Motor News

Mazda will launch a new two-row mid-size SUV, the CX-70, in the U.S. sometime next year.Based on the same platform as the CX-90, the CX-70 was originally supposed to arrive this year.It will offer a hybrid powertrain and is likely to also have Mazda’s new 3.3-liter inline-six.Now that Mazda has launched the three-row CX-90 SUV, we’ve been waiting for its smaller sibling to arrive. Called the CX-70, this two-row mid-size crossover was originally slated to go on sale by the end of this year, but Mazda’s North American CEO Tom Donnelly told Automotive News that this new model will now launch sometime in 2024.The addition of the CX-70 is part of Mazda’s goal to grow its U.S. sales by offering more models to America’s SUV-hungry buyers. The company’s lineup will soon include the CX-30 subcompact, the CX-50 and CX-5 in the compact segment, and the CX-70 and CX-90 in the mid-size segment.We already have an idea of what to expect from the CX-70, as Mazda already said that it will essentially be a widebody version of the CX-60 (pictured), an SUV that’s already on sale in Europe. The CX-70 will have a shorter wheelbase than the CX-90 but will use the same longitudinal-engine platform and is likely to share powertrains with its larger sibling. Donnelly also confirmed that the CX-70 will be offered with a hybrid powertrain, almost surely the same setup as the CX-90 PHEV that uses a 2.5-liter inline-four gasoline engine. The CX-90’s turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six, which produces either 280 hp or 340 hp depending on trim level, should also make its way into the CX-70.More information on the CX-70 is surely coming within the next few months, although Mazda has not provided a specific timeframe for when it will debut.More on Mazda SUVsSenior 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

It’s that time of year again! October means a chill in the air, chili in the Crockpot, and Window Shop arguments over winter beaters and how much to spend on one. Our last two winter challenges set the budgets at $5000 and $7500, and our “Most Reliable Used Cars for $5000” challenge was a de facto winter beater episode. This year, the panel got to spend a whopping $12,000 to survive three months of whatever’s going on with the climate (and inflation). Given a full roster of six contestants, we’re proud to admit almost none of them used the money wisely.Road & Track senior editor John Pearley Huffman applied his laser focus to the word “beater,” then went to Colorado to find one. We’re not sure why so many cars in that state look like they’ve been dragged out of the Grand Canyon, but we’re pretty sure Pearley would have done better with one of the Grand Canyon mules. The mule would have been a nicer shade of brown than the car, and at least as reliable. Senior editor Joey Capparella, whose nose for older Japanese economy cars is unmatched, hooked up an unmolested Subaru WRX. The plain black wagon spoke so deeply to executive editor K.C. Colwell that Colwell did all the speaking for Capparella’s presentation.Senior editor and SoCal dweller Elana Scherr might not even believe in snow. She was so put off by the concept of winter that she didn’t read her listing carefully and ended up buying half an Argo. Don’t try to understand that sentence, just watch the video and let her explain.Contributor Jonathon Ramsey went for luxury, because Ramsey going for luxury is even more reliable than winter of late. His calculus: A bulletproof German engine surrounded by potentially dodgy German electronics that only have to last three months? Isaac Newton, the inventor of calculus, would approve. Colwell, rested from his Subaru presentation, returned to the speaker’s lectern to show an English rectangle with a German engine, making it doubly dodgy—unless it isn’t, which is always possible with English cars. And editor-in-chief Tony Quiroga emerged from left field with another automotive marsupial. He won huge style points. But the car might do as well in a real Michigan winter as a mammalian marsupial would. (Hint: Not well.)Your wonderland awaits, and it includes the line, “The windows only suck when you want to use them.”More Window Shopping More

Opportunities to purchase a genuine Ford GT40 don’t come up that often. Ford built just over 100 examples of the iconic sports racer across its four iterations, with the majority serving as competition cars. That’s not the case for this particular example offered for sale by PistonHeads, which happens to be an original press car from Ford’s U.K. fleet. Chassis P/1069 is one of a few Mk I GT40s that was commissioned in “road trim” specification, built to order by Ford in the United States. The car was initially finished in opalescent Silver Blue paint and came equipped with a 289-cubic-inch V-8, wire wheels, and map pockets like other roadgoing GT40s. Annals of HistoryAfter the car was complete, Ford loaned it to a Swiss company associated with Scuderia Filipinetti, which displayed the car at the 1967 Geneva auto show. The GT40 was resprayed green before its debut at the show. The car would receive coverage in a few of the British auto rags at the time before ultimately being sold into private hands in 1971, and resold in 2007. P/1069 has lived a relatively public life in the years since, including a number of stops at historic races and events. You might have even caught a glimpse of the car at this year’s Goodwood festivities. PistonHeadsWhile there isn’t a ton of public information about the car beyond that, the seller will surely have a treasure trove of tales for any interested parties. There is no asking price attached to the listing, with PistonHeads suggesting that any buyers come prepared with nearly eight figures. That shouldn’t be too surprising; every bit of GT40 history carries a dedicated fan base. The less affluent among us can always look to one of the many kit car companies for a “cheap” alternative. PistonHeadsBorn and raised in Metro Detroit, associate editor Lucas Bell has spent his entire life surrounded by the automotive industry. He may daily drive an aging Mustang, but his Porsche 944 and NB Miata both take up most of his free time.  More

Honda has announced that it will launch a hybrid version of the Civic compact car for the 2025 model year.The company says the Civic hybrid will be offered in both sedan and hatchback body styles and will be powered by a version of the powertrain in the larger Accord hybrid.Hybrid models will not replace the gasoline ones currently offered but will be sold alongside them when they hit the market in 2024.UPDATE 10/19/23: Honda now says that the Civic Hybrid will arrive for the 2025 model year, not 2024 as was previously announced. Production of the hybrid sedan will start in spring 2024, and the hybrid hatchback will follow after that.The next step in Honda’s plan to hybridize its lineup will come in the form of the 2025 Civic Hybrid, which will be offered both as a sedan and a hatchback. The company’s electrification plans include shifting to an entirely electric lineup by 2040, but increasing its hybrid offerings in the meantime is meant to bridge that gap.We reported last April that Honda had launched a hybrid version of the Civic hatchback in Europe, and speculated that the car would also come stateside to replace the discontinued Insight sedan. We’re not sure yet exactly how Honda will adjust the European car’s powertrain, which consists of a 2.0-liter inline-four and two electric motors that combine for 181 horsepower, for the U.S. market. But we can only hope that its output comes closer to the 204 horsepower offered by the closely related hybrid setup in the 2023 Accord hybrid.HondaWhile consumer interest has moved from cars to light trucks and SUVs, Honda still sees sedans and hatchbacks as important parts of its business. “The market has shifted away from passenger cars, but cars still matter to Honda,” said Mamadou Diallo, vice president of automobile sales for American Honda. “The cars bring in younger, more multicultural buyers to the brand.”Our Latest Honda TakesThe introduction of a hybrid powertrain to the Civic lineup is part of Honda’s plan to keep those younger buyers coming. Honda plans to open the order books for its all-electric Prologue SUV this year as well, which will be its first step toward the broader electrification of is lineup within the coming years.We expect to find out more about the Civic hybrid closer to the car’s on-sale date, which should be in early 2024. This 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.This story was originally published January 25, 2023.Managing Editor, Buyer’s GuideDrew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.       More

The 2025 Toyota Camry appears to be getting a makeover, based on a mysterious teaser image.The photo Toyota released shows the front of a sedan with a lightning signature similar to the Toyota Prius’s design.The current-generation Camry debuted in 2018, so the timing is right for the next one, likely with a new hybrid powertrain.A new Toyota Camry will break cover soon, at least that’s what’s expected after the automaker today released a teaser photo. The shrouded image shows the front end of what’s clearly a car (versus another crossover), and judging by the visible rear headrests, it’s most likely a sedan.Next-Gen CamryWe have other evidence suggesting the car in question is the next-gen Camry. Earlier this year, our spy photographer caught a heavily camouflaged Toyota sedan prototype testing. While nothing has been confirmed, we expect the new ninth-generation Camry to have similar dimension to the outgoing model but ride on the company’s TNGA-K platform and benefit from updated powertrains.Neither today’s teaser image nor our spy photos give us a clear idea of what the 2025 Camry will look like, we can make out a prominent Toyota badge on the nose—like the Toyota Supra—and the distinct lighting signature is similar to the design seen on the Toyota Prius. Last month, a video accidentally posted on Toyota’s YouTube account revealed what we thought might be the new Camry. The red car had side detailing reminiscent of other new Toyota models and facial details like the Prius as well as the Toyota Crown. The video has since been taken down, and a Toyota spokesperson told Car and Driver the rendering was mistakenly used and not a preview of the new Camry.A Mightier Hybrid Camry?The next generation of the Toyota Camry will almost surely feature a new selection of powertrains. There’s no doubt a hybrid setup will be among those, however, Toyota now has quite a few to choose from. Will it be the 236-hp all-wheel-drive configuration that powers the Crown, or perhaps the Toyota Highlander’s potent 265-hp hybrid turbo four While the current Camry’s base 2.5-liter four-cylinder might still be offered on lower trim levels, we don’t expect the 3.5-liter V-6 to carry on.New Camry 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

Nissan previewed a new minivan concept ahead of its debut at the Tokyo auto show.Its angular design language hints at a future styling direction for the Japanese brand.The concept’s spectacular interior includes face-to-face seating for autonomous operation.We love futuristic concept cars and we love minivans, so Nissan’s combination of the two in the spectacular form of the Hyper Tourer, set to be formally unveiled at the Tokyo auto show next week, is one we are more than happy to celebrate here. This is definitely not a “close to production” concept previewing a future model; the Hyper Tourer’s role seems to be mostly to drop hints about Nissan’s next generation of design. The company has already previewed the lower and sleeker Hyper Urban concept, another Tokyo debut, earlier this month. Taken together, both suggest we can expect to see much more angular form language in the company’s forthcoming products. The electric Hyper Tourer is pitched as a vehicle that “re-envisions the group road trip by combining the comfort of a luxurious living room with the convenience of a passenger van—all contained in a styish and futuristic package.”NissanIt certainly delivers on that last point, with the body panels featuring the contrast between smooth body panels and “sharp character lines” intended to convey traditional Japanese beauty. The white accent line that splits the glass from the bodywork around the Hyper Tourer’s whole exterior also incorporates ultra-slim headlights, while the broad front panel and wheels incorporate kumiko patterning, a traditional Japanese design normally made from interlocking wooden bars.But the Hyper Tourer’s interior is where the real fun starts thanks to the combination of huge space—helped by what Nissan says are solid-state batteries—with some spectacular design features. Twin sliding doors give access to a cabin featuring four individual chairs, with the ones in the front pivoting to face those behind when the car is driving fully autonomously. NissanAs with the other claimed technology, you’ll need to use some imagination here, especially as we are now a full three years beyond the point where previous Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, more recently an international fugitive, promised the company would have delivered full self driving. But it’s good to know that dream isn’t dead.The rear of the Hyper Tourer uses more traditional Japanese designs, but also has a huge flat LED panel display in the floor which can show images of a riverbed and the sky to, as the company puts it, “help create a relaxing space where digital and nature are fused.” Rear-seat passengers can apparently also use a wearable display system to view and operate navigation and audio settings, so they don’t feel excluded. There seems no chance that anything similar to the Hyper Tourer will make production, and, even if it did, there’s almost no chance it would come to the U.S. But we can dream, can’t we?More Cool MinivansSenior European CorrespondentOur man on the other side of the pond, Mike Duff lives in Britain but reports from across Europe, sometimes beyond. He has previously held staff roles on UK titles including CAR, Autocar and evo, but his own automotive tastes tend towards the Germanic, owning both a troublesome 987-generation Porsche Cayman S and a Mercedes 190E 2.5-16. More

Ford and Lincoln confirmed that neither the Explorer nor the Aviator will be offered as hybrids for 2024.The Explorer previously offered a hybrid model with a 3.3-liter V-6, while the Aviator Grand Touring had a plug-in-hybrid setup.We also spotted a refreshed Explorer with no camouflage, which we expect to arrive for 2025.The Blue Oval’s pair of three-row mid-size SUVs, the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator, are receiving several changes. The first update is for the 2024 model year, as Ford and Lincoln spokespeople confirmed to C/D that the hybrid versions of both models will be dropped. Soon, we expect to hear about refreshed 2025 Explorer and Aviator models, and we’ve already spotted the Ford’s new styling out and about with no camouflage (pictured).No More HybridsThe Explorer previously offered a hybrid powertrain with a 3.3-liter V-6, while the Aviator Grand Touring model had a plug-in-hybrid setup with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 and an EPA-rated electric range of 21 miles. Neither hybrid will be offered for 2024. Ford cited high demand for the hybrid version of the Explorer-based Police Interceptor Utility, along with demand for other Ford hybrids, as the reason for the Explorer hybrid’s discontinuation. Lincoln did not provide a specific reason, but the Aviator is built at the same Chicago factory as the Explorer, so it’s likely that the causes for its discontinuation are related.Explorer HybridFordAviator Grand TouringMarc Urbano|Car and DriverNotably, the Aviator Grand Touring was one of the few plug-in-hybrid models eligible for the full $7500 tax credit as part of the new Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) rules. The 2024 Aviator is now available only with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 gas engine, while the 2024 Explorer is offered with the same 3.0L V-6 or a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four base engine.More on Ford and Lincoln SUVsUpdate Coming for 2025Drew Dorian|Car and DriverWhile the nonhybrid Explorer and Aviator models are unchanged for the 2024 model year, we expect to see updated 2025 versions soon with a new look. These photos show what the 2025 Ford Explorer’s new front and rear ends will look like, including reshaped headlights and taillights, a larger grille, and different fascias. We can also see new wheel designs, and it’s likely there will be updates for the interior as well.We’re not sure if Ford or Lincoln plans to bring back the hybrids as part of this update, but Ford did say that the 2.3L and 3.0L engines make up “a majority of Explorer sales,” so it’s possible the hybrids are done for good. Ford has previously promised that an electric version of the Explorer is in the works, and is already selling a smaller EV in Europe that also uses the Explorer nameplate.Look for more information to come soon on the 2025 Explorer and 2025 Aviator, as these refreshed models will likely go on sale within the first half of next year.This 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 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 2024 Atlas Cross Sport adds the Basecamp kit that makes the mid-size SUV look tougher.The complete kit adds matte-black body cladding and satin-silver exterior accents; 17-inch Traverse MX wheels are sold separately. The full Basecamp treatment costs $2774 ($4034 with the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport, but individual add-ons are available for less.Mid-size SUVs attempting to look like something you’d see on the Rubicon Trail are all the rage these days. If an automaker doesn’t offer a “Wilderness” model or a “Rock Creek Edition,” are they even trying? Volkswagen’s version of that is the Basecamp accessory line, which is now available on the 2024 Atlas Cross Sport.Basecamp Kit ExpandsThe Basecamp accessories have be offered on the regular Atlas since the 2020 model year. It was based on the Atlas Basecamp concept that was shown at the 2019 New York auto show. That concept also helped spawn the rugged Peak Edition model, which is a glorified appearance package that includes black 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and silver-colored lower bumper and body-side moldings. VolkswagenHowever, not only has has VW yet to confirm an Atlas Cross Sport Peak Edition, but—until now—the sloped-back model wasn’t available with the Basecamp accessories. Along with a complete dealer-installed kit, customers can choose between individual elements such as a lower front bumper that mimics a skid plate ($680), a lower rear bumper that echoes that look ($680), ribbed satin-silver trim on the lower body sides ($769), and matte-black fender flares ($645). A set of 17-inch Traverse MX wheels in either frosted graphite or radiant silver are also available as a standalone option. These 10-spoke rims are made by fifteen52 and cost $1260 altogether. But wait, there’s a catch: That price is only for the wheels. Customers will have to pay extra for the tires, which VW recommends should be paired with 245/70R17 all-terrains.VolkswagenBasecamp PriceThose looking to make their 2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport look as tough as possible, they can purchase the full package for $2774 ($4034 with the fifteen52 wheels). It’s expected to be available starting on the all-wheel-drive SE with Technology trim level, which starts at $43,905; the SEL starts at $48,785. The Basecamp kit isn’t compatible with R-Line models, and not recommended for Atlases without a trailer hitch.More Atlas Cross Sport StoriesThis 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