Category: Shows

Vehicle evaluations for the 2022 Motor1.com Star Awards are happening right now! This week, our editors are holed up in a secret location in California with 20 vehicles waiting in the wings, all vying for a coveted Motor1.com Star Award. And we’re bringing you, dear reader, along for the ride. Sort of, anyway.

After each (very long) day of testing, we will go live on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter for what’s sure to be a rousing discussion of everything we liked, didn’t like, and the general state of our sanity after hours of driving. We won’t be alone, however. You can join us by posting comments and asking questions, and we will respond as best we can. Be prepared for witty banter, spicy hot takes, and all kinds of quality car content from the best crew in the business.

There’s more on performance with today’s batch of finalists, though it’s not simply about pure horsepower. Case-in-point, a 200-hp Honda Civic Si joins the 819-hp Lucid Air Grand Touring in this segment. The crew will also be discussing best value, where the price cap is set at $40,000.

It’s also worth mentioning that, at this point, the Motor1.com team has been going full tilt on Star Awards evaluations for four days straight, 12-plus hours each day. The gig is almost up, and the conversation should be as spirited as the performance cars parked outside. This is a livestream you won’t want to miss.

For 2022, vehicles will compete in seven categories including Best EV, Best Performance, Best Luxury, Best SUV, Best Truck, Best Value, and Editor’s Choice. With a few exceptions, categories aren’t vehicle-specific which means one model could win multiple awards. The finalists represent the highest-rated vehicles we’ve tested that are either all-new or substantially updated versus last year, evaluated through our comprehensive granular rating system of 144 micro-segments. It covers everything from safety to performance, design, comfort, and more.

Erange EV tires has joined us this year as a title sponsor, which helps make this comprehensive evaluation possible. Be sure to check them out, follow us on social at Instagram and TikTok for special behind-the-scenes Star Awards action, and learn about all the finalists in the Rambling About Cars Star Awards podcast, available below.

The 2022 J.D. Power Automotive Brand Loyalty Study is out, and there is a clear favorite among new car buyers. Actually, there are four favorites, but only one brand captured two categories in the study. That brand is Toyota, but Ford scored the highest percentage of loyal buyers by a slim margin.

The study is in its fourth year, and it surveys buyers of new cars exclusively. Moreover, it focuses on buyers who trade in a vehicle of the same brand for their new purchase. The study, therefore, encompasses franchised dealerships only, using data pulled from J.D. Power’s Power Information Network. Used cars are certainly in-demand right now, but this study offers an interesting window into the world of loyalty for those patient enough to get a new car amid reduced inventories.

And Toyota has quite a loyal following. The automaker ranks at the top for mass-market car and SUV segments, scoring a loyalty rate of 62.2 percent for cars and 63.6 percent for SUVs. Premium brands are also ranked for cars and SUVs; Porsche achieved a 57.4 loyalty rate for cars to take the title, with BMW ruling SUVs at 58.6 percent. Trucks are the final category in the study, and that honor goes to Ford. Its loyalty rate is 63.8 percent, barely beating Toyota for the highest percentage in the entire study.

“There are multiple paths to keeping owners loyal, but every winning brand showed a commitment to launching fresh products, excellent processes focused on the vehicle owner, high residual values, and offering vehicles with great appeal,” said J.D. Power VP of Data and Analytics Tyson Jominy. “And, for the most part, they’re all winning with market share.”

Premium brand runner-ups included Genesis for cars at 54.6 percent, and Lexus at 56.4 percent for SUVs. Second-place in mass-market cars went to Kia at 54.1 percent, and Subaru for SUVs at 62.6 percent. Toyota nearly had three wins, finishing second behind Ford in the truck category with 58.7 percent.

Check out some of the recent new vehicle debuts and more in the Rambling About Cars podcast, available below.

The North American Car, Truck, And Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) Awards has narrowed down the list of contenders for 2023, announcing the semifinalists today. The NACTOY jurors have selected 26 vehicles to move onto the next round, cutting the field almost in half before the finalists are announced later this year.

“This year’s group of semifinalists highlights the changes we’ve seen sweeping across the automotive industry in recent years: Most mainstream vehicles now fall into the Utility category; most vehicles in the Car category are focused on performance or luxury; and more electric vehicles than ever before are starting to hit the market,” said NACTOY President Gary Witzenburg.

The Toyota GR Corolla, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Cadillac Lyriq all made it through. However, cars such as the Kia Niro, Jeep Wagoneer, Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, Toyota bZ4x, and Maserati MC20 did not make the cut. However, few were removed from the Cars category, and all three truck nominees skated to the semifinals.

The finalists will be announced in just over two months, on November 16, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, just after jurors get to evaluate the semifinalists. The winners will be announced on January 11, 2023, at a special event held in Detroit.

“NACTOY jurors look forward to testing and evaluating these vehicles before the next vote,” Witzenburg added. All the cars eligible for the 2023 award must be all new or substantially new and on sale in North America this year.

North American Car of the Year

North American Truck of the Year

North American Utility Vehicle of the Year

In 1963, Ferruccio Lamborghini started the company that bore his namesake. Actually, it was the second such company with his name, the first being Lamborghini Trattori in 1948. While Lamborghini tractors are certainly well-respected machinery in the agricultural world, his work with Automobili Lamborghini is what earned him a spot among 2022 inductees to the Automotive Hall of Fame.

The most recent ceremony took place on July 21, during which Lamborghini was recognized for his “unrelenting desire to always improve and innovate,” a nod to the origins of Automobili Lamborghini after Ferruccio’s experiences with Ferrari led him to believe he could build a better V-12 GT car. It began rather quietly with the 350GT, previewed in 1963 at the Turin Motor Show as the 350GTV. The 400GT followed, but the Automotive Hall of Fame highlights two Lamborghini models as proper icons. You damn well better know which cars we’re talking about.

The mid-engine Miura arrived in 1966 and effectively turned the motoring world on its head. Often heralded as the world’s first proper supercar, it was the first to incorporate a mid-rear engine layout in such a performance application. Its 4.0-liter V12 would ultimately make 385 horsepower, and as for its low-slung fastback design, it’s transitioned through the years from being merely stunning to becoming the stuff of legend.

And yet, Lamborghini managed to follow it up with what many believe is the most iconic supercar of all time. Compared to the Miura’s curves, the 1974 Countach with its wide wedge design looked like something from the future. It became the definitive poster car of the 1980s, and in the eyes of many, it still looks modern today.

Ferruccio Lamborghini sold the majority stake of his company in 1974, and of course, we know things would get worse at Lamborghini before getting better. Ferruccio died in 1993; a few years later Lamborghini would fall under Audi ownership where the brand would ultimately flourish to what it is today. As for the Automotive Hall of Fame, he once again joins his old rival Enzo Ferrari, who was inducted back in 2000.

For 36 years, J.D. Power has conducted its Initial Quality study to gauge customer feedback in the first few months of new-vehicle ownership. And the news for 2022 isn’t good – overall initial quality has never been as bad as it is now. That doesn’t mean new vehicles have gotten worse. Rather, it’s a combination of traditional issues with low inventory, high prices, and missing components due to the pandemic and continuing supply chain woes.

That’s the main takeaway from the 2022 study, which was released on June 28. J.D. Power examines new vehicles in nine categories, including features, controls and displays, driving assistance, powertrain, seats, climate, infotainment, exterior, interior, and driving experience. Vehicle owners are asked 223 questions; the results are tabulated and ranked on a scale of problems per 100 vehicles – PP100 for short. As such, a higher number is bad, and for 2022 the overall industry average is up to 180 problems per 100 vehicles (180 PP100). It’s an 11 percent increase from 2021, and it’s the highest number ever recorded in the study’s history.

However, while the industry average is way up, some automakers are doing better overall. General Motors leads the way, partially due to Buick claiming the overall top spot for brands with a score of 139 PP100. Beneath the GM umbrella, Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac also landed in the top 10, well below the industry average. For that matter, American automakers dominated the top of the chart with Dodge in second and Ford holding the last spot. Genesis, Kia, Lexus, and BMW also made the top 10. The bottom five brands include Volkswagen, Audi, Maserati, Volvo, and Chrysler.

As far as specific vehicles are concerned, J.D. Power offers awards for a litany of different categories for cars, SUVs, minivans, and trucks. Notable winners there include the Chevrolet Corvette for the overall highest initial quality in cars. The Hyundai Accent wins for best small car, with the Kia Forte getting the nod for best compact car. The best midsize award goes to the Chevrolet Malibu, with the best large premium car being the BMW 7 Series.

In the competitive SUV fold, BMW won with the X1 and X3 for small and compact premium SUVs. Cadillac won with the XT6 and Escalade for midsize and large premium SUVs. The Nissan Murano gained top honors in the midsize SUV segment, with the Chevrolet Equinox and Tahoe winning for compact and large SUVs. Curiously, the Buick Encore GX is the only Buick model to win a J.D. Power award, despite the company having the lowest overall score.

The Honda Odyssey received an award for minivans, while the truck world saw Chevrolet win with the Silverado in both light-duty and heavy-duty segments. The Ford Ranger won in the midsize class.

Nissan on Tuesday announced the return of its rugged Rock Creek grade to the Nissan Pathfinder three-row SUV. Redesigned for 2022, the SUV embraces more off-road capability and a more outdoorsy look with the 2023 Pathfinder Rock Creek trim.

With its shift last year from a CVT to a 9-speed automatic transmission, the Pathfinder boasted better towing capacity at 6,000 lb and more off-road capability through an available all-wheel-drive system that routes half of the torque to the rear axle, with a limited slip differential allocating power to the rear wheel with the most grip.

That system comes standard on Rock Creek models, and Nissan also revised the fuel mapping of the Rock Creek’s 3.5-liter V-6 to boost output to 295 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque (from 284 hp and 259 lb-ft). But the boost requires premium fuel.  

First launched on the 2020 Pathfinder, the Rock Creek model adds an off-road suspension with a 5/8-inch lift that raises the ground clearance to about 7.7 inches. The 18-inch wheels pretend to be beadlock-capable, but the all-terrain tires are real, and a roof rack that’s totally tubular can hold 220 lb. The exterior gets black trim elements, and the interior flashes black synthetic leather upholstery with orange contrast stitching. A surround-view camera system comes standard, as does a tow hitch and wiring harness, second-row captain’s chairs, and LED fog lights. 

Nissan is not alone in adding off-road grades to popular models, but Nissan has gone a bit further in adding actual off-road hardware over competitors such as the Honda Passport TrailSport or Kia Sportage and Telluride X-Pro. Subaru offers a Wilderness grade on the Forester and Outback, Jeep has Trailhawk models, and Ford has a Timberline range. 

The Rock Creek package added only $995 to the 2020 Pathfinder SV model. Expect the price to increase; it will be announced near the late summer on-sale date. 

The 2020 Chicago Auto Show kicked off auto show season and gave car shoppers a preview of what they can expect on dealer lots later this year. The new cars shown off on Thursday’s media day ranged from pure performance to posh and practical. We’ll stick with the latter, even though the $750,000 Liquid Carbon limited edition 2020 Ford GT is auto show eye candy of the highest order. 

Here’s a rundown of what’s worth an extra look for shoppers during the show from Feb. 8-17, and later in the year at dealers. 

2021 Chrysler Pacifica

While snow swirled in from Lake Michigan, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles introduced the refreshed 2021 Chrysler Pacifica minivan in a snow globe. In addition to a revised front end, the winning minivan now offers all-wheel drive that can send 100% of the torque to the rear wheels. The Toyota Sienna, which is the only other minivan available with all-wheel drive, is in trouble. It also takes a bite out of the advantage of three-row crossover SUVs. The AWD Pacifica still comes with the clever and convenient Stow-N-Go second row seats that fold into the floor for voluminous cargo space. Interestingly, AWD will be available as soon as April on late 2020 models, before the 2021 rolls into lots in the third quarter. We’d advise waiting, as the 2021 model also features a new 10.1-inch touchscreen that controls the fifth generation of the Uconnect infotainment system, which was already one of the best in the business. The 2021 Pacifica also gets standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, lane-departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control that can bring the van to a stop. 

2021 Volkswagen Atlas

Volkswagen’s large three-row crossover SUV gets a little larger with a 2021 refresh. It still looks conservative, but updated bumpers give it a little more flair. An extra 3 inches of length helps improve interior comfort. Most models will get more driver-assistance features as well as an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.  

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The redesigned 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 54 mpg highway, 52 combined. That represents a whopping 10 mpg improvement over the old model and makes it as efficient as the Toyota Prius Eco. Neat trick for a mid-size sedan that has quickly become one of the best in class. An available solar roof panel can add energy to both the hybrid system and the 12-volt battery and account for up to 700 miles of gas-free driving annually, according to Hyundai. The Sonata Hybrid can go more than 680 miles on a single tank. It’s due in summer. 

2020 Genesis GV80

Launched last week in Miami but shown off in full in Chicago, the first crossover SUV from Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand Genesis is a real swell looker. Beyond the massive shield grille, the GV80 swaddles its interior with the finest luxury materials, including available quilted leather seats, a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen that can be controlled by a neat haptic dial in the wood-grain console, and all sorts of active safety features. It’s powered by either a 2.5-liter turbo-4 or a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6, both with an 8-speed automatic. Rear-wheel and all-wheel drive will be offered.

2020 Kia Cadenza

2020 Kia Cadenza

The refreshed 2020 Kia Cadenza was a surprise. Kia doesn’t seem to need it as the sort-of full-size sedan splits the market with the Optima mid-size sedan, though with more luxury. Introduced last year in Kia’s South Korean home, the 2020 Cadenza is offered in the U.S. in Technology and Limited trims. The subtly attractive Cadenza wears a more fluid front and rear, and the equipment highlights include a standard 12.3-inch infotainment screen and more active safety features.  

2020 Nissan Frontier

Here’s an odd one. Nissan’s old mid-size pickup truck, which hasn’t been redesigned since 2005, gets a new engine and transmission that will carry over into the completely new model, which is set to launch for 2021. It’s like dipping your big toe in the water. The 2020 Frontier will be powered by a 310-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 making 281 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired to a new-for-Frontier 9-speed automatic transmission, and buyers can opt for rear- or four-wheel drive. The old 5-speed manual and 2.5-liter inline-4 are history. The 2020 Frontier will arrive in showrooms in late spring and finish its run by the end of the year, so hurry and get it if you want standard manual windows. 

If you drive a lot on the highway and think mileage really matters, yet you’re still not ready to turn in your gas card for a charging-network app, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid might prove the perfect choice when it arrives in a few months. 

With the Sonata Hybrid’s debut at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show on Thursday, Hyundai announced a mammoth improvement of up to 10 mpg combined for its efficiency-focused version of this mainstream mid-size sedan—up to 54 mpg on the highway and up to 52 mpg combined (EPA-cycle, but not yet officially EPA-rated) for the Sonata Hybrid Blue.

On the highway, that may be more efficient than the Toyota Camry Hybrid or even the Toyota Prius Eco—second only to Hyundai’s own Ioniq. But the Sonata is a big, spacious sedan with a great highway ride. 

The Sonata Hybrid gets quieter inside, just like other versions of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata, and the Sonata Hybrid promises an even more pronounced difference—partly from its improved aerodynamics (from 0.27 in other Sonatas to 0.24 here, mostly from various underbody shielding), but otherwise from newly added noise insulation. 

The Sonata’s powertrain is, from a distance, an evolution of what Hyundai has been fine-tuning over previous versions of the Hybrid. It has a completely new 2.0-liter inline-4 from Hyundai’s latest Smartstream engine family. It makes 150 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque and is mated with a single 51-hp electric motor and 6-speed automatic transmission. Altogether, the powertrain makes 192 hp.

For this hybrid system, which has typically been good on the highway but not always the smoothest in city driving, Hyundai’s introducing an Active Shift Control feature that adds a new sensor to more precisely match the hybrid system’s motor speed with engine speed—making shifts smoother and up to 30% quicker, and adding to durability for the transmission. 

Another interesting piece of tech offered in the Sonata is a Solar Roof—the first solar roof system on a mainstream hybrid that’s configured to add energy to the hybrid battery, not just the accessory battery. Hyundai says that the Solar Roof can increase driving range and add up to 700 miles per year that are essentially free—if you park it all day out in the bright sun of course (better not get that black interior). 

A digital key feature uses your smartphone—Android only, for now—to allow unlocking and starting for you and family members, and Qi wireless charging is available. Infotainment possibilities span from a base 8.0-inch system that’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, to a 10.3-inch touchscreen with cloud-based voice recognition and a surround-view camera system, with Bose audio available. 

Last year’s Hybrid was offered in SE and Limited versions, with prices running about $3,000 above their non-hybrid counterparts. Prices have gone up slightly for those other models in the lineup, and while we’d expect a price hike for the hybrid too, don’t be surprised if Hyundai makes hybrid prices a little less of a step up. 

It’s all yet to be revealed; expect more about pricing, features, and confirmed EPA ratings within a few months.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 that arrived in the U.S. on Wednesday at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show raises big questions about small crossovers in the Mazda lineup. It would seem as if the larger CX-30 would replace the CX-3 subcompact crossover, but instead it slots between the CX-3 and CX-5, Mazda spokesman Drew Carey told us on the show floor.

The new model is similar to the CX-4 sold in China.  

Based on the redesigned Mazda3 compact sedan and hatch, the 2020 Mazda CX-30 has more interior space and cargo volume than the cramped CX-3, which is smaller than the Mazda3 hatchback. Mazda says the CX-30 blends coupe-like style with crossover-like proportions, but it looks like any other small Mazda crossover. The grille is lower and stretched into the LEDs, and the CX-30 gets a mesh insert instead of slats. It looks more like a smile than the opened-mouth laugh on the CX-3. Because it’s larger, the black cladding down the sides and over the wheel arches is more balanced and proportional than on the smaller space of the CX-3, and 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels are standard. 

The most significant difference is at the rear. The rear window is more integrated into the body design and the arched liftgate gives it a rounded form that also helps the function. It’s only five inches longer than the CX-3, and about an inch wider and taller, but has nearly double the cargo volume at 20.2 cubic feet (12.4 cu.ft. in the CX-3), same as the Mazda3 hatchback.

Even though the CX-30 is as wide as the Mazda3, it rides five inches taller for that higher seat position coveted by crossover shoppers. That, along with narrower pillars, should improve front and rear outward vision, which is a big complaint in the CX-3. Other interior improvements in space include a slanted rear footwell for a better fit for rear seat passengers. 

The interior design in the CX-30 is consistent with other Mazda vehicles. An 8.8-inch display screen embedded in the dash is controlled by a dial in the console. The horizontal line of vents and narrow band of climate controls create a clean, spartan look that matches Mazda’s move into more upscale refinement.

Standard features across the base CX-30 Select, Preferred, and Premium trims include Mazda Connected Services through a smartphone app, which enables remote start as well as vehicle service and status updates. Wi-fi is included for a six-month trial, and two USB ports come standard. 

The 2020 CX-30 ($22,945 including $1,045 destination) comes with Mazda’s active safety tech that includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and high-beam assist.

Select trim ($24,945) includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry, synthetic leather seats, leather steering wheel and shift knob, as well as 18-inch alloy wheels.

Preferred trim ($27,245) gets the CX-30 a-rockin with a Bose 12-speaker system, heated front seats, and eight-way power driver’s seat. At the top of the line, Premium ($29,245) includes leather seats, head-up display, adaptive lights, power tailgate, moonroof, adaptive lights, cylinder deactivation to conserve fuel and more.  

The front-wheel drive crossover is powered by a 186-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 with six-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is a $1,400 upcharge on all models. The 2020 CX-30 is on sale now.

Toyota on Tuesday confirmed a bit of a shocker, pun intended.

The automaker confirmed details for its 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid crossover, due next year, which adds a bigger hybrid battery to its hybrid powertrain that can power the crossover up to 39 miles on electric power alone. The crossover will make 302 combined horsepower and drive all four wheels, and speed up to 60 mph in less than six seconds—the second-fastest Toyota in the lineup.

With the 2021 RAV4 Prime, Toyota offers an ultra fuel-efficient vehicle with unexpected performance potential. (Eds note: It wouldn’t be the first time, the performer in the Lexus lineup for years was the LS hybrid sedan.)

Like the RAV4 Hybrid, the RAV4 Prime is powered by a 2.5-liter inline-4 that makes 176 horsepower and 168 pound-feet alone. In back, electric motors drive the back axle and wheels when there’s less grip up front, or in sporty driving to help mitigate understeer. Toyota didn’t specify the size of the batteries nor the power output of the electric motors. Interior space isn’t compromised, according to Toyota, since the lithium-ion battery pack mounts under the floor, which also provides a lower center of gravity.

Reflecting the character of the RAV4 Prime, Toyota will make available the plug-in hybrid in sportier SE and XSE grades—the latter adding a two-tone black roof, 19-inch wheels, and Supersonic Red color. Inside, the XSE adds synthetic leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charger, and paddle-shifters. The paddle-shifters not only virtually downshift, but also control energy recuperation for the battery pack.

The SE offers an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, the XSE ups that to a 9.0-inch touchscreen. When equipped, the RAV4 Prime can use navigation data to be more efficient.

The XSE adds optional JBL audio, heated and cooled front seats, panoramic moonroof, heated steering wheel, a surround-view camera system, and hands-free power tailgate.

Toyota didn’t say how much the 2021 RAV4 Prime would cost when it goes on sale in the summer.