Motor News

The 2024 Honda Passport starts at $43,275 (EX-L trim), which is $800 more than before.The rugged TrailSport trim level and top-spec Black Edition have starting prices of $45,875 and $49,345, respectively.Along with making the TrailSport more capable, the ’24 Passport receives a wider center console with more storage space.There’s a new Honda Passport hitting dealer lots today. Well, it’s largely the same as the outgoing model year, expect—for 2024—Honda makes a few updates to its two-row mid-size SUV that make it a little more appealing. Perhaps more appealing than that, the 2024 Honda Passport’s prices only rise between $800 and $1410.2024 Passport PricesPurchasing the keys to a new entry-level Passport EX-L will set shoppers back $43,275, which is an $800 increase compared with last year. That model comes standard with 20-inch wheels, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, leather upholstery, a power-operated tailgate, and driver assists such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Like all ’24 Passports, there’s a new wider center console with more space to store larger items.Those with an adventurous side might consider the Passport TrailSport. Starting at $45,875, it costs $900 more than before. However, that extra money is put to good use, as the TrailSport benefits from knobbier General Grabber ATX all-terrain tires, a revised suspension for better articulation and ride quality, 0.4-inch wider front and rear tracks, and newly designed 18-inch wheels.At the top of the Passport pile is the Black Edition that replaces the Elite trim level for 2024. The Black Edition brings the biggest price hike, which is still a reasonable $1410. Along with exclusive exterior details, including black 20-inch wheels and body trim, the top-of-the-line Passport has ventilated front seats as well as heated rear seats all trimmed with red contrast stitching.Every 2024 Honda Passport is powered by a 280-hp 3.5-liter V-6 that pairs with a nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. That powertrain has the same EPA fuel-economy ratings the previous model year, which are 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined.Extra Passport ReadingThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

Toyota has released a teaser image showing the tailgate of a new mid-size SUV that we think is the Crown SUV.Along with a hybrid badge on its rump, the letter “C” can be seen where the model name goes—fueling our belief it’s a Crown.The automaker previously revealed a Toyota Crown global lineup, and we think it may have included the mysterious mid-sizer.The Toyota Crown nameplate is well-known in the Japanese market where it’s been around since 1955. While it was sold on our shores between 1958 and 1972, it only recently returned to U.S. with the debut of the 2023 Toyota Crown that purposely pushed the boundaries of what qualifies as a sedan. Now Toyota looks to expand the Crown family by offering an SUV version in North America, and today it released a teaser photo of that vehicle.Mid-Size Crown SUVIn addition to the single photo, Toyota writes: “With All-Wheel Drive, this hybrid electric mid-size SUV goes beyond what’s expected.” Obviously, that sentence is riddled with hyperbole courtesy of the automaker’s marketing team, especially since we’re not sure who doesn’t expect a mid-size SUV without all-wheel drive, but that’s beside the point. The point is Toyota has clearly confirmed the mysterious SUV will have mid-size dimensions, a hybrid powertrain, and all-wheel drive.A quick glance at the image Toyota released doesn’t get the imaginative juices going. After all, the close-up shot of a tailgate with an all-wheel-drive and hybrid badges could be a handful of Toyota models. However, closer inspection reveals the letter “C” at the start of the model name above the rear license holder. It’s true that the Corolla Cross is another SUV that starts with “C,” but we’re convinced it’s a new Crown model. We also might now what it will look like.Crown SUV DesignMore than a year ago, Toyota revealed a litter of new global Crown models with designs that are more traditional than the high-riding sedan that’s currently on sale in America. Among the three concepts, the yellow one that the company referred to as a wagon has proportions similar to a mid-size SUV.ToyotaThe Crown in question has very short overhangs, a blacked out roof and forward pillars, large wheels, and a front lighting signature that looks like it was cribbed from the Ferrari Purosangue. If we’re not mistaken, the tailgate in the teaser is very similar to the concept’s, with slim taillights and matching creases around the license-plate holder and bumper section. We’ll just have to hold tight until Toyota pulls the cover back. More about the Toyota CrownThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

Ford just revealed pricing for the 2024 F-150 Lightning lineup.The entry-level Pro trim is up $100 compared to the current 2023 offering, though it is $3321 more than the initial figure for the 2023 model. Pricing for the Pro starts at $52,090, while the Lariat starts at $79,590, and the new Flash trim begins at $72,090Ford has been slowly releasing more information on the pricing structure for the 2024 F-150 Lightning lineup, with the manufacturer today revealing information for the Pro, XLT, and Lariat trims. The base model Pro trim now carries a starting price of $52,090, which marks a minor increase of only $100 over current 2023 pricing—though the 2023 Lightning debuted at $48,769—over $3000 cheaper. Stepping up from the basic Pro to the more comfortable XLT results in a relatively hefty price jump as well. The 2024 XLT now starts at $59,590, making it $2600 more than the current XLT model. FordOpting for the XLT’s extended-range battery drives the price up a further $10,000. Adding the larger pack also requires the 312A High package, which includes amenities like adaptive cruise control, Ford’s Pro Power Onboard generator feature, heated front seats, and heated steering wheel, along with quite a bit more. Making the shift from the well-equipped XLT to the Lariat might also require moving up a tax bracket, as the new Lariat now starts at $79,590. That puts it $7600 above the current Lariat, and $20,000 more than the gas-powered Lariat. Fortunately for buyers who don’t want to shell out that kind of money, Ford recently announced a new trim model called Flash, which slots between the XLT and Lariat, and comes in with a starting price of $72,090. More on the F-150 and F-150 LightningAssociate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

A document from the NHTSA has revealed a few details regarding the 2024 Tesla Cybertruck ahead of the start of deliveries in November.The document shows that the Cybertruck will come with dual-motor and tri-motor setups, with the single-motor version that was supposed to cost under $40K notably absent.The document also revealed the Cybertruck will have a gross vehicle weight rating between 8001 and 10,000 pounds, depending on the specification.The start of deliveries for the angular Tesla Cybertruck is, after years of delays, nearly upon us, with the automaker announcing last week that the first production units will reach customers on November 30. Still, official specifications remain a mystery, with Tesla yet to divulge how closely the production model will hew to the original prototype revealed in 2019. But now a document published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)—first shared on a Tesla forum—appears to reveal some of the truck’s details, including motor configurations and an approximate idea of the truck’s weight.Cybertruck Decoded The NHTSA document is a decoder for the vehicle identification number, or VIN, for all 2024 Tesla models. The document breaks down the meaning of each of the VIN’s seventeen digits, but there are two that caught our eye.First, the eighth digit represents the vehicle’s motor and drive unit, with two designations for the Cybertruck listed on the document. “D” symbolizes a dual-motor variant, while “E” stands for a tri-motor Performance model. Tesla had originally announced that the Cybertruck would also be offered with a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive specification that was supposed to start at $39,900, but it appears that won’t be available for 2024, if ever. TeslaThe second point of interest is the sixth digit, which corresponds to the gross vehicle weight rating, the maximum loaded weight of your vehicle which includes the weight of the vehicle, passengers, and cargo. There are two ratings listed for the Cybertruck: “G” represents a GVWR between 8001 and 9000 pounds, while “H” stands for a GVWR between 9001 and 10,000 pounds. While this doesn’t tell us the precise weight of the Cybertruck, it means the truck will likely weigh around 7000 pounds, with some variants likely coming in well over 8000 pounds. For context, the Rivian R1T has a GVWR of 8532 pounds, the F-150 Lightning has a GVWR between 8250 and 8550 pounds, and the GMC Hummer EV pickup is rated at 10,550 pounds. All of these ratings are roughly 1000 to 2000 pounds higher than the weight of the vehicles. More detailed specifications should arrive when Tesla delivers the first Cybertrucks next month.More Tesla NewsAssociate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

The Toyota IMV 0 concept is a two-seat electric pickup truck with a configurable flat-bed section.The IMV 0 is intended to be customized to individual users’ needs, and Toyota’s renderings preview the possibilities. From a food truck to an off-roader to a rescue vehicle, the IMV 0 concept is a build-your-own truck.The Toyota IMV 0 concept is basically a blank canvas for customers to transform into whatever they need it to be. The Honda Ridgeline-sized pickup truck has an electric powertrain, a two-door cabin with seating for two people, and a flat-bed section that can be outfitted with myriad setups.IMV 0 PossibilitiesWhile Toyota hasn’t released any information about the IMV 0’s powertrain, the automaker has shared details about its dimensions. Without any add-ons, the truck measures 208.7 inches long. It’s also 70.3 inches wide and 68.5 inches tall. There’s 121.5 inches between its axles, meaning its wheelbase is about as long as the full-size Toyota Sequoia SUV.ToyotaToyota will showcase the IMV 0 concept at the Tokyo auto show, however, it’s unclear if it’ll only be the stripped-down truck or if it’ll be accompanied by physical versions of the various renderings Toyota has released. ToyotaFor example, there’s one representation that is a Red Cross rescue vehicle equipped with an ambulance-like rear section. Others show the IMV 0 configured as a delivery vehicle with packages on the back, one that looks like a sport truck with brightly colored accents, and another with what appears to be a futuristic camper.ToyotaToyotaThere are also renderings of the IMV 0 as a miniature food truck, which likely entices small businesses looking for alternatives to refurbished school buses and such. Our favorite rendering of what the Toyota IMV 0 concept can be is the baby off-roader. The handsome-looking thing is outfitted with oversized tires, a beefy front bumper with auxiliary lighting, a bed-mounted roof rack, and an additional cabin section, presumably for extra seating.More on Toyota ConceptsThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

The F10-generation M5 was the last to offer a manual transmission.The Competition version turned up the output of the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 to 575 horsepower.This M5 is reportedly one of 118 to combine the stick shift with the Competition package.Car and DriverThe BMW M5 was the last holdout among the German, high-performance executive sedans to offer a manual transmission, but those days ended after the 2016 model year. This 2015 M5, up for auction on Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos—is from the waning days of the stick shift. What makes it even rarer is that it combines the row-your-own gearbox with the Competition package, said to be just 118 to do so.Bring a TrailerIn the M5, the six-speed manual replaced the standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, and it also includes a rev-matching function. The Competition package was a $7500 option that upped the output of the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8’s from 560 to 575 horsepower. It also included a revised suspension with a 0.4-inch lower ride height, 20-inch wheels, an M Dynamic drive mode, and black-chrome exhaust outlets. Like all M5s, it has numerous settings for the suspension, steering, throttle mapping, and more, but two of your favorite combos can be saved and then accessed via the M1 and M2 buttons on the steering wheel.In C/D testing of the non-Competition M5, we found the manual to be 0.3 second slower to 60 mph than the automatic version, but 4.0 seconds is still pretty quick.Bring a TrailerOne has to imagine that this car’s Sakhir Orange Merino leather interior is also a rare spec, and it makes a lively counterpoint to the Singapore Gray Metallic exterior. This M5 was also optioned with the Executive Package, which brought a head-up display, soft-close doors, four-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel, among other niceties. Bring a TrailerWith just 25K miles on the odometer, this car may be as close as you’re going to get to a new BMW M5 manual. Certainly, BMW isn’t making them anymore, and those days aren’t going to return.This auction ends on October 27.Deputy Editor, Reviews and FeaturesJoe 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

Toyota is showing a new concept pickup truck called the EPU, and it’s electric.The EPU concept is smaller than a Tacoma, at 199.6 inches long.We’ll see it for the first time in the flesh at the Tokyo auto show, and it looks like it could reach production soon.The ongoing talk about an upcoming Toyota electric truck is increasing in volume thanks to this new concept called the EPU, a name which we assume stands for electric pickup. Set to be shown at the Tokyo auto show, the EPU is a four-door crew-cab pickup that’s significantly shorter than the Tacoma, measuring 199.6 inches in length. It features a unibody construction, suggesting it could go up against models such as the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.Toyota hasn’t released any technical details yet, but we assume this will ride on a new electric platform. Its wheelbase is long and measures 131.9 inches, which fits in between the outgoing Tacoma’s short- and long-bed configurations and is significantly longer than the Maverick’s. That explains the truck’s slightly unusual proportions, as the rear axle is mounted further back than we’re used to seeing on a compact pickup.The exterior design is remarkably devoid of any odd concept touches, making this EPU look like it could go into production soon. The interior is a bit more futuristic, featuring large display screens, a minimalist dashboard, and a yoke-style steering wheel.This concept looks significantly different than the previous mid-size electric truck concept Toyota showed a few years ago. That model looked more similar to the new 2024 Tacoma, suggesting that perhaps Toyota is planning multiple electric trucks. We’re not certain that both of them will come to the U.S. market, but we wouldn’t be surprised if they do. Look for more information to come soon, as Toyota will be showing the EPU concept at the Tokyo auto show next week.More Toyota EVsSenior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

The Toyota Land Cruiser Se concept previews the first electric Land Cruiser.Toyota says the three-row EV SUV measures 202.8 inches long, 78.3 inches wide, and 67.1 inches tall.The LC Se’s 120.1-inch wheelbase is about eight inches longer than the regular 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s.The Toyota Land Cruiser has been revived in the U.S. after the brand’s iconic off-roader took a dirt nap for a few years. Before the 250-series LC has even hit dealerships, Toyota is giving all of us a glimpse of what the first electric model could look like with today’s reveal of the Land Cruiser Se concept.Electric Land CruiserWhen it comes to concepts, details are usually scarce. While that’s largely the case here, Toyota has released some interesting information along with several digital renderings. For example, we’re told the Land Cruiser Se measures 202.8 inches long, 78.3 inches wide, and 67.1 inches tall. It also has a wheelbase that stretches 120.1 inches. That’s almost eight extra inches between its axles than the new production model.Toyota says the unibody LC Se has three rows of seats with room for seven passengers. There’s no mention of powertrains, other than the concept offers a “high-torque driving experience.” There’s little doubt that its theoretical powertrain consists of dual electric motors providing all-wheel drive—it is a Land Cruiser after all. The concept suggests its not limited to traveling paved roadways, either, as the press release mentions “confidence in tackling tough terrain.”While there’s no other information about the Toyota Land Cruiser Se concept, its boxy body is undeniably alluring. Surprisingly, it shares little likeness with its current production counterparts. In fact, were it not for the “Toyota” script on its snout and above its razor-thin taillight band, we wouldn’t even associate it with the automaker. More Land Cruiser NewsThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More