Smart and Sustainable Electric Mobility
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Continue reading Free Parking: How to find free, low-cost and convenient parking near you
Free Parking: How to find free, low-cost and convenient parking near you originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 7 Sep 2024 13:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Continue reading 2025 BMW 5 Series Review: A balanced luxury sedan
2025 BMW 5 Series Review: A balanced luxury sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Aug 2024 06:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Zac Palmer
Zac Palmer
The 2025 Genesis GV80 enjoys its first substantial update for 2025, and this luxury SUV is all the better for it. Just like before, the GV80 doesn’t portend to be a luxury “performance” SUV; instead, it puts all its energy into being the most luxurious and relaxing option out there. In many ways, Genesis succeeds triumphantly. Its street presence alone is majestic with the large and classy grille matched with the double-line lights you’ll see both front and back. You’ll stand out in a sea of BMW and Mercedes-Benz SUVs, and it arguably looks better than said German rivals.
There isn’t much of a step down when you climb inside and take in the beautiful color options, surprising material choices and its new, pretty OLED infotainment screen. There’s obviously a lot of tech to get acquainted with, but it’s easy to learn, and the sheer scale of the screens doesn't suffocate or overpower the rest of the interior. Now, the GV80's price isn’t as much of a bargain as it was when it launched, but there’s still great value to be had, and there’s very little compromise to be made. Sheer driving dynamics and handling is where Genesis’ competitors still have a leg up, but if you just want an outstanding A-to-B luxury vehicle with space for a small family and all the belongings that come with it, the GV80 has to be on your shortlist.
The GV80 goes through a mid-cycle refresh for 2025, bringing small design tweaks outside and big tech updates inside. You can read more about those updates and how they improve the SUV in our first drive review here. A new GV80 Coupe model joins for 2025, as well, but we review that model separately right here.
The GV80 cabin is just as impressive in person as it is in pictures. It's tastefully unique and genuinely luxurious. Plus, the update for 2025 makes it an even grander sight at first glance.
The dash is significantly revamped this year with a new 27-inch OLED screen encompassing both the instruments and infotainment. It's silky-smooth and crisp, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. We appreciate that Genesis has kept the redundant infotainment control setup featuring both touchscreen and rotary controller on the center console. We also like that Genesis maintains physical controls for volume, tuning and various menu shortcuts, and that the touch-based panel for climate controls looks great and is easy to use. The first owner of every GV80 gets Connected Services complimentary for as long as they own the car, which includes a WiFi hot spot, remote access, post-crash assistance and image capture from surround-view cameras. There’s a fingerprint reader on the console, too, for those who use the available Digital Key to further authenticate their identity.
Genesis went above and beyond with interior color and materials selections. Brown or crème-colored leather seats pair with a distinctive pale forest green on the dash, doors and steering wheel. There’s also a blue option with white seats. If you're not so adventurous, there's a simple all-black and a dark gray with a dark, reddish brown, too.
The GV80 is just a hair longer than the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE and Volvo XC90, while falling 4 inches short of a Lincoln Aviator. It's shorter in height than all of them, however, which combines with some clever design elements to make the GV80 look especially long and sleek.
Despite the lower roof, the cabin doesn't suffer for headroom. There's plenty of it in rows one and two. Second-row legroom isn't as great as you might expect in a three-row crossover, but that's typical of RWD-based models, including the X5 and GLE. The seats are quite cushy and deeply contoured, and recline to a luxurious degree. They can be heated and ventilated.
The third-row seats (above, top right) are exclusively paired with the Advance trim, limiting selection for those in need of extra seating. This certainly curbs its appeal, but it's also not the most usable third-row. Legroom is actually perfectly usable (you don't even have to slide the second-row forward for an adult to fit), but headroom is tight, and it's difficult to reach. The third rows of the XC90 and Aviator are much better – they're also standard.
As for cargo capacity, it can hold the same number of suitcases as the Cadillac XT6, so it’s on the smaller side of three-row luxury SUVs. The five-passenger, two-row GV80s have a rated capacity of 36.5 cubic-feet, while third-row GV80s have just 11.6 cubes when the third row is in place.
There are two engines offered, indicated by the names 2.5T and 3.5T.
The base engine is a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four, which produces 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is standard, and an eight-speed automatic is used for both powertrains. The four-cylinder returns an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined.
The 3.5T gets a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 good for 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is again standard with this engine. Fuel economy is estimated to be 16/22/19 mpg.
If you're looking to get the GV80 at its finest, go with the 3.5T. Besides its abundant power, every version comes with adaptive dampers that can adjust their firmness based on information from a forward-looking camera. If that sounds impressive, it is, and it works. On cobblestone streets and broken pavement, the GV80 3.5T displayed good bump isolation that was indeed slightly better than the standard suspension version. Both variants seem firmly sprung, with tight control of body motions, although the 3.5T is still able to deliver a plush ride — the standard-sprung version, slightly less so.
The GV80’s precise steering inspires confidence. It's pleasantly weighted, neither over-boosted nor unnecessarily heavy. Overall, this is a highly agreeable chassis setup, and one without a dizzying array of configurability. Not that it's really needed since the various drive modes don’t have a huge impact on the proceedings beyond the Sport mode’s aggressive throttle tip-in, its preference for lower gear ratios and heavier steering.
The base 2.5-liter makes impressive power for a turbo-four, and it's certainly up to the job of moving the big, heavy GV80. It still demands a bit more patience when accelerating up to freeway speeds or executing a two-lane pass. It's also a bit gravelly under full-throttle acceleration. The turbo V6, therefore, is the better choice if you're less concerned with the price of entry or the price of gas. It's a punchy engine with well-metered throttle response, but we wouldn't call the acceleration as strong as the engine's output might suggest. In other words, it has the guts people expect from this segment, but don't expect an AMG rival.
Our first drive of the revamped and refreshed 2025 Genesis GV80.
When we first drove this generation of GV80, here's what we thought about this winner of an SUV.
The GV80 starts at $59,050 for the 2.5T base Standard model. The 3.5T V6 starts at $75,150 with the Advanced trim, and is the only version that comes with a third row.
Standard equipment includes 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, a full suite of driver assistance features (see Safety section below), a hands-free power liftgate, five-passenger seating, heated eight-way power front seats, leatherette upholstery, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, four USB-C ports, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and the beautiful 27-inch infotainment/digital cluster screen.
The 3.5T Prestige brings in all the extra goodies at $80,650. Its exclusive upgrades include an electronic limited-slip differential, Nappa leather seating, ventilated second-row seats, three-zone climate control, power rear side sunshades, power soft-closing doors and active noise cancelling. This trim allows you to spec the beautiful Vanilla Beige Smoky Green or Earth Brown Smoky Green (just below) interiors, which we can’t recommend enough.
Below, you’ll find all of the various trims and their corresponding prices.
GV80 2.5T Standard: $59,050
GV80 2.5T: $60,050
GV80 2.5T Select: $62,950
GV80 2.5T Advanced: $66,950
GV80 2.5T Prestige: $71,800
GV80 3.5T Advanced: $75,150
GV80 3.5T Prestige: $80,650
Every GV80 comes with the latest and greatest in Hyundai Group's substantial safety system arsenal. The standard forward collision warning system with automatic emergency braking not only detects pedestrians, but traffic coming from the left and right at intersections. Lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning w/rear cross-traffic avoidance, safe-exit assist, auto high-beams, a rear occupant alert system and a driver inattention warning system are all standard, as is an advanced adaptive cruise control system with automated lane changes, highway steering assist and a unique AI-based system that learns the driver's driving characteristics and adapts its automated driving to be similar. For us, that puts the systems into their most aggressive settings with the quickest acceleration and closer following distance.
Optional systems include Hyundai's Smart Park assist, parking sensors, a surround-view parking camera and an enhanced blind-spot warning system with cameras that send images from each side of the car into the digital instrument cluster. The latter is an enhanced version of Autoblog's 2020 Tech of the Year.
The 2024 GV80 was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the highest rating possible, so there’s a good chance the 2025 model retains that rating when it’s re-tested. Only the headlights and child seat LATCH ease-of-use scored something other than the best, and even then, they were second-best marginal scores. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not crash tested the GV80.
SAMSUNG CSC
Some things never change. In 2024, we said the Honda Civic was "our top compact car choice, and it's really not a close race." For 2025, Honda saw fit to bestow the Civic with a comprehensive set of updates and, well, it's even better than before. As before, it's offered in both sedan and hatchback body styles, and either option will offer enough passenger and cargo room that this so-called compact car could feasibly replace a midsize sedan or similarly sized SUV for buyers looking for a more efficient overall package. And, speaking of efficiency, there's an all-new Civic Hybrid for 2025 that offers a perfect blend of technology, fuel economy, performance and rational pricing. More on that below.
There's more to the Civic lineup than just well-rounded, value-packed transport. The top Touring trim level does a surprisingly good impression of an entry-level luxury car — buyers inclined to opt for the the mechanically related Acura Integra should definitely take note — while the sporty Si and instant-classic Civic Type R can realistically do double duty as weekend sports cars and daily drivers.
As before, the 2025 Civic sedan and hatchback boast a fashionable and functional interior, with full-width honeycomb air vents standing out as an eye-catching design highlight. Infotainment tech is a bit of a mixed bag, however, with top-spec models getting a much improved touchscreen system that makes the base version seem rudimentary and stale by comparison.
Still, from an objective and subjective perspective, the 2025 Civic lineup delivers against what has rapidly become a dwindling number of competitors, including the Mazda3, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla, plus Volkswagen’s Jetta, GTI and Golf R.
The 2025 Civic’s single largest change for its mid-cycle freshening is the addition of a powerful, efficient hybrid powertrain that shares a lot with the hybrid available in the Honda Accord and CR-V. It also takes the place of the outgoing 180-hp, 1.5-liter turbocharged option. The suspension gets retuned for 2025, though the changes only result in very minor improvements felt from behind the wheel. Similarly, there are some subtle updates to the Civic's exterior style, mainly to the front fascia, but they are also minor enough that shoppers may not notice.
A shiny new 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system is also new and powered by Google Built-In, which offers access to apps through the Play Store. Sadly, it only comes on top-level Sport Touring and Civic Si models. There are also some small improvements to the Honda Sensing safety package.
The enthusiast-grade Si gets darkened taillights and new 18-inch wheels, along with retuned shocks and reinforcements to the B-pillar and rear door sills. The automatic rev-matching system also now works for downshifts from second to first, which could be quite appealing for autocrossers.
In a segment filled with surprisingly impressive interiors, the 2025 Civic interior still manages to stand out. That even applies to the base LX with its cloth seats and base 7-inch infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is still an economy car, so there's plenty of hard plastic about (center console, door sills), but what you see and touch most come together in a tasteful, modern design that looks (and feels) like it belongs in a much pricier car. There's more than a whiff of Audi right down to the way the buttons and knobs click satisfyingly. We also have to call out the dash-width air vents, with their honeycomb openings, metallic finish and clever knob controllers (they're outlined in red in the Civic Si). They're so great, Audi probably wishes it had come up with them first.
There are two infotainment systems available. The 7-inch base touchscreen (below left) is awfully simple, and although commendably easy to figure out, rival systems are superior. The 9-inch unit (below right) found in the Sport Touring Hybrid and Civic Si trims (we'd suspect the Type R will get it too) is far better, with an easy-to-use layout and access to Google's Play Store. This higher-end system supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but its inclusion of Google Maps with live traffic as the native navigation system will offer a familiar interface to many users. It’s a slick system that is easy to use, moves through its motions quickly with no discernible lag and benefits from physical Home and Back buttons, a real volume dial and smaller forward and reverse buttons at the bottom below the volume. We just wish it was more widely available.
As of right now, details of the 2025 Civic Type R have not filtered out. The 2024 version still has the older infotainment technology, although it's beefed up with the very cool LogR Telemetry package aimed at drivers who want to track performance data and improve their driving skills.
The LX, Sport and EX have a combination of analog speedometer and 7-inch multi-purpose display, but it all appears to blend together into one unit. It's traditional in design, yet modern in functionality. The Touring and Si get a completely digital, 10.2-inch instrument panel that's similar in basic appearance but provides greater functionality and flashier graphics. The Type R goes even further with unique graphics and shift lights above the IP that evokes race cars.
Finally, one minor note about the Si. As with its many predecessors, the interior features lots of little red accents, including cross stitching, air vent trim and, most notably, the front seat centers. Those in particular look and feel cheap, as if borrowed from padded backpack straps. The rich red hue of the Type R’s carpets and suede-like upholstery are far more successful. In both, however, the back seat is covered in a different fabric that’s black only. It looks and feels like a cost-cutting move rather than an aesthetic choice. One can also question the aesthetic wisdom of making red interiors mandatory even if the outside is painted orange or electric blue.
The 2025 Civic is available in sedan and hatchback body styles, although the latter is more like an Audi A7 “Sportback” in body style than an old-school, Civic hatchback. The sedan is 4.9 inches longer, all of which is behind the back wheels, making the trunk a longer, more voluminous space than the Hatchback's. That’s right, we found the sedan could hold more luggage than the hatchback despite having less cargo volume on paper: 14.8 versus 24.5. What’s up with this? Basically, all the hatchback’s extra volume is up high where you’re less likely or able to utilize it for actual stuff. It does provide greater versatility, however, as lowering the seats grants a substantially larger space that’s fairly similar to what you’d find in a subcompact SUV. In short, either body style provides an exceptional amount of cargo space for a compact car. You may even find you don’t need to step up to a midsize sedan like the Accord or a small SUV like the HR-V.
That verdict carries over to the back seat as well. In the segment, its 37.4 inches of rear legroom is bettered only by the Hyundai Elantra, and is about 2 inches more than most competitors. For a compact car, it's definitely not compact back there. A 6-foot-3 driver with the seat pushed all the way back still found enough space in the back seat of both body styles to sit comfortably "behind himself." There was also just enough headroom. There’s also plenty of room left up front in the passenger seat after installing a rear-facing child seat in the back. The sedan is pictured below left and the hatchback, in the form of the four-passenger-only Type R, is below right.
One final note: The Si is sedan only while the Type R is hatchback only.
The Civic is available with a choice of four engines, but that’s including those in the Civic Si and Civic Type R.
A 2.0-liter four-cylinder remains the base engine in the LX for $24,345 and Sport for $27,345. Honda says it’s newly designed for ’25 to make 150 hp (down 8) and 133 lb-ft (down 5 but delivered earlier) and improve fuel mileage by between 1 and 2 mpg, depending on trim. The LX achieves figures of 32 in the city, 41 on the highway and 36 combined; Sport models get ratings of 31/39/34. Front-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard with this base powertrain. It's fine, but it's not going to set any heartbeats aflutter. The 1.5-liter turbo we liked so much in 2024 is gone for 2025, along with its optional six-speed manual transmission.
As much as we mourn the loss of the sweet little turbo engine, the new-for-2025 2.0-liter hybrid powertrain is a formidable replacement. Honda has a somewhat unusual but ultimately agreeable hybrid system that relies almost exclusively on the electric motor to power the car forward -- its electricity comes from the battery or is generated by the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (there are some instances, such as when at a steady cruise on the highway when the engine does directly power the wheels). Total system output is 200 horsepower, which is a lot for a compact car. The Civic Hybrid’s solid performance does not come at the cost of efficiency. It is expected to return 50 miles per gallon in the city, 47 on the highway and 49 combined. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid, which is the most logical competitor, gets 53/46/50 in LE trim or 50/43/47 in its sportier SE flavor. The Honda certainly feels much sportier from behind the wheel than the Toyota, earning it the nod as the driver’s choice between the two.
The Honda Civic Si does keep its 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual are mandatory. It returns excellent fuel economy for a performance car at 27/37/31, but unlike the other Civics, it requires premium fuel.
Information about the 2025 Honda Civic Type R had not been revealed at the time of this writing, but we doubt engine specs will change. It should still have its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that pumps out 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It too should be exclusively paired with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission. Fuel economy estimates for 2025 were also not available at the time of this writing, but it’s unlikely it would differ from the previous figures of 22/28/24.
The 2025 Civic Sport Touring sedan and Civic Si, as rendered by Honda in a dramatic, computer-generated world
Through its 11 generations, the Honda Civic has always been at its best and most competitive when it was responsive and even fun to drive. Don't expect that to change for '25. It's indeed fun to drive, with a lightweight and agile feel that encourages you to seek out winding roads. The steering is precise and consistently weighted, imparting a sense of connection to the driver. It’s also impressively comfortable, refined and even quiet for a compact car.
We think the new Civic Hybrid is the best bet for most buyers, combining performance and efficiency in one well-rounded package. Because the electric motor almost always is responsible for power the car forward, accelerating can at times feel EV-like in its responsiveness and torque-rich power generation. It can also cause the engine, which is responsible for generating electricity for that motor along with the battery pack, to not always work in sync with your right foot. It can be a bit odd, but that's countered by the system's unique ability to simulate shifts, making for a more natural acceleration feel than many drivers should appreciate. Overall, this is a good hybrid system.
Distinctively for a hybrid, there are four levels of regenerative braking, switchable by using paddles to the left and right of the steering wheel. The default position — call it level 1, if you will — is basically none, while 2, 3 and 4 ramp up the regen in successive steps. Even at the most aggressive level, though, the 2025 Civic Hybrid doesn’t brake as hard as a fully electric car’s one-pedal driving mode, and it does not bring the car to a full stop.
As much as we like the hybrid system, the naturally aspirated base engine is certainly acceptable – it has comparable power to its competitors, but it's smoother and sounds better. It is a Honda after all. The mandatory CVT makes up for some slightly blender-like noises by limiting the yo-yoing between high and low revs associated with this increasingly common transmission. It also simulates gear changes like other CVTs, but does so in a more natural way than what you'll find in a Subaru, for example.
Of course, if athleticism is your goal, there is the Honda Civic Si (as well as the mechanically related Acura Integra). We could wax poetically about the joy it is to drive those, but it’s probably best to dig into both deeper in our Civic Si review and our Integra review. As for the Civic Type R (above in white), it is quite simply one of the best performance cars you can buy, period. It’s a joy to drive every day and capable of blitzing around a race track. You can read more about it in depth in our specific Type R review and in our comparison test with the Toyota GR Corolla.
Our in-depth first drive of the new-for-2025 Civic Hybrid, with a specific focus on the top-level Sport Touring sedan.
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We go on a road trip from Detroit to the Indiana Nurburgring to fully test the performance-bargain Si.
Zac Palmer
Our first drive of the Civic Type R included track time at Sonoma Raceway as well as a more in-depth look at its engineering.
Two of the best performance cars on the market go head-to-head. The results were surprising.
A deep dive into how much stuff you can fit inside the Civic sedan's trunk (Spoiler: A lot!)
It can't fit quite as much in the trunk as the sedan, but it's also more versatile for bigger jobs than luggage.
Get an in-depth look at what's different about the Civic Hatchback, including its cargo capacity and the six-speed manual transmission that isn't available on the Civic sedan.
Honda divides the Civic into two separate categories, with unique pricing structures for the sedan and hybrid shapes. The sedan is typically the less expensive variant, and so far, those are the only prices that have been announced for 2025.
Sedan
Hatchback
Pricing for the 2025 Honda Civic Hatchback, including the high-performance Type R that's only offered in hatchback form, is not available as of this writing.
Every Civic comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with steering assistance and stop-and-go capability. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning are included on all but the LX.
The NHTSA gave both styles five out of five stars for overall, side and rollover crash protection, and four stars for frontal crash protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2023 Civic Sedan and Hatchback a Top Safety Pick after it received the best-possible performance in most categories. It received second-best scores of “Acceptable” in the IIHS updated moderate overlap front and side crash tests. And yes, we did mean to write 2023 Civic there. Although the individual test results didn't change, the IIHS changed its reward criteria for 2024. It also hasn't updated those ratings for 2025.
Related video:
Filed under: Green,Chrysler,Jeep,Kia,Porsche,Toyota,Volvo,Crossover,Minivan/Van,SUV,Hybrid,Luxury,Sedan
Continue reading Best plug-in hybrid cars, SUVs and minivans for 2024
Best plug-in hybrid cars, SUVs and minivans for 2024 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 6 Aug 2024 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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John Beltz Snyder
John Beltz Snyder
For those interested in buying an electric car, you’re bound to find that there really aren’t that many that are literally “cars.” Most EVs, especially in the more affordable end of the spectrum, are more of the crossover SUV variety. While the Tesla Model 3 is by far the best-selling electric sedan, there is an alternative: the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6. This four-door car that looks like it materialized in your driveway from the future features a bold design that’s not only eye-catching, but indicative of how extremely aerodynamic it is. That translates to maximum ranges that greatly exceed that of its mechanically related SUV siblings, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.
Now, it should be said those ranges do differ widely depending on which battery, motor combination and trim level you choose. Unfortunately, the 361-mile max range is only available with the base SE trim level and its downmarket cabin. Other trim levels still have above-average range, though, and all benefit from rapid public charging speeds. We’ve also found the Ioniq 6 to be surprising fun to drive, regardless of whether it’s a single-motor, rear-drive model or a dual-motor, all-wheel drive one. It’s also comfortable and quiet on the highway, and its interior features more conventional controls and displays than the Model 3 (including an available head-up display for 2025).
As much as we enjoy the Ioniq 6, though, its hangups are not insignificant. Interior quality is one, some frustrating controls are another. The trunk is also small for a sedan. Admittedly, all those issues also exist in the Model 3. However, that has access to Tesla’s unmatched Supercharger network, along with lower prices (at least at the time of this writing), stronger acceleration and better range with all-wheel drive. Both are excellent choices, though, and prove that you can happily get an electric vehicle that isn’t an SUV.
Here at Autoblog, we love cars painted green, so it pains us to announce that the Ioniq 6’s Digital Green option is no longer available for 2025. So much for those pics we took of it last year. On the upside, a head-up display is now available and is exclusive to the Limited trim level.
The Ioniq 6 interior looks at first less bold than the streamlined exterior, but look closer, and it reveals itself to be one of the most creative cabins on the market. Though certainly reminiscent of the Ioniq 5, there are all kinds of unique details, such as the ripples on the doors that reflect the multi-color ambient light. Those doors are also distinctive in that they’re bereft of window and locking buttons. Those are on the center console, which admittedly takes some getting used to (unless you’ve owned a Jeep Wrangler or old BMW).
Materials quality also doesn’t look or feel as good as what you’d find in a Hyundai Sonata, for instance, or other midsize sedans. This is particularly evident in the base SE (pictured above in black), which is the only trim level available with the 361-mile range estimate. Its mandatory cloth trim looks and feels cheap, while the hard plastic phone bin will be a constant reminder that you didn’t opt for a high trim as your phone slides around without the benefit of wireless charging. You can read more about the Ioniq 6 SE interior here, but in general, we wish there were a way to get the max range with even a slightly nicer and better-equipped interior.
In terms of functionality, the Ioniq 6 mostly succeeds. The dual 12.3-inch screens are bright, clear and responsive, while the infotainment interface is one of the easiest in the industry to use. The supporting touch-sensitive climate controls are less so, and we dislike the need to call up a touchscreen menu to engage the heated and ventilated seats or heated steering wheel. We also miss the “radio” shortcut button found in most other Hyundai and Kia vehicles – again, you have to press one button (“Media”) to bring up a touchscreen submenu. On the other hand, the fact that the Ioniq 6 has physical controls at all, plus instruments in front of the driver, stands in sharp contrast to its main rival, the Tesla Model 3 and its one-screen-does-everything interior.
Like the other car’s on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the Ioniq 6 is deceptively large. The short overhangs and unusual proportions make it seem like a small vehicle, but it's only a couple inches shorter than the Hyundai Sonata family sedan. The long wheelbase allows the interior to be particularly large, especially in regard to legroom. Surprisingly, the hunkered-down shape of the Ioniq 6 doesn’t overtly compromise visibility (it’s quite good, actually), while headroom up front remains decent despite a seating position that’s perhaps a smidge high. The seats are wide but a bit flat, and loads of adjustment makes it easy to find a comfortable seating position. Rear headroom is a little tight due to that distinct shape created for the sake of aerodynamic efficiency, but again, legroom is vast. Six-footers will have no problem sitting back-to-back, and you’ll have no problem with kids’ shoes kicking the passenger seat up front.
Trunk space, on the other hand, is poor. Its volume of 11.2 cubic-feet would be small for a compact sedan, let alone a midsize one. Not surprisingly, the Ioniq 6 was unable to swallow all the bags of our standardized luggage test. By contrast, the Sonata’s 16.3-cubic-foot trunk had space left over for multiple bags. There is a substantial underfloor storage area, however, plus a frunk compartment perfectly sized to store the tire mobility kit and charge cord.
The Ioniq 6 has three powertrain options, two of which are single-motor, rear-drive setups, and the third with two motors and therefore all-wheel drive.
The first single-motor arrangement is exclusive to the SE Standard Range. It makes just 149 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It also gets the smallest battery capacity, 53 kilowatt-hours, resulting in an estimated range of 240 miles. That’s actually not bad given the battery size and the ranges of other EVs. Credit for that can go to being quite efficient, coming in as the second-most frugal Ioniq 6 behind the long-range, rear-drive SE. It’s estimated by the EPA to return 135 miles-per-gallon-equivalent combined.
Moving up to the other trim levels, the standard powertrain is the long-range, rear-drive option. It has a 77.4-kWh battery with higher output that allows for more horsepower from the rear motor: 225 horsepower. Torque remains the same at 258 pound-feet. That bigger battery offers better range, but the amount varies depending on the trim level. The SE has the best range at 361 miles, which is due to it being more efficient than the SEL and Limited on account of their larger wheels. The SE with rear drive returns 140 mpg-e combined. The SEL and Limited return 117 mpg-e and have a range of 305 miles.
Optionally available is the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain. With the addition of a front motor, power rises to 320 horses and torque to 446 pound-feet. Efficiency drops with the SE getting 121 mpg-e combined. Its range is 316 miles. The SEL and Limited get 103 mpg-e combined with a range of 270 miles.
Finally, lets talk charging speed. The Ioniq 6’s advanced 800-volt architecture allows it to swallow down electrons quicker than most other EVs. This greatly depends on the amount of kilowatts available at a fast-charge station, but all things being equal, we’d definitely rather have the faster-charging car available. The Ioniq 6 also charges very quickly at home, with 11-kW max speeds possible with an appropriate home charger.
Interestingly, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is the sportiest base version of the E-GMP cars. The suspension is tuned stiffer, lending a much more responsive chassis with less body roll. The steering feels quicker and more accurate than its siblings, too. Selecting the heftier “Sport” steering mode really isn’t necessary.
The stiffer suspension does yield a correspondingly stiff(er) ride than its crossover(ish) cousins. That doesn’t mean it’s uncomfortable, though. Even on bigger wheels, we found it happily soaked up bumps and was an absolute highway champ during a road trip between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
Acceleration is a big factor. We have yet to test the standard-range version, but given its meager 149 horses, we figure it’ll feel awfully slow even if it provides the usual initial electric kick off the line. The 225-hp extended-range rear-drive version certainly doesn’t provide the oomph of the 320-hp dual-motor Ioniq 6, but it also doesn’t feel slow. Unless you need the all-weather traction that all-wheel drive allows, we would stick with the extra range and lower price tag of the rear-motor/extended-range combo.
Also worth noting is that the Ioniq 6 has full one-pedal driving available. The regenerative braking force can be adjusted via the steering-wheel paddles, and at maximum, it can bring the car to a full stop. It's easily controllable, and the brake pedal feel and position remains consistent.
Our first drive review, including more in-depth information about its design and engineering.
Taking a deep dive into the base trim level's interior, and therefore the only version that can achieve 361 miles of range.
Taking a close look at just how much you can fit in the Ioniq 6's trunk, which is small for a midsize sedan.
Pricing for 2025 was not available at the time of this writing.
We would expect a few hundred added to the below 2024 prices, all of which include the $1,115 destination charge.
SE RWD Standard Range: $38,650
SE RWD: $43,565
SEL RWD: $46,365
Limited RWD: $51,265
SE AWD: $47,065
SEL AWD: $49,865
Limited AWD: $54,765
Every 2025 Ioniq 6 includes forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems, Safe Exit warning (stops you from opening doors into cars or cyclists), driver inattention warning and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering steering assist. The latter is known as Highway Drive Assist.
The SEL and Limited trims get Highway Drive Assist II, which adds partially automated lane changes (activate turn signal, car does the rest) and adapts itself to match your acceleration style. Those trims also add more proactive steering assistance for the forward collision and blind-spot warning systems. Finally, the Limited gains reverse automated braking, a surround-view parking camera system, remote smart parking using the vehicle remote, and a camera-based blind-spot monitor. Besides the sheer volume of these systems, it’s important to note that they are among the best-executed in the automotive industry.
The NHTSA gave the Ioniq 6 four out of five stars for frontal crash protection, and five stars for side protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named it a Top Safety Pick+ last year, the highest possible honor, for its sufficiently high scores in all relevant crash and crash prevention categories.
Filed under: Hyundai,Buying Guide,New Car Reviews,Electric,Sedan
Continue reading 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Review: An EV for those who'd still like a sedan
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John Beltz Snyder
James Riswick
The Buick Envista was arguably the most surprising new vehicle released last year. Both because we weren’t expecting it to be so wildly impressive and competitive, but because it legitimately surprised people when they found out what it was and how much it costs. We had multiple bystanders guess our test car cost $60,000 or even $80,000, and we agree it looks expensive. Thing is, our Sport Touring test car only went for about $30,000 and wasn’t even the top of the line. That’s very competitively priced for the subcompact segment, and moreover, you get a lot for your money – besides tricking folks into thinking you have a much higher car payment.
The 2025 Buick Envista boasts one of the biggest back seats and cargo areas in its segment, allowing it to be one of the more family friendly options. Its interior is well equipped, looks almost as good as the exterior, and has technology that’s attractive to look at and easy to use. Its tiny turbocharged engine also punches above its weight class by feeling quicker than its rather meager specs would indicate while delivering excellent fuel economy. The overall driving experience is awfully refined, too.
Cons? Well, if you have a lead foot, the engine will eventually run out of steam if you accelerate aggressively. All-wheel drive is also not available, and a few hard plastic interior surfaces betray the overall premium allusion. None of that prevents us from making the 2025 Buick Envista an Editor’s Pick. This is a thoughtfully engineered, designed and packaged small SUV that shows you don’t have to pay a lot to get a lot.
Rear parking sensors are now standard on all trims, while remote ignition is standard on the Preferred and Sport Touring. The Sunrise Red option is no more, and you can no longer get Copper Ice Metallic on the Sport Touring – that’s the color-trim combo shown above, so don’t fall in love with it, K? The rest of the car carries over unchanged for 2025.
There is lots of hard plastic inside the Envista, most notably on the doors. If that bothers you, it’ll probably be hard to find anything new at this price point. Otherwise, the Envista’s cabin is an attractive and user-friendly space. The Sport Touring’s leatherette seating (pictured) or the Avenir’s leather certainly maximize the Envista’s “It costs how much?” wow factor, though, especially with their dash-top pleather trim and contrast stitching.
We appreciate that Buick kept things simple in key places, such as its traditional shifter and physical buttons/knobs for the climate controls. Yet, the cabin’s showpiece is clearly the pair of displays encased in one curved housing. It looks expensive, and the screen graphics back it up. The all-digital instruments in particular are classy in appearance and simply provide the information you need (although the trip computer info being in the touchscreen is bound to confuse some at first). The 11-inch touchscreen is larger than most in the segment and is powered by a less feature-rich version of GM’s Android-based infotainment system. It doesn’t do that much, but the radio controls look good and are well laid out, the menu icons remain docked on the left side of the screen at all times, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Wireless charging is available on all trims.
The Envista has roughly the same length and wheelbase as a Honda CR-V, but it’s ultimately in the next segment down (subcompact) because its rakish roofline significantly diminishes its total interior volume, especially in terms of cargo. Importantly, its price tag is more in line with subcompacts.
In practice, this means it has an abundance of rear seat legroom for the segment. A 6-foot-3 person was able to still fit back there with the driver seat set for himself, while there was plenty of room for the passenger seat to be scooted up out of the reach of a kicking toddler’s shoes. Headroom definitely is less than boxy compact SUVs, but the hair of that same 6-foot-3 person wasn’t grazing the roof.
Cargo space does indeed suffer because of the roofline. A rigid cargo cover and a lack of a dual-level cargo floor (as most competitors offer) do hamper its space and versatility as well. Nevertheless, we found that once you chuck that cargo cover, the Envista was better able to carry our standard allotment of cargo test suitcases than everything in its segment save the Bronco Sport, VW Taos and Kia Seltos (in that order). That includes its mechanically related cousin, the Chevy Trax, that actually has a higher on-paper cargo volume (the Envista’s cargo area is longer, which turns out to be more beneficial for stuffing in luggage than the Trax’s extra height). Pretty great for something that looks so sleek.
Every Envista has the same powertrain, and there are no options. A 1.2-liter turbocharged inline-three sends 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is mandatory; all-wheel drive is not an option.
EPA-estimated fuel economy is 28 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined. We were seeing similar fuel economy during our 300-plus miles behind the wheel. This is better fuel economy than most in the segment, although admittedly not by a lot.
Look at the above specs. They sound lame, right? Three cylinders? 137 horsepower? Six-speed automatic? We didn’t even mention that the 0-60-mph sprint is somewhere in the 9s, making it one of the slowest cars in the segment and on the road, period. The thing is, you’d never know it by driving it. This is a good powertrain that’s been thoughtfully applied to this car to simultaneously assure a low price, good fuel economy and elevated refinement.
It starts with the engine itself. Forget the horsepower – those 162 pound-feet of torque come on early at 2,500 rpm, ensuring a punchy power delivery around town and when jumping into a faster lane of traffic. That six-speed automatic may sound antiquated, but it’s quick to respond and is more likely to find itself in the right gear (unlike eight-, nine- or 10-speed units), doesn’t stutter to engage (unlike a DCT) and doesn’t depressingly drone (unlike a CVT). Meanwhile, it still manages 30 mpg combined. Then there’s the ample sound deadening that reduces whatever racket that little triple-cylinder makes down to a pleasant muffled snarl. Basically, this car doesn’t feel slow and it sounds refined.
The accolades don’t stop there. We logged plenty of highway time and came away thoroughly impressed by the quiet noise levels, comfortable and well-composed ride, just-right steering effort, and comfortable driver seat. Our Sport Touring test car did come with the optional Watts linkage rear suspension upgrade that comes standard on the Avenir trim and is unavailable on the base Preferred. We have not tested the base suspension, so we don’t know just how much more comfortable and composed the upgrade makes the Envista, but given the car’s strong overall value, seeking a so-upgraded trim level seems like a good idea.
Get a closer look at the top-of-the-line Envista trim level, which ups the ante in terms of interior materials and ambience.
Take a deep dive into the real-world capacity of the Envista's cargo area. It's better than we were expecting.
Buick Envista Cupholder Mega Test
And now for the ultimate challenge: a jumbo Nalgene bottle!
Buick Envista First Drive Review: Budget belle
Our first time with the Envista, including information about its engineering and design.
The Envista is built in Bupyeong Gu, South Korea. Pricing starts at $22,900, but we didn’t know the destination charge for 2025 at the time of this writing. It was $1,095 last year. Assuming it stays relatively consistent, the overall base price is right in the heart of the subcompact SUV segment. If you’re simply prioritizing max passenger space in this price range, the base Envista Preferred would be a good choice.
The Sport Touring ($24,700 before destination) gets sharper looks and an upgraded interior with leatherette upholstery, plus access to the Experience Buick package that adds the Watts link suspension upgrade and 19-inch wheels. Otherwise, the same worthwhile Convenience package upgrades are available on both Preferred and Sport Touring: the Convenience I package (a power driver seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, proximity entry, remote ignition), the Convenience II package (power liftgate, auto wipers, wireless phone charging).
All that optional content is standard on the Avenir pictured below ($28,600 before destination), which also gains leather upholstery, a rear center armrest, and various design/ambiance upgrades. Every Envista is available with the same package of driver assistance tech features described in the section below.
Every 2025 Envista comes standard with forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and front pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist and rear parking sensors. The Advanced Safety package available on all trims adds blind-spot and rear-cross-traffic warning and adaptive cruise control.
The Envista still had not been crash tested by a third party at the time of this writing.
James Riswick
James Riswick
The electric car market is expanding and evolving rapidly, but the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 continues to hover high above much of the field despite its nameplate being three years old. It still wows with its digitalized retro looks and hatchback shape that disguise the fact that it’s actually quite big. That size grants it a degree of practicality and comfort that make it a great family vehicle, while Hyundai has tuned it to be surprisingly fun to drive.
The Ioniq 5 checks plenty of other key boxes, especially for the typical EV buyers. Electric range is above average and its 800-volt architecture makes it one of the fastest-charging EVs, period. Performance is quite strong, too, especially with the dual-motor model. Infotainment tech is top-notch – it looks cool and is easy to use. Safety tech is even better – it’s one of the most extensive and best-executed driver assistance suites on the market.
As much as we love the Ioniq 5, checking out the mechanically related Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 sedan is a must, as is the new Chevrolet Blazer EV (although its availability is limited in the coming year). One also can’t ignore the low prices and superior charging network offered by the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. We’re not sure any of them are quite as cool as the Ioniq 5, though.
Note that the refreshed 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is coming soon, and the hi-po 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is available now. We're not totally sure what's in store for the rest of the next model year, but we've driven the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (it's incredibly fun), and have included it in this buying guide.
There are a slew of added standard features that weren’t available at all last year. This includes rear seat side airbags, rear outboard seatbelt pretensioners, steering wheel haptic feedback added to the lane-keeping and blind-spot warning systems, and in-car Wi-Fi capability (subscription required). A digital rearview mirror is also now standard on the Limited.
And finally, in case you’re wondering about the wild, high-performance Ioniq 5 N, it’s here as a 2025 model year. You can read our Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review here.
The Ioniq 5’s cabin is big, bright and airy, with a minimalist design aesthetic that doesn’t lose sight of functionality. Everything isn’t controlled and displayed on one screen, and there are still conventional buttons and switches for things like the windows and climate controls where you expect them to be. Even the touch-sensitive buttons and electronic shifter, which can typically be a source of frustration, are well-executed.
In the Limited trim, the center console is moveable, sliding forward and backward. That console is home to a pair of cupholders, a large cargo tray, a slot for a phone — with an available wireless charging pad — and a pair of USB ports. It’s a clean and calming space that’s surprisingly spacious and airy. The color palette is limited: black monotone and two-tone gray with a two-tone green sadly only available with the Digital Teal or Shooting Star exterior Limited trim levels.
Every Ioniq 5 features dual 12.3-inch displays, with one serving as the instrument panel, the other as an infotainment touchscreen. It’s one of the better infotainment systems on the market (it's also likely to be replaced with Hyundai's updated one, as the Ioniq 5 N has, and we don't like it as much). The menus make sense, simple tasks like changing a radio station are easy, responses are quick, and it looks good. We also like the 60/40-split screen functionality that lets you look at audio and navigation, for instance, at the same time. Unfortunately, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available, which obviously means you have to plug in your phone to use them. Worse, the data USB port is under the dash down by your shin (below right), meaning your phone will end up stranded down there, too. The non-data USB ports and the available wireless charger are located in the center console (below).
The Limited trim gets a head-up display with integrated augmented reality. In addition to the usual HUD duties, it can also project images to highlight the car ahead of you, give alerts about lane safety and help indicate where and when to make the next turn on your route. If that sounds like a lot of visual information, it is, but you can tailor the content shown in your HUD through menu selections. This is the type of cutting-edge tech you can only find in upper-crust vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
It’s way bigger than it looks. While it looks like a hatchback in photos, seeing it in person, you can better understand why the Ioniq 5 is better classified as a midsize crossover SUV. Its wheelbase is about 3 inches longer than that of the three-row Hyundai Palisade. As such, the Ioniq 5 is fabulously roomy inside. Back seat legroom is vast, but then that’s pretty much an EV given at this point. The front row is especially spacious and open, however. The available sliding center console opens that lounge-like space up even more, and if you really want to lounge, the Limited includes a driver seat footrest to use while parked/charging (both pictured above).
As for the cargo area, the footprint is big, but the aggressively raked rear window means taller items could impede the closure of the liftgate. The rear seats can slide forward to allow a little more luggage space, at the expense of second-row passenger space. The Ioniq 5 claims 27.2 cubic feet behind the second row, which is lower than the Ford Mustang Mach-E’s 29.7 and the Volkswagen ID.4’s 30.3. Its on-paper volume is greater than that of its Kia EV6 cousin, but in our Ioniq 5 Luggage Test, we found that the shape/slope of the hatchback impedes loading, shrinks usable size and ultimately makes the cargo less spacious than the EV6 and the other electric crossovers. There’s no front trunk (or “frunk,” if you prefer) under the hood apart from a small space (0.85 cubic feet) only big enough to stash the mobile charging cable or other small items. That’s at least better than needing to store them in the cargo area, and at this point, few EVs have useful frunks.
There are three drivetrain configurations for the Ioniq 5. The base standard-range version has a 58-kilowatt-hour battery good for 220 miles of driving. It is only available as a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive model with 168 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Its efficiency is rated at 110 miles-per-gallon-equivelent combined
Then there are two versions with the 77.4-kWh long-range battery. The single-motor rear-wheel-drive version provides 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. That’s good enough for a sprint from 0-60 mph in around 7 seconds, which would be an average time for a midsize SUV. With a driving range of 303 miles, it’s rated at 110 mpg-e combined.
The all-wheel-drive version adds a second motor that powers the front wheels. The resulting total jumps significantly to 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, which is why there’s a larger price premium for all-wheel drive than you’d see in gas-powered cars, plus the Toyota bZ4X and Chevrolet Blazer EV. All that extra juice motivates the Ioniq 5 from a stop to 60 mph in about 5 seconds, but range drops to a still useful 260 miles. It’s rated at 99 mpg-e combined.
On the charging front, the Ioniq 5’s 800-volt battery architecture means it can take advantage of 150- and 350-kW DC fast chargers, the latter able to take the battery from 10% up to 80% in just 18 minutes. It’s one of the fastest-charging EVs, period.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N gets dual-motor all-wheel drive good for 601 hp and 545 lb-ft of torque, or 641 hp and 568 lb-ft for 10 seconds at a time with the "N Grin Boost" function engaged. It'll do 0-60 in a claimed 3.25 seconds. Its 84-kWh battery has a range of 221 miles, and gets 72 mpg-e.
Zac Palmer
Both the all-wheel-drive and RWD versions of the Ioniq 5 are an absolute delight, but the dual-motor AWD model is the one that'll get your heart pumping. With all the headline-generating, eye-popping 0-60 times of ultra EVs like the Tesla Model S Plaid, it's easy to forget that a 5-second 0-60 time is still awfully quick (and honestly, the long-range RWD model is far from slow at 7 seconds). The Ioniq 5's instant torque is enough to snap you back into your seat as you rocket onto the freeway. With Sport mode engaged, the AWD Ioniq 5 will treat you to a light but delectable serving of the rear wheels breaking traction to let the rear end peek out. It’s an addictive pleasure, and one that is sure to induce an endless supply of giggles.
That said, the Ioniq 5 can also be incredibly well behaved. Its long wheelbase makes for a calming sense of stability at highway speeds, while you’re quietly and comfortably whisked away to your destination. Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist system includes adaptive cruise control (with machine learning to adapt to your driving style) and a very adept lane centering feature. The Highway Driving Assist II feature on the SEL and Limited trims gets semi-automated lane changes and integration with the augmented reality head-up display. There are also driving modes — Normal, Eco, Sport and Snow — to fit your mood or situation, and you can also dial in different amounts of regenerative braking force using the paddles on the back of the steering wheel. The highest level allows for one-pedal driving.
We have yet to test the single motor standard battery version, but its combination of range, performance and price make the Ioniq 5 less competitive.
As for the 2025 Ioniq 5 N, it's wild with tons of power and the ability to mimic engine noises and an eight-speed transmission. With N E-Shift, the Ioniq 5 doesn’t drive like an EV. The electric motors initially delay response to give the feeling of turbo lag. The power peaks and surges like the turbo engines in Hyundai’s other N cars. You can rev high in each gear and the Ioniq 5 will lurch and cut power while your fake tach needle bangs off the fake rev limiter. The experience is legitimately uncanny. And it’s fun. Like, a ton of fun. Masterful suspension tuning and powertrain trickery, plus an e-LSD at the rear, contribute to a car that happily flings itself amongst narrow, technical, back-and-forth esses. It feels big, but definitely not as big as its dimensions would suggest. The brake feel is firm and trusty by EV standards, but still not as sensitive on track as top ICE models. In a nod to committed left-foot brakers, the Hyundai allows a simultaneous two-step on the brake pedal and accelerator without cutting power.
Wildly fun and dripping with character, the high-powered N will be remembered.
We drive the U.S.-spec N. Every part of the EV SUV is retuned, from suspension and battery to seats and screens.
Both are great, but which is better? We decide in this comparison test.
The electric hatchback/crossover has a weirdly shaped cargo area, but a handy sliding back seat.
Having trouble deciding between the Ioniq 5 or EV6? Our interior comparison could provide you the answer.
We check the cupholders and door pockets of the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 to see if it will fit our favored but oversized water bottle.
This is our first crack at the Ioniq 5, and we drive the top trim level with all-wheel drive in the city, on the highway and through some winding mountain roads. Let’s just say we’re in love.
The Ioniq 5 is built in South Korea, so it is ineligible for federal tax credits when purchasing the car. It may qualify for state credits, though, depending on your income level.
Pricing starts at $42,985, including the $1,395 destination charge, but that’s for the short-range, small-motor, rear-wheel-drive version. The bigger battery and more powerful rear motor start with the SE at $47,035. We think that’s the best place to start, and from there, the Ioniq 5’s trim levels are the usual ladder-type structure where each gets extra equipment plus additional style options.
All prices below include the $1,335 destination charge. And note that the atypically high all-wheel-drive price premium is the result of the dual-motor model adding significant performance in addition to all-weather traction.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N comes in a single trim with all-wheel drive, and costs $67,495, including the $1,395 destination charge.
Every Ioniq 5 comes standard with forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, Safe Exit Assist (uses the last two items to warn you against opening doors into cars or bicycles), a driver inattention warning system, rear occupant alert, rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality and lane-centering steering assist. Rear side airbags are also standard, which is rare. Also available are surround-view parking camera, blind spot view monitor, front parking sensors, as well as the added functionality of Highway Driving Assist II (automated lane changes, and improved logic for adaptive cruise control to better adjust to cars cutting in front of you or encroaching on your lane). Besides simply having all these driver assistance features, it’s important to note how well-executed they are.
The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 received an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, scoring the highest marks in every crash test category. Its base headlights scored an "Acceptable" rating, but the upgrade lights for the SEL and Limited scored the highest "Good" rating. The NHTSA gave the Ioniq 5 five out of five stars for overall, side and rollover crash protection. It got four stars for frontal crash protection.
Tim Stevens
CHICHESTER, England – Everything seems like it's moving faster these days than it used to. Whether it be trendy memes or systems of government, what was popular yesterday doesn't stand a chance today. That's true of cars, too. Every major model is expected to have a refresh every couple of years followed by a complete reboot after five or six.
In that context, the 21-year staying power of the Jaguar XJS is nothing short of remarkable, especially if you look at the decades it spanned.
Introduced in 1975, the XJS (or XJ-S as it was initially known) survived all the way into 1996 before finally running out of its nine lives, all with such subtle visual tweaks that you have to be a bit of an expert to spot the differences introduced over the three decades it covered.
The 1996 model you see here is as new as it gets, yet it still very much looks, feels, and even smells like a much older machine -- albeit with some curious injections of technology here and there to spoil the air of nostalgia.
This one is a British-market 4.0-liter inline-six-cylinder model with 242 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque sent through what must be the laziest transmission I've ever encountered, a four-speed ZF automatic. But relaxed, as it turned out, would be the overriding vibe of this car, something I actually came to appreciate before my time with this beautifully preserved example was through.
We didn't get off to a great start. My test drive took place on the historic Goodwood Circuit, best known for the high-class hooning of the annual Goodwood Revival.
I would not do any drifting, nor crashing thank goodness, but the on-track nature of my run did mean I needed to wear a helmet. That proved to be a bit of a problem.
I'm not a particularly lanky 6-foot tall, and the XJS is not a small car, so without overthinking it, I tucked my way in, ducking beneath the low roof of this XJS cabriolet. I expected that, once inside, I could adjust the seat and get myself situated.
Whoever had driven this previously was apparently quite a bit shorter of stature because the seat was bolt upright and tight to the wood-rimmed steering wheel. Now properly trapped and in a bit of a panic, I stabbed at the chunky, plastic seat controls on the door only to quickly learn the seats won't move without the ignition on. My knee was wedged so tightly up against the steering column that I couldn't reach the ignition.
After a few attempts, I got the key turned and the seat in motion. Further and further back I had to recline the thing before I could finally uncoil my neck. It's a Corvette-like posture I had to assume here, knees akimbo and arms outstretched.
My newly laid-back seating position seemed to fit with the aforementioned vibe of the car, and now somewhat comfortable, I took a moment to enjoy the time capsule. It makes a good impression, the XJS. Beautifully polished walnut abounds, including the ball atop the spindly tall shifter that you'd be forgiven for mistaking for a manual.
That lovely wood, however, is punctuated by all manner of things, a few of which ruin the mood. There's the polished metal ashtray, a lovely touch reminiscent of many high-end '60s GT cars, like the Lamborghini 400 GT. It's a lovely relic from the early days of this car's design that sits just a few inches away from less enjoyable relics: a clumsy black plastic cassette deck and digital clock.
The XJS, then, doesn't give the time capsule effect so much as it provides a retrospective of three decades worth of motoring highlights and lowlights.
The XJS is, of course, most famous for its V12. Alas, I drove the lesser 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder, which runs so quietly I couldn't tell when I should let off the starter. It didn't honestly get much louder as I pulled out onto the Goodwood Circuit and began to wind everything up to speed.
Goodwood is a generally simple track but a beautifully flowing one, mostly a series of multi-apex right-handers perfectly designed for machines with simple suspension and rudimentary brakes. These are descriptors that can certainly be applied to the XJS.
Turn that lacquered steering wheel to enter a corner, and there's a good moment or two where nothing at all happens. Be patient, though, and the long nose eventually begins its journey toward the inside of the turn. An instant later, the outside door of the car initiates its own trip down towards the asphalt.
Again, “relaxed” is the way to describe it, with the XJS leaning and meandering through the turns without much in the way of hurry or feedback. The brake pedal likewise has a long throw to it, and you'd best get used to exploring every degree of it if you want to bring this big cabriolet down to a reasonable speed before turn-in.
At first I couldn't help laughing at how unsuited the car felt at speed, but after a lap I started getting comfortable. Again, thanks to the flowing nature of this track, the flowing nature of the XJS was quite enjoyable. The challenge was to pick a given amount of steering input early into one corner and hold it all the way through the apexes so as not to upset the suspension.
Holding a consistent, steady line is the way, and when following a gentle gliding arc like that, the XJS is surprisingly fun. Then, once I learned to get the throttle buried to the floor a good few seconds before the apex, I started to enjoy the inline-six a bit, too.
When it finally works its way towards the upper end of its 5,700-rpm tachometer, it offers decent shove and a nice sound, too. I could just hear the engine over the wind noise, though, which, despite keeping the roof up, was louder than many modern convertibles I've driven with the top down.
So, not ideal for a technical track (but who’s bringing an XJS to one of those?), and that relaxed transmission and power delivery likewise will leave you a bit frustrated if you're the sort who gets impatient running between traffic lights. But on a wide, flowing road with lots of miles ahead of you, I could see the XJS being a genuinely rewarding ride.
Looking to bring an XJS into your life? The good news is you've got 21 years' worth of cars to choose from. But you're most likely to find a cleanest example among the later generation, like you see here, which ran from 1991 to 1996.
There are two engines to choose from: the 4.0-liter inline six driven here and the V12, which evolved from 5.3 to 6.0 liters. Which one is for you? That depends on whether you want to maximize reliability or number of moving pieces. Regardless, don't imagine that you're getting yourself a hot rod even if you go with the bigger motor. At its peak, that V12 made just over 300 horsepower, about 60 more than the inline-six. These days, neither is going to feel like a rocket ship.
Per Hagerty, a 1996 inline-six convertible like you see here is worth $15,500 in good condition. Want a V12? You're looking at $18,000 in the same condition. Just make sure to budget a little extra for maintenance. As ever, it helps if you're handy yourself, as issues with the car's electrical system, rear suspension and fuel system are common, and your friendly local mechanic will surely roll out their premium rates when they see you cruise up in one of these.
