combine the loud exhaust and the smoother ride, which protects both pastries and passengers while still sounding the business. Some cars are worth suffering over rough pavement in, but it’s a poor use of the MDX’s padded and contrast-stitched seats (with new bolsters in the Type S) to bounce over the bumps. Set the springs to Comfort and the engine to Sport, and you’ve got the perfect combo for a ride that will keep the driver alert and engaged while allowing little riders to snooze in their child-safety seats. While it’s a rare delight to truly enjoy piloting a multi-row SUV, the MDX’s real job, even in Type S form, is to work as a people carrier. Acura is positioning the MDX on the higher end of three-rows, with a starting price of $52,250 for the base front-wheel-drive MDX and $76,300 for the top-tier Type S, like the Urban Gray Pearl example we drove. One of the bigger changes for 2025 is in interior quality, where the MDX gets closer to competitors from Audi and Mercedes than it has in previous iterations. The interior makes use of quilted and perforated leather in saturated hues with decorative stitching and, for the Type S, inset nonslip faux suede on the bolsters; those chairs are also heated, ventilated, massaging, and 16-way adjustable. Second-row passengers don’t get the back rub, but they do get heated cushions and a removable middle seat/console. Third-row riders don’t get much aside from the pretty upholstery and more cushioned padding than we usually find in the way-back seats. It’s a spot for short rides or short riders, but it is usable and the second rows folds forward with the push of a button, so at least you can get out fast. The third row itself also folds down quickly to bump the cargo capacity from 16 cubic feet to 39 cubic feet. There’s an additional cubby beneath the floor in the cargo area for hiding bags from view or just keeping muddy gear from mucking up the carpet. More on the MDX Type SBack in the front row, the biggest obvious change is on the console. Where previous models offered a touchpad under a handrest by the cupholders, the 2025 MDX has swapped in a wireless charging pad nearly big enough for a tablet and finally gone to a 12.3-inch dash-mounted touchscreen for controlling the infotainment system. Google built-in and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect you to all the apps you’re used to using. The resulting layout might not be the best possible use of space—you could land a helicopter on that charging pad—but it’s a decidedly more familiar control method, and new buyers will appreciate the convenience of not having to retrain muscle memory just to change the stereo settings. Speaking of stereo settings, the Type S has a banger, or rather, a Bang & Olufsen, with those 31 speakers and a quick-set version of a graphic equalizer, that sounds fantastic. The MDX will have you making loops around the block just to enjoy your jams. The shoulder angel would suggest a lower-level MDX when it comes to sensible buying recommendations. The mid-trims offer all the comfort and only miss out on the rumble of the Type S, but the guy on the other side is definitely pushing for the turbo engine. Or maybe we’ve got it mixed up. A three-row SUV that can make moves in a hurry without shaking the filling out of cargo or family, well, that is sort of heavenly. SpecificationsSpecifications
2025 Acura MDX Type S Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base: $76,300
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injectionDisplacement: 183 in3, 2997 cm3Power: 355 hp @ 5500 rpmTorque: 354 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 113.8 inLength: 198.4 inWidth: 78.7 inHeight: 67.9 inPassenger Volume, F/M/R: 57/51/31 ft3Cargo Volume, Behind F/M/R: 71/39/16 ft3Curb Weight (C/D est): 4800 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 5.5 sec1/4-Mile: 14.1 secTop Speed: 111 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 19/17/21 mpgLike a sleeper agent activated late in the game, Elana Scherr didn’t know her calling at a young age. Like many girls, she planned to be a vet-astronaut-artist, and came closest to that last one by attending UCLA art school. She painted images of cars, but did not own one. Elana reluctantly got a driver’s license at age 21 and discovered that she not only loved cars and wanted to drive them, but that other people loved cars and wanted to read about them, which meant somebody had to write about them. Since receiving activation codes, Elana has written for numerous car magazines and websites, covering classics, car culture, technology, motorsports, and new-car reviews. In 2020, she received a Best Feature award from the Motor Press Guild for the C/D story “A Drive through Classic Americana in a Polestar 2.”  In 2023, her Car and Driver feature story More

From the March 1984 issue of Car and Driver.The Hartge H5S is one BMW that’s not for everyone. Unless you have a well-devel­oped taste for seriously fast, hard-to-the-­touch drivers’ cars, you’ll probably find an H5S too rich for your blood. The average BMW owner would likely think the H5S has rocks for shocks and that there’s way too much growl in the exhaust—so thanks, but no thanks.On the other hand, if you happen to be one of the more discriminating car con­noisseurs, the Hartge H5S should taste mighty fine. This is the Château Lafite of Bimmers, plain and simple. A wine expert might describe it as exquisite—dry, with a rich, full-bodied flavor and wonderful nu­ances that romp and gambol across the sensibilities. The H5S is the product of Hartge Motorsport, a respected German tuning firm specializing in BMWs. Hartge fields BMWs in road racing and rallying and sells a full range of speed parts and accessories in addition to whole cars. Until now, the only German tuner to promote its wares over here has been Alpina. That is about to change, since a Florida BMW service shop called Perfor­mance Plus, Inc. has been named the offi­cial Hartge distributor. By the time you read this, they should be able to sell you just about anything from the ample Hartge goody book. As for the star of this report, it started life as a German-spec 5-series four-door, as all H5S sedans do. The H5S badge is affixed only after Hartge Motorsport replaces the standard-issue BMW engine with a big­-bore 3.4-liter six. After that, it’s up to you to pick and choose the optional equipment you want. The Hartge philosophy is that the com­plexities of turbocharging are best left to the factory and that all the power you could ever want is available through tried-and-­true hot-rodding techniques. For that rea­son, all H5S models are treated to some mild cylinder-head work, a hotter cam, tu­bular exhaust headers, and a low-restric­tion exhaust system, all of which free up an impressive 237 horsepower (SAE net) at 5400 rpm. From there, our demo went all the way, with a lowered, firmer Hartge suspension (including a reinforcement member that bolts between the front suspension towers) and bulging Pirelli P7 tires (P205/55VR-16 front, P225/50VR-16 rear) on handsome alloy wheels. Front and rear spoilers, driv­ing lights, an ABS anti-lock brake system, leather-covered Recaro buckets, and a high-powered sound system round out the package. The next bit of good news is that the H5S is priced right. Performance Plus says that a reasonably equipped version will go out the door for between 32 and 33 grand, which is only a couple grand more than your average domesticated 533i. The dif­ference is part standard equipment, part BMW of North America profit margin. Un­fortunately, this is where things get a little complicated. You see, the H5S you really want is the full-German model, like the one we tested, but that’s not the one you can have. The law of the land says that every H5S must be equipped with all DOT-mandated safety equipment and must be certified for fresh breath. Performance Plus optimistically claims that a fully sanitized H5S gives up only about 10 hp, despite having a catalyst stuffed up its tailpipe—but we’d guess the damage will be worse. Just how you get the H5S back into Eu­ropean trim is your problem—because Section 203 of the Clean Air Act states that it’s illegal for a dealer or a repair shop to remove smog gear. Of course, there are any number of creative ways to circumvent the law. In fact, that’s just why we elected to test a German-spec model—the object be­ing to gauge the ultimate potential of a car like this on American soil for a change. More 5-series Reviews from the archiveAs for living up to its promise, well, this car is a four-wheeled invitation to a day in court. To envision its performance enve­lope, just think of it as a four-door Porsche 911. The spec box will give you the num­bers; the important thing here is how good it all feels.First off, the sights and sounds are all world class: crouching suspension, rumpa-­rumpa idle, angry exhaust note. The H5S suspension feels a mite muscle-bound around town, but aside from that, we’re talking pure harmony. The H5S follows your every move like a great dance partner. There’s enough power underfoot for low­-speed, tail-out stunt driving, yet it’s totally docile in the stop-and-go mode. And in high-speed situations, the H5S clamps itself to the pavement as if it had a giant earth magnet in its belly. Two things deserve special mention: first, the ABS brakes, which enable rank novices to pull off brake-and-steer acci­dent-avoidance maneuvers heretofore the province of experts, and second, the over­all mechanical quality of the H5S, which is exemplary. It all adds up to a car that talks to you in a way few others do, and what it keeps saying is faster! faster! Getting back to our analo­gy with fine wine, the Hartge BMW H5S strikes us as nothing less than intoxicating.SpecificationsSpecifications
1984 Hartge BMW H5SVehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $32,500/$34,850
ENGINEinline-6, iron block and aluminum headDisplacement: 209 in3, 3430 cm3Power (SAE net): 237 hp @ 5400 rpm 
TRANSMISSION5-speed manual 
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 103.3 inLength: 181.9 inCurb Weight: 3138 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.3 sec1/4-Mile: 14.7 sec @ 94 mph100 mph: 17.1 secTop Speed: 142 mphBraking, 70–0 mph: 189 ftRoadholding, 282-ft Skidpad: 0.79 g 
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 15 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINEDRich Ceppos has evaluated automobiles and automotive technology during a career that has encompassed 10 years at General Motors, two stints at Car and Driver totaling 20 years, and thousands of miles logged in racing cars. He was in music school when he realized what he really wanted to do in life and, somehow, it’s worked out. In between his two C/D postings he served as executive editor of Automobile Magazine; was an executive vice president at Campbell Marketing & Communications; worked in GM’s product-development area; and became publisher of Autoweek. He has raced continuously since college, held SCCA and IMSA pro racing licenses, and has competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona. He currently ministers to a 1999 Miata, and he appreciates that none of his younger colleagues have yet uttered “Okay, Boomer” when he tells one of his stories about the crazy old days at C/D. More