Motor News

Toyota has released pricing for the 2024 Grand Highlander SUV.A larger version of the Highlander, the Grand Highlander starts at $44,405 and ranges up to nearly $60,000 for the loaded version with the Hybrid Max powertrain.The Grand Highlander will start arriving at dealerships this summer.How much extra will you pay for the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander’s extra space compared with its non-Grand sibling? As it turns out, not that much. Pricing for the new three-row SUV starts just a bit higher than its smaller equivalent. With a base price of $44,405 for the front-wheel-drive XLE model, the Grand Highlander starts $1050 higher than the equivalent Highlander XLE.The Grand Highlander’s standard engine, like in the Highlander, is a 265-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four. All-wheel drive costs $1600 extra on both the XLE and Limited ($47,860) models and is standard on the Platinum trim ($53,545). The XLE and Limited models are also available with a 243-hp hybrid powertrain that also commands a $1600 premium. It too comes standard with front-wheel drive and is available with all-wheel drive as an option. Toyota claims that the hybrid offers a big MPG bump: 36 mpg combined, compared with the gas model’s 24 mpg combined.We Drive the Grand HighlanderThe top dog in the Grand Highlander lineup—exclusive to the Grand—is the Hybrid Max setup. It combines a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four with electric motors for a total of 362 horsepower. In terms of fuel economy, it fits between the standard gas and hybrid models with a claimed combined EPA estimate of 27 mpg. This all-wheel-drive-only configuration is offered only on the Limited and Platinum and carries a significant price premium. The Limited Hybrid Max starts at $55,375 and the Platinum Hybrid Max is $59,460. This brings it well beyond the realm of the Highlander, but it’s not unheard of in the three-row SUV segment, as competitors such as the Mazda CX-90 and Jeep Grand Cherokee L reach well into the $60,000 range.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

We covered the reveal of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma extensively. And yet, we still managed to miss a few little details about the Japanese automaker’s redesigned mid-size pickup. Specifically, we ignored the truck’s handful of Easter eggs. With the help of a Toyota representative and a pre-production Tacoma TRD PreRunner, we stumbled upon three such treats the brand fits on the truck as a means of pleasing keen-eyed observers. We know there are more, though, so 2024 Tacoma owners ought to keep a vigilant eye out for additional hidden messages that Toyota’s placed about the truck. These three Easter eggs, however, should help you get started on your search.Taco MountainsGreg S. Fink|Car and DriverYou’ll have to squint to see it, but what you’re looking at is a mountain range that Toyota’s pinned to the 2024 Tacoma’s front windshield. It’s a fitting design element for a truck that shares its name with Tacoma, Washington—a city with a mountainous skyline.A Rainier TacomaGreg S. Fink|Car and DriverStamped onto the 2024 Tacoma’s left headlight’s mounting point to the truck’s body are the numbers 46.853 and -121.76. These aren’t just any numbers, though; they’re coordinates to a location positioned just a little northwest of Mt. Rainier. What exactly you’ll find at these coordinates is anyone’s guess, but we hope those who venture there on a Tuesday are at least met with some Tacos.QR You?Greg S. Fink|Car and DriverSee those dots on that plastic piece on the side of the dashboard? Those aren’t just random pinholes, but Morse code. And according to Toyota’s PR team, it reads “Accessory Ready.” Production Tacomas will also include a QR code on this panel. Scan it, and you’ll be taken to a website with dimensions to 3D print accessories, including a lantern and toolkit.More on the New TacomaSenior EditorDespite their shared last name, Greg Fink is not related to Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s infamous Rat Fink. Both Finks, however, are known for their love of cars, car culture, and—strangely—monogrammed one-piece bathing suits. Greg’s career in the media industry goes back more than a decade. His previous experience includes stints as an editor at publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, Motor1.com, and MotorTrend. More

Reports suggest that Kia is planning to sell a new pickup truck in Australia starting in 2025.According to Drive, the manufacturer confirmed the news in a confidential meeting with dealers.We’re not sure if it will come to the U.S., but it could rival the Ford Ranger in global markets.Kia is preparing to launch a new pickup truck—at least in Australia. According to a report by Australian publication Drive, Kia told dealers to expect a “genuine and serious rival” to the mid-size Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger trucks, both of which are popular down under. While we’re not sure about the truck’s U.S. prospects, we’re curious to hear more about this new crew-cab model that’s slated for a sales launch in 2025.Dealers were informed the internal model code for the new truck is “TK”, but the official name hasn’t been announced yet. They were also reportedly told that the truck will have a new ladder-frame chassis and that it will utilize a diesel engine. This significantly narrows down the list of potential engines, as Kia and Hyundai only offer a few diesels in global markets. The four-cylinder diesel from the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe could be an option, along with the 3.0-liter inline-six diesel in foreign versions of the Genesis GV80.More Truck StuffUnlike the 2004 KCV4 Mojave concept pictured at top, the new truck will likely look much more like the other mid-sized trucks on the road now. Spy photos on Drive show a tall and flat front end, with a crew-cab configuration. Despite offering more information to its Australian dealers, the manufacturer is staying tight-lipped beyond simple confirmation that the truck exists when talking to media. “Kia is currently developing a future pickup truck model that will be highly capable and fit for purpose. Additional details will be confirmed in due course,” Kia told Drive. As things stand now, we’re not sure if Hyundai would consider building its own version of this new truck. It currently offers the Santa Cruz pickup in the U.S., but that’s a smaller unibody truck that shares its platform with other Hyundai crossovers.We’ll have to wait a bit longer to see what’s in store for Kia’s forthcoming Australia-market truck, as it likely won’t debut until more than a year from now at the earliest. As for the possibility of it coming to the U.S., we wouldn’t hold our breath, but a Kia entry into the hot mid-size truck segment here—which includes the recently redesigned Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevy Colorado—could shake things up in an interesting way.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 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

Audi is introducing a few minor updates to the Audi A6, S6, A7, and S7 for the 2024 model year.The new models have a revised front end, plus new wheel designs and colors.We don’t yet know U.S. details, but we expect these to arrive on our shores later this year.Audi is preparing to rework its lineup soon with new names for many of the models, but the mid-size A6 and A7 are sticking around for now and receive a few updates for the 2024 model year. You’ll be hard-pressed to spot the changes, which include subtly revised styling, new wheel designs, and a few new standard features. These also apply to the S6 and S7 and the A6 Allroad, and we’ve already covered the 2024 updates to the highest-performance RS6 Avant and RS7.More Audi NewsThe A6 and A7’s front grille and bumpers are revised, and there’s greater variation between the standard treatments and the S Line package. New wheel designs for the European models include sizes ranging from 17 to 21 inches, but the current U.S. models come standard with 19-inch wheels so we might see slightly different offerings for our versions. The expanded color palette may also change when Audi releases U.S. specs for the 2024 models, which may not be until later this year.Park assist is now standard, and there are different appearance packages including basic, advanced, and S Line. New interior trim options include additional wood trims and microfiber trim, but Audi hasn’t yet shared any photos of the updated cabin.We don’t anticipate any changes to the A6 and A7’s powertrain lineups. The A6 comes standard with a 261-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and a 335-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 is optional. The A7 comes standard with the V-6, and the S6 and S7 have a more powerful 444-hp turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6.Look out for more details on these 2024 Audi models as we learn more including U.S. pricing, equipment packages, and EPA ratings.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

Cadillac has revealed a second-generation CT6 sedan, but unfortunately the rear-wheel-drive cruiser will be exclusive to China.A turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four resides under the hood, while a 33-inch screen spans the leather-trimmed dashboard.Cadillac also unveiled the new GT4 crossover, which slots into the small end of the brand’s Chinese lineup but still includes that massive curved screen.Cadillac sales in the United States have suffered over the past few decades, but the situation in China is much rosier, where the brand posted nearly 60,000 more sales than in its home country last year. The large CT6 sedan—killed off in the U.S. after 2020—lives on overseas, and now Cadillac has revealed a new generation for China, debuting alongside a new SUV model called the GT4.CadillacThe CT6 doesn’t look wildly different from the outgoing car, with sleek, clean bodywork and vertical taillights. Thin LED running lights sit above the main headlight units and flow into the wide grille that echoes the shape of the Cadillac crest. Inside, the dashboard is dominated by a curved 33.0-inch screen, while the rest of the cabin is trimmed in lush Nappa leather and open pore ash with metal accents. The ambient lighting can be set to 26 different colors. The CT6 remains rear-wheel drive, but instead of the V-6 and V-8 engines that powered the CT6 we got in America, the Chinese car is motivated by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The CT6 will also come with Super Cruise, General Motors’ hands-free highway driving tech that will automatically initiate lane changes in the right circumstances. Prices will open at the equivalent to around $50,000. CadillacCadillac also showed off the new GT4, referring to it as a “coupe-style SUV.” While the crossover sports a low-slung look compared to the more upright XT4 that also competes in the compact SUV segment, it’s not quite as coupe-like as vehicles like the BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. The GT4 follows the same design language as the CT6, and a Sports package adds 19-inch black aluminum wheels, a black roof, and other darkened accents.CadillacThe 33.0-inch screen makes another appearance in the GT4, which offers a 15-speaker sound system, a color head-up display, heated and cooled front seats, and a 360-degree surround view camera setup. Under the hood is one of two four-cylinder engines, either a turbocharged 1.5-liter motor or a turbo 2.0-liter unit. The inline-fours are mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox and include 48-volt hybrid systems. Front-wheel drive is standard, but the GT4 can be specced with all-wheel drive. The GT4 will start at the equivalent around $31,000. While the CT6 will likely stay a China-exclusive model as American tastes shift away from sedans, the GT4 could potentially reach our shores. More Cadillac 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.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

Want a Fiat 500? You’ll be able to buy a brand-new 2024 Fiat 500e after November.But if you want an original, a company in Italy is doing restomods of the 1957–1975 classics.Builds start under $10,000—including the car—and Real Italian Cars is willing and able to ship completed cars anywhere in the United States.City-car fans, mark your calendars for November 2023. That’s when Fiat North America is unveiling the American version of the 2024 500e. But as exciting as that is for buyers of stylish EVs—as well as Fiat’s current U.S. lineup—it’s not the only Cinquecento resurrection. A new company in Italy is building classic 500 restomods, and unlike Singer’s 911s or Cyan Racing’s Volvo P1800s, buying one won’t require a second mortgage.It’s hard to find clearer, more apt names in the automotive business than Real Italian Cars. Firstly, the new shop is headquartered in the Tuscan city of Lucca in Italy. Secondly, the business’s focus is restoring an Italian automotive legend: the original Fiat Nuova 500. And thirdly, co-founders Amedeo Provenzali, Anthony Peacock, and Mattia Vita all have ties to Italian automotive culture. Vita, for example, is an active rally driver, and Peacock has consulted for Pirelli Media and written stories for numerous car publications.”We’ve been friends a long time,” Peacock recently told Car and Driver over the phone, and he expressed their fondness for vintage 500s. Yet while “millions and millions of these Fiats were produced, they’re a little bit of a dying breed,” he said. The trio wanted to keep the ones that remained around, “to preserve something for the future.” It started as a hobby, with the initial clients being mutual friends asking for repairs. But “without realizing it,” he said, “we were trying to set up a business, one that encourages more people, particularly future generations, to get into classic car ownership.”Regarding that business, Real Italian Cars takes on any 1957–1975 Fiat 500 model, from the base 500D all the way to the wonderfully wicker-seated open-air 500 Jolly. The shop’s services range from simple cosmetic corrections as well as interior and engine work all the way to a full restoration or custom overhaul. That includes sympathetic modern touches like an Apple CarPlay–equipped stereo. And before you ask, yes, the shop has already gotten requests for Abarth re-creations.If you don’t want to go full scorpion, you can also have Real Italian Cars swap the original air-cooled 499cc two-cylinder engine and crash gearbox for a Fiat 126 powertrain. That brings more grunt, courtesy of the bigger powerplant (594cc or 652cc, depending on the donor’s model year) and gear synchros. Peacock’s personal 500 has the 126 swap, and he attests, “The extra power and synchromesh really make a difference.” Considering a stock 1957 500 can’t even hit 60 mph and has a quarter-mile time longer than some YouTube ads, we’re inclined to believe him. Plus, thanks to the synchros, you don’t need to grind and double-clutch to drive your classic car around town. All the better and easier to enjoy your daily dose of vintage dolce vita.It might be getting even easier in the future. Peacock told us that Real Italian Cars is currently prototyping and testing an EV-swapped Nuova 500 build. “The only thing that’s been a headache so far are the brakes,” he said, owing to the extra weight of the batteries. But otherwise, the classic Fiats “are perfect, perfect cars to become EVs,” he claims, due to their simple mechanical nature. If all goes well, the EV conversion option might be available by the end of summer 2023. If that schedule holds, come November, there’ll be two electric Fiat 500 options to choose from in the U.S.You read that right: Real Italian Cars is taking orders from American clients and can even arrange shipping. Peacock said the company already has someone from Florida requesting a build, as well as a California resident who wants to take an Italian summer road trip in his new little Fiat. While the registration process for a restored 1957–1975 500 will vary from state to state, these cars are all good under the 25-year rule. So are all but the last of the 126s, while the earliest ones are exempt from California’s smog inspections. Basically, if you have the money, you shouldn’t have a problem driving one of these restomods in the U.S.Speaking of money, you won’t need crazy amounts of it. As was the case when the business was just a hobby for friends, you’re paying “mates’ rates” (Real Italian Cars has a base in London, we can use U.K. slang). The shop’s builds start at €9000; that’s about $9800 at today’s exchange rates. That includes the cost of the donor car. As with other restomod operations, the more you customize, the more you pay. And starting prices vary based on the specific 500 model. An original Jolly restoration, for example, starts at a little over $27K. But considering an original non-wicker Nuova 500 typically goes for $10,000 to $20,000 these days, these prices are surprisingly reasonable.We wonder how much re-creating Lupin III’s 500 will cost?Research EditorAfter discovering car magazines and Fast and Furious movies in high school, Matthew Skwarczek wanted to create cleaner fuels to keep automobiles around. But after a brief engineering career, the Chicagoland native realized he preferred researching and writing about the cars themselves. That’s how he found himself first at MotorBiscuit and then at C/D. Today, when he’s not reading, he’s daydreaming on Bring a Trailer, backpacking, or riding his motorcycle or bicycle. More

This prairie-sized Galaxie is particularly imposing in the rarely seen fastback body style.Underneath the acres of sheetmetal, this ’60s cruiser has been modernized with a reworked Hotchkis suspension and Wilwood brakes.Metallic blue paint, a subtle hood scoop, and black steelies with dog-dish hub caps complete the understated look. Car and DriverOne of the world’s most scenic roads, Canada’s Icefields Parkway runs north from Calgary up to the tourist town of Jasper. Sure, you could rent a Chevy Equinox to make the trip, but here’s a much more charismatic sled to haul you past the glaciers. Up for auction in Calgary is this 1968 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe, a prairie-sized cruiser with some very cool tricks hidden up its sleeve.Today’s pick from Bring A Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos) is the kind of carefully prepared vintage machine that provides 1960s nostalgia without the old-car dynamic drawbacks. This Galaxie is a true full-sizer, a big ol’ boat from the blue oval. It should be driven while wearing the full-denim Canadian tuxedo, singing along with Stompin’ Tom Connors as he belts out Bud the Spud. But tucked behind those 18-inch steel wheels are a host of parts from the likes of Wilwood and Hotchkis. It’s a boat all right—but a speedboat.Bring a TrailerThe Hotchkis sport suspension is the really tasty part of this build. When Jay Leno went looking for a way to improve the handling of the 1966 Ford Galaxie he built as a tribute to a beloved Leno family car, he had Hotchkis design a setup incorporating big anti-roll bars, Fox shock absorbers, uprated springs, and even reworked control arms. This ’68 Galaxie gets essentially the same treatment, and it should corner as flat as a Saskatchewan wheat field.Bring a TrailerUnder the USS Eisenhower–sized hood is a comprehensively rebuilt 390-cubic-inch V-8. Galaxies came with bigger powerplants, but this 6.4-liter makes all the right noises without any high-strung motor bad habits. It huffs out growly V-8 noises through Hooker long-tube headers like a big friendly mastiff.The transmission is a highway-friendly three-speed automatic, refreshed and rebuilt. A 9-inch rear end with an Eaton limited slip differential gets that V-8 power to the ground via 255-series Firestone Firehawk tires wrapping 18-inch steel wheels.Bring a TrailerWilwood six-piston front brakes connected to braided lines and an upgraded master cylinder should enable this big Ford to safely shed highway speeds. A three-core aluminum radiator with twin 11-inch fans keeps things cool in the summer.Bring a TrailerThrow in a laundry list of other driver-friendly tweaks—better seats and steering among them—and this Galaxie is an ideal retro road tripper. Cruise on up into the Rocky Mountains, make friends with the bighorn sheep, then thunder across the Plains on your way back home. Bidding at this writing is just under $10,000, and the auction runs through May 31.Car and driverCar and driver Lettermark logoContributing EditorBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More

For the past few years, new-car prices have obviously been climbing, so it’s nice to learn that there are some traditional Memorial Day deals out there this year.With the pandemic fading away and the related supply-chain problems sorting themselves out, we’re back to perks like low financing offers and factory discounts.The best deals available knock around 10 percent off the price of the car but don’t expect that sort of sale on everything on the lot.For years, Memorial Day has been in the rotation for holidays that often come with deals at local car dealerships. It’s the start of summer, after all, and that means hitting the open road to experience construction and traffic jams in new places. After years of a pandemic and related supply-chain problems, there’s reason to wonder if new-car shoppers can expect exceptional discounts on a new set of wheels this weekend. The good news for buyers is that there are a few signs that things are getting back to normal. How normal? A joint forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive projects that new-vehicle retail sales for May 2023 will be 9.6 percent higher than May 2022, with almost 1.1 million sales predicted.Shopping ListDiscounts and Lower Interest Rates?This year, the best Memorial Day deals take the form of up-front discounts and lowered finance rates. That’s good, but let’s not forget that the average new car price in the U.S. was just over $48,000 last month. That’s a lot, but it represented a bit of a plateau after almost two years of upward movement. It was the first time in 20 months that the average price of a new car once again dropped below the sticker price. As the world figures out its post-pandemic reality, including normalizing supply chains again, we find ourselves in a short moment of price stability, and dealers aren’t making as much per car as they were before.”The improved supply of vehicles vs. a year ago has resulted in a decline in dealer profits. However, dealer profits remain well above pre-pandemic levels,” J.D. Power analyst Thomas King said in a statement. “The primary reason for the decline in profit is that fewer vehicles are being sold for prices higher than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). This month, only 31 percent of new vehicles are projected to be sold above MSRP, which is down from a high of 49 percent in July 2022.”The somewhat stable prices and improved supply of new vehicles mean shoppers can indeed find deals this weekend. While not all of these are specific Memorial Day promotions, they’re all available until at least the end of the month. With all of this in mind, here’s an overview of some of this weekend’s best new-car deals.Check Your Dealer, but Discounts Are Out ThereConsumer Reports found that the best deals available this weekend could drop the price of a new car by between 6 and 10 percent off the original MSRP. At the top of CR’s list is the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, which can be had for a 10 percent discount. Other Big Three models are also discounted: the 2023 Dodge Charger and 2023 Ford Edge are both seven percent off right now.Related StoryPlenty of models—including the Hyundai Santa Cruz, Honda Passport, and Subaru Outback—currently come with some sort of discounted lease deal. According to U.S. News, for example, the Outback can be had for $345 per month if you sign a three-year lease and bring $3545 to the signing.There are Memorial Day sales offers and substantial factory discounts on some new Jeep models. Until the end of May, the Compass can be had with up to $3500 off—that price is for returning lessees, however—while there are discounts up to $2000 available for the Wrangler. Overall, these discounts are good for between 3 and 10 percent off. There are other deals to be found, and availability varies by location and other factors, but the good news is that car shoppers might just get lucky this weekend.Contributing EditorSebastian Blanco has been writing about electric vehicles, hybrids, and hydrogen cars since 2006. His articles and car reviews have appeared in the New York Times, Automotive News, Reuters, SAE, Autoblog, InsideEVs, Trucks.com, Car Talk, and other outlets. His first green-car media event was the launch of the Tesla Roadster, and since then he has been tracking the shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles and discovering the new technology’s importance not just for the auto industry, but for the world as a whole. Throw in the recent shift to autonomous vehicles, and there are more interesting changes happening now than most people can wrap their heads around. You can find him on Twitter or, on good days, behind the wheel of a new EV.  More