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The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe was first revealed last month, but now we have more details about the mid-size SUV.The new Santa Fe’s wild design transformation accompanies larger overall dimensions and a longer wheelbase. Its stretched proportions help increase interior space, and U.S. models see the return of a three-row configuration.The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe’s shocking makeover was revealed to the world last month. While that spoils some of the surprise, Hyundai has now revealed more specific details about the new wildly styled mid-size SUV. Not only is the fifth-generation Santa Fe bigger than its predecessor in almost every way, but it introduces fresh features, including U.S. models regaining a third row of seats.Bigger and Bolder Than BeforeIf it wasn’t still called the Santa Fe, no one would know the Minecraft-looking ute seen in these photos has any relation to the outgoing generation, which debuted for the 2019 model year and received a facelift for 2021. To better ensure that onlookers will recognize the new Santa Fe is, in fact, a Hyundai, the company incorporates H-shaped front and rear lighting elements that complete the in-your-face design. Compared with the previous Santa Fe, the 2024 version grows front to back, up and down, and between its axles. It now measures 190.2 inches long, which is 1.8 inches more than before. That’s still about a half-foot shorter than the three-row Hyundai Palisade, but the distance between the Santa Fe’s axles has been extended by 1.9 inches. Its 110.8-inch wheelbase now provides more passenger space, specifically for the third row. Previously, the outgoing generation that was sold in other markets offered the extra row, but those sold on our shores were only offered with two rows.Full Details and SpecsWhile the new Santa Fe is just as wide as before, it’s now between about an inch or two taller (not counting the prominent roof rails that are available). Unlike before, it’s now available with giant 21-inch wheels—previously 20s were the largest set. Hyundai also says there’s more room for hauling people’s stuff, with cargo space behind the far-back row growing by a few cubes to 26 cubic feet. A larger liftgate aperture is supposed to make moving things in and out easier.A More Open Concept InsideWhen people climb into the redesigned Santa Fe, it’s possible they’ll confuse it for a Land Rover. That might not make Land Rover owners happy, but it’ll likely appeal to everyone else. We think the new dashboard design, with its upright layout and subtle H-shaped elements, looks handsome. We also appreciate the new column-mounted shifter and the inclusion of physical knobs for the audio system as well as some HVAC controls, which sandwich a 6.6-inch touch panel.The dash’s centerpiece is the single curved panel that houses dual 12.3-inch screens, one for the gauge cluster and the other for the infotainment system. The steering wheel looks upscale too—and it could’ve easily been pulled directly from a Defender. The center console is touted as being accessible for those in the front seats and the second row, and it features a pair of wireless charging pads above a hollowed-out section. Other unique features include a tray on top of the glovebox that sanitizes small items using ultraviolet light.Much More about the Santa FeFront-seat passengers looking to kick their feet up can deploy footrests, although it’s unclear if they’re standard or optional. The second-row captain’s chairs are available with power adjustments, and the third row can be reclined up to 10 degrees. Hyundai says second- and third-row passengers have more space to stretch out, with legroom measuring up to 42.3 and 30 inches, respectively. Compared with outgoing three-row models, that’s an increase of 2.7 inches in the far-back seats.The 2024 Santa Fe has a host of driver-assistance technology that ranges from automated emergency braking, automatic high-beams, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist to semi-autonomous drive modes. Along with safety features that lock the doors so people don’t accidentally step into traffic, there’s a new driver-attention monitor and a radar-based reminder to check the rear seats.Powertrains and PricingThe Santa Fe’s powertrain options aren’t as radically different as its appearance. In fact, they’re essentially unchanged. While the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder will no longer be offered in North America, the 2.5-liter turbo four carries on with 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It again pairs with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive.The plug-in-hybrid powertrain also loses its U.S. citizenship, but the hybrid variant—a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-pot paired with an electric motor—carries on. The setup includes a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive and is expected to make the same 226 horsepower combined. We’ll have to wait to find out fuel-economy estimates, though, as those figures have yet to be certified by the EPA.Hyundai says the 2024 Santa Fe will reach U.S. dealerships sometime in the first half of next year. While the company hasn’t yet released pricing, we expect the entry-level model will start just under $40K now that the hybrid powertrain appears to be the standard setup. The mightier 2.5-liter turbo four paired with the top-spec Calligraphy model will likely put the Santa Fe’s price tag in the neighborhood of $50,000.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 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

While Hyundai was once known for inexpensive, drab economy cars, the Korean automaker’s lineup now features some of the most distinctive designs on the market. The shift, led by design chief SangYup Lee, is perfectly encapsulated by the 2024 Santa Fe. Just a few years ago, the Santa Fe was a fine-looking but unimaginative crossover, but a facelift for 2021 brought an unorthodox, catfish-like face that helped it stand out. Now the 2024 Santa Fe distinguishes itself even more within the crowded mid-size-SUV segment with a bold, boxy look that fits into Hyundai’s design language while still looking different than the rest of the lineup.Much More about the Santa FeCompared with the smoothly styled outgoing Santa Fe, the 2024 model is all hard edges and straight lines, with a rectangular body shape and an assertive stance thanks to trapezoidal wheel arches. The 2024 Santa Fe’s length has grown by 1.8 inches, and the boxy profile helps it appear bigger and more imposing than before. A nearly 2.0-inch-longer wheelbase also gives it a more planted look.The sharper styling falls in line with many recent Hyundai products, but the Korean automaker has impressively avoided the Russian-nesting-doll strategy employed by many other companies. Mercedes-Benz, for example, is particularly egregious with its “same sausage, different sizes” philosophy, with the CLA-, C-, and S-class sedans virtually indistinguishable to the average person outside of their overall dimensions. Hyundai, meanwhile, has managed to keep a common design theme while giving each car a unique look. The Santa Fe shares its razor-edged creases with the smaller Tucson crossover and electric Ioniq 5 but keeps the lines straight and horizontal. The other two cars create triangular indentations that give a more dynamic, sporting appearance versus the butch, tough look of the Santa Fe. Even the Ioniq 6, with its curvier profile and smoother surfaces, looks like it is part of the same family as the Santa Fe thanks to its sleek, unorthodox design and expressive lighting and trim pieces.It certainly appears that Hyundai cribbed some design features from other automakers, but the end product still looks distinct. The overall boxy shape and the body-colored trim on the rear side windows recall the current Land Rover Defender, but the front and rear fascias make it clear that this SUV hails from Seoul, South Korea, not Coventry, England. The squared-off body also gives hints of the Ford Flex, although we doubt Hyundai looked to that deceased crossover/station wagon mashup for inspiration.Along with sharp surface treatments, Hyundai has set itself apart from other automakers with its striking lighting elements. The current Tucson, Santa Cruz pickup, and Palisade feature a shield-like array of lights that blend into the grille, while Hyundai’s Ioniq electric vehicles have adopted an ’80s-themed pixel lighting style that recalls old 8-bit video games. The Santa Fe straddles that boundary—the headlights are integrated into the grille with a thin light bar connecting the two main units, which feature a blocky “H” graphic that looks similar to the pixel lights on the Ioniq lineup. That “H” motif also appears in the front bumper and the taillights, which are particularly unusual for how low they sit in the bumper.Styling is, of course, subjective, and not everyone will love the look of the 2024 Santa Fe. But there is no denying that Hyundai has created a distinctive-looking crossover and has crafted a family of vehicles that share common traits without all looking the same. Even if you’re not a fan of the styling risks the Korean automaker is taking, Hyundai has undoubtedly come a long way since the days of bland, A-to-B transport in the early 2000s.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.Associate 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

Hyundai is showing a concept version of the new 2024 Santa Fe with many off-road tweaks.Called the XRT concept, we think this will eventually become a production trim level, though perhaps with less extreme changes.The XRT has all-terrain tires, a lifted suspension, and many accessories.With the new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe sporting a newly boxy shape, it’s only natural that Hyundai would seek to amplify the mid-size SUV’s outdoorsy image. That’s exactly what this highly accessorized concept version of the Santa Fe called the XRT is for.XRT is already a rugged trim level that Hyundai offers for numerous models in its lineup, including the outgoing Santa Fe, the Tucson, the Palisade, and the Santa Cruz. But this XRT concept goes many steps further, suggesting that an eventual production off-road trim level for the new Santa Fe could offer more than the current XRT trim’s appearance tweaks. More on XRTWhile Hyundai isn’t releasing details about exactly what modifications it made, we can tell that the XRT concept has a raised ride height, chunky BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, and what look to be significantly improved approach and departure angles thanks to underbody changes. It’s also festooned with all manner of add-ons including a beefed-up roof rack with a cargo carrier and a spare tire, a ladder on the rear tailgate, and cargo boxes mounted on the rearmost side windows that look very reminiscent of what Land Rover offers on the Defender. The Santa Fe XRT concept doesn’t appear to have an interior yet.Full DetailsWe’d expect Hyundai to offer a production-ready XRT model soon, although it may not be quite as extreme as this concept. Still, we’re hoping that it offers some real mechanical upgrades compared with the standard model such as a raised suspension and off-road tires. Full details on the U.S.-spec 2024 Santa Fe lineup will be released later this year, so we’ll have to wait see what’s in store.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

Bugatti has revealed this ornate one-off Chiron Super Sport ahead of Monterey Car Week called the “Golden Era.”The Golden Era is a celebration of Bugatti’s greatest hits as the company winds down production of the W-16 engine and transitions to an electrified future under new parent company Rimac.Hand-drawn sketches of legendary Bugattis cover the car’s sides; they took more than 400 hours to produce.It’s become a cliché to call a sleek supercar a “work of art,” but in the case of the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport “Golden Era,” that title is particularly apt. This exquisite machine has been revealed ahead of its official in-person debut at the upcoming Monterey Car Week, sporting beautiful murals on the car’s flanks that celebrate Bugatti’s heritage.The one-off creation emerged from Bugatti’s Sur Mesure division, which handles the most outlandish and creative customization projects ordered by Bugatti’s ultra-wealthy clientele. This project began when a passionate Bugatti collector approached the company with the idea to honor Bugatti and its W-16 engine, which will end production after the final 2024 Mistral roadster leaves the factory. The process of designing the Golden Era took two years, with the company describing it as “the most challenging bespoke project that Bugatti has ever undertaken.”The Golden Era uses a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport as its base, which packs an 1578-horsepower version of the quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W-16 and the special long-tailed carbon-fiber bodywork from the 300-mph Super Sport 300+. In our hands, the Super Sport shot to 60 mph in a blistering 2.2 seconds and only needed 14.8 seconds to crest the 200-mph mark.While the W-16 that has been Bugatti’s hallmark only arrived in 2005 with the record-breaking Veyron, the customer wanted his masterpiece to feature important vehicles from throughout the brand’s 100-plus-year history. The images emerge on the front fenders and doors as the paint fades from the metallic Nocturne Black color to a light golden hue called “Doré” that is unique to this vehicle. On the passenger side, the 26 hand-drawn sketches include iconic cars like the Type 41 Royale and Type 57 SC Atlantic. There are also depictions of planes, a train, the company’s chateau headquarters in Molsheim, and signatures from Jean and Ettore Bugatti.The driver’s side displays 19 sketches detailing Bugatti’s history since its revival by Romano Artioli in 1987 and subsequent purchase by the Volkswagen Group in 1998. Here we see stunning hypercars from the EB110 to the Veyron and Chiron, as well as the side profile of the one-off La Voiture Noire and the W-16 engine. The limited-production Divo, Centodieci, and Mistral, as well as the track-only Bolide, also make appearances. Bugatti says the drawings were made using the same pens used for sketching designs on paper and were applied directly onto the body by hand. The painstaking process took more than 400 hours, and Bugatti described the procedure of hand-drawing on a one-off bespoke Chiron as “intimidating.”Museum-Quality InteriorThe interior mirrors the look of the body panels, with three legendary Bugattis emblazoned on each leather door panel. The driver’s side focuses on the modern Bugatti hypercars—the EB110, Veyron, and Chiron—while the passengers side features iconic pre-war cars, the Type 35, Type 57SC Atlantic, and Type 41 Royale. The hand-painted images are accompanied by stitching reading “Golden Era” on the headrests (with the same phrase appearing on the underside of the rear wing) and a “One-of-One” badge on the center console. The driver’s-side doorsill marks the modern era of Bugattis with the dates “1987–2023” while the passenger’s side sill reads “1909–1956” for the life span of the original Bugatti company.The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport already costs nearly $4 million, and while Bugatti didn’t detail the price for the Golden Era, we imagine its dedicated owner paid a significant amount more for this special Super Sport. The owner will pick up his unique Chiron at Monterey Car Week, and while we hope the Golden Era gets driven, this is one hypercar that would be just as much at home in a museum as it would on track. 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.Associate 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

Kia has revealed a new model called the K3. It’s a small sedan that will be built in Mexico.It’s powered by either a 1.6-liter four-cylinder or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.The K3 is slated to go on sale by the end of the year, making us think it could arrive in the U.S. for the 2025 model year.Kia has revealed a new small sedan that looks like a replacement for the subcompact Rio. But because of its name, K3, we think that it might also be replacing the compact Forte—which is currently sold in Korea under the K3 nameplate.KiaWhile we don’t yet have confirmation that this model is coming to the U.S., we do know that the new K3 will be built in Mexico at the same plant that currently builds the Rio and Forte. Kia has also already filed a trademark for the K3 name in the U.S. This name change would align this new entry-level model with the nomenclature for the larger K5 mid-size sedan.KiaThe K3 adopts some of Kia’ latest design cues, such as LED accent lights that extend below the headlights as on the EV9 electric SUV, and features a modern-looking dashboard setup with large digital gauge cluster and infotainment screens. The steering wheel is taken from the EV6 and there are interesting-looking patterns on the door panels and dashboard trim.Kia says that the standard powertrain will be a 1.6-liter inline-four with 121 hp, which is currently the Rio’s standard engine in the U.S. The GT Line model will have a 150-hp 2.0-liter inline-four, and a 1.4-liter engine will be offered in certain markets. We think the 2.0-liter powertrain is the most likely option for the U.S.-market K3.KiaThere’s no word on U.S.-specific timing, but we think we will hear more about the K3 soon. Kia says that it will go on sale in some markets in the fourth quarter of this year, which suggests that it could arrive in the U.S. as soon as the 2025 model year.More on Kia Small CarsThis 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 first electric version of the Cadillac Escalade starts around $130,000 and goes on sale in summer 2024. Clean-sheet design means this Escalade is not based on the Chevrolet Tahoe or Suburban. Standard features include rear-wheel steering, 24-inch wheels, and a 55-inch touchscreen display. The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ looks different, doesn’t it? The change is fitting considering this is the first all-electric Escalade model, denoted by the “IQ” suffix the brand has been bolting to its EV models such as the Lyriq and Celestiq. Hey, just be glad they didn’t call it the “Escaladiq.” The Escalade IQ continues the design theme of those vehicles, both in the italic L-shaped motif ahead of the D-pillar and in how its fascia and rear do a little light show as you approach. Being an Escalade, though, the IQ isn’t about subtlety or restraint. Consider that it will have upward of 750 horsepower, an estimated 450 miles of range, and a price of around $130,000 when it goes on sale in summer 2024. Size and Platform Details The design represents freedom from the constraints imposed on the regular Escalade by its being based on the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. Instead, the IQ is built on similar fundamentals as the GMC Hummer EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV. That means GM’s Ultium 24-module battery pack sits underneath, with a usable capacity of over 200.0 kWh and the ability of adding 100 miles of range in 10 minutes at a properly functioning DC fast-charger (emphasis on “properly”). At home, where most people charge most frequently, the IQ supports 19.2 kW AC, which adds around 37 miles of range in an hour. Raise (or Lower) Your IQCompared to the Escalade ESV, the IQ is longer both in terms of wheelbase (136.2 inches) and overall length (224.3 inches). It’s wider too, at 85.3 inches. The overall size increase is such that the standard 24-inch wheels look deceptively small. Those wheels match the size of those offered on the upcoming Silverado EV RST, and they’re wrapped in 275/50 tires; that’s 35 inches of rubber. That presumably substantial mass is controlled by MagneRide dampers and air springs that can raise and lower the IQ by one and two inches, respectively.Many More DetailsDespite the similarity in size, the IQ’s rear-wheel steering enables a 39.4-foot turning diameter, which is slightly less than that of the standard, short-wheelbase Escalade, at 39.7 feet. For comparison, the long-wheelbase ESV’s turning diameter is 43.3 feet. Also cribbed from the Hummer EV playbook is CrabWalk, where the rear wheels turn in phase with the fronts to move the vehicle diagonally. Here, the feature is dubbed Cadillac Arrival Mode, and its intention is mostly to show off at the valet. Power and Acceleration A drive mode called Velocity Max enables 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque. Cadillac reps say this remains active and the power stays available until you change modes or turn the key off, a welcome change from automakers with vehicles that only provide peak power momentarily. In the regular drive mode, output is 680 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque. With front and rear motors powering all four wheels, Cadillac claims 60-mph acceleration of less than five seconds in Velocity Max. We’re guessing the time is not likely so much less as to challenge the 4.3-second result we recorded from the Escalade V, since the IQ will assuredly weigh substantially more than that vehicle’s 6290 pounds. Cadillac reps wouldn’t say how much more, but we figure somewhere between the 9640-pound GMC Hummer truck and 8660-pound SUV. The IQ will also have an 8000-pound tow rating, but we suggest reading up on the perils of towing with an EV, as we’ve tested. Interior Of course, a six-figure Escalade wouldn’t be complete without some showmanship inside. What appears to be a single display that stretches 55 inches diagonally across the entire dash is actually two screens: one 35-inch display for the driver and a 25-inch screen for the passenger, partitioned because the passenger’s side is polarized so the driver can’t be distracted by it when the vehicle is out of park. While the prototype build we saw wasn’t fully functional, the screen and its Google Built-In integration looked nice. Alas, Apple CarPlay is not supported, which is a major mistake from our perspective. Also disappointing is the absence of physical switches. Beneath that 55-inch screen combination sits yet another display. This 11-inch touchscreen is where you adjust things like the five-zone climate controls and ambient lighting—the doors too, if they’re equipped with the power open-and-close feature. When enabled, this system can automatically open the driver door when it senses your approach, and a radar system in the door reduces the chance of its touching another vehicle or the wall in your garage. All Escalade IQ models will come with second-row captain’s chairs and a 60/40-split power third row. An available Executive Second Row adds a rear center console with yet another touchscreen display, storage, 12.6-inch rear headrest monitors with HDMI inputs, and captain’s chairs with heating, ventilation, and massage. There are even storable tray tables. So equipped, the number of AKG-branded speakers reaches 40. A simply enormous sunroof reaches the back of the second row. While the tinted glass is treated with UV-filtering film to reduce heat transfer, you’ll have to order a shade as an accessory if you want one—we would.Storage and Other Tech As with many EVs, the IQ takes advantage of not having an engine or transmission. A front storage area (which Cadillac really wants you to call the “eTrunk”) holds more than 12 cubic feet of stuff, and an available accessory tray slides forward and rearward for easier access. Instead of a transmission tunnel underneath the center console, there’s a sizable bin. You can also expect a bevy of other Cadillac features, from Super Cruise hands-free driving, a comprehensive exterior camera system, a parallel parking assist feature, and even an alphanumeric code on the rear (“1000E4” in this case) that continues the brand’s silly trend of badges that convert a vehicle’s torque from pound-feet to newton-meters and then rounding to the nearest 100. The “E” is for electric, the “4” for the number of driven wheels. Surely, this information will amaze the crowd at the valet after you’ve Cadillac-Arrival-Mode-ed sideways into place. More Big SUVs from GMDeputy Editor, VideoFrom selling them to testing them, Carlos Lago has spent his entire adult life consumed by cars. He currently drives the creative behind Car and Driver video. More

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicle is the latest in the growing Chevy police lineup with 498 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque.Based on the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV, the PPV has all-wheel drive and will be available for GM fleet buyers early in 2024.The Blazer EV PPV joins the Silverado 1500, Tahoe, and 2023 Traverse and Malibu as options for law enforcement needs.Except for its red and blue lights, the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) is nothing like the Tahoe that delivered your last speeding ticket. Based on the Blazer EV for us law-abiding citizens, the PPV is an all-wheel-drive crime-fighting machine with 498 horsepower. For 12 minutes of pure EV police-car glory, watch GM’s video on the Blazer EV PPVs.Super Troopers:GM says the Blazer EV PPV has an estimated driving range of 250 miles, and we’d guess its “105.0-kWh battery” is a similar unit used in the Cadillac Lyriq 450E with a capacity of 102.0 kWh. The 400-volt architecture means the police can DC-fast-charge their patrol vehicle at a rate of up to 190 kW, which GM says can deliver as much as 71 miles of range in 10 minutes. The cost of installing a dedicated DC fast-charger at a department could be deemed both cruel and unusual, so we expect state police, sheriffs, and municipalities to use 80-amp Level 2 chargers for a slower 19.2-kW refill, or begin patrolling the public charging network. Regenerative braking is standard on the Blazer EV PPV.With all its emergency lights, radio equipment, and computer, a cop car’s rap sheet of electrically demanding tools can be lengthy. GM says the Blazer EV PPV could idle for 20 to 50 hours on a single charge, which sounds like one helluva story, should an officer need that much time to write an incident report. Top speed is limited to 130 mph, but GM indicates that could be increased with aftermarket equipment. This content is imported from youTube. 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.Associate EditorYes, he’s still working on the 1986 Nissan 300ZX Turbo project car he started in high school, and no, it’s not for sale yet. Austin Irwin was born and raised in Michigan, and, despite getting shelled by hockey pucks during a not-so-successful goaltending career through high school and college, still has all of his teeth. He loves cars from the 1980s and Bleu, his Great Pyrenees, and is an active member of the Buffalo Wild Wings community. When Austin isn’t working on his own cars, he’s likely on the side of the highway helping someone else fix theirs. More

The second-generation Honda N-Box has received a facelift. The tiny N-Box is wildly popular in Japan, earning the title of most popular car in the country over five of the past six years since the introduction of the second generation.In our half-ton-pickup crazed country, the N-Box likely wouldn’t be very popular. That doesn’t stop us wanting one. Spurred along by social media and by their own inherent charm, kei trucks and kei cars have drawn fans everywhere, even in the U.S.A. Sure, if you want a small truck you could buy a Ford Maverick or a Hyundai Santa Cruz, but that does nothing to diminish the appeal of the cheap, practical little kei trucks of Japan, like the Toyota Hiace, Honda Acty, or Daihatsu Hijet. That goes double for the Honda N-Box, a truly adorable little mini van.HondaRecent Honda NewsThe N-Box is popular in Japan. Like really popular. The second generation debuted to massive success in 2017, rising to claim the most sales of any car in Japan that year. According to Top Gear, the N-Box maintained that title through 2018 and 2019 as well. Sales data from Nippon.com shows that the N-Box held on to the throne in 2020 before losing out to the Toyota Yaris in 2021, and reclaiming the sales leader title in 2022. That means for five of the six years since the launch of the second generation, the N-Box has been Japan’s most popular vehicle.HondaHondaThe redesigned version gets a fresh front end with different faces depending on the chosen trim. The standard N-Box features a smaller grille, with circular headlights set into rectangular housings, while the N-Box Custom features a more distinct grille and rectangular running lights. We love the boxy look on all the trims, but the color-matched alloy wheels on the Fashion trim really sell the van for us. HondaIn completely unsurprising (and seven-month-old) news, the three most popular vehicles sold in the United States last year were half-ton pickups. Quite a far cry away from 63-hp kei vans sold in Japan. The American populace just doesn’t seem all that interested in buying small economy vans. But we are, and we’d love to buy this facelifted N-Box. Preferably in Fjord Mist Pearl paint, with matching wheels. 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.Patience Is RewardedAssociate 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