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Yesterday β€” 26 December 2024Main stream

I drove a $95,000 BMW i5. Here are 14 features that show why it's a great high-performance luxury EV.

26 December 2024 at 01:13
The Left front of a gray 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive EV sports sedan parked on a street.
A 2024 BMW i5 M60 xDrive EV sports sedan.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The all-new BMW i5 is the first EV variant of the brand's iconic 5-Series luxury sports sedan.
  • I recently drove a 2024 BMW i5 in M60 trim with xDrive all-wheel-drive.
  • I came away impressed by its exhilarating performance, luxurious cabin, and understated styling.

The BMW 5-Series has been the benchmark for luxury sports sedans for the past five decades. This year, the Bavarian automaker launched the i5, the first all-electric version of the 5-Series that will sell alongside the new eighth-generation internal combustion-powered 5-Series.

The i5 joins a segment comprised of established players like the Audi e-tron GT and Tesla Model S, as well as newcomers like the Mercedes-Benz EQE and Lucid Air.

I recently reviewed a 2024 BMW i5 M60 xDrive with an as-tested price of $95,395. I was impressed by the BMW's exhilarating performance, luxurious cabin, and understated styling.

The base rear-wheel-drive BMW i5 eDrive40 starts at $66,800, while my range-topping, all-wheel-drive i5 M60 xDrive test car starts at $84,100.

Here are 14 features that help make the i5 a great high-performance luxury EV.

Understated styling
Two pictures showing the front and rear facias of a gray 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive EV sports sedan parked on the street.
A 2024 BMW Ii M60 xDrive EV sports sedan.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

BMW's styling has drawn the ire of many brand loyalists in recent years, especially regarding the growth in the size of its signature kidney grilles. Fortunately, BMW exercised restraint with the 5-Series, resulting in a subtle design that exudes a certain understated elegance.

The boxy, squared-off lines leave no doubt that this is a BMW 5-Series.

Nifty modular platform
Two photos show the plastic cover and the electronics under the hood of a 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive EV sports sedan.
No engine under the i5's hood.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The BMW i5 is not built on a dedicated EV platform like many of its rivals but one shared with its ICE siblings. Fortunately, the BMW CLAR modular platform that underpins the i5 was designed to accommodate ICE, hybrid, and battery-electric models.

As a result, the i5 retains the long-sloping hood of its internal combustion brethren and the space where a silky smooth BMW straight six once occupied.

Under the hood, a large plastic panel covers the electronics and an electric motor for the front axle.

Supercar-like power
The left rear corner of gray 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive EV sports sedan parked on the street in front of a mural.
The BMW I5 M60 xDrive has electric motors mounted to the front and rear axles.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My BMW i5 M60 xDrive came with a 257-horsepower electronic motor mounted at the front axle and a larger 335-horsepower electric motor at the back. Together, they produce a stout 593 total system horsepower and up to 605 lb-ft of torque.

Fast charging
A gray 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive EV sports sedan plugged into a ChargePoint DC Fast Charger.
The i5 can charge at a maximum rate of 205 kW.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Beneath the i5's floor, you'll find a large lithium-ion battery pack with 84.3 kWh of usable energy.

According to BMW, a DC fast charger can charge the car from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes.

The EPA rated my high-performance test car for 240 miles of range, but I was able to extract about 250 miles during my time with it.

Those looking for more range will need to opt for the less powerful i5 eDrive40, which can go up to 295 miles on a single charge.

Great handling
The front cabin of a 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive EV sports sedan with red leather seats and curved display screen.
The I5's front seats are adjustable with great lumbar support.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The BMW 5-Series is known for its poise in the corners and power down the straight.

And the i5 delivered on that promise and is flat-out fast. Its acceleration was swift, brutal, and utterly glorious.

I've driven more than a few supercars in my time, but the immediacy of the Bimmer's acceleration off the line caught me by surprise a couple of times. I loved it.

According to BMW, the i5 M60 xDrive can sprint from 0 to 60 in just 3.7 seconds, but Motor Trend was able to do it in 3.4 seconds. I'm leaning toward the quicker time.

BMW says the i5 can reach a top speed of 143 mph.

On the winding mountain roads of North Georgia, the all-wheel-drive i5 was a pleasure to drive. With perfect 50/50 front-rear weight distribution, the i5 felt balanced and precise around the corners. It does a good job of hiding its hefty 5,200-pound curb weight.

Beautifully executed cabin
Three photos show the front dahs, center console, and the center infotainment screen in a 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive EV sports sedan.
The i5 can be optioned with carbon fiber trim pieces.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The i5's cabin is unmistakably modern, with massive infotainment screens and lashes of carbon fiber, but everything is sensibly packaged in a way that won't offend any automotive traditionalists.

BMW did a great job offering drivers a multitude of ways to engage with the vehicle, from voice activation to touchscreens to capacitive touch buttons.

I found the interactive LED light strips on the center stack and doors, which double as touch-sensitive climate controls and seat controls, to be a neat touch.

Despite a few cheap-feeling plastic power window switches, the i5's overall material and build quality were excellent. I was particularly impressed by the beautiful glass shift toggle and rotary infotainment controller on the center console.

Advanced driver cockpit
Four photos show the left side of the front dash, the digital instrument display, and the head-up display in a 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive EV.
The i5's gauge and infotainment displays combine to form a massive curved screen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In front of the driver are a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom BMW M-Sport steering wheel and a new 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The configurable instrument display offers a multitude of layouts and embedded systems that range from navigation to parking assistance.

Also in front of the driver is an optional head-up display.

Supportive front seats
The red leather front seats in a 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive EV sports sedan.
The i5's burgundy-red faux leather front seats have attractive angular stitch patterns.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The i5's burgundy-red seats, which are upholstered in perforated Veganza imitation leather, were wonderfully supportive and comfortable.

Feature-packed infotainment system
Four photos show the main menu, Apple CarPlay, drive modes, and surround vision camera on the 14.9-inch infotainment screen on the front dash of a 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive EV.
The i5's 14.9-inch infotainment screen can be controlled using three different methods.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The focal point of the i5's front dash is a massive 14.9-inch screen running the latest version of BMW's much-improved iDrive infotainment system.

The system can be operated by voice command, touchscreen, or a nifty glass rotary controller on the center console.

The screen is also home to the i5's drive mode menu and its surround-view camera system.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard.

Panoramic roof
The power glass moonroof in a 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive EV sports sedan with red leather seats.
The i5's power glass Sky Lounge Roof is part of a $3,350 Executive Package.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The i5 comes standard with a traditional power glass moonroof, but buyers can upgrade to a massive panoramic Sky Lounge Roof as part of the Executive Package.

Luxurious rear cabin
Three photos show the red faux leather seats, AC vents, USB sockets, and tablet mounts in the rear cabin of a gray 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive.
The BMW i5's red rear seats are clad in Veganza imitation leather.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The i5's rear cabin provides more than enough room for two adults to travel in comfort and style. The burgundy-red faux leather seats are soft and comfortable. There are retractable sunshades, dedicated AC vents, USB-C sockets, and seatback mounting points for tablets.

Remote start
The key fob of a 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive EV on its red center console armrest.
The i5's key fob is shared with other models in the BMW range.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The i5 can be started remotely by pressing the BMW logo on the key fob three times in quick succession.

Safety tech
The right front corner of a gray 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive EV sports sedan parked on a street.
My 2024 BMW i5 M60 xDrive test car has been upgraded with BMW M Shadowline headlights

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The i5 comes loaded with standard safety and driver's assistance tech, including active driving assist, active blind spot detection, and lane departure warning. However, adaptive cruise control requires the $2,000 Driving Assistance Pro package.

Stylish wheels
The driver's side of a gray 2024 BMW I5 M60 xDrive EV sports sedan parked on the street.
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive EV sports sedan's Oxide Grey Metallic paint is a $650 option.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The i5 comes standard with 19-inch alloys, but my test car had these snazzy $1,800 optional 21-inch bi-color wheels.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Before yesterdayMain stream

I drove a $40,000 Chevrolet Equinox. It's a well-designed SUV — but a weak engine holds it back.

22 December 2024 at 01:28
The right front corner of a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS SUV  parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS SUV in Radiant Red Tintcoat. It's well-designed but held back by a weak engine.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Chevrolet Equinox is a gas-powered compact crossover SUV sold alongside the brand's Equinox EV.
  • I was impressed by Equinox's handsome styling, good tech content, and well-designed interior.
  • But I was disappointed with its engine's lackluster performance and the limited cargo space.

The Chevrolet Equinox has beenΒ General Motors'Β entry into the hotly contested compact SUV segment for the past two decades.

In 2025, Chevy introduced a new fourth-generation crossover variant that will be sold alongside an EV SUV of the same name.

The 2025 Equinox boasts fresh styling, a new interior, a revised drivetrain, and updated tech to help it remain competitive with segment leaders like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Hyundai Tucson.

I recently spent a week driving a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD around suburban Atlanta and the winding mountain roads of North Georgia.
The right rear corner of a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS SUV parked on the street.
The Chevrolet Equinox SUV was redesigned for 2025.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

I was impressed by the new Equinox's handsome styling, good tech content, and well-designed passenger cabin.

I was disappointed by the Equinox's lackluster powertrain and limited cargo capacity.

My test car came to $40,370.
The left front side of a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox comes in three different trim levels.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The base front-wheel-drive Equinox LT starts at $28,600, while the range-topping all-wheel-drive Activ and RS trims start at $35,000.

Fees and nearly $4,000 worth of optional luxury and technology features pushed the Mexico-made SUV's as-tested price to $40,370.

The Equinox's redesigned sheet metal is rugged and athletic.
Two photos show the front and rear of a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV parked on the street.
The compact Chevrolet Equinox slots in between the larger midsize Traverse SUV and the subcompact Trailblazer.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Like other recent additions to the Chevy's SUV lineup, the Equinox's exterior design was heavily inspired by the brand's pickup trucks.

The most striking element of Equinox's new look is its front facia, which is dominated by a large, wide grille flanked on both sides by LED headlights with thin horizontal running lights up top.

The new Equinox is the same length as the outgoing variant but is 2.5 inches wider.
The left side of the red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV is parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD comes with optional 19-inch aluminum wheels.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

At 183.2 inches long, the Equinox is roughly the same length as the Nissan Rogue but about 1.5 inches shorter than the Honda CR-V and three inches shorter than the Mazda CX-50.

Under the hood is a small, turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The 1.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the open hood of a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox SUV's 1.5-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Chevrolet Equinox's only engine option is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that carries over from the previous generation.

The motor, which produces 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, is mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission on all-wheel-drive equipped models. Front-wheel-drive Equinox's get a continuously variable transmission.

The EPA rated my Equinox RS AWD test car at 24 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. Front-wheel drive variants get one extra MPG in combined driving.

These figures fall short of the all-wheel-drive Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue's fuel economy ratings of 28 mpg and 31 mpg, respectively.

The engine spoiled my experience driving the Equinox.
The front cabin from the passenger side in a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox's front cabin has comfortable seats and plenty of storage.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

How was the Equinox to drive?

Let's start with the good part. It rode exceptionally well, successfully cushioning rough roads without feeling floaty. It also handled corners with relative ease.

But all of that good work was undone by the truly lackluster performance of its drive train.

Even with fairly smooth shifts from GM's Hydra-Matic eight-speed automatic, stepping on the gas pedal usually results in some intrusive engine noise but not much else. You can feel the little four-cylinder's 175 ponies trying their hardest to drag along the 3,600-lb SUV, but the Equinox is just woefully underpowered.

This was particularly evident when merging onto the highway or tackling mountain roads in the foothills of the Appalachians.

According to Motor Trend, the 2025 Equinox can make the run from 0 to 60 mph in a leisurely 9.2 seconds. This was the slowest of the nearly three dozen vehicles I tested this year.

On the other hand, the Equinox's interior is excellent.
Three photos show the front dash, center console, and turbine-design air vents in a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox's cabin features active noise cancellation technology

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Chevrolet did a good job with the Equinox's interior. Cabin ergonomics are excellent, with intuitively placed controls, a good balance between physical and digital controls, and oodles of useful storage.

There's also a good mix of different materials and textures, with red accents to add a pop of color to the cabin.

The red turbine-design air vents that felt out of place in the Blazer EV add an interesting visual element.

All trims come standard with a large 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Four photos show the infotainment system, Google Maps, Apple CarPlay, and 360-degree camera on the 11.3-inch infotainment screen in a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox's 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen features built-in Google Assistance and Alexa voice assistant capabilities.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Google-based infotainment system is highly responsive, smartly designed, and a piece of cake to navigate. Built-in Google Maps gives Chevy one of the best integrated navigation systems around.

The Equinox also comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

My test car also came with the optional 360-degree surround-vision camera.

In front of the driver is a flat-bottom steering wheel with handy audio controls on the back.
Three photos show the steering wheel, digital instrument display, and Google Maps instrument display in a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox's steering wheel is heated and comes with RS branding.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Also in front of the driver is a configurable 11-inch digital instrument display that comes standard on all trims. The display looks great and can be tailored to show traditional gauges, active driver's assistance features, and Google Maps.

My test car came with this massive panoramic sunroof.
The panoramic sunroof in a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox's panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with sunlight but reduces headroom by about half an inch.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

It was a $1,495 optional extra.

The heated and ventilated power front seats are stylish and offer good lumbar support.
The black Evotex front seats with red accents in a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox RS's seats are also available with blue accents.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The black seats, upholstered in an imitation leather called Evotex, feature attractive red accents and RS-branded headrests.

The rear 60/40 split bench seat offers plenty of room for two adults.
Two photos show the black rear seats with red accents, rear cabin AC vents, and seat heaters in a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox's rear cabin features a flat floor which provides extra legroom for the center seat passenger.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

With 39.9 inches of legroom, the Equinox's rear cabin is larger than the Mazda CX-50 and Toyota RAV4's but trails the Nissan Rogue and Honda CR-V.

The rear seat passenger in my test car had heated outboard seats, dedicated AC vents, and USB sockets.

Open the liftgate, and you'll find 29.8 cubic feet of cargo space.
Three photos show the cargo compartment in a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV behind the rear seats, under the cargo floor, and with the rear seats folded.
The Equinox RS comes with a smart, hands-free power liftgate.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Equinox's cargo compartment is half a cubic foot larger than the Mazda CX-50 but roughly five cubic feet smaller than the Honda CR-V and a whopping 9 cubic feet smaller than the Hyundai Tucson.

When the rear seat is folded flat, cargo capacity expands to 63.5 cubic feet. Under the rear cargo floor, there's also a small storage area and a spare tire.

The Equinox comes standard with an impressive suite of safety and assistance tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and blind zone steering assist.
The left front corner of a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS comes standard with Intellibeam auto high-beam headlights.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Additional features like traffic sign recognition and rear pedestrian alert are available as optional extras.

My Verdict: The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox is a compelling compact SUV with rugged styling and a great interior undone by an underwhelming engine.
The left rear corner of a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV parked by the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD's upgraded Radiant Red Tintcoat paint is a $495 option.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Chevrolet came so close to excellence with the 2025 Equinox. They nailed the styling, the interior, and the tech. But alas, the engine. No modern compact SUV can make do with just 175 horsepower. Even the similarly sized 1999 Chevy Blazer from a quarter century ago had 190 ponies. I recognize the importance of fuel economy standards in the decision-making process, but Equinox cries out for more power.

Fix the engine and you truly unleash the potential of the Equinox.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove a $29,000 Buick Envista. These 14 features make it a fun, stylish small SUV that can fit a tight budget.

20 December 2024 at 02:30
The left front corner of a gray 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV parked in front of a row of houses.
The 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Buick Envista is a new subcompact, near-luxury SUV at an affordable price.
  • I recently drove a 2024 Envista in its mid-tier Sport Touring (ST) trim.
  • I was impressed by the Envista's elegant looks, surprisingly upscale cabin, and good fuel economy.

With the average price of a new car at just under $50,000, good, affordable cars, especially SUVs, are hard to come by these days.

But they are out there.

One example is the Buick Envista, which is all-new for 2024. It's not only the most affordable of the brand's quartet of near-luxury crossover SUVs; it's one of the lowest-priced offerings in the General Motors portfolio.

I recently reviewed a 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring (ST) with an as-tested price of $29,070. I was impressed by the Envista's elegant design, surprisingly upscale cabin, and good fuel economy.

Here are 14 features that help make the Envista a great small SUV on a budget.

Sleek styling
Two photos show the front and rear left corners of a silver 2024 Buick Envista ST SUV parked on the street.
The Envista is one of the best-looking SUV coupes around.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Envista's front-end design is bold and elegant. The Envista's front fascia draws heavily from Buick's recent Wildcat EV concept car and features thin "wing"-shaped LED running lights flanking the brand's newly redesigned Tri-Shield logo.

Its raked rear roofline blends seamlessly into the vehicle's overall design. Unlike many contemporaries, the Envista doesn't look like an SUV with part of its roof lopped off.

Affordable price point
The driver's side of a gray 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV parked on the side of a street.
The side of a 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The base Buick Envista in Preferred trim starts at $22,400, while the range-topping Avenir trim starts at $28,600.

My mid-tier Envista Sport Touring starts at $24,100. Freight fees, premium options, and upgraded Moonstone Gray Metallic paint elevated the Korean-made crossover's as-tested price past the $29,000 mark.

Tiny efficient engine
The 1.2-liter, turbocharged three-cylinder engine is under the hood of a gray 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV.
The Envista's turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

All Envistas are powered by a 1.2-liter, turbocharged, direct-injected three-cylinder engine that produces 137 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque.

The turbo three, shared with the Chevrolet Trax, is mated to a shiftable six-speed automatic transmission and drives only the front wheels. The little engine isn't the most powerful motor around and can feel overmatched when Envista is loaded with passengers and cargo.

However, it does deliver solid fuel economy. My Envista ST test car boasted EPA fuel economy figures of 28 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. I was able to easily achieve 30 mpg in mixed driving during my time with the Buick.

Upscale cabin
The front dash of a 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV parked on the street.
The Envista's front dash.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Envista's cabin is well designed with solid material quality. The Envista's cabin is a masterclass in delivering an upscale experience on a budget. Buick clearly saved where it could, with hard plastics dominating the lower portions of the interior and going with a single-zone climate control system instead of a multi-zone unit.

But they didn't cheap out for the high contact areas. The armrests and the steering are covered in soft-touch faux leather. There are different patterns and designs to break up the visual monotony of a black plastic cabin.

As a result, their penny-pinching didn't really detract from the user experience.

Standard digital instrument display
The steering wheel and 8-inch digital gauge display in a 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV.
The Envista's digital gauge display.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Envista comes standard with an eight-inch digital information display instead of a traditional gauge cluster, a rarity for vehicles at this price point.

ST branded seats
The black leatherette front seats in a 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV.
The Envista's leatherette front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The heated black leatherette front seats feature Santorini Blue accents and "ST" branding on the headrests.

Standard Apple CarPlay
The center stack of a 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV with climate controls and an 11-inch touchscreen.
The Envista's center stack.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

All Envistas come with an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Stylish steering wheel
The steering wheel inside a 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV.
The Envista's steering wheel.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In front of the driver is a stylish flat-bottom steering wheel. As with other recent GM products, there are handy audio controls on the back of the steering wheel.

Remote start
The key fob of a 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV is sitting on its center console armrest.
The Envista's key fob.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Envista's engine can be started remotely by pressing the "curved arrow" on the Buick key fob.

Remote Start was part of a $1,195 convenience package that also included heated power seats, keyless entry, and a heated steering wheel.

Spacious rear seats
The black leatherette back seats in a 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV.
The Envista's back seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Envista's rear cabin offers great room for a vehicle of its size. With 38.7 inches of legroom, the Envista offers 2.5 inches more than the rival Mazda CX-30 and six inches more than the Toyota Corolla Cross.

Even with the raked roofline, headroom is more than adequate for most adults.

Teen driver mode
The 11-inch infotainment screen on the center stack of a 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV shows its Teen Driver feature.
The Envista's Teen Driver feature.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Envista comes with a special Teen Mode that, when activated, can limit the vehicle's top speed, emit warnings when exceeding a pre-set speed, limit the audio volume on built-in and paired devices, and prevent the vehicle from shifting out of Park for 20 seconds when the seat belts have not been buckled.

Flexible storage
Two photos show the rear cargo compartment of a gray 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV with the rear seats up and folded.
The Envista's cargo compartment with the back seats up and folded.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Open the power rear lift gate, and you'll find a solid 20.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The Envista's 60/40 split rear bench seats fold down to expand cargo capacity to 42 cubic feet.

Spare tire
The spare tire under the cargo floor at the back of a 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV.
The Envista's spare tire.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Spare tires are becoming increasingly rare these days, especially in lower-priced vehicles where the manufacturer is trying to keep the price point under control. So I'm glad Buick/GM has decided to keep them instead of giving us a can of fix-a-flat.

Safety and driver-assistance tech
The front of a gray 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV parked on the side of a street.
The front of the 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Envista ST comes standard with the Buick Driver Confidence Package, which includes IntelliBeam headlamps, a following distance indicator, forward collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and front pedestrian braking.

To add adaptive cruise control, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, and rear cross-traffic alert, you'll have to spend $595 on the Advanced Safety Package.

Read the original article on Business Insider

We look at Honda's and Nissan's 5 top-selling US models, as the companies plan to merge

23 December 2024 at 04:53
Eight photos show the top-selling vehicles in the US form Nissan and Honda.
Nissan's and Honda's best-selling models in the US this year.

Nissan, Honda, Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • Nissan and Honda said Monday they planned to merge in 2026.
  • The US is an extremely important market for both brands.
  • Honda's and Nissan's top sellers are their respective compact SUVs, the CR-V and the Rogue.

A merger of Nissan and Honda would marry two rivals for US customers, mostly on their top-selling compact SUVs.

Honda's volume leader is the compact CR-V crossover, and Nissan's is the Rogue.

The largest market for both automakers is the US, where Honda's models typically outsell Nissan's. The CR-V, for example, has outsold the Rogue by more than 100,000 units this year.

The companies said Monday they planned to merge in 2026, which would create the world's third-largest automaker. Pooling resources, like many other automakers have done in recent years, could help them speed up the development of new electric vehicles, and using shared parts could reduce production costs.

The companies could also help fill each other's gaps.

Honda, for example, doesn't have a presence in the full-size-SUV market, a highly competitive but lucrative segment, with transaction prices often reaching six figures. Nissan has long been a player with its Armada and Infiniti QX80.

Here's a closer look at the five top-selling models in the US from both Nissan and Honda:

1. Nissan Rogue
The left front corner of a blue 2024 Nissan Rogue SL SUV parked on the street.
The 2024 Nissan Rogue SL.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

2024 sales (through Q3): 189,156

The Rogue is Nissan's top seller and, given the popularity of the compact-SUV segment, the brand's most important product. Business Insider recently reviewed the Rogue and was impressed by its punchy three-cylinder engine.

2. Nissan Sentra
The left front corner of a gray 2024 Nissan Sentra SR sedan parked on the street.
A 2024 Nissan Sentra SR sedan.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

2024 sales (through Q3): 123,732

For decades, the Sentra has been one of the most popular subcompact economy cars in the US. We recently reviewed a 2024 Sentra and found it to be an attractively styled little sedan at an affordable price.

3. Nissan Altima
The left front corner of a blue 2025 Nissan Altima SV Special Edition sedan parked in front of a building.
The 2025 Nissan Altima SV special edition.

Nissan

2024 sales (through Q3): 86,679

The midsize Altima is Nissan's answer to the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Hyundai Sonata. Despite its relatively strong sales, Nissan reportedly plans to end production of the Altima after 2026.

4. Nissan Pathfinder
The right front corner of a light brown 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek SUV parked on a hill.
The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek.

Nissan

2024 sales (through Q3): 58,896

The Pathfinder has been a staple of Nissan's SUV lineup since its launch in 1986. The fifth-generation Pathfinder SUV launched in 2022.

5. Nissan Frontier
The left front corner of an orange 2025 Nissan Frontier Pro4X pickup truck parked in a field.
The 2025 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X pickup.

Nissan

2024 sales (through Q3): 54,257

The Frontier is one of the most popular midsize pickups on sale today. The third generation launched in 2022.

1. Honda CR-V
The left front corner of a gray 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD Sport Touring SUV parked in front of a house.
The 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

2024 sales (through Q3): 298,164

The CR-V has been Honda's best-selling model in the US since 2017. We recently reviewed a 2025 CR-V Hybrid and found it to be one of the best small SUVs on the market.

2. Honda Civic
The right front corner of a blue 2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring Hybrid parked in a parking deck.
The 2025 Honda Civic hatchback Sport Touring hybrid.

Honda

2024 sales (through Q3): 188,422

The compact Civic is one of the models that helped Honda establish itself as an automaker more than 40 years ago.

3. Honda Accord
The right side of a gray Honda Accord Touring parked on the street.
The Honda Accord Touring.

Honda

2024 sales (through Q3): 124,689

Until the rise of SUVs over the past decade, the Accord held the mantle as Honda's top seller. In fact, the Accord was the last vehicle to dethrone the mighty Toyota Camry as America's best-selling car more than two decades ago.

4. Honda HR-V
The right front corner of a gray 2024 Honda HR-V Sport parked on the street.
The 2024 Honda HR-V Sport.

Honda

2024 sales (through Q3): 114,805

The subcompact HR-V is Honda's smallest and most affordable SUV, competing directly against the Nissan Kicks and Toyota Corolla Cross.

5. Honda Pilot
The left front of a red 2025 Honda Pilot Elite AWD family SUV parked in front of a building.
The 2025 Honda Pilot Elite.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

2024 sales (through Q3): 103,115

The Honda Pilot is one of the most popular family SUVs on sale today. We recently reviewed a 2025 Pilot Elite and came away impressed by its smooth V6 engine, smartly designed cabin, and superb quality.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove a $63,000 Infiniti QX60. It's a stylish luxury SUV let down by its unrefined engine.

16 December 2024 at 11:49
The left front of a gray 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Infiniti QX60 is a midsize, three-row luxury SUV and the brand's best-selling model.
  • I was impressed by the QX60's sleek design, quiet ride, and well-designed cabin.
  • I was disappointed by the QX60's unrefined engine, dated infotainment system, and cramped third-row.

The QX60 is the most important model in Infiniti's product portfolio. The three-row midsize luxury SUV accounted for just under half of the brand's total US sales in 2023, and it's on track to do the same this year.

The current second-generation QX60 launched in 2022 alongside its corporate sibling, the Nissan Pathfinder.

Infiniti updated the QX60 for the 2025 model year with a new turbocharged variable compression four-cylinder engine, replacing Nissan's venerable VQ-Series V6.

I spent a week driving a 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition around suburban Atlanta.
The right rear of a gray 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

I was impressed by the QX60's sleek design, quiet ride, and well-designed cabin.

Unfortunately, the QX60 is let down by its unrefined turbocharged, four-cylinder engine, dated infotainment system, and cramped third-row.

My test car came to $62,745.
The right front corner of a gray 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The base, front-wheel-drive Infiniti QX60 Pure starts at $50,200, while the top-spec AWD Autobiography trim starts at $66,150.

My lower-mid-tier, all-wheel-drive Luxe trim test car starts at $58,800. Freight fees, upgraded Harbor Gray paint, and the $1,900 Black Edition package pushed the as-test price to $62,745.

The QX60's sheet metal is understated but handsome.
Two photos show the front and rear of a gray 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Its subtle, sculpted curves, angular LED headlights, and large origami-inspired mesh grille give the Infiniti enough styling pizazz not to be boring.

At 198.2 inches, it's the same length as the Acura MDX but five inches shorter than the Lexus TX.
The left side of a gray 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The QX60's 6.7 inches of ground clearance is low for an SUV of the genre.

However, its 6,000 lbs towing capacity is higher than the segment norm of around 5,000 lbs.

Under the QX60's hood is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The variable compression turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood of a gray 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV.
The QX60's VC Turbo engine.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The 2025 QX60 is powered by Nissan's KR20DDET 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine. The turbocharged inline-four produces 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.

The four-cylinder is less powerful but produces more torque than the outgoing V6, which puts out 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of twisting power.

The "VC" part of the VC-Turbo moniker refers to Nissan's unique variable compression technology that can vary the compression ratio within the engine from 8:1 under hard acceleration up to 14:1 for more efficient operation while cruising along.

The EPA rates my all-wheel-drive Luxe Black Edition test car at 22 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined fuel economy, a two mpg improvement over the V6.

The QX60's pleasant driving experience is let down by its unrefined drivetrain.
The front cabin in a gray 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV.
The QX60's front cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Infiniti has the potential to be a really pleasant-to-drive luxury SUV. It rides smoothly and has a quiet cabin.

Unfortunately, the entire experience is let down by its four-cylinder engine. The new VC-Turbo motor has plenty of power, but instead of delivering that power predictably and linearly, it vacillates wildly between no power and massive surges of acceleration. It's an acceptable trait for a Saab Turbo from the 1980s, but not in a modern luxury SUV.

According to Motor Trend, the VC-Turbo QX60 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds, a full second slower than the outgoing V6-powered variant.

Noise from the VC-Turbo engine can also be loud and intrusive, which is tolerable if the engine makes a nice sound. Unfortunately, that's not the case here, as the four-banger sounds cheap and tinnyβ€”again, not an acceptable trait in a luxury SUV.

Like its exterior, the QX60's cabin is attractively styled.
Three photos show the front dash, center console, and center stack of a 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV.
The QX60's cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The QX60's cabin looks modern and attractive, with good ergonomics and material quality. I found the wide variety of strategically placed charging sockets and storage nooks to be particularly handy on road trips.

The QX60's zero-gravity front seats are exceptionally comfortable.
The black leather front seats of a gray 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV.
The QX60's front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The eight-way power black leather seats are also heated and cooled.

In front of the driver is a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Four photos show the steering wheel and the digital instrument display in a 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV.
The Infiniti QX60's steering wheel and digital instrument display.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Also, in front of the driver is a configurable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.

The QX60 comes standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Three photos show Apple CarPlay, the Around View Monitor, and the Infiniti InTouch infotainment system on the 12.3-inch infotainment screen in a 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV.
The QX60's infotainment screen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Although Infiniti's Nissan-sourced infotainment system was fairly intuitive to use, it looks dated compared to those found in its rivals. I was annoyed by the screen's split layout, which only allows you to fully use two-thirds of the screen real estate.

My test car came with wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a 360-degree camera system.

A large panoramic glass moonroof spans the first and second rows.
The panoramic glass moonroof in a 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV.
The QX60's panoramic moonroof.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The feature is standard on all QX60s, which is impressive at this price point.

The second-row bench in my test car offers a competitive 37.7 inches of legroom.
The black leather second-row bench seat in a gray 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV.
The QX60's second-row bench seat.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Second-row passengers have heated outboard seats, dedicated climate controls, and access to a pair of USB sockets.

The leatherette upholstered two-person third-row bench seat has just 28 inches of legroom.
The black leather third-row bench seat in a 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV.
The QX60's third row.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

It's one of the tightest third-rows in the midsize three-row SUV segment and should be reserved for children or very short trips.

Behind the QX60's third row is 14.5 cubic feet of cargo space, which is small for this segment.
Three photos show the cargo space in the back of a 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV behind the third, second, and first-row seats.
The QX60's cargo space.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Cargo capacity expands to 41.6 cubic feet with the third row folded into the floor and 75.4 cubic feet with the second row also folded.

All figures are significantly less than the rival Acura and Lexus.

The QX60 Luxe comes standard with a host of standard safety and assistance features.
The left rear corner of a gray 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

All but the base Pure trim comes standard with adaptive cruise control, ProPilot Assist, lane departure prevention, and traffic sign recognition.

My verdict: The Infiniti QX60 is an attractively styled premium SUV with a pleasant cabin, but its unrefined drivetrain limits its appeal.
The right front of a gray 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX60 Luxe Black Edition.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

There's so much to like about the 2025 Infiniti QX60. It's a handsomely styled premium SUV with a well-executed cabin and solid tech content.

Unfortunately, that's all been overshadowed by its lackluster, unrefined powertrain.

The lure of the VC-Turbo engine's beefier low-end torque and better fuel economy is understandable.

That's such a shame.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove family SUVs from Honda and Hyundai. The Palisade is more luxurious, but the Pilot is more practical.

15 December 2024 at 02:14
Two photos show the front and left side of a silver 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy and a red 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV.
The 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy (Top) and 2025 Honda Pilot Elite. The Honda may be better for families, but the Palisade felt more luxurious, in my opinion.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • I recently drove the Honda Pilot and Hyundai Palisade midsize, three-row family SUVs.
  • The Palisade delivers a refined experience with top-notch tech content worthy of a luxury brand.
  • The Pilot's smartly designed cabin, easy-to-use tech, and superb quality are great for families.

American consumers purchase more than 2 million midsize family SUVs every year.

It's a broad segment in which brands can take vastly different approaches.

I recently had the chance to drive two popular three-row midsize SUVs, the Honda Pilot and Hyundai Palisade, that found success by appealing to the needs of different families.

The Honda Pilot is a thoroughly practical family hauler with a smooth V6 engine, easy-to-use tech, and a thoughtfully designed cabin that provides loads of space for people and cargo.

The Hyundai Palisade, on the other hand, delivers effective daily transportation with a luxurious flair rarely found in a mass-market family SUV.

Here's a closer look at how the two stack up against one another.

Which is a better deal?
Two photos show the front and left side of a silver 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy and a red 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV.
The 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy (Left) and a 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The base front-wheel-drive Pilot Sport starts at $39,900, while the entry-level, front-wheel-drive Palisade SE starts at $36,650.

My well-equipped, Alabama-built Pilot Elite AWD test car started at $52,780 with an as-tested price of $54,630, while my loaded Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD starts at $52,100. With fees, the Ulsan, South Korea-built SUV's as-tested price is $53,650.

Which one looks better?
Four photos show the front and rear ends of a silver 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy and a red 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV.
The 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy (Left) and 2025 Honda Pilot Elite.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Pilot's blunted, truck-like front end looks great, but the Palisade's parametric jewel-style front grille takes the cake for me. It's a front facia that's both futuristic and elegant.

Which one is larger?
Two photos show the left side of a silver 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy and a red 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV.
The 2025 Honda Pilot Elite (Top) and 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Honda Pilot is one of the largest SUVs in its class. At 200 inches, my test car is about three and a half inches longer than the Hyundai Palisade.

It's also taller and wider than the Palisade.

The battle of the V6s
Two photos show the V6 engines under the hoods of a 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy and a red 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV.
The Hyundai Palisade's V6 (Left) and the Honda Pilot's V6.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

While many of their contemporaries have turned to small, turbocharged four-cylinder engines for motivation, the Pilot and Palisade are both powered by smooth, naturally aspirated V6s.

The Palisade's 3.8-liter V6 produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Pilot is powered by a 3.5 liter, 285 horsepower V6 with 262 lb-ft of torque paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

To help save fuel, both engines are equipped with the universally loathed automatic stop-start system, while the Honda engine can also shut down three of its six cylinders when high power output isn't needed.

The EPA rates both vehicles for 19 mpg city and 21 mpg combined driving. However, the Pilot gets 25 mpg of fuel economy on the highway, one more than the Palisade.

Which has a better all-wheel-drive system?
The decal for Hyundai's HTRAC all-wheel-drive system on the rear gate of a silver Palisade SUV.
HTRAC AWD

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Pilot and Palisade are both naturally front-wheel-drive crossover SUVs with all-wheel-drive available as an optional extra.

Honda's i-VTM4 and Hyundai's HTRAC systems both operate in front-wheel drive when cruising, sending power to the back only when it detects traction loss.

What sets Honda's system apart is that it can target how much power each of the rear wheels receives, such as distributing more power to the outside rear wheel in a corner to reduce understeer and improve controllability.

Which is better to drive?
A view of a 2025 Honda Pilot Elite's front cabin from the passenger side.
The Pilot's front cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Neither vehicle is particularly sporty to drive. The Pilot and Palisade lack the instant low-end torque of a turbocharged powerplant or an electric motor. The duo is also saddled with transmissions tuned for efficiency over outright performance.

Even though both models returned identical 0 to 60 mph runs of 6.9 seconds in Motor Trend's testing, the Palisade inched ahead of the Pilot in this department as it provided a more refined and pleasant driving experience.

The Palisade's drivetrain delivered power effortlessly, while it felt like the Pilot's engine and transmission combo had to strain a bit to get the vehicle going.

Which has a nicer cabin?
Two photos show the front dash of a 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy and a 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV.
The 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy front dash (Top) and the 2025 Honda Pilot Elite front dash.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

While both the Pilot and Palisade feature spacious, smartly designed cabins with high-quality materials and excellent ergonomics, they were executed in very different ways.

The Palisade's cabin is stylish and refined. It stands out for its quiet, isolating ride, design features like the airplane seat-style wing-out headrests, and creature comforts like the massaging ergo-motion driver seat.

The Pilot shines for its practicality and thoughtful touches, which help it excel at hauling people and their stuff. One such touch is the ingenious removable middle seat module, which can quickly transform the second-row captain's chairs into bench seats to accommodate extra passengers.

Which has more passenger space?
The second and third-row seats in the back of a 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy and a 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV.
The second and third-row seats in a 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy (Left) and a 2025 Honda Pilot Elite.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Pilot and Palisade have two of the roomiest passenger cabins in the segment.

The Palisade offers about an inch and a half more second-row legroom compared to the Pilot, but it trails the Pilot by an inch in third-row legroom.

Which has the best tech?
Two photos show the infotainment screen in a 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy and a 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV.
The infotainment screens in the 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy (Top) and a 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Pilot's standard seven-inch and optional nine-inch displays are verging on unacceptably small for a vehicle in this segment. Especially when compared to the Palisade's standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.

Both systems are well-sorted, easy to use, and backed up by physical switches to help make use on the go a bit easier. However, I found the Hyundai system to be a bit more intuitive to use.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility come standard on both vehicles.

Both vehicles also come with an intercom system that allows the driver and rear cabin passengers to communicate through the SUVs' speakers.

How much cargo can they haul?
The rear cargo compartments of a silver 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy and a red 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV with their third-row seats folded.
The 2025 Honda Pilot Elite (Left) and 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy cargo compartments.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Honda Pilot is ahead of the Palisade in overall cargo space, with up to 112.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row versus 86.4 cubic feet for the Palisade.

My Verdict: It's a tie.
Two photos show the left front of a silver 2024 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy and the right front of a red 2025 Honda Pilot Elite SUV.
The Hyundai wins if you're looking for luxury, but the Honda is tops when practicality is the name of the game.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Honda Pilot and Hyundai Palisade represent excellence in the genre but through very different means.

The Palisade's level of luxury and refinement is truly noteworthy. I wouldn't feel cheated if Hyundai slapped and Genesis badge on it and jacked up the price by $10,000.

On the other hand, the Pilot's quality and thoughtful execution are the mark of a brand with a quarter century of experience building minivans that can withstand years of grueling school runs and the destructiveness of a bored, curious child.

Given their vastly different personalities, the vehicle I'd choose depends purely on my family's changing needs.

With younger children, I'd choose the Pilot's roomy, easy-to-use, and durable cabin. But as they and I grow older, count me in on the Palisade's refined, isolating ride and heated massaging seats.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove a $43,000 Toyota Camry. These 16 features show how the best-selling car in America is now even better

11 December 2024 at 07:28
The right front corner of a blue 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan parked on the street.
A 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan in Reservoir Blue.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Toyota Camry midsize sedan has been the best-selling passenger car in the US for over 20 years.
  • I recently drove a 2025 Camry with all-wheel drive in its range-topping XSE trim.
  • I was impressed by the Camry's efficient hybrid powertrain, comfortable ride, and great cabin.

The Toyota Camry has been America's best-selling passenger car for the past 22 years.

This year, Toyota introduced the updated ninth-generation Camry with fresh looks, upgraded tech, and a new hybrid-only drivetrain.

I recently reviewed an all-wheel-drive 2025 Toyota Camry XSE with an as-tested price of $43,194. I was impressed by the new Camry's smooth standard hybrid powertrain, fuel efficiency, comfortable ride, updated tech, and well-designed cabin.

The base front-wheel-drive version starts at $28,400, while my range-topping Camry test car started at $36,125. I found 17 key features that help the car stand out and keep its spot on top of the sales leaderboard:

Aggressive styling
Two photos show the left front corner and left rear corner of a blue 2025 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid sedan parked on the street.
The 2025 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The new Camry's styling is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, continuing Toyota's decision toward more angular and aggressive lines in recent iterations of the sedan.

The Camry's overall look, led by its distinctive hammerhead front end, is a far cry from the anonymous design that plagued earlier generations of the model.

Hybrid drivetrain
The 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine under the hood of a blue 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan.
The Camry's hybrid power unit.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

All Camrys now come standard with the Japanese automaker's tried and tested hybrid system under the hood. The power unit consists of a 184 horsepower, 2.5-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine mated to a 134 horsepower electric traction motor and a lithium-ion battery pack.

The total system output is 225 horsepower sent to the front wheels through an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.

All-wheel-drive models like my test car have a 40-horsepower electric motor mounted to the rear axle, which boosts total output to 232 horsepower.

Great fuel economy
The left side of a blue 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan parked on the street.
A 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My all-wheel-drive Camry XSE test car boasted EPA fuel economy figures of 44 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 44 mpg combined.

I managed to get within a couple of mpg of the EPA's combined fuel economy estimates, which is pretty impressive for a 3,700-lbs sedan that was driven quite aggressively.

If you value fuel economy above all else, consider the base front-wheel-drive Camry LE, which is rated for a Prius-esque 51mpg in combined driving.

A quiet ride
The front seats of a 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan in a parking lot.
The Camry's front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Despite the athletic styling and firmer performance-tuned suspension of the XSE trim, the Camry is far from sporty.

The Camry's ride is quiet and compliant.

Thanks to its electric motors, the 232-horsepower hybrid system delivers smooth and spirited acceleration off the line.

Even under hard acceleration, the hybrid system remains up to the task with more than enough juice for on-ramps and highway passing.

The four-cylinder does emit a mild drone in protest when you gun the throttle, but it's not intrusive enough to detract from the driving experience.

According to Motor Trend, the hybrid 2025 Camry with all-wheel drive can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 6.8 seconds.

Thoughtfully designed cabin
The front dash of a 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan.
The Camry's front dash.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Camry interior is traditional Toyota. It's well-designed, with impeccable ergonomics and plenty of storage and charging options. A good mix of physical and touch controls makes on-the-fly use a piece of cake.

Material and build quality are both excellent, with plenty of soft-touch materials strategically placed in high-contact areas.

Advanced driver cockpit
Three photos show the steering, digital instrument display, and head-up display in a 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan.
The Camry's steering wheel, instrument cluster, and HUD.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In front of the driver is a heated leather steering wheel with paddle shifters and a configurable 12.3-digital gauge cluster that's only available on the XLE and XSE trims. My test car also came with the optional 10-inch color head-up display.

Large infotainment screen
The driver's side of the front dash in a 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan.
The Camry's front dash.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Camry comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, but my test car had the optional 12.3-inch unit. The Camry's infotainment system is well-organized and fairly intuitive to use.

Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay on the 12.3-inch touchscreen in a 2025 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid sedan.
Apple CarPlay on the Camry's infotainment screen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

All trim levels come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Panoramic roof
The panoramic glass roof in a 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan.
The 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

XLE and XSE trim Camrys can be optioned with a large panoramic glass roof that floods the cabin with sunlight.

360-degree camera system
The 360-degree camera of a 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan.
The Camry's 360-degree camera.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Camry comes standard with a backup camera. However, XLE and XSE trims can be optioned with Toyota's Panoramic View Monitor camera system.

Drive modes
The center console and shifter in a 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan.
The Camry's shifter and center console.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Camry offers drivers the choice of Eco, Normal, and Sport modes. Normal is the standard drive mode, while Sport mode offers peppier acceleration. Eco mode maximizes fuel economy by heightening the regenerative braking system to harness additional energy while dulling the throttle response to prevent aggressive acceleration.

There's also an EV mode that allows the Camry to operate for brief periods using only its electric motors at speeds up to 25 miles per hour.

Premium audio system
A JBL speaker on the passenger side A-pillar in a 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan.
The Camry's JBL sound system.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

XLE and XSE trim Camrys can be optioned with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system that sounds great. The Camry comes standard with a six-speaker system.

Comfortable front seats.
The black front leather seats from the driver's side of a blue 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan.
The Camry's driver's seat.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Camry XSE's leather-trimmed, eight-way power-adjustable front seats were comfortable and supportive, and they were also heated and ventilated.

Roomy rear cabin
Three photos show the black leather rear seats, rear AC vents, and rear USB sockets in a blue 2025 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid sedan.
The Camry's rear cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Camry's rear seats boast a stout 38 inches of legroom and 37.6 inches of headroom. Rear seat passengers also have the benefit of dedicated air vents and USB charging sockets.

Flexible storage
The trunk of a blue 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan in a parking lot.
The Camry's trunk.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Behind the rear seats is a decently sized 15.1 cubic foot trunk that can be expanded by folding down the rear seats. A spare tire is under the cargo floor.

Standard safety tech
The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster on the front dash of a 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD hybrid sedan.
The Camry's digital gauge cluster.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Camry comes standard with the latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of driver assistance tech, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and proactive driving assist.

Features like lane change assist and rear cross-traffic braking are available only as part of pricey convenience packages, even on the highest trim.

Read the original article on Business Insider

15 coming electric cars we can't wait to drive

9 December 2024 at 14:19
Six photos show the Cadillac Vistiq, Volkswagen ID.BUZZ, Lotus Emeya, Mercedes-Benz G580, Kia EV4, and Lucid Gravity EVs.
Cool coming electric vehicles.

General Motors/Volkswagen/Lotus/Mercedes-Benz/Kia/Lucid

  • Coming EV models include small hatchbacks, pickups, sports cars, and minivans.
  • They come from brands like Audi, Cadillac, Lucid, Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, Tesla, and Volkswagen.
  • This article is part of "Getting Ready for Electric," a series of guides and practical advice for buying your next EV.

A large number of exciting EVs are headed to market soon.

Several automakers have modified their electrification strategies in recent months, replacing some of their prior electric-vehicle concepts with a focus on internal-combustion-engine and hybrid models.

Even with this strategic change, you can expect to see a lot of EV options in the coming years.

Here's a collection of cool EVs β€” including small hatchbacks, pickups, sports cars, and minivans β€” that we can't wait to drive.

Audi Q6 e-tron
The left front and left rear of two Audi Q6 e-tron EV SUVs parked in front of a building.
The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron.

Audi

The Audi Q6 e-tron is the 11th battery electric model to join the brand's lineup and marks the debut of Audi's all-new EV platform.

With a 100-kWh battery pack, the Q6 e-tron is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency for 321 miles of range. The Q6 e-tron with Quattro all-wheel drive has 456 horsepower and can do 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. There's also a higher-performance SQ6 e-tron.

The Q6 e-tron starts at $63,800.

Cadillac Vistiq
A blue 2026 Cadillac Vistiq EV SUV plugged into the a charger.
A 2026 Cadillac Vistiq electric SUV.

Cadillac

The Cadillac Vistiq, starting at $77,400, is a three-row midsize luxury electric SUV positioned between the smaller Lyriq and the flagship Escalade IQ.

Cadillac says the Vistiq will have a range of about 300 miles with a 102-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. With dual electric motors generating 615 horsepower, it can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

Production at GM's Spring Hill, Tennessee, plant is expected to start in early 2025.

Canoo pickup truck
The left front of a black Canoo EV Pickup truck.
A Canoo electric pickup truck.

Canoo

The Texas-based startup EV maker Canoo unveiled its electric pickup in 2021, but there hasn't been much news about the innovative cab-forward truck since. So it's unclear when it will go into production. What we do know is intriguing, including 600 horsepower, 200-plus miles of range, and an ultraconfigurable truck bed.

Hyundai Ioniq 9
A photo shows the front and rear of two 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 three-row EV SUVs parked on a tarmac.
The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9.

Hyundai

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is an all-electric midsize three-row family SUV set to go on sale in the first half of 2025. Built on the Electric Global Modular Platform platform, which also underpins the Kia EV9, the Ioniq 9 features a 110.3-kWh battery pack and an estimated range of 385 miles.

Kia EV4
The left front of a brown Kia EV4 Concept EV parked in front of a wall.
The Kia EV4 concept car.

Kia

The Kia EV4 is a concept for a stylish compact EV sedan that debuted at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show. Kia has not confirmed that the EV4 will enter production. But Car and Driver believes it could arrive as early as 2026 with up to 300 miles of range and a starting price of about $39,000.

Lotus Emeya
The left front of a yellow Lotus Emeya EV sedan parked on gravel.
The Lotus Emeya.

Lotus Cars

The Lotus Emeya is a high-performance four-door GT with as much as 905 horsepower. According to Lotus, the Chinese-built EV can do 0 to 62 mph in 2.78 seconds and has a top speed of 159 mph.

Lucid Gravity
A silver Lucid Gravity EV SUV parked in front of a home at night.
A Lucid Gravity.

Lucid Motors

The Gravity is the second model to emerge from the American EV startup Lucid. It's a three-row luxury SUV with up to 828 horsepower and an estimated 440 miles of range. The Gravity Grand Touring is on sale now, starting at $94,900.

Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology
The right front of a blue 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology EV SUV.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology.

Mercedes-Benz

The iconic Mercedes-Benz GelΓ€ndewagen can finally be had as an EV. Offered alongside its internal-combustion siblings, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology comes with a 122-kWh battery pack, 239 miles of range, 579 horsepower, and a starting price of $161,500.

Polestar 5
The right side of a Polestar 5 EV sedan prototype in gray camouflage paint parked at the Goodwood festival of speed.
A Polestar 5 EV sedan prototype.

Polestar

The Polestar 5 is a luxury high-performance EV sedan that is scheduled to launch in 2025. The Polestar 5, set to compete against the likes of the Porsche Panamera and Mercedes-Benz EQS, will be built on the brand's first dedicated EV platform, featuring an 800-volt battery and electric motors that can produce up to 884 horsepower. While developed by Polestar's research-and-development teams in the UK and Sweden, the 5 will be built in the brand's new factory in Chongqing, China, alongside the coming Polestar 6 EV sports car.

Ram 1500 REV
The Ram 1500 REV electric pickup truck.
The Ram 1500 REV electric pickup truck.

Ram

The Ram 1500 REV is Stellantis' answer to the Ford F150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV. Its 168-kWh battery pack helps it reach an estimated 350 miles of driving range. According to Ram, the 654-horsepower pickup can do 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds and tow up to 14,000 pounds.

Rivian R3X
The right rear corner of a green Rivian R3X EV SUV.
A Rivian R3X.

Rivian

The R3X is the high-performance variant of the Rivian's coming R3 midsize electric SUV and has distinct hatchback styling. According to Rivian, the R3X should be able to achieve over 300 miles of range and do 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. The R3 and R3X are expected to arrive after Rivian commences customer deliveries of the R2 in the first half of 2026.

Scout Terra and Traveler
The electric Scout Terra pickup truck and Traveler SUV
The electric Scout Terra pickup truck and Traveler SUV.

Scout Motors

Volkswagen Group's Scout Motors recently unveiled its Scout Terra pickup and Scout Traveler SUV. The body-on-frame off-roaders, with a starting price between $50,000 and $60,000, are inspired by the International Scout utility vehicles of the 1960s and '70s. The Terra and Traveler are set to enter production in 2027 in South Carolina.

Tesla Roadster
Tesla Roadster.
The Tesla Roadster.

Tesla

The long-awaited second-generation Tesla Roadster was announced in 2017 and remains in development purgatory. The Roadster was supposed to go on sale in 2020 but has been continuously delayed. When it does arrive, Tesla says it should go from 0 to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, reach 250 mph, and have a range of 620 miles.

Volkswagen ID Buzz
The right front of an orange and white 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz EV minivan parked by the sea.
A 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz EV minivan.

Volkswagen

The VW bus is back. Volkswagen relaunched its counterculture-era icon as the all-electric 2025 ID Buzz. The new bus, which starts at $60,000, comes with a 91-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and is available in all-wheel drive. The ID Buzz has an estimated 234 miles of range.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove a $211,000 Porsche Taycan GTS EV. It was as fun to drive as it was pricey.

7 December 2024 at 02:57
The left front corner of a gold 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS EV sedan parked by the road.
The 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS in Nordic Gold Metallic.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • I drove a Porsche Taycan GTS EV that's been updated for 2025 with new tech, styling, and more power.
  • The GTS is a mid-tier model in the Taycan lineup with distinct black design accents.
  • I was impressed by the Taycan is incredible power, driving dynamics, and sleek styling.

Since its launch in 2020, the electric Taycan has performed well for Porsche, outselling all but its SUVs and the iconic 911 sports car in the US last year.

In 2025, the Taycan will receive a mid-life refresh with more performance, upgraded tech, and revised styling to help it remain competitive with rivals from Audi, BMW, Lucid, Mercedes, and Tesla.

I recently had the chance to spend an afternoon behind the wheel of a new 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS sedan in Nordic Gold Metallic paint.
The left rear corner of a gold 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS EV parked by the road.
The 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS in Nordic Gold Metallic.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

I was really impressed by the Taycan GTS's powerful all-electric drivetrain, beautifully tuned driving dynamics, new tech, and sleek styling.

During my brief time with the Taycan, there wasn't much that I didn't like about it. However, the optional extras get very pricey very fast.

My test car cost $211,055.
The left front corner of a gold 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS EV parked on the side fo the road.
The 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS in Nordic Gold Metallic.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The base Porsche Taycan sedan starts at $99,400, while the Turbo GT, which is the range-topping model, starts at an eye-watering $230,000. The GTS-trim is situated in the middle of the seven-model lineup with a starting price of $147,900.

My test car came loaded with more than $61,000 in performance, luxury, aesthetic, and tech upgrades that pushed the as-tested price to $211,000.

For 2025, Porsche gave the Taycan a mid-cycle refresh.
The front of a gold 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS EV sedan parked by the road.
The 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS in Nordic Gold Metallic.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The updates include redesigned front-end styling, new matrix headlights, improved battery performance, and new cabin tech.

There's also a new push-to-pass feature that provides a 94-horsepower burst of extra power on demand for up to 10 seconds at a time.

My test car came with these stylish satin black 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels and sticky summer tires.
The black 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels on the left front corner of a gold 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS EV sedan.
The Taycan's 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

It costs $2,920 to upgrade from the GTS's standard 20-inch wheels and another $1,300 to have them painted black.

The Taycan GTS comes with a 105 kWh battery pack.
Two photos show the charging ports on the driver and passenger sides of a gold 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS EV sedan.
The Taycan's J1772 AC charging socket (Top) and CCS combo charging socket.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

To keep its 105 kWh pack juiced up, the Taycan has not one but two different charging sockets. There's a J1772 AC charging socket on the driver's side and a CCS combo socket for DC fast charging on the passenger side.

As part of the updates, Porsche made significant improvements to its battery pack. Key among them are increased energy density and optimized thermal management, which improve charging times.

According to Porsche, the Taycan can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes at a rate of up to an impressive 320 kW.

The official EPA range for the 2025 Taycan GTS is not yet available, but it should be considerably better than the previous generation's 246 miles. EPA range estimates for other Taycan trim levels vary from about 250 miles to 295 miles.

The Taycan GTS now has up to 690 horsepower.
The rear of a gold 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS EV sedan parked by the road.
The 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS in Nordic Gold Metallic.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Taycan GTS's dual electric motors offer 596 horsepower at all times. However, with launch control activated, drivers can access up to 690 horsepower, a 100-horsepower bump over the previous model.

The front axle motor has a single-speed transmission, while the motor on the rear axle has a two-speed transmission.

According to Porsche, the Taycan GTS with launch control activated can reach 60 mph from a standstill in 3.1 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph.

Driving the Taycan GTS is about as much fun as you can have in an EV.
The GTS branded front seats in a 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS EV sedan.
The Taycan's front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Porsche Taycan GTS is an incredible machine to experience on the twisting mountain roads of the Appalachian mountains. The Taycan, with its all-wheel-drive, adaptive air suspension, torque vectoring, and high-performance ceramic composite brakes, was unperturbed by any corner we could throw at it.

The Taycan remained poised and collected through the corner before launching down the next straight away with effortless aggression from its 596 electric Teutonic ponies.

Such performance is especially impressive when you consider that this is an EV that weighs more than most three-row family SUVs, at 5,000 lbs.

Inside, the Taycan GTS feels like a glove that fits just right.
Four photos show the front dash, instrument display, passenger display, and stopwatch in a 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS EV sedan.
The Taycan's cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Taycan's cabin feels more like the cockpit of a sports car than a luxury EV sedan. It's snug but never feels cramped. All of the controls are within arm's reach and easy to use on the fly.

In front of the driver is a large digital instrument display that is designed to look like Porsche's signature five-gauge cluster. In front of the passenger is a new infotainment touchscreen which the driver is prohibited from viewing.

My favorite touch is the stopwatch atop the front dash to track your lap time. It's a not-so-subtle reminder of Porsche's brand ethos.

Aft of the passenger cabin is a decently sized 12.9 cubic foot trunk.
The rear of a gold 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS EV sedan parked by the road with the trunk open.
The Taycan GTS with its trunk open.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

There's also a small three-cubic-foot frunk up front under the hood.

My Verdict: The Porsche Taycan is now better than ever and the GTS trim is the sweet spot in at the heart of its lineup.
The left side of a gold 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS EV sedan parked by the road.
The 2025 Porsche Taycan GTS in Nordic Gold Metallic.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Porsches are not cheap cars. They are not cars for the everyman. But if you are among the fortunate few every year who are able to take ownership of one, you're in for a treat.

The Taycan may not sing the distinctive song of its boxer-powered siblings, but it is still a Porsche through and through. From the precision of its steering to the vicious stopping power of its massive carbon brakes, the Taycan is a true performance machine.

With 690 horsepower and a price tag under $150,000, the Taycan GTS might be the perfect trim for you.

Read the original article on Business Insider

A new wrinkle in Boeing's 737 Max crash drama

5 December 2024 at 11:30
A blue and white Boeing 737 Max airplane on display.
Two of Boeing's 737 Max jets crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people.

Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

  • A judge rejected Boeing's plea deal with US prosecutors over 737 Max crashes.
  • The deal involved Boeing pleading guilty to fraud and paying a $243.6 million fine.
  • Boeing previously agreed to a $2.5 billion settlement with the Department of Justice in 2021.

A federal judge on Thursday rejected a July plea deal between Boeing and US prosecutors, citing concerns with the role diversity, equity, and inclusion would play in selecting an independent monitor.

In his decision, Judge Reed O'Connor expressed doubts about Boeing's and the government's ability to select the monitor solely based on capability without consideration of race. The judge noted both groups' strong focus on DEI in their operating policies.

"In a case of this magnitude, it is in the utmost interest of justice that the public is confident this monitor selection is done based solely on competency," the judge said in his decision. "The parties' DEI efforts only serve to undermine this confidence in the Government and Boeing's ethics and anti-fraud efforts."

The Texas judge O'Connor also criticized regulators' work overseeing Boeing's progress under the deferred prosecution agreement it signed in 2021, writing in the decision: "It is fair to say the Government's attempt to ensure compliance has failed."

The case stems from two Boeing 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people, the first with Indonesia's Lion Air in October 2018 and the second with Ethiopian Airlines in March 2019. Faulty software was found to be the culprit in both crashes.

Victims' families opposed the plea agreement, voicing displeasure with the process for selecting an independent anti-fraud monitor and the fact that Boeing's compliance with the monitor's recommendations is not a required condition of its probation, court documents noted.

"This is an excellent decision by Judge O'Connor and an important victory for the victims' families," Erin Applebaum, a lawyer representing 34 families of victims lost on the Ethiopian Airlines flight, told Business Insider.

"We anticipate a significant renegotiation of the plea deal that incorporates terms truly commensurate with the gravity of Boeing's crimes," she added. "It's time for the DOJ to end its lenient treatment of Boeing and demand real accountability."

Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

In July, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to fraud, pay a $243.6 million fine, and allow an independent monitor to oversee safety and quality control at its factories.

However, regulators said Boeing violated that settlement after the January Alaska Airlines door plug blowout. The deal was set to expire two days after the Alaska incident.

In May, the Justice Department said Boeing had failed to "design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program."

In 2021, Boeing reached a $2.5 billion settlement with the Department of Justice and families of the victims in January 2021 to settle charges of fraud conspiracy related to the fatal crashes.

Boeing's former CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, was fired in December 2019 and was replaced by Dave Calhoun. Calhoun later stepped down in March 2024 after the Alaska blowout.

New Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who started in August, has been tasked with overhauling the company culture and getting Boeing back on track with safety and its production targets.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove a $78,000 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 Coupe. It's a high-tech, modern car with the heart of a classic GT.

5 December 2024 at 08:25
The left side of a red 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe parked in front of a building.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe in Patagonia Red Metallic.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • Mercedes-Benz replaced its C-Class and E-Class Coupes witih the CLE Coupe.
  • I was impressed by the car's mild-hybrid engine, luxurious cabin, great tech, and stylish looks.
  • I was not a fan of the CLE's cumbersome capacitive touch controls.

The Grand Tourer is a nostalgic throwback to days gone by of sleek European coupes with powerful engines capable of covering large distances, in style, at high speeds.

With the world gravitating toward EVs and crossover SUVs, the number of coupes on sale these days has dwindled.

Mercedes-Benz has trimmed the number of two-door coupes in its lineup from four down to two: the CLE and the AMG-GT.

The CLE replaces both the C-Class and E-Class Coupes. It's also offered as a convertible, which we tested earlier in 2024.

I recently spent a week with a 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe around Atlanta.
The left rear corner of a red 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe parked next to a field.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe in Patagonia Red Metallic.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

I was impressed by the CLE450's powerful turbocharged, mild-hybrid inline six-cylinder engine, luxurious cabin, excellent tech content, and attractive styling.

There wasn't a lot wrong with the CLE, but my biggest gripe with it, and most current-generation Mercedes-Benz products, is their cumbersome capacitive touch controls. More on that later.

My test car came to $78,360.
The left front corner of a red 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe parked in front of a building.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My CLE450 4Matic Coupe test car started at $65,650. Freight fees and a long list of tech, luxury, and styling options added nearly $13,000 to the price tag.

The CLE cuts an attractive figure on the streets of suburban Atlanta.
Two photos show the front and rear of a red 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe parked on the street.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CLE's front end features a large three-dimensional effect chrome grille that creates the impression of a galaxy of small stars surrounding a large central Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star logo.

The rear end of the CLE is dominated by its steeply raked roofline, prominent LED taillights, and large chrome faux exhaust tips.

Size-wise, the CLE is positioned in between the compact C-Class and midsize E-Class coupes.
The left side of a red 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe parked on the street.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

At 191 inches, the midsize CLE is an inch shorter than the E-Class and six inches shorter than the C-Class Coupe.

Under the hood is a mild hybrid, 3.0-liter, turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine.
The three-liter, turbocharged, mild-hybrid inline six-cylinder engine under the hood of a 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe.
The CLE450's turbocharged, mild-hybrid inline-six.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CLE450 is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine that produces 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.

Its helped by Mercedes' 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which uses an integrated starter generator to contribute an additional 23 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. It's designed to mitigate the effects of turbo lag and quicken the response of its auto start/stop system.

My test car boasted EPA fuel economy figures of 23 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined.

The CLE450 drives beautifully, dispatching velvety smooth acceleration on demand.
The front cabin in a 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe.
The CLE Coupe's front cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CLE450 delivers on its promise as a world-class grand tourer. The car is well-balanced with responsive steering. The suspension is set up more for comfort than outright cornering ability. But it remains a calm and collected customer in the twisty bits.

The turbocharged straight-six is smooth, dialing up near-instantaneous acceleration through its slick-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system.

The mild hybrid system performed as expected, effectively filling in any holes in the engine's torque and smoothing the traditional harshness of an auto start/stop system.

According to Mercedes, the 375 horsepower CLE450 can run from 0 to 60 mph in an impressive 4.2 seconds.

The coupe's interior is elegantly styled with a beautifully integrated suite of cabin tech.
Four photos show the front dash, center console, center stack, and panorama roof in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe.
The CLE450 Coupe's cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CLE's cabin borrows heavily from the current C-Class. Its interior is an elegant blend of modern design and callbacks to classic Mercedes-Benz of days gone by, like the giant 11.9-inch touchscreen sitting below the trio of vintage turbine-design air vents.

Material and build quality are excellent. However, I was not a fan of the shiny piano black lacquer Mercedes chose for the center console, which is highly susceptible to unsightly smudges and scratches.

My biggest complaint with the CLE's interior is the lack of physical controls. While the touchscreen and capacitive touch-sensitive buttons are modern and sleek, they feel imprecise and are clumsy to use, especially while driving.

The focal point of the front dash is an 11.9-inch infotainment screen.
Four photos show the 11.9-inch touchscreen in a 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe, which features YouTube, sudoku, drive modes, and a surround-view camera.
The CLE infotainment screen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CLE has the third-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. The system is pretty well sorted at this point. It's responsive and easy to navigate, and the graphics look terrific. The system's overeager voice assistance is also far less intrusive than in past iterations.

The screen is also home to the surround-view camera system along with a host of additional capabilities like YouTube video streaming and games.

The car comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In front of the driver is a stylish three-spoke steering wheel.
Three photos show the steering wheel and digital instrument display in a 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe.
The CLE450's steering wheel and instrument display.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Instead of a traditional gauge cluster, the CLE has a 12.3-inch digital display. The display is highly configurable, with layouts ranging from a traditional dual analog gauge look to a full-page navigation map.

My test car was also equipped with a handy color head-up display.

The black leather seats were comfortable and supportive.
The black leather driver seat in a red 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe.
The CLE's driver seat.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The seats are ventilated with built-in massage functionality.

The CLE is a true 2+2 with a pair of bucket seats in the back.
The black leather rear seats in a 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe.
The CLE Coupe's rear seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The seats work for short trips, but the limited heat and legroom may make adults uncomfortable on longer drives.

Behind the passenger cabin is a moderately sized 11.2 cubic foot trunk.
The open trunk of a red 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe parked on by a field.
The CLE450 Coupe's trunk.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The rear seats can fold down for additional cargo room.

The CLE comes standard with a host of safety and driver's assistance tech.
The right front corner of a red 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe parked on the street.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe in Patagonia Red Metallic.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Standard features on the CLE include adaptive high beam assist, active brake assist, Parktronic with active parking assist, blind spot assist, and Presafe.

You'll need to pay extra to get goodies like adaptive cruise control, automatic lane change assist, and active lane-keeping assist.

My Verdict: The Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe is a modern luxury grand tourer with old-school charm.
The rear of a red 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe parked on the street.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic Coupe in Patagonia Red Metallic.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My time with the CLE450 has been a blast. The miles simply breeze on by. It dispenses a sense of joy and contentment that only happens when you are at the command of a high-performance machine while swaddled in modern, high-tech luxury.

And that's the definition of a truly excellent GT car.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove a $62,000 Acura TLX Type S. These 14 features help it compete with Cadillac and BMW.

28 November 2024 at 02:57
The left front of a gray 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan parked on side of a street.
A 2024 Acura TLX Type S.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The current generation Acura TLX compact luxury sedan was launched in 2021 and refreshed this year.
  • I recently drove a 2024 TLX with all-wheel drive in high-performance Type S trim.
  • I was impressed by its turbocharged V6 engine, superb AWD system, and sporty looks.

Acura is known for making fun, high-performance luxury automobiles, such as the compact Integra and the NSX supercar.

Since Acura, Honda's premium brand, retired the NSX in 2022, the TLX Type S has inherited the role of its performance flagship.

The current generation of Acura's compact TLX luxury sedan, which competes against the likes of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Genesis G70, launched in 2021 and received a mid-cycle refresh in 2024 with tweaked styling, updated tech, and a quieter cabin.

I recently reviewed a 2024 Acura TLX Type S with an as-tested price of $62,276. I was impressed by its powerful turbocharged V6 engine, superb torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, and sporty looks.

The base four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive Acura TLX with Technology Package starts at $45,000, while my range-topping, all-wheel-drive V6 Type S starts at $57,000.

Here's a closer look at some of the TLX Type S's most interesting features that help make it a great sports sedan for everyday life.

Sporty looks
Two photos show the front and rear of a gray 2024 Acura TLX Type S sports sedan parked on the street.
The 2024 Acura TLX Type S.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The TLX's front end is highlighted by Acura's signature diamond pentagon grille flanked by Jewel Eye LED headlights.

The Type S gets special performance goodies, including a front splitter, rear decklid spoiler, rear diffuser, and large quad exhaust outlets.

V6 turbo power
The 3.0-liter, turbocharged V6 engine is under the hood of a gray 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan.
The TLX Type S sedan's turbocharged V6.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Acura TLX Type S is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine equipped with a single twin-scroll turbocharger, producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque. It's mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The V6 is smooth, and its twin-scroll turbo helps it generate that power consistently and predictably.

My Type S test car boasted EPA fuel economy figures of 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

Honda's Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD)
The right rear corner of a gray 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan parked in front of a building.
A 2024 Acura TLX Type S.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Outside of the base TLX Technology Package, all other TLX trims come standard with the Honda/Acura's excellent Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system.

Using a pair of hydraulically operated clutch packs, SH-AWD can send up to 70% of the engine's power to the back and then distribute as much as 100% of that power to either one of the rear wheels.

The system provides the nimble cornering capability of a rear-wheel drive vehicle with the traction and stability of all-wheel-drive.

Customizable drive modes
Two photos showing the drive mode menu on the 12.3-inch infotainment screen and the drive mode selector dial on the center stack in a 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan.
The Acura TLX Type S drive mode selector.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The TLX Type S has four different drive modes, which are selected using a rotary dial on the center stack. For 2024, Acura sharpened up the throttle response for the Sport+ mode, which is used for maximum acceleration.

Great driving dynamics
The red and black leather front seats in a 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan.
Acura TLX Type S front cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The TLX Type S is a legit sports sedan.

Its 355 horsepower, turbocharged V6 pulls strong through its broad power band. The 10-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and smoothly.

According to Motor Trend, the Acura TLX Type S can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds.

Its steering is communicative and beautifully weighted. The TLX's finely tuned chassis and adaptive dampers helped it remain composed through the corners while pampering its occupants on the highway.

Despite being built on a front-wheel-drive platform, the TLX powers through the twisty bits with the zeal of a rear-wheel-drive sports sedan thanks to its clever torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system.

The Type S's optional four-piston Brembo front brakes helped ensure consistent and confident braking action.

Luxury cabin
Three photos show the front dash, center console, infotainment screen, and sunroof in a 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan.
The 2024 Acura TLX Type S cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The TLX's cabin is a true standout.

The seats are exceptionally comfortable, and the bright red leather upholstery is a not-so-subtle reminder that this isn't any ordinary luxury sedan.

Cabin ergonomics, along with material and build quality, are generally excellent.

Despite being heavy on buttons, the front dash is logically organized, so everything you need is easy to find.

The TLX's cabin is also quieter than before. Acura improved and increased cabin noise insulation while also upgrading its ambient noise cancellation system.

The cabin also comes with a sunroof and configurable ambient mood lighting.

Advanced driver's cockpit
Three photos show the steering wheel, 12.3-inch digital instrument display, and 10.5-inch head-up display in a 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan.
The TLX's steering wheel, digital instrument display, and head-up display.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In front of the driver is a stylish Type S branded flat-bottom steering wheel. Instead of a traditional gauge cluster, there is a new configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument display. Also in front of the driver is a 10.5-inch head-up display only available on the Type S

Large infotainment screen
Two photos showing the split screen layouts on the 12.3-inch infotainment screen in a 2024 Acura TLX Type S.
The Acura TLX Type S infotainment screen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The 2024 TLX has a new high-definition 12.3-inch screen. The system, which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, was well-designed and fairly easy to navigate.

However, I was not a fan of the center console touchpad controller used to interact with the system. I found the touchpad to be cumbersome and difficult to use on the fly.

Surround-view camera
Two pictures showing the surround view camera and the camera button on the front dash of a 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan.
The TLX's surround view camera.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car also came with a handy surround-view camera system. The feature, only available on the Type S, can be manually triggered by tapping a button, smartly located at the end of a stalk on the right side of the steering column.

Great sound system
An ELS Studio 3D speaker in a 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan.
The TLX's ELS Studio sounds system.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The TLX Type S's ELS Studio premium audio system sounded great. The 17-speaker system, available on the A-Spec and Type S, delivered a rich, powerful, bass-heavy sound.

Stylish performance wheels
The 20-inch copper alloy wheels with Pirelli PZero summer tires on the right front of a gray 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan.
The TLX Type S's 20-inch copper alloy wheels.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car came with these stylish, lightweight 20-inch copper-finish Y-spoke alloy wheels. The copper-finish wheels and performance Pirelli Pzero tires were pricey options at $3,481 but totally worth it.

Comfortable back seats
The red and black leather rear seats in a 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan.
The rear seats in a 2024 Acura TLX Type S.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The red and black leather back seats were pretty comfy, albeit a bit short on legroom.

Trunk space
The open trunk of a gray 2024 Acura TLX Type S Sedan.
The TLX's trunk.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Out back, the TLX has a decently sized trunk with 13.5 cubic feet of space. The rear seats fold down for additional cargo-carrying ability, but there is bracing that crisis crosses the opening, severely limiting the ability to accommodate longer items.

Great standard safety tech
The left side of a gray 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan parked in front of a brick building.
The driver's side of a 2024 Acura TLX Type S.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

All TLXs come standard with the AcuraWatch suite of safety and driver assistance features that include forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking with advanced pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, traffic sign recognition, blind spot information, lane change alert, rear cross-traffic monitor, auto high beam, and parking sensors.

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The imported cars and SUVs most at risk of price hikes under Trump's tariff plan

26 November 2024 at 14:31
Six photos showing a red BMW M240i, two Volkswagen Jettas, a gray Honda Prologue, a red Chrysler Pacifica, a red Toyota Tacoma, and a blue Chevrolet Equinox EV.
Cars made in Canada and Mexico.

BMW, Volkswagen, Honda, Stellantis, Toyota, General Motors

  • President-elect Trump plans to levy 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, he said Monday.
  • These tariffs could include vehicles imported into the US.
  • There are dozens of Mexican and Canadian-made models sold in the US.

President-elect Donald Trump on Monday announced plans to enact 25% tariffs on goods made in Canada and Mexico when he takes office in January.

Mexico is the largest trade partner for the US, accounting for nearly 16% of total trade over the first three quarters of this year. Canada isn't far behind as the country's second-largest trading pattern, accounting for about 14.5% of trade.

Tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada are especially problematic for the US automotive industry.

Mexico alone exports more than 2.3 million cars a year to the US, according to Commerce Department data.

Foreign and domestic carmakers like Ford, GM, and Nissan have invested decades of time and billions of dollars to establish a well-oiled, cross-border manufacturing and supply chain operation to make vehicles destined for US dealerships.

A 25% tariff would not automatically mean a matching price increase, though it would leave automakers β€” already struggling with shrinking profit margins β€” with little room to eat the cost without increasing the sticker price of their vehicles.

Large retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have already said consumer prices are likely to rise if businesses pass on cost increases to consumers.

Parts for cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in the US can cross the border several times during their production process, thanks to friendly conditions fueled by various regional trade agreements over the years.

Representatives from Ford, Honda, and the American Automakers Policy Council, a lobbying group representing Detroit's Big 3, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Nissan, Stellantis, General Motors, and Toyota declined to comment.

This comes at a bad time for US consumers who have seen the average cost of a new car skyrocket more than $10,000 since 2019 to more than $48,000. Many automakers, meanwhile, are planning layoffs and plant closures amid a slowdown in EV demand.

Information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that several dozen vehicles made in Canada and Mexico are currently sold in the US.

Here's a closer look at these models, which range from pickups to luxury SUVs and EVs:

BMW Group
A red 2024 BMW M240i xDrive Coupe.
A 2024 BMW M240i xDrive Couple

BMW

  • BMW 2-Series Coupe/Convertible (Mexico)
  • BMW M2 Coupe (Mexico)
  • BMW 3-Series Sedan (Mexico)
Ford
Ford Mustang Mach E
Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Paul Marotta/Getty Images

  • Ford Bronco Sport (Mexico)
  • Ford Maverick (Mexico)
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E (Mexico)
General Motors
Front 7/8 view of a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV RS in Summit White driving in a downtown area.
A 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV RS in Summit White driving in a downtown area.

Jim Fets, General Motors

  • Chevrolet Blazer (Mexico)
  • Chevrolet Blazer EV (Mexico)
  • Chevrolet Equinox (Mexico)
  • Chevrolet Equinox EV (Mexico)
  • GMC Terrain (Mexico)
Honda
A gray 2024 Honda Prologue Elite parked in front of a house.
The 2024 Honda Prologue Elite

Honda

  • Honda CR-V Hybrid (Canada)
  • Honda Civic Sedan (Canada)
  • Honda HR-V (Mexico)
  • Honda Prologue (Mexico)
Kia
A gray 2024 Kia Forte sedan parked in the middle of the road.
A 2024 Kia Forte.

Kia

  • Kia Forte (Mexico)
Mercedes-Benz
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB.

Mercedes-Benz

  • Mercedes-Benz GLB (Mexico)
Nissan Motors Corporation
The left front corner of a red Nissan Versa parked in front of a concrete building.
The 2025 Nissan Versa SR.

Nissan

  • Infiniti QX50 (Mexico)
  • Infiniti QX55 (Mexico)
  • Nissan Sentra (Mexico)
  • Nissan Kicks (Mexico)
  • Nissan Versa (Mexico)
Stellantis
A red 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Minivan parked in front of trees.
A 2024 Chrysler Pacifica.

Stellantis

  • Ram 2500-5500 (Mexico)
  • Ram ProMaster (Mexico)
  • Jeep Compass (Mexico)
  • Chrysler Pacifica (Canada)
Toyota
A blue 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in XSE trim.
The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE

Toyota

  • Toyota Tacoma (Mexico)
  • Toyota RAV4/RAV4 Hybrid (Canada)
  • Lexus NX (Canada)
  • Lexus RX (Canada)
Volkswagen Group
A blue and a white 2025 Volkswagen Jetta sedans parked.
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta.

Volkswagen

  • Audi Q5/SQ5
  • VW Jetta (Mexico)
  • VW Taos (Mexico)
  • VW Tiguan(Mexico)
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I drove a $27,000 Chevrolet Trax SUV. It's affordable daily transportation done right

24 November 2024 at 02:57
The left front corner of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS subcompact SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS isn't super powerful, but it gets the job done.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Chevrolet Trax is a subcompact crossover SUV and the lowest-priced model in GM's lineup.
  • I was impressed by the Trax's strong feature content, attractive design, and great value.
  • The Trax lacks engine power when filled with passengers and does not offer all-wheel-drive.

The average price of a new car has risen by more than $10,000 over the past five years, making a good, affordable new car harder to find.

Enter the second-generation Chevrolet Trax, which launched this year.

With a starting price of $20,400, the Trax is not only the most affordable model in the Chevrolet lineup but also the cheapest model offered by General Motors in the US.

The subcompact SUV competes with the Toyota Corolla Cross, Nissan Kicks, Hyundai Kona, and its corporate cousin, the Buick Envista.

I recently spent a week driving a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS around the streets of Atlanta.
The left front of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV in Crimson Metallic paint.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

I was impressed by the Trax's strong slate of features, competitive pricing, and attractive styling.

Unfortunately, the SUV's three-cylinder engine felt underpowered when loaded with passengers, and its lack of an all-wheel-drive option may be a dealbreaker for some consumers, especially in colder climates.

My test car came to $27,085.
The left rear corner of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Chevrolet Trax comes in five versions, with the base LS trim starting at $20,400.

My top spec Trax 2RS test car starts at $24,300. Freight fees, a sunroof, and optional driver assistance tech pushed the Korean-made SUV's as-tested price to $27,000.

The Chevy design DNA is strong here.
Two photos show the front and rear of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV in Crimson Metallic.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Trax features a muscular and athletic design with broad shoulders that GM says is inspired by the big brother, the Chevrolet Blazer.

The design gives the impression that the Trax is bigger and wider than it actually is.

Overall, I think it looks terrific.

The Trax is one of the larger offerings in the subcompact segment.
The left side of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

At 178.6 inches long, the Trax is three inches longer than the Toyota Corolla Cross and seven inches longer than the Nissan Kicks.

My 2RS trim test car came with optional 19-inch black-painted machined aluminum wheels.
The 19-inch machined alloy wheel on the left front of a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.
The Trax's 19-inch black painted machined alloy wheels.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The base Trax LS has 17-inch steel wheels, while all other trims have 17-, 18-, or 19-inch aluminum wheels.

Under the Trax's hood is a small, 1.2-liter, turbocharged three-cylinder engine.
The 1.2-liter, turbocharged three-cylinder engine under the hood of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.
The Trax's 1.2-liter, turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

All versions of the Trax are powered by a 1.2-liter, turbocharged, direct-injected Ecotec three-cylinder engine that produces 137 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque.

The turbo three, shared with the Buick Envista, is mated to a shiftable six-speed automatic transmission.

The Trax is front-wheel-drive only and does not offer an all-wheel-drive option.

My Chevy Trax 2RS test car boasts EPA fuel economy ratings of 28 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined.

The Trax was fairly nice to drive, but its engine can feel underpowered at times.
The front cabin of a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS with black Evotex seats and red accents.
The Trax's front cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Trax isn't very sporty or particularly fun to drive. But it does offer reasonably responsive handling and a comfortable ride.

As with its cousin, the Buick Envista, the Trax's biggest shortcoming is its 1.2-liter engine.

The 137-horsepower, turbocharged three-cylinder has enough juice for daily errands around town. It struggles if you ask it to do anything more than that.

When you load the 3,000-lb SUV with people and their stuff, the tiny engine feels outmatched by the task, throttle response becomes lethargic, and there is noticeable turbo lag.

Motor Trend found the Trax accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in a pedestrian in 8.6 seconds.

The Trax's cabin is intuitively designed with decent material quality.
Three photos show the front dash, center console, and sunroof in a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.
The Chevrolet Trax's cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Chevrolet Trax is a great example of delivering an interior on a budget without it feeling cheap. It would be a stretch to call the interior luxurious or premium, but it also doesn't punish you for being frugal.

Interior quality is good, and there are plenty of soft-touch materials in the high-contact area. The red turbine-design air vents that felt out of place in the pricier Blazer EV worked well here to add a pop of color and visual appeal to the cabin.

The black Evotex front seats with red RS badging and accents are heated in my test car.
The black evotex front seats with red accents in a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.
The Trax's black Evotex front seats with red accents.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The seats were pretty comfortable but lacked much adjustability.

In front of the driver is a stylish flat-bottom steering wheel.
Three photos show the steering wheel, eight-inch instrument display, and steering wheel-back audio buttons in a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.
The Trax's steering wheel, instrument display, and audio controls.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Trax is equipped with an eight-inch digital instrument display instead of a traditional gauge cluster. There are also handy audio controls located on the back of the steering wheel.

My test car came with an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Three photos show satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and the backup camera display on the 11-inch infotainment screen in a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS.
The Trax's infotainment system.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Trax's infotainment system has fairly limited features, but what it does have is very intuitive to use.

There's standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as a backup camera.

The Trax offers an impressive amount of room for a subcompact crossover.
Three photos show the rear seats and rear seat USB plugs in a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.
The Trax's rear seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

With 38.7 inches of legroom, the offers 2.5 inches more than the Mazda CX-30 and six inches more than the Toyota Corolla Cross.

Rear seat passengers also have access to dedicated USB-A and USB-C plugs.

Behind the rear seats, the Trax boasts a formidable 25.6 cubic feet of cargo space.
Two photos show the rear cargo compartment of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV with the rear seats up and with the rear seats folded.
The Trax's cargo compartment.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Trax's 60/40 split rear bench can fold nearly flat to expand cargo room to 54.1 cubic feet.

The Trax 2RS comes standard with the Chevy Safety Assist.
The left rear corner of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Chevy Safety Assist includes key features such as forward collision alert, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking.

Adaptive cruise control requires an extra Driver Confidence Package.

My verdict: The 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS reminds us that cheap when done right, can be cheerful.
The left front corner of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV is parked on the street.
A 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The 2025 Chevrolet Trax is an attractively styled small crossover with a comfortable interior and is generally pleasant to drive.

Though it could use more power and an option for all-wheel drive, the content it delivers at a sub-$30,000 price is very good. The value proposition gets even better when you look at the sub-$25,000 price point of the mid-grade LT and 1RS trims.

Dollars and cents aside, where the Chevrolet Trax really shines is that it feels more expensive than it actually is. And that sounds like a good deal to me.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove a $172,000 Porsche 911 Carrera T, a beautiful throwback to the glory days of the manual transmission

22 November 2024 at 08:06
The right front corner of a blue 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet parked by the road.
The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet in Lugano Blue.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • I drove an updated 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet in Lugano Blue.
  • The Carrera T is a lighter, more enthusiast-focused 911 trim and comes with a manual transmission.
  • I was impressed by its crisp shifting 6-speed, beautifully tuned handling, and melodic boxer engine.

The Porsche 911 is an automotive icon in the truest sense of the word, a representative symbol of what a sports car should be.

It's meticulously honed to be perfectly docile for your daily commute and ruthlessly effective on the racetrack.

Traditionally, the transmission of choice for the 911 is a slick-shifting manual. But those have mostly gone by the wayside, present on just 1.7% of cars sold in the US last year.

Sadly, the same fate has befallen 911. Only a few high-end models, like the track-focused GT3, are offered with a manual transmission.

But the Carrera T is trying to change that narrative.

Starting in 2025, the manual transmission will not only be standard on the Carrera T, it will be the only transmission offered on he model.

I recently had the chance to spend a morning behind the wheel of a new 992.2 generation Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet in Lugano Blue.
The left front of a blue 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet parked in front of a hotel.
A 2025 911 Carrera T Cabriolet at a drive event hosted by Porsche.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

I was blown away by 911's crisp-shifting, six-speed manual transmission, beautifully tuned handling, and melodic twin-turbocharged boxer engine.

During our brief encounter, I didn't find too much wrong with the Carrera T, but I do miss the rotary ignition switch that has been replaced with a push button.

My test car costs $171,665.
The left rear of a blue 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet parked on the side of the road.
A 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My 911 Carrera T Cabriolet test car starts at $147,300.

Freight fees and more than $22,000 in luxury and tech options pushed the as-tested price to $171,665.

Although pricey, that still pales in comparison to the more hardcore variants like the 911 Turbo and 911 GT3, which start at $197,200 and $222,500, respectively.

2025 marks the first year of the updated 992.2 generation 911.
The left side of a blue 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet on the side of the road.
A 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Porsche made a host of changes to the 992.1 generation, which launched in 2020, to create the 992.2.

The updates include refinements to the 911's chassis, updates to the PDK twin-clutch transmission, and a new six-speed manual transmission for the Carrera T.

But the biggest change will be the 911 GTS's new hybrid drivetrain, a first for the sports car.

The 911 Carrera T is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged boxer six-cylinder engine.
The rear of a blue 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet parked on the side of a road.
A 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Porsche 911 Carrera T's twin-turbo boxer six-cylinder produces a stout 388 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. Its power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.

The melodic flat six sits in its rightful place behind the 911's rear axle.

The centerpiece of the 911 Carrera T experience is the six-speed manual.
The walnut six-speed manual transmission shifter on the center console of a 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet.
The 911 Carrera T's six-speed manual shifter.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Carrera T's six-speed manual is lighter and feels more natural to shift than the seven-speed it replaced.

The open pore, laminate walnut shift nob is stunning and feels great in your hand.

The T's standard Carrera S wheels look amazing.
The 20-inch Carrera S wheel on the left front of a blue 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet.
The Carrera S wheel on the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The wheels are 20 inches in front and 21 inches out back.

The Carrera T is a dream to drive.
The left rear of a blue 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet with the top down parked on the side of the road.
A 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet with its top down.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Carrera T continues the 911 tradition as one of the great driving experiences in the world.

Carving my way through the winding mountain roads in North Georgia, the 911 Carrera T was in its element.

The twin-turbo boxer six delivered smooth, consistent power and a sweet rumble, while the six-speed felt as crisp and precise as any manual I've ever driven.

Pair that with the 911's perfectly tuned suspension, and the experience is otherworldly.

The Porsche Torque Vectoring system helps with cornering performance. It uses a mechanical rear differential combined with targeted computer-controlled braking action to send power to the outside rear wheels.

The Carrera T also comes standard with rear-axle steering, which makes it more agile at low speeds and stable at high speeds.

According to Porsche, the 911 Carrera T Cabriolet is good for 0-60 mph runs in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 182 mph.

Open up the top, and you'll find a modern cabin that also exudes traditional Porsche.
Three photos show the front dash, center console, infotainment screen, and digital gauge display of a blue 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet.
The Carrera T Cabriolet's cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The 911's cabin is a de facto cockpit built around the driver, designed for easy, intuitive operation while driving enthusiastically.

As a result, ergonomics are excellent. Everything is within reach, the adaptive sport seats were supremely supportive, and the 10.9-inch touchscreen running Porsche's PCM infotainment system comes with Apple CarPlay.

In front of the driver, the digital instrument cluster, which replaced Porsche's classic five-gauge on the 992.1, remains. Although it can be configured to look like the old analog setup.

The 911's ignition remains on the left side of the steering wheel, but the twist switch that was designed to mimic a physical key has been replaced by a simple push button.

My Verdict: The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet is a reminder that how you get to your destination matters just as much as how fast you get there.
A blue 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet with the top down parked on the side of the road.
A 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet with the top down.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Carrera T, for all of its performance attributes, is statistically one of the slowest variants of the Porsche 911 you can buy.

It's nearly two seconds slower to 60 mph and more than 200 horsepower down on the performance monster that's the 911 Turbo S.

But I'd gladly trade that extra two seconds and two hundred horsepower for the sheer driving pleasure the Carrera T can deliver on a winding mountain road.

Sometimes, slower is better, and there's value in savoring the journey to your destination. The Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet is a constant reminder of that.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Auto worker wipeout: Why car companies are cutting thousands of jobs

21 November 2024 at 04:20
Workers and Volkswagen vehicles
Volkswagen has announced plans to close three production facilities.

Horacio Villalobos/Getty Images

  • Major automakers around the world have announced layoffs and factory closures in recent weeks.
  • Ford, GM, Stellantis, and Volkswagen Group all plan to lay off workers in the coming months.
  • This is due to unprofitable EV investments, Chinese market losses, and more domestic competition.

Major automakers around the world have announced multiple rounds of layoffs and factory closures in recent weeks as they struggle to turn a profit on EVs and face a potential onslaught of cheaper competition.

Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis plan to slash thousands from their workforce in the coming months. Volkswagen has announced plans to shutter three of its factories in Germany, which could come with massive layoffs.

Unfortunately for the world's major carmakers, they aren't facing one issue but an agglomeration of several significant interconnected challenges at once. Add to that an ultracompetitive business with high overhead costs and low profit margins, and things quickly get very difficult.

When market dynamics, regulatory requirements, and financial costs shift dramatically in a relatively short period of time, the results can be dire. That's what we're seeing play out.

Blue Silverado EV pickup truck on display at an auto show
The all-electric Chevrolet Silverado EV at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images

A massive and expensive pivot to EVs has failed to turn a profit

The auto industry has invested or announced plans to invest more than $300 billion in US EV and battery production since 2016, the NRDC estimates. That's led to a slew of new models on the market and (relatively) cheaper pricing for consumers.

But despite that growth β€” and with EVs accounting for roughly 10% of US auto sales β€” companies not named Tesla have struggled to make their EV businesses profitable.

GM, for example, has invested $35 billion in its EV and autonomous-driving businesses, which has led to new electric models like the Hummer EV and Cadillac Lyriq. Despite the warm reception from the public, the company's profits this year are entirely driven by the strong sales of its internal-combustion trucks and SUVs.

GM has said it expects its EVs to reach profitability sometime before the end of the year.

It's the same story at Ford.

The company's Model e EV division lost nearly $3.7 billion during the first nine months of this year, including $1.2 billion in the last quarter alone.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E.
A Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Tim Levin/Insider

The rapid transformation of the Chinese market

The exponential growth in China's appetite for cars over the past two decades made it a steady profit center for global automakers like VW Group and GM. From 2014 to 2018, GM took in anΒ average of $2 billionΒ a year from its Chinese joint ventures.

But in recent years, Chinese consumers have increasingly turned to competitive domestic automakers like BYD and the Geely Group, whose brands have sold 1.6 million vehicles in the market so far this year.

GM's market share in the country peaked at around 15% in the middle of the last decade and was down to just 6.5% in the most recent quarter.

BYD Yangwang U8
German carmakers are losing out to Chinese EV upstarts like BYD.

Daniel Pier/NurPhoto via Getty Images

So far this year, Volkswagen Group's sales in China, its largest market, are down about 10% over last year, and the company predicts the situation may deteriorate further.

In response to the potential competition, European leaders have readied tariffs on cars imported from China. VW warned that potential retaliatory tariffs on European cars by China could only make things worse.

An increasingly competitive domestic market

Competition for automakers in their domestic markets has heated up.

In the US, Stellantis saw its sales plummet by 17% this year thanks to slower sales of its Jeep-branded SUVs and Ram pickup trunks.

Price seems to be a major factor. The average price of a Stellantis vehicle is around $56,000, far above the industry average of $48,000.

The company had to offer aggressive incentives (on top of lower production) during the third quarter to help dealers clear the glut of unsold cars off their lots. Analysts say inventory levels are improving at Stellantis and industry-wide as automakers react to a slower sales environment.

But uncertainty looms large as President-elect Donald Trump threatens tariffs on all goods imported into the United States and eyes ending tax credits for electric vehicles, which could be another headwind for sales, industry experts say.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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