Tag Archives: toyota

Six New Cars Show That Hybrids Rule

I’m firmly convinced that, despite rollbacks on the federal level and sluggish sales at the dealerships, the car industry is going electric, and I mean globally. In the first half of 2025, plug ins were between nine and 11.8 percent of U.S. new vehicle sales, depending on criteria. It’s a start, and those numbers are much higher in Europe and China (where they’re half of all new sales), and freakishly high in countries like Iceland and especially Norway (way over 90 percent of sales).

The timeline is going to be longer than initially believed, but the changeover is inevitable—dictated both by superior technology and climate imperatives. In the meantime, we are still seeing plenty of old-school internal-combustion cars and trucks hit the market, and here’s a sampling of vehicles I’ve recently sampled.

2025 Toyota 4Runner TrailHunter. Wow, going off road can get costly. My test 4Runner TrailHunter came in at $69,578 with such niceties as a digital key and a tow ball added to the $66,900 base price. And here’s the issue in a nutshell, via Car and Driver, “The 4Runner is tall and ungainly. It is inefficient in packaging and fuel economy, not quick, and expensive for its size. Toyota can’t build enough of them.”

I’ve driven both 2025 and 2026 versions of this vehicle, and it’s not the best ride around town. It’s bouncy and relatively rough riding, and you have to climb into it. The snorkel (excuse me, the High Mount Air Intake) might look cool, but c’mon—who’s fording streams? The bright side of this version of the 4Runner is the 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder hybrid engine that gets a heavy, non-aerodynamic vehicle to 23 mpg city/24 highway. Still terrible, though, considering that Toyota also makes the Prius that gets up to 57 mpg in 2026 guise. The automaker has gussied up this off-roader with a comfortable interior, heated seats and wheel, but you’ll still be roughing it, whether you go off road or not. The same things that make it good on mountain treks are what makes it difficult on pavement—body on frame construction (expect squeaks down the road) a live rear axle, huge knobby tires on 18-inch wheels.

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum. This Highlander (another ultra-popular platform from Toyota) is available with two entirely different hybrid engines, a base 245-horsepower unit and a 362-horsepower Hybrid Max in the Platinum trim you probably don’t need. In LE and XLE you get the base engine, but especially in XLE it’s very well equipped (heated front seats, 12.3-inch touchscreen, power tailgate, wireless charging pad)—and gets 36 mpg combined. With the big engine as tested you get a 5.6-second zero to 60 time (instead of 7.8 seconds) but, really, is that important to your daily life or self-esteem? The thing was snappy, but not exactly a sports car. More relevant is the fuel economy loss with Hybrid Max—from 36/32 to 26/27. The non-hybrid Grand Highlander actually did better in some tests, at 29 combined. Plus, the Platinum ($60,270) is hugely more expensive than the XLE ($46,875). I hope all this is convincing.

2025 Audi S5 Coupe Prestige. Prestige is definitely the word here, and you pay for it, in this case a bottom line of $73,345. That buys a very, very capable and sophisticated car, powered by a three-liter 362-horsepower turbocharged V-6 engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and quattro AWD.

This is more car than I actually need or could possibly justify buying, but that’s not to say I didn’t love my week in it. What’s not to like? It’s attractive, fast, comfortable and (amazingly enough after all the SUVs) a grand touring car! That means it’s set up for long hauls and smooths out the highway for you. At 60 mph and above it’s an effortless drive. The standard Sportback rear gives lots of luggage space under the hatch.

The central 14.5-inch infotainment screen is visually appealing. The Prestige line gets you the quite nice upgraded digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, and also confusing and unnecessary on-screen climate controls. Philistine that I am I get excited when I see a Bang & Olufsen audio system, and I think I actually can tell they sound better than, say, a boombox from Walmart.

2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0T SE. The big news about the “pocket rocket” GTI is that VW has gotten rid of the manual transmission option, perhaps an inevitability as manuals are even disappearing at Porsche and Ferrari. Honestly, half the fun of owning these cars is shifting them, but VW is bowing the sheer inability of the driving public to drive stick.

This version is an update of the GTI, not a major model change. In place of the manual is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, with an “S” mode for faster shifts. You’re stirring a two-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine with 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, held over from previous model years. Fuel economy at 27 mpg combined could be better, but a 5.6-second zero to 60 time is impressive. There are some new colors and badges and new 19-inch wheels. The GTI is still fun to drive but, for me, not quite as much fun. Prices range from $33 to $42,000. The SE tested is $38,645.

2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring. As a Miata owner myself, I (and many of my auto journalist colleagues) don’t have to be sold on the model’s virtues. It is, still, the only real choice for a fun to drive, inexpensive, easy to maintain two-seat convertible. But it’s gotten more sophisticated. Mine’s a 1999, and even that one has far more creature comforts than the NA first seen in 1989.

The RF has a power retractable top, that works very well in practice. That’s a Miata tradition. The early ones have a top that you just throw back, compared to the complicated, leaky Cub Scout tents seen on the British sports cars the Miata blew out of the water.

The Miata still starts around $30,000, and the engine in all Miata is still a modest four-cylinder than in two-liter four here produces 181 horsepower. Yes, you can still go manual with a six-speed box. These new ones are even more responsive and good handling than my ’99, thanks to very direct steering.

The well-appointed RF Grand Touring is near the top of the line, and costs $38,785. Fuel economy at 29 combined isn’t bad, but requiring premium gas is a negative. The Miata may not be the best car for 60-mile commutes—it’s a bit small for that—but as a weekend car it’s peerless. It’s too bad more people don’t think so. Mazda sold just 8,103 Miatas in the U.S. in 2024, a minor downward trend from 2023.

2025 Toyota Crown Nightshade Edition. I’d like to think that cars like the long-Japan-only Crown can find a place in the American market. Toyota loves hybrids, makes great ones, and in this case stuffs its 2.5-liter driveline (236 combined horsepower) into a well-equipped sedan that retails, in this case, for $48,765. Leave the options list alone—the test car had a $165 “side puddle lamp” you probably don’t need.

In some ways the Crown is like an entry-level Lexus, which may have you scratching your head about the need for it, but under either badge it’s a nice car. The eCVT transmission takes a little getting used to, but it’s a factor in the 41 mpg combined (42 city/41 highway) fuel economy.

I liked the 11-speaker JBL sound system, the leather-trimmed heated seats (front and rear), the matte black 21-inch wheels, and the panoramic glass roof. Really, it’s a good example of the state-of-the-art sedan in 2025. The trick is getting the public to care about sedans again.

New Models Enter the Car Market at a Pivot Point

We are at a pivot point in the auto industry, with both the electric and self-driving revolutions somewhat stalled, and Trump tariffs making it difficult for consumers to know what they should do. There’s a brief window when it’s still possible to get the $7,500 federal income tax credit when buying a made-in-U.S.A. EV, but it’s going away September 30. In the meantime, automakers are still churning out new EV models—I’m at a Subaru EV rollout as I write this

So, let’s delve into what’s new in my garage, electric or otherwise.

2025 Audi Q4 e-tron Prestige and 2025 Audi SQ6 e-tron Prestige. Audi’s electrics didn’t do well in the second quarter of 2025, and the Q4 e-tron was down 48.7 percent year over year, from 2,430 in 2024 to 1,247 in 2025. But it sure sold better than the A6 e-tron, with just 179 sold.

The Q4 in this guise is a compact electric SUV with 335 horsepower from its electric motor and up to 332 miles of range. The starting price in this Prestige edition of $63,095. It’s fairly pricey, and even the cheapest Q4 is over $51,000. I suspect it’s price that’s holding this model back, because it’s a quite decent small EV otherwise, with quality materials (leather and wood are standard) and a nice driving experience. There is 26 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and 54 feet with those seats down.

The SQ6 e-tron is built on the same platform as the Q6 e-tron (3,716 sold in the second quarter) but with a dual-motor set-up that offers as much as 510 horsepower. While the car was great fun to drive (with 3.8 seconds to 60), the added pep sacrifices range—up to 46 miles. The Prestige is $80,595. The range is 275 miles, not exceptional, but it is somewhat mitigated by fast 270-kilowatt charging.

2025 Lexus LX 700h Overtrail. Lexus is on a roll among the Japanese luxury brands, especially compared to Nissan’s Infiniti. But the LX 700h isn’t set up to float my boat. It’s a hybrid from the leader in that technology, but fuel economy in this big boat isn’t the goal. It has a combined EPA rating of only 20 mph, which is just marginally better than its non-hybrid counterpart. Hybrid tech belongs in light, aerodynamic cars—it’s kind of wasted in this luxurious 6,283-pound seven-passenger SUV.

It’s impossible to hate cars like this, because they’re so cosseting to drive. But they don’t pass a lot of gas stations. The car as tested was $118,010, which buys a powerful 457 horsepower from a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 coupled to a 10-speed automatic. It can tow 8,000 pounds.

Every possible luxury feature was present, all of them standard, from leather-trimmed seating to heated steering wheel, a cool box and an auto door closer. It’s kind of the equivalent of an off-road 1959 Cadillac. Which does have its appeal.

2025 Toyota Land Cruiser and 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport. More Toyotas. The company covers every possible American niche, even those that must be mystifying in the home market.

The Land Cruiser starts at $58,195, and Toyota is to be commended to making it a hybrid instead of a gas-guzzling V-8. The turbo 2.4-liter four gets two electric motors, which combine to make an impressive 326 horsepower. The setup is shared with the popular Tacoma truck. The two motors yield all-wheel drive, and the car has an eight-speed automatic.

Again, this is a hybrid that’s far from a fuel champ, making 23 mpg combined. If you like rugged 4WD vehicles then the Land Cruiser has always been a sensible choice, and it bristles with trail gear. But if you really don’t go off-road much you shuld consider something more oriented to pavement.

The Tacoma is also parent to the sixth-generation 2025 4Runner TRD Sport I tested in Wind Chill Pearl. It has a similar 2.4-liter turbo engine, but makes 278 horsepower with 317 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic is attached. With this combination, fuel economy is even worse than the Land Cruiser, at 21 mpg combined.

As tested, the 4Runner TRD Sport was $49,725 (barely up from its $49,250 MSRP). The only option was premium paint. The 4Runner has been generally reliable.

2025 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium R-Line. The Atlas as tested (and built in Mexico) was $55,325. This is the highest trim, and it comes with all-wheel drive. The powertrain in all versions is a 269-horsepower in-line four with an eight-speed automatic. The 7.3-second zero to 60 time is not impressive. The three-row Atlas offers very good cargo space, though, and it feels well-built. But despite the four-cylinder engine, fuel economy is nothing to write home about, coming in at 20 mpg I the city and 27 on the highway, and with the AWD that everyone seems to want it drops to 19 city and 24 highway.  At this price, any number of other automakers’ models are competitive.

2025 Hyundai Tucson Limited AWD. The Tucson is Hyundai’s bestseller, and it’s offered with a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, coupled to an eight-speed automatic.

Go hybrid and the 1.6-liter turbo gas engine produces 178 horsepower and 195 pound-feet, but the hybrid system takes it up to 231 total horsepower. The hybrid has a 47.7-kilowatt electric motor and a 1.49-kilowatt-hour battery, with a six-speed transmission. And then there’s a plug-in hybrid variant, with a more powerful 72-kilowatt motor, 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet. The hybrid battery is 13.8 kilowatt-hours.

All this choice is very welcome, and it’s what smart automakers do, along with frequent upgrades. The current generation of Tucson was introduced in 2024. Prices start at $28,075.

2025 Toyota Corolla FX. This is the gold standard of Toyotas for me, as my first job was preparing Corollas for sale at a Toyota dealer. The outlet’s big brand was Dodge, but today it’s an all-Toyota enterprise. That’s progress! As tested, it was $29,289, a very reasonable price for an automobile in 2025. It’s a hot hatch, with 169 horsepower and stellar 31.39 mpg fuel economy. The two-liter four offered plenty of passing power. I was actually quite taken with the latest incarnation of the Corolla, and would gladly have kept this one over in the Motavalli garage.

In These Tariff Times, the New Models Reviewed

The auto industry is heading through hairpin turns with no brakes, as the Trump auto tariffs seemingly change daily. We are now told that imports from England, which were in the worst possible position in terms of U.S. production, are now in the catbird seat because of a U.S.-U.K. trade deal. Now the first 100,000 imports per year (meaning, almost all of them from Great Britain) will have only a 10 percent tariff). Meanwhile, Chinese tariffs are paused for 90 days, but cars still face 25 percent duty. By the time you read this it could all be different. It makes it difficult, indeed, for automakers who just want stability. But the new cars keep coming out, and I keep reviewing them.

Lexus NX 350 F Sport AWD and Lexus UX 300h AWD. Lexus’ NX family includes two cars with gas engines, one hybrid drivetrain, and one plug-in hybrid. This relatively small crossover tested in sporty 350 F Sport guise (above) had the optional 2.4-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, connected to an eight-speed automatic. F Sport includes a more performance-oriented suspension tune, a 14-inch touchscreen and upgraded climate control, but you still have to pay extra for a big sunroof, heating in the rear seats, and the top-grade audio. The car was quite nice without an enormous wow factor, and the 28 miles per gallon on the highway was appreciated. Premium fuel is a “recommendation.”

The UX 300h AWD subcompact luxury crossover is more my speed, as it’s powered by the state-of-the-art Prius drivetrain, the Atkinson-Cycle two-liter four with two or three electric motors (the latter, as in the tester, if you want AWD). For 2025, there’s an extra 15 horsepower. With two motors expect 43 mpg combined, and with three a very minor loss at 42 mpg. Zero to 60 is less than eight seconds. The starting price: just under $40,000.

Audi Q4 e-tron Prestige. The Prestige (above) is near the top of the Q4’s model line, starting around $63,000. That buys a powerful electric crossover with 335 horsepower and a so-so range of 258 miles. These days, 300 miles is a safer number. As is often the case, this e-tron emphasizes performance over range, and it can reach 60 in five seconds. The car is quiet, and its cabin very tastefully appointed with quality materials. A more aggressively styled Sportback version is available.

Genesis GV60 Performance AWD. The trio of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis have been acing the EV market, and Genesis’ GV60 is a compelling SUV choice up against cars like the Audi Q4 above. Genesis offers the luxury approach to electric motoring, and up to 295 miles of range, as well as 483 horsepower (from Boost Mode) in this Performance trim. The cabin is utterly stylish, with twin 12-inch screens and a science fiction shifter that’s hugely cool and also very functional. But it’s a $71,000 car. Lesser trims might work just as well for your needs, though no versions are cheap—prices start at $53,800 for the Standard model (with a single motor and 225 horsepower).

Hyundai Elantra N and Santa Fe XRT 2.5T AWD. Sport sedans have been an endangered species, but they’re starting to come back. Hyundai’s Elantra N (above) has much to recommend it, including looking the business with its blackout trim, rear wing, diffuser, and contrasting color stripes. The N Line is a different car. The N is the real deal, with 286 horsepower, a stiff suspension and either a six-speed manual or an optional automatic. Other cars in this class include the Honda Civic Type R and the Toyota GR Corolla. There’s even a turbo Mazda 3 out there.

The current version of the Santa Fe is one of the most sharply styled SUVs on the market, and the performance matches the looks. You might want to investigate the hybrid version, but the tester had the2.5-liter turbo four, producing 277 horsepower and getting it to 60 mph, through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, in just over six seconds.  

The redesign puts the Santa Fe into the third-row category, and both legroom and cargo area have grown. The interior refresh was done quite well, with a modernist designer feel. Both the second and third row fold flat. With all three rows engaged, the Santa Fe has 14.6 cubic feet of storage out back. The tested XRT AWD version isn’t the best for fuel economy—19 in the city and 26 on the highway. In just rear-wheel drive form it can get 29 on the highway. The XRT starts at $42,425, mid-pack in a lineup that starts with the SE at $35,775.

For a price in the same ballpark, you can buy the hybrid version of the Santa Fe, which uses a turbo 1.6-liter four and an e-motor to produce 232 horsepower. I’d get that one, because the fuel economy goes to 36 mpg city and 35 mpg highway without much of a performance sacrifice. The SEL version starts at $39,275.

Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition. As tested, $42,070, the CX-50 was a well-equipped and nice-handling crossover that in Meridian trim (above) comes with a sunroof and heated leather seats. All CX-50s are AWD. The base four puts out 187 horsepower, but that jumps to 256 in the turbo four that’s standard in the Meridian. This version also includes upgraded towing to 3,500 pounds. The tested car was impressively equipped for the money, and the only optional extra was $450 for gray metallic paint.

Mazda builds a hybrid version of the CX-50, using a powertrain that’s also in the Toyota RAV4. The 2.5-liter four uses three e-motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower. If you can live with 7.5 seconds to 60, it’s the better option, with 38 mpg combined and not much sacrifice in terms of drivability. Pricing starts at $35,840.

Volvo S60 Recharge eAWD Ultimate Dark and Volvo XC60 T8 AWD Polestar Engineered. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain is proving very popular with consumers—who are still cautious about going full electric. In the S60 Recharge, Volvo offers a comfortable sedan with a two-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a relatively big 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery that together generates 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. The big battery enables 41 miles of travel on just electric power. That leads to a combined hybrid mode fuel economy of 31 mpg. And at least until Congress repeals the $7,500 federal income tax credit for EVs (which it seems intent on doing), this one is eligible.

Consumers won’t be dissatisfied with this very comfortable, safe, nicely appointed sedan, which in T8 form can reach 60 mph in an impressive 4.3 seconds. The big issue is the price, since the base Core version of the S60 Recharge is $53,295. And the T8 Ultra Black top trim is just shy of $60,000.

The XC60 T8 AWD Polestar Engineered (above) starts at a whopping $76,545. If you must have an SUV, this is a good plug-in hybrid alternative, with 35 miles of electric range. The XC60 and 90 carry a lot of safety tech and are relatively heavy cars, and this one perhaps needs its 455 horsepower to give good performance. This one won’t get the federal rebate, even if it’s available, but it could qualify for local incentives.

I had some stuff to move, and for that the 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter Double Cab came in handy. Trucks like this are proof that the Japanese can build work vehicles that give the impression they were born in Texas. I’ve never owned a truck, but I love to borrow them.

Considering the Tariff Factor: New Cars in Review

The Trump tariffs have thrown the auto industry into a complete turmoil. The future pricing of the cars on this list will be determined by whether or not they’re made in the U.S. of A. And some automakers—Jaguar Land Rover, Audi—are temporarily suspending deliveries to America while they plan their next move. So if I say glowing things about the 2025 Audi SQ7 Prestige I tested, will you even be able to find one on the lots?

A case in point, my brother wanted a 2025 Kia Kona Hybrid with 49.9 mpg. This vehicle is offered here, starting at $26,000, or $33,550 for the Limited model he wanted. He found one at a local dealer, but then it turned out to be not available. He had to scramble around to find another one—they’re rare, for some reason—and managed to get the keys just days ahead of the 25 percent tariffs. He paid around $32,000 all in. He was, in fact, lucky. It’s built at the Ulsan facility in South Korea, not here.

So, the numbers here are, to put it mildly, in flux.

2025 Toyota Sequoia 1794 Hybrid. I prefer hybrids to be smaller, lighter and cheaper. The huge 1794 (above) starts at $82,330, and despite the “hybrid” badges it’s not fuel efficient. I mean it gets 22 mpg combined, for crying out loud. Yes, it’s a big, comfortable SUV with all the latest tech, and Toyota wrote the book on hybrid drive, but it’s also 6,179 pounds of vehicle. But you could do worse if you have eight people to move around. The price couldn’t go up much more, but luckily the Sequoia is built in America. Texas, to be specific.

2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited. It dates me to remember the Crown as a luxury car for the JDM (Japanese domestic market). The new one (above) is still fairly well-appointed, with sedan styling that still gives off some SUV cues. Such attempts tend to come off as awkward, but OK. Prices start at $42,475, which is about what Americans typically spend on a car.

The good news here is that all Crowns are hybrids, beginning with a 236-horsepower powertrain, able to deliver 41 mpg combined. That’s pretty good for a car of its size. You can also gild the lily with the $56,125 Platinum trim, accessing 340 horsepower with reduced fuel economy. Don’t be in such a hurry! The Crown Signia is built at the Tsutsumi Plant in Aichi, Japan, and thus subject to tariffs that would threaten its competitiveness if they were fully passed on to consumers.

2025 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe. Consider the BMW 2-Series as a way to escape the big-grille plague that I thought I’d be getting used to, but no such luck. This unassuming purple beast (above, though not purple) is a performance BMW with quite a bit of Mini Cooper DNA (same parents, after all). There’s no manual option, but the two-liter turbo four puts out 312 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, shifting through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The combination is good for a 4.7-second zero to 60 time. The interior feels classy, but the seats could use more padding, especially as this M delivers a relatively stiff ride. The M235i is a little car with a somewhat big price, starting at $50,675. There’s not much in common with the similarly named M240i coupe, but that one has a straight six-cylinder engine and more power—382 horsepower, with AWD available. The price is very close, $50,600, with xDrive adding $2,000. Production: a highly automated plant in Leipzig, the former East Germany.

2025 Mercedes-Benz S63 EV4. The European marques have fully embraced the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) format, and this example emphasizes performance. The challenge for Mercedes was to deliver zero to 60 in 3.2 seconds (and a 180-mph top speed) via a four-liter twin-turbo V-8 and e-motor, while also delivering fuel economy to justify that PHEV badge. The package delivers 791 horsepower and 1,055 pound-feet of torque.

The figures for cars like this are wild. It offers 49 mpg combined (46 in the city/53 on the highway) and an electric range of 16 miles (which could be higher). But if you run it only on gasoline, the result is only 18 mpg. Keep it charged up, is what I say. Driving range is quite good at 380 miles. The interior of the Mercedes is super-nice, with Benz’ really useful active bolsters to keep you in your seat. The price is an eye-watering $186,200, which is a shame because lots of posteriors would occupy that driver’s seat if they could afford it. Although Mercedes has an American plant, these cars are built in Germany, and thus the price (if passed on) could go up, up and away.

Is there room for more Benz cars in Alabama? The plant there is already producing the GLE, GLS, and GLE Coupé SUVs, and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS for international sales. EVs in Alabama are the EQS SUV, EQE SUV and Mercedes-Maybach EQ. The S63 EV4 is likely to be a low-volume model and will probably stay in Germany.

2025 Audi SQ7 Prestige and Q4 e-tron Prestige. I’m putting these two together because I’m curious what the German automaker will do with pricing for these fine driver’s offerings. Both are already expensive cars, and price is a big issue with EV customers—who think the electrics are too expensive even without the tariffs. Audi’s e-trons will now be a big jump from domestics like the Chevy Bolt and Equinox. The Prestige Q4 is $69,095, and my guess is that the automaker can’t really raise that too much without having them just sit on lots. The big, luxury-oriented SQ7 Prestige (above) is $98,195. Raising that heady amount by 25 percent would be prohibitive. That’s why a pause was necessary.

There definitely is U.S. production in Audi’s future. The company said in February it will expand production in North America, possibly in a joint venture with its Volkswagen Group siblings. According to Audi CEO Gernot Doellner, also a VW management board member, “We could go into existing Volkswagen Group plants or we could build up additional capacity. We are open to solutions and are evaluating the various options.”

2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE and 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium. If you expect this car to look like a Corolla—i.e., a sedan—you haven’t been paying attention. This Corolla, made in the U.S. of A. (yeah!), has become an entry-level SUV, and a hybrid to boot. Pricing starts just below $30,000 (likely to stay there), and it can deliver 45 highway/38 city fuel economy via a two-liter four-cylinder engine and a trio of e-motors, for 196 horsepower. That makes it faster than the standard Corolla Cross, and definitely the one to buy. Don’t expect a performance car—it’s kind of like a Japanese appliance, but that pays off in terms of reliability and longevity.

I drove the GR Corolla (above) at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina last year, and here’s where you go for performance! These racy Corollas are kind of a labor of love for the company, which estimates it will sell less than 6,000 of them in the U.S. The all-wheel-drive GR hosts an innovative 1.6-liter turbo three-cylinder engine that punches above its weight and produces 300 horsepower (and 295 pound-feet of torque). Zero to 60 takes just 4.99 seconds. The model was introduced in 2022, but now includes an eight-speed paddle-shifted automatic as a $2,000 option. The GR also looks the business, with spoilers galore. Pricing is $38,860 for the Core entry model and tops off at $47,515 for Premium Plus. But the GR Corolla is built in Japan, in a dedicated facility within the Motomachi plant, and is this fully subject to the tariffs. Expect a price rise.

2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus and 2025 CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition. Get the hybrid (above). It uses the same peppy drivetrain as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, with 219 horsepower from no less than three electric motors standard (for AWD) and a 2.5-liter four. This combination and a relatively light shell yields impressive 38 mpg combined fuel economy. You’ll want a regular CX-50 if you tow a lot, because it can handle 3,500 pounds (versus the hybrid’s 1,500). With the standard CX-50, you’re looking at 24 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. The rating goes down to 23/29 (and the price goes up) if you opt for the 2.5 with twin-scroll supercharger. The hybrid, built in Huntsville, Alabama, starts at a reasonable $35,390. And the price is going to stay there, minus tariffs.

Ice, Snow and Slush: The Winter Drives

As winter sets in, features like heated seats, steering wheels and mirrors matter more, as well as traction and performance in snow. So, here’s a few reviews keeping the chilly scenes of winter—snow, ice, slush—in mind.

2025 Volvo V60 T8 E-AWD Polestar. I’ve never had a Swedish car that lacked a killer heater, and if you’ve ever been to northern Scandinavia, you know why. The name of this car is a bit confusing. Polestar is one of Geely’s electric brands, isn’t it? Yes, that’s true but before that it was a Swedish tuning shop, with racing experience, and it breathes on Volvos now as AMG does for Mercedes-Benz and M for BMWs.

The V60 is that increasing rarity—an actual station wagon, not an SUV. This version is a plug-in hybrid, with a 14.9-kilowatt-hour battery, up from 9.1. The electric motor has also been upgraded, and now produces 143 horsepower. The two-liter four is turbocharged and now produces 312 horsepower. The car is meaty, and can cruise 44 miles on battery power alone. It’s brilliant in the cold (even the rear seat is heated), with a fast-working heater and defroster, as well as excellent handling. Who needs an SUV?

As tested, this fine Volvo was $72,835, a high price that is a definite barrier for some buyers. Also tested was the 2025 Volvo S60 Recharge eAWD Ultimate Dark. And it’s another rarity, a sedan! The American fascination with SUVs in all their vivid reality still escapes me, so if you’re also resistant check out this one. Unfortunately, this is the last year for the compact S60 sport sedan. You’re much better off choosing the S60 as a plug-in hybrid, because its combination of turbo four and electric motor produces 455 horsepower, compared to the entry model’s 247. Most of what I said about the V60 applies, and the bottom line as tested was $62,545. The two models have an identical rating of 74 MPGe with the hybrid drive, and 31 mpg overall with just the gas engine. Not bad, considering all the safety equipment aboard.

2025 Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD Sport Prestige. Genesis is currently both my favorite luxury brand, and it’s my top electric choice, too. The 70, 80 and 90 are available as SUVs and sedans, and the GV70 tested is one of the former. This was a splendid winter car, given a 10 out of 10 by Car and Driver, and it sports a peerless luxury interior with every possible amenity. The tester had two big packages, sport advanced and sport prestige, which added $6,400 and $3,200 to the price respectively, but both are worth considering as they include many safety features. It might have been a good idea to include all the safety stuff in the same package. The price as tested was a not-inconsiderable $69,900.

The Genesis comes with a 375-horsepower twin-turbo V-6, capable of sub-five-second zero to 60 times—but it’s also a family luxury SUV. Choose a lesser version of the GV70 and you get a worth-considering turbo 2.5-liter four.

2025 Toyota Sequoia 1794 Hybrid. This one got a real winter workout, all the way from Connecticut to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. I would have trouble buying a vehicle that gets only 20 mpg combined (and 17.9 average on my trip), but with that said I can confirm that this is a very comfortable perch for a long seasonal drive. I was at the wheel about nine hours and emerged fully refreshed. The seats, seating position and legroom were all ideal, as was the JBL stereo. I was also able to haul a 47-inch-wide 1950s German console radio—complete with liquor cabinet—in the rear, seats folded. Unfortunately, the third row doesn’t fold flat, but it still provided a cavernous load area. The running boards that zip out when the car is unlocked are handy, because the vehicle has a high center of gravity.

The Sequoia SUV is big in every dimension, including price, $84,480. And that’s why, even with hybrid drive, it still uses plenty of gasoline—I had to fill up twice. The power comes from an I-FORCE MAX twin-turbo V-6 with electric motor/generator (437 horsepower combined), driving through a 10-speed auto with sequential shift. The Sequoia was actually better handling than anything this large deserves to be. I’m sure, with four-wheel drive and this configuration, its excellent for towing.

Also from Toyota was a 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter Double Cab. I didn’t get to spend too much time in this $64,944 truck, but I moved some things with it and realized that the Japanese now build better American trucks, in many cases, than actual Americans do. They tend to be more reliable and better built, and there aren’t many compromises. This Toyota, too, uses an I-FORCE MAX hybrid drivetrain, and again the results aren’t stellar—23 mpg overall.

2025 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition. As the owner of a Miata, I know how well Mazdas handle, even when they’re compact crossovers. The CX-50 ($42,670 as tested) is the only car on this list whose price doesn’t intimidate. I could actually buy one of these!

Mazda doesn’t have a handle on luxury the way in quite the same way Genesis does, but the buyer who opts for the Meridian CX-50 gets a 256-horsepower turbo four (the base non-turbo engine produces only 187 hp) and 3,500-pound towing. The package also includes the nice leather heated seats and a sunroof. For 2025, all CX-50s get the larger 10.3-inch infotainment screen and Amazon’s Alexa voice assistance is now included across the boards. “Alexa, which car should I buy? Hmmm, maybe a Mazda?

There’s a hybrid version of the CX-50, with a 176-horsepower 2.5-liter four, CVT transmission, all-wheel drive, and a stellar 39 mpg city and 37 highway. The new entry is the result of a collaboration with Toyota, and it shares the RAV-4’s powertrain. The hybrid starts at just $33,970, so it’s definitely worthy of consideration.

New Models Sometimes Blur the Lines Between Sedans and SUVs

Although it’s often stated that the auto industry leads the public by the nose via clever marketing campaigns, in fact consumers are in the driver’s seat—and their changing tastes led to the now near-total SUV dominance we’re now seeing. But the difference between a sedan and an SUV these days amounts to little other than a few body panels, as witness Toyota’s Prius and Corolla Cross hybrids.  

A small SUV is often more efficient and fuel-friendly than a big sedan. And that’s why it makes sense to figure out which current market entry really floats your boat—and then downscale from there. Small is still beautiful! Here are some new models, illustrating my various points:

2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD Sport Touring. Now here is an entirely reasonable automobile that represents an excellent choice for a small family that—in most cases—buys something larger. As a parent who raised two kids with nothing larger than a Honda Fit, I say it isn’t really necessary to buy an Expedition when the first kid arrives. Honda didn’t have an as-tested price for an example with $455 added for Urban Gray paint, but this hybrid Touring model starts at $42,450.

The CR-V is never going to be a white-knuckle sports car that you exploit at the limit. It’s a very, very useful appliance that delivers 37 mpg combined. And it’s probably the most reliable appliance you can buy. Yes, it’s a car for people who read Consumer Reports, but there’s nothing at all wrong with that. There’s really no reason not to chose the hybrid variants that are being offered on an increasing number of automotive product lines.

2024 Toyota Prius Limited. If you’ve been using the excuse that “the Prius is ugly” for buying a lesser vehicle, it’s time to rethink. The current fifth-generation Prius is downright pretty. It was first shown in 2022. The shape of the earlier versions were dictated by practicality and aerodynamics, so the styling win here has yields a slightly higher drag co-efficient and minor losses in cargo volume. But it was worth it!

The Hybrid Synergy Drive in this Prius offers 198 horsepower, and a two-liter inline four gas engine that’s also used in the recently tested (and quite nice) Corolla Cross hybrid crossover that’s also worth considering. In high-end Limited trim, the Prius yields 49 mpg combined, saving the owner $4,250 annually in fuel costs compared to the average new vehicle. For $37,999, the buyer gets a loaded Prius with features like AWD, a full safety suite, LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers and eight-speaker JBL infotainment. It’s hard to imagine a better buy, especially when the average car sells for $48,401.

2025 Genesis G80 AWD 3.5T Sport Prestige. The G80 slots in between the G70 and the G90, but it’s the top dog in some international markets. It’s certainly no compromise, coming as it does fully equipped with the top-of-the-line B&O stereo, AWD, a huge safety suite, heated and ventilated front seats, a smart auto-open trunk, and the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 that makes 375 horsepower (versus the 300 horses of the 2.5-liter turbo alternative). The car shifts through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Beyond these tangibles there’s the intangible just-feels-right about this car. It’s very comfortable, quiet and effortless on the road, and offers plenty of storage. The bottom line as-tested wasn’t offered, but the model starts at a not-cheap $78,250. Also check out the 2025 Genesis G80 Electrified, offered in just one “Luxury” trim. We recently drove one on a round-trip to Washington, DC with Michelin, and a good time was had by all except for some charging issues on the New Jersey Turnpike. The 94.5-kilowatt-hour battery gives the G80 Electrified just under 300 miles of range.

2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium Plus. The CX-70 is a new mid-sized entry going after popular vehicles like the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It’s very similar to the CX-90, albeit with two rows (and five-passenger seating) instead of three rows and room for eight. You can get into a CX-70 for $41,900, but this top-range model is an eye-opening $57,405, in part because this is the hopped-up S version of the 3.3-liter inline-six engine seen in the CX-90. It produces 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Mazdas tend to handle better than the average Japanese product, and that was the case with this fairly large automobile, which is also very tastefully appointed. But this is among the most crowded SUV segment, so it’s tough for Mazda to really stand out in it.

The zero to 60 time of 6.2 seconds is relatively sprightly, but any electric SUV would blow it away. Fuel economy of 25 combined/23 city/28 highway isn’t horrible but isn’t great, either. Also consider the CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus, with a much better 38 mpg combined (39 in the city and 37 on the highway). The bottom line of $42,065 is also easier to swallow. And you can live with 219 horsepower.

2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0T. The Simeone Museum in Philadelphia collaborated with Volkswagen of America on the current exhibit (through January 12). Highlights include the Woodstock Microbus, Herbie, Karmann Ghias, a 1949 Bug—and several GTIs.

The GTI was launched in 1976 with 1.6-liter inline four adapted from Audi. That power output doesn’t seem like a lot now, but it turned the lightweight Golf into a prototype hot hatch capable of more than 112 mph. Obviously, the GTI has gained some weight and power since then. There’s still an inline four, but now it’s a 16-valve turbo producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The 2024 GTI offers zero to 60 in as little as 5.5 seconds, and fuel economy of 27 mpg combined (24 city, 33 highway). It’s a fun car to drive, graced with a six-speed manual transmission (one of the last?), but suffers from controls that should be simple and knob-based, but are complex and on the screen.

2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1. OK, it’s here, an all-electric Denali pickup with formidable specs—zero to 60 in four seconds! They call this a “light-duty” truck but it weighs 8,800 pounds. To move all that weight, GMC has equipped it with a huge 205-kilowatt-hour battery. That provides a stellar 440 miles of range. But the big battery is a major reason the Denali has a $99,495 price as-tested.

The crew-cab truck was luxurious inside, and quiet in operation, with a huge vertical screen. But this is one EV that just feels big, especially in parking lots. In terms of practicality, the truck with the cumbersome name did prove useful for some dump and Goodwill runs. The powered tailgate, which folds in half, is nice, but the dealer-installed soft roll-up tonneau was cumbersome to use, especially in the cold. And the load height is pretty high.

Is there a market for this kind of heroically sized EV? Probably, yes, since Rivian is moving them, and GM itself sold 14,039 Hummer EVs through October 2024. It’s not clear how many of those were pickups. Scout is also going after the EV pickup market, and we should see the Ram electric pickup soon. GM has a history of producing its “green” vehicles from its largest platforms, and in some cases that leads to a distinctly compromised product, such as the Silverado hybrid that went from 17 mpg to 19. But to its credit the company is now offering downsized and very credible vehicles such as the Chevy Bolt, Equinox and Blazer EVs.

Rounding Up the Recent Cars, Summer 2024 Edition

It’s time again for a roundup of recent rides. My neighbors—those who haven’t been wised up already—probably suspect something shady is going on in my driveway, given all the comings and goings. But people up to no good drive a Volvo plug-in hybrid or a Toyota RAV4 Woodland edition? Here are some thoughts on the new test cars.

2024 Volvo XC60 Recharge eAWD Ultimate Dark. Station wagons used to be an affordable form of transportation, but as they’ve morphed into upscale SUVs they’ve also gone up in price. Volvo, once one of the world’s biggest station wagon purveyors, now sells safety-conscious off-roaders like this one for $74,690. For that, the owner gets a big, powerful plug-in hybrid that gets 28 mpg combined in gas mode, and 63 MPGe as a PHEV. The XC60 is all the wagon most owners will need, though the XC90 is also available. Combined, the two-liter turbocharged four and electric motor produce a whopping 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. There is 32 miles of electric range. This was a top-of-the-range model, and it met every need. Not a performance car, exactly, but there’s no substitute for a lot of horsepower. The PHEV format is perfect for Volvos, which tend to be weighty because of all their safety equipment—and the test car had the full complement. Drive it mostly in electric mode and there’s very little weight penalty.

2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition. For $37,470, the buyer of this special edition gets a very, very practical and well-equipped vehicle that can deliver 37 miles per gallon combined and transport the family and their dog, with room left over for the luggage. Really, it’s hard to see why families need to spend more and buy something bigger and more powerful. The engine is a 2.5-liter four, putting out 219 horsepower. That’s considered anemic these days, but why are we in such a hurry? The Woodland is a weather package that adds heated front seats and steering wheel, as well as rain-sensing wipers. It’s easy to live with one of these, and the hybrid version is the one to get. You’ll save $2,500 on fuel over five years, compared to the average new car.

2024 Genesis G90 AWD 3.5T E-Supercharger. This is one of the few vehicles, redesigned for 2023, that justifies a price point above $100,000. The bottom line on the test car was $101,400. The electric supercharged, twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 produces a hefty 409 horsepower, and is connected to an eight-speed automatic. To shave a bit off the price, you can opt for the 375-horsepower version without the supercharger. The car bristles with high-tech features, including rear-wheel steering to aid cornering, air suspension, and smart hands-free trunk with auto open. The audio system is from Bang & Olufsen. The car not only uses premium materials, it blends them in an overall presentation that far exceeds the competition. It’s quiet as a church in operation, too. As I’ve noted, most consumers don’t really need anything above the level of a Toyota Corolla or a Honda CR-V, but if your needs include wanting to feel like a million dollars, the Genesis G90 has you covered.

2024 Toyota Sienna Hybrid XSE AWD. The hybrid minivan has been a long time coming, with the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid having the field to itself (at least in the U.S.; Japanese consumers have enjoyed a variety of choices.) The Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey are power pair in the minivan category. The 2.5-liter four and electric motor deliver a combined 245 horsepower in this upscale Sienna, which is a lot of van for $52,745. No one buys minivans for stoplight competitions, and this one accelerates in a leisurely watch-the-world-go-by fashion. It’s actually relaxing.

The Sienna is actually hybrid-only at this point. Honda’s Odyssey is going hybrid for 2025 with a system that delivers 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The horsepower figure is lower than the standard Odyssey, but the torque figures are about the same (262 pound-feet in that version).

Vans aren’t known for their fuel economy, but with Toyota’s celebrated hybrid drive this Sienna delivers 35 mpg combined (36 if you forget about the AWD you might not need). If you want to use your Sienna as a hauler (as in my brother’s antique book business), be advised that the second row isn’t removable. But dual power sliding doors make loading very easy.

2024 Acura TLX Type S. For 2024, the TLX lineup was revised with this performance variant at the top. Acura has concentrated more on luxury than sport, but this all-wheel-drive Type S boasts a turbocharged, 24-valve three-liter V-6 that produces 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. That’s attached to a 10-speed automatic. Brembo does the front brakes, and the Type S adds an exclusive Sport+ driving mode. Torque vectoring can send 70 percent of the power to the rear axle, and all of it to the outside rear wheel. It was genuinely fun to drive, though Acura will have to lure consumers away from their BMWs and Audis. The price of the TLX starts at $45,000.

Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD Sport Prestige. The average price of cars sold to Americans keeps creeping up. In June it was $47,433, according to Cox Automotive. Given that, the $68,870 for this Genesis doesn’t seem so bad, but it’s still a considerable piece of change. It buys a compact luxury SUV that’s about as far from a 1963 Jeep Wagoneer as could be imagined. Luxury SUV was once an oxymoron. Under the hood of this one is a 3.5-liter twin turbo V-6 similar to that in the GV90, but it’s an option in the 70. The engine, coupled to an eight-speed automatic, produces 371 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque in this iteration. The Genesis sedan are more to my taste, but this type of SUV has its advantages, not least ease of entry and exit for some of our more senior citizens. As for off-roading, few will take advantage. It’s hard to imagine scratching and dirtying this pretty car.

Testing the 2024 SUVs, Hybrids, EVs and Performers

As most of you know, I write about cars for a living. While the money isn’t spectacular, the fringe benefits include review cars for the week. If I was a movie critic, I’d get into films free. When I tell people about this, they say, first, “How did you get that job?” Then they think a bit and say, “I could do that job.” Who knows, maybe they could, but I’m the one who gets the keys, at least right now.

Here are quick hits on some cars that have been in my garage recently, all 2024 models:

Lexus UX 250h F Sport Premium. Hybrid SUVs hit a sweet spot in the market right now, so an upscale off-roader that gets good fuel economy (42 mpg combined) will undoubtedly attract tire kickers. The small size makes it easy to park but rear-seat passengers might want something roomier. The hybrid drivetrain produces 181 horsepower, yielding a car with fairly leisurely acceleration—around eight seconds to 60. The F Sport hybrid (above) starts at $44,120.

Lexus RX 500h F Sport. This one’s interesting, a biggish crossover SUV that’s been set up as a performance car. A bit schizophrenic, that. And the styling is a bit ungainly. But the car sure moves out. With a 2.4-liter turbo four and a pair of e-motors, there’s 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. That’s a 91-horsepower upgrade from any other RX. The 500h can get to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds. Given the luxury appointments and size, it’s not surprising the car weighs more than 4,700 pounds. It’s pricey at a starting price of $63,800.

Adding to the bottom line are some options you might want, including the Mark Levinson infotainment system, which includes a 14-inch touchscreen and updated navigation ($2,265). Unless the kids get cold easily, skip the heated rear seats ($1,230).

Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Ultimate and XC60 Recharge eAWD Ultimate Dark. Volvo is in a good position to support customers who want to go green, with either battery electrics or plug-in hybrids in several sizes and prices. There’s also the Polestar offerings, with related powertrains, to consider (both companies are owned by China’s Geely). The specs on the XC40 (above) are impressive—293 miles of EV range, fast-charging capability of 10-80 percent in 28 minutes, and 402 horsepower on tap. It can reach 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The Volvo is attractively styled, inside and out, and a very comfortable cruiser. Google is built in, and there’s an onboard air purifier. It’s a quite nice approach to electrification with seating for five, but rather pricey at $53,745 (the Core model; for the Ultimate version with updated Harman Kardon sound and adaptive cruise, it’s $60,095).

The XC60 Recharge is a plug-in hybrid that wrings 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet from a two-liter four-cylinder turbo motor and a pair of electrics for AWD. The EV range is 35 miles, but the whole car will go 560 miles without needing to stop—a big advantage of PHEVs. It’s impressive that the XC60 Recharge delivers 63 MPGe but moving all that weight without electric assist yields 28 mpg. In normal operation you should save $1,500 in fuel costs over five years, compared to an average new car.  The SUV is quite luxurious inside, with features like Nappa leather and a crystal glass gear shifter. There are lots of thoughtful touches, and also Volvo’s state-of-the-art safety tech. Rear seat passengers will have plenty of legroom, and also heated seats. This is another pricey one at $67,850. The Ultimate Dark option produces a blackout treatment.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum Hybrid AWD. Toyota’s strategy of concentrating on hybrids and PHEVs is starting to look smart in the current marketplace. And the Highlander Hybrid (above) is going to win over a lot of fans. The hybrid drive (the same one that’s in the RAV4 Hybrid) yields 36 mpg combined. It can reach 60 mph in a bit over eight seconds, so no speed demon—but who buys a Highlander for performance? Frankly, if you’re buying a Highlander there’s no reason not to get the hybrid version, because there are no compromises in the passenger compartment or roadability, just a modest bump in the price. Don’t expect a roomy third row, but the Highlander is quite utilitarian otherwise. Families, unless they took Cheaper by the Dozen literally, are likely to love it. The LE starts at $40,970. The up-market Platinum (like the test car) is $51,425 before additional options.

Hyundai Kona Limited AWD. Hyundai and Kia are on a roll in 2024, producing some of the best cars in the world, beautifully styled and highly functional, at an attractive price. The Kona (above) is a good entry point, and even in its top form, the Limited, it’s still only $33,175 (the base model is $25,625). The extra money gets the upmarket 1.6-liter turbo motor that’s good for 190 horsepower. There’s an attractive cabin with a pair of 12.3-inch displays that sit together in a wide oval pod. The accent lighting is neat.

The Kona was updated for 2024 with a longer wheelbase and thinner front seats, which combine to make the back seat more comfortable. The fuel economy could be better: it’s 24 mpg city and 29 highway.