Evan is an East Coast based automotive journalist and a Certified Engineering Technologist. He is an avid autocrosser, hack mechanic, and a member of AJAC. If you don't find him driving or writing about cars, you'll probably find him in the garage breaking one.

2023 Cadillac LYRIQ exterior front passenger side three-quarter

This week, there's a new most expensive car in the world. Plus Genesis prices the GV60 EV, and Cadillac does the same for the Lyriq while Toyota celebrates Sienna, Honda readies a Prologue, and BMW updates its iconic 3 Series.

Billionaire Benz

It's the new most expensive car in the world, and it has absolutely crushed any competition for that title. A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR has just sold for $182m at a secret auction in Germany. The figure destroys the $61m figure of the second-most-expensive car ever sold, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. Only two of these special 300 SLRs were ever built, called Uhlenhaut Coupes after Merc test department head Rudolf Uhlenhaut. He drove this as a company car and this one had never been owned by anyone other than Mercedes-Benz. The buyer wasn't revealed, but they will have to leave their new car at the Mercedes-Benz museum.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-23-6.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-168556" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-23-6.jpg" alt="Mercedes Benz" width="2500" height="1875" /></a>

Genesis prices GV60 EV

Genesis has just announced pricing for its first electric vehicle. The GV60 luxury crossover will be sold here in two trims, Advanced and Performance. The former starts from $71,000, with the latter from $79,000. Both get all-wheel drive, but Advanced has 314 hp and Performance has 429. Genesis pricing includes destination and delivery, as well as five years of connected services and at-home concierge. The cars are expected to start arriving at Genesis stores by the end of the month. Official range estimates are still not available.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-23-5.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-168557" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-23-5.jpg" alt="Genesis GV60" width="2500" height="1407" /></a>

Sienna turns 25

Toyota is celebrating 25 years of the Sienna with a special edition. Sienna arrived in 1997 replacing the mid-engine Previa van. Since then, Canadians have purchased almost 300,000 of the minivans. To mark the silver anniversary, Toyota is giving a silver XSE AWD treatment including JBL audio, wireless charging, and black badges and accents. Special floor mats, seat coverings and ottomans from the Limited are also part of the package which will go on sale later this year.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-23-4.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-168558" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-23-4.jpg" alt="2022 Toyota Sienna" width="2500" height="1406" /></a>

Honda teases EV crossover

Honda has teased its upcoming electric crossover. It's called the Prologue and it will be the first electric vehicle sold by Honda in Canada. The sketch shows a model styled like no Honda we've seen here before. But there is plenty of Honda e, a compact EV sold elsewhere, in the overall design. The Prologue will be built as part of a collaboration with General Motors. Meaning we expect GM's Ultium EV platform underneath. It's expected to go on sale in 2024, and Honda says it will be working on a new plan for dealers to help adapt to expected EV sales of 500,000 per year by 2030.

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3 Series gets an update

BMW has refreshed the 3 Series for 2023. The exterior changes are small, and that includes BMW keeping the smaller kidney grille nose. Inside, the changes are bigger. The new 3er gets a curved dash and center screen just like the i4. With a 12.3-inch display for the dash and a 14.9-inch unit for entertainment, the system also uses the latest version of BMW's iDrive and operating system. With that comes improved voice recognition and voice control operations. Powertrains remain unchanged, with a 245 hp four-cylinder 330i, 374 hp M340i, and 292 hp 330e plug-in hybrid. Expect the new 3 Series in July.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-23-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-168560" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-23-2.jpg" alt="2023 BMW 3 Series" width="2500" height="1666" /></a>

Lyriq releases pricing, but you’ll have to wait if you want one

Cadillac's first EV just been priced, but the Lyriq is sold out even before the first one hits dealers. With 340 hp and a 502 km range, the $69,898 (with destination) luxury crossover is already gone for 2023. An AWD model will arrive shortly after the RWD model, but all of those have been snagged as well. Cadillac is currently adding interested customers to the 2024 model year waiting list.

Weekly News Roundup: Big-Buck Benz, GV60, Updated 3 Series, More

2022 Cadillac XT4 header

Cadillac has had a very love-hate relationship with entry-level models. There have been some absolute bangers the way the kids say (the Series 62 and the ATS in V trim), and there have been some absolute bangers in the way the Brits would use the word (Cimmaron, Catera). The XT4 is Cadillac's entry-level crossover. The caveat means there is a sedan sitting beneath it in the lineup (in stature, if not price). Sedans are the only vehicles that are likely to be in stock at a dealer in 2022 - which is to say nobody wants them. I'm saying it makes this little crossover a big deal, and it sits in an incredibly competitive segment.

This is the fourth year for the compact Cadillac crossover. Normally around this point we would expect a facelift and a bit of a refresh on the inside. Instead, Cadillac has added a pair of new colours to the palette. Our tester, of course, wore neither. Instead showing up in basic black. How boring.

Cadillac also dropped Near-Field Communication phone pairing for 2022. This feature let you pair your phone very quickly, something you might do once every couple of years. Great for someone like me who is in a different vehicle every week (you should see my Bluetooth list), but it won't be missed by owners.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-cadillac-xt4-rear-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-168445" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-cadillac-xt4-rear-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Cadillac XT4" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

We'll get one other thing out of the way off the bat. This $60,000 luxury SUV didn't have heated or ventilated seats, even though it had the buttons. To help ensure the supply of vehicles at dealers didn't get worse than it already has, GM made this (and many other models) without those features when chip supply ran out.

The good news is that there is a credit on the window sticker and that GM will retrofit them for free as soon as possible. For XT4, that affected vehicles built from about mid-November until May 1. GM says they've since gotten enough chips, so XT4s built after May 1 have the features back. We won't hold our cold bottoms against the company for this. Still, you should check your window sticker when shopping.

Ok, back to the car.

Cadillac splits its models into two diverging trim grades, setting its vehicles apart from most other luxury automakers. There are luxury-trim cars, which usually means shiny chrome, and there are Sport trims, which means blacked-out trim. This is a Sport.

Whichever way you go, XT4 gets a 2.0-litre turbo-four. 235 hp and 258 lb-ft (if you run premium gas) and a nine-speed automatic. AWD is optional, but Cadillac is perfectly happy to let you have a front-driver if that's what you'd like.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-cadillac-xt4-engine-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-168446" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-cadillac-xt4-engine-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Cadillac XT4" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

It's a good little engine with plenty of torque through the entire rev range. If you're planning a drag race it doesn't feel that quick, but if you're mashing the pedal to make this Caddy zig on a highway ramp or to pass a slower car on a two-lane, it feels plenty quick. Thank the fast-acting auto for helping out with that. It will hold gears for a few moments after that barnstorming run, in case you have another slow mover to pass.

It's also a noisy engine. Especially at a cold idle, the sound coming from under the hood is not exactly Standard of the World. It's worse if you're outside since the active noise cancellation does a decent job of putting a damper on the sound in the cabin. Once you're moving, it's less noticeable, but much of that is because of the sound of the 20-inch tires humming underneath. We'd stick with the standard set of 18-inch instead of that pricy option.

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Looking good is important in this entry-luxury segment, and it's hard to find a better-looking entrant than this one. Cadillac's big LED accent lights and sharp creases on the hood, as well as those extra-tall taillights, help make it look stunning. That goes double if you pick from the extensive array of paint shades on offer, though Stellar Black over black wheels is a bit, well, dull.

Pick Wave or Rosewood and stand out in that sad corporate parking lot filled with silver German SUVs. Or since everyone's still at home, make the neighbours wonder what other secretly interesting habits and hobbies you might have.

Inside, this is every other Cadillac. Sure, you could make the joke that for years each Audi has looked the same on the outside, but Cadillac is doing it on the inside. Frankly, that's a better decision. It’s the same look as the XT5 and XT6, except scaled down. It helps this cabin look impressively premium in a segment where many rely on brand reputation over any actual luxury content.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-cadillac-xt4-dash-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-168447" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-cadillac-xt4-dash-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Cadillac XT4" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

The XT4 offers a range of interiors with leather and faux leather. This one has what Cadillac calls Sedona and we call peanut butter. It's a look that's worth paying extra for - and you'll need to since it's locked into some option packs.

The 8.0-inch screen looks a touch small in the wide bezel, as though Cadillac had planned on offering a larger one then didn't. You can add navigation if you want, but all trims have wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and those maps are probably better anyway.

The CUE, as Cadillac labels the system is very responsive. Fast processing power, or at least making excellent use of it, the software runs smoothly, quickly, and seamlessly. There are hard buttons for most of the controls as well as natural speech voice recognition, making the Cadillac User Experience a pain-free one. The volume control is on the centre console rather than the dash, but at least there's a knob.

A hands-free hatch opens up into a cargo space that's typical of the segment. That's our way of saying small, with a high load floor. It's easy to toss in a suitcase - we're sure Cadillac can tell you exactly how many golf clubs to four decimal places - and groceries, but it's not going to work for hauling big items. Again, though, that's par for the course in this fashion-forward segment Style does not work with cargo room as the minivan constantly proves.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-cadillac-xt4-seats-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-168448" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-cadillac-xt4-seats-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Cadillac XT4" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

In the passenger compartment, though, it's a different story. Like everything from GM, there is loads of front-seat headroom. The back seat is good as well, at least for the class. There are plenty of storage spaces including pockets along the centre console, and I'm a huge fan of Cadillac's hidey-hole for your phone (complete with wireless charging) just in front of the armrest.

I haven't said much about the ride, but that's because there's little to say. It's right in the middle of this class which can give you some very sharp handling rides and some that need more time in the development cycle. Goldilocks would love it. Comfortable and plush, but leaving me wishing for the sidewall of 18-inchess instead of 20- inch wheels.

Cadillac lets you go hard into the options on XT4. Make that almost demands that you dig deep and check boxes. Take a look at the standard driver assistance suite, for example. Automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, rear park assist, and front pedestrian braking are standard, which is a good amount of stuff.

But you're not going to get a luxury crossover without surround-view cameras and adaptive cruise. That cruise control is in one pricey bundle, the cameras in another. Automatic high beams and lane keep warnings are in a third, and the head-up display a fourth. Of course, this is all very much like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, so maybe it's a sign the XT4 is seriously big leagues?

It's easy to end up with a $57k sticker price like our tester. What else can that get you? It won't get you a similarly equipped competitor from the Germans, while the competition from Japan is the same price and far more austerely finished. So, tick away, the Cadillac XT4 represents a strong bargain. As long as you get those heated and ventilated seats fitted down the road.

2022 Cadillac XT4 Sport

BODY STYLE: premium compact five-door crossover

DRIVE METHOD: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive,

ENGINE: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder (235 hp @ 5,000 r.p.m., 258 lb-ft @ 1,500-4,000 r.p.m. on premium fuel)

FUEL ECONOMY: (Premium Recommended) 10.9 / 8.2 / 9.7 L / 100 km city / highway / combined. 9.1 Observed

CARGO VOLUME: 637L behind second row, 1,384L with rear seat folded

PRICE: $43,298 (base XT4 Sport). $57,208 As Tested (plus destination and taxes). Includes $3,510 gloss black wheels, $230 Safety Alert package, $1,785 Sunroof, $1,595 Technology Package, $900 Stellar Black Metallic, $545 Driver Awareness Package, $1,795 Enhanced Visibility Package, $3,055 Premium Comfort and Convenience Package, $195 Engine Block Heater, $255 all-weather floor mat, $260 Monochromatic badges. Also includes $25 credit for not equipped with heated steering wheel, $50 not equipped with heated or ventilated driver and front passenger seats, $50 not equipped with front and rear park assist or reverse automatic braking.

2022 Cadillac XT4 Review

news 5-16 (1)

Road trip summer

A survey of Canadians has found that 77 per cent say they're still "likely" to take a road trip outside of their city or town this summer despite high gas prices. Forty-three percent are planning to leave their province, and 33 per cent of Canadians with a vehicle are planning to take road trips of seven hours or more this summer. The Toyota Canada Summer Road Trip Survey, run by Ipsos, was conducted in late March. Just over half of Canadians say that gas prices are influencing their trip decisions, but it also found that 91 per cent of Canadians are planning to do activities they couldn't over the past two summers. So, expect more traffic in tourist areas and a lot of local businesses happy to welcome you all back.

Highlander turbo

Toyota is swapping the Highlander SUV's long-lived 3.5-litre V6 for a turbocharged four-cylinder engine for 2023. All Highlander gas models will get the new 2.4-litre engine. It will make 265 hp, 30 less than the V6, but will make 310 lb-ft of torque. That's 47 more torques. Toyota claims more than 60 per cent reductions in some forms of emissions, with less CO2, but the automaker estimates fuel economy to be nearly the same. 9.8 L/100 km combined vs 10.3. Other changes include a larger 12.3-inch available screen on Limited and Platinum. Toyota is shuffling some features, adding a hands-free liftgate to XLE and XSE models. A big change for the 2023 Highlander, the infotainment system on that new screen is all-new. Like the Tundra's, it offers natural voice commands, cloud navigation, Google point of interest data, and other connected features. Pricing will follow with models expected at dealers later this year.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-16-4.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-168354" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-16-4.jpg" alt="2022 Toyota Highlander" width="2500" height="1667" /></a>

VW revives the Scout

Volkswagen has announced the biggest brand revival surprise since General Motors decided to make a Hummer EV. The International-Harvester Scout name will be coming back, applied to a new electric off-roader. The Scout was a competitor to the likes of the Ford Bronco and Chevrolet Blazer from 1961 through 1980. Yes, it was designed and built by IH, the tractor company. But SUVs were agricultural at the time, so it fit. The story of how the Scout became part of the Volkswagen group is a long one, so we'll stick to the current news: VW plans to bring back the name for EV pickups and SUVs sold in North America. Along with the announcement, VW showed off two renderings that do bear some resemblance to the original Scout and Travelall pickup. Production is set to start in 2026, so we expect to hear plenty more before then. It's part of VW's plans to let its U.S. operations have more freedom to build models for this market, which has already produced the Atlas.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-16-5.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-168358" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-16-5.jpg" alt="Volkswagen" width="2500" height="1406" /></a>

VinFast battery subscription

VinFast Canada has announced its battery subscription pricing for the VF 8 and VF9 EVs. There will be two plans, a fixed unlimited plan, and one that offers up to 500 km per month with per-km pricing after. All VinFast vehicles will be sold with a subscription until the end of 2023, after that, an outright price will be offered. The Fixed plan is $139/mo for VF 8 and $199 for VF9. Flexible is $39 and $59, with overages of 9c/km for VF 8 and 11c for VF 9. 2022 VF 8 models will offer 420 km Eco ($50,850 plus battery subscription) and 400 km Plus ($59,350+) models, with VF 9 offering 438 km Eco ($69,150+) and 423 km Plus ($75,650+). The battery subscription plan covers all maintenance and repair costs for the battery, along with no-charge replacement if capacity dips below 70 percent of new. Customers who buy a 2022 on Fixed will have a permanent subscription fee, implying that the battery fee will change over the life of the vehicle for other buyers.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-16-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-168355" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-16-2.jpg" alt="Vinfest" width="2500" height="1308" /></a>

Lexus updates UX

Lexus has updated the UX 250h AWD for 2023. The big change is a new touchscreen that uses the same interface Lexus debuted in the NX earlier this year. Hey Lexus voice activation, more connected services, and a more modern interface (with no trackpad) are part of the change. Lexus is adding performance dampers and active variable suspension to F Sport Series 1 vehicles and has stiffened the chassis of all UX trims for improved ride and handling. Expect pricing for the new model later this summer.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-16-3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-168356" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-16-3.jpg" alt="Lexus UX" width="2500" height="1406" /></a>

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News Roundup: Scout Name Returns, Highlander Gets Turbo, VinFast Prices Battery Subscription, More

news 5-9 (1)

Yukon Denali goes Ultimate

GMC has announced the Yukon Denali Ultimate for 2023. After starting as an option pack on Sierra, then becoming a trim level there, GMC has expanded the new brand to its big SUV. So what does Ultimate mean on Yukon Denali? On the outside, new details include what GMC calls Vader Chrome on the grille, special 22-inch wheels, and Galvano-finish trim. Inside, there's much more, including new Alpine Umber full-grain leather on all three rows of seats. Also found on the Paldao open-pore woodgrain trim is a laser-etched topographical representation of Mount Denali. Tech changes include an 18-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system with speakers in the front headrests and stainless-steel grilles. Denali Ultimate will also make Super Cruise available as an option. It's the latest version of GM's hands-off driver assistance, the one that can automatically change names and will work when towing on compatible roads.

F-150 Lightning makes more power than advertised

Ford has decided that the F-150 Lightning, which began production last week, will have more power and more payload than initially announced. Extended-range battery-equipped trucks will make 580 hp, up from the expected 563. Standard-range trucks get 452 instead of 426. Torque stays the same at 775 lb-ft for both. Maximum payload for the electric truck grows too, 235 lbs for a total of 2,235 lbs when properly equipped. “We were seriously focused on raising the bar on this truck, including after we revealed it, so we can deliver more for our customers,” said Dapo Adewusi, F-150 Lightning vehicle engineering manager. “And our drive for continuous improvement will get a big boost when we start getting feedback and ideas from customers when they receive their Lightnings.”

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-9-4.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-168093" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-9-4.jpg" alt="2022 Ford F-150" width="2500" height="1875" /></a>

Polestar 2 updates

Polestar has announced some updates to the Polestar 2 electric sedan along with new pricing for 2023. The EV starts from $53,950 for a single-motor Long Range model. It's up from $49,900 last year, but cheaper out the door because it qualifies for the newly expanded federal EV incentive. A dual-motor 2 is now $58,950. Thanks to a software change, Polestar expects the 2023 dual-motor car to gain 18 km of range for a new estimate of 421 km. Improvements to the heat pump are expected to help that car's range in colder weather. A new Nappa leather option is Zinc with Light Ash trim, sourced from Bridge of Weir. Plus Pack cars get a better cabin air filter, and Performance Pack cars now get a 68 hp and 15 lb-ft software update boost. Expect the 2023 Polestar 2 at stores in September.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-9-5.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-168092" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-9-5.jpg" alt="2023 Polestar" width="2500" height="1875" /></a>

Stellantis invests big into EV production

Stellantis has made another massive announcement for Canadian auto manufacturing. A $3.6B investment into electric vehicle production the company says will secure the future of plants in Brampton and Windsor. Windsor Assembly will be reworked starting next year to build "a new multi-energy vehicle architecture." The platform will allow battery electrics for multiple models. Brampton Assembly will be "fully modernized" starting in 2024. In 2025, it will begin to produce an all-new architecture Stellantis says will "support the company's electrification plans." It's also expected to mean a return to three shifts for both plants. This comes in addition to the $5B announced for a battery plant in the Windsor area earlier this year.

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Kia Soul renewed

Kia's Soul is getting a facelift. The news comes from Kia U.S., but we expect to see similar changes here. A new nose with a larger grille and similar changes to the rear are the most noticeable. There are also new colours and wheels. Other expected changes include pulsing-light speakers as seen on the Seltos, and for some previously optional driver-assist features to be added to entry-level trims.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-9-3.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-168091" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-9-3.jpg" alt="2023 Kia Soul" width="2500" height="1318" /></a>

News Roundup: F-150 Lightning Makes More Power, Yukon Denali Ultimate, More

news 5-2 (1)

F-150 Lightning production underway

Ford's very first production F-150 Lightning electric pickup rolled off of the assembly line in Michigan last week. The EV pickups are built at an all-new production facility in an historic Ford complex in Detroit, with the company already taking 200,000 reservations and looking to ramp up production to 150,000 per year. “Today we celebrate the Model T moment for the 21st Century at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center,” said Ford executive chair Bill Ford. The automaker hopes to deliver more than two million EVs per year by 2026, making the vehicles account for a third of the company's sales volumes. So, if you're one of the reservation holders eagerly awaiting your new EV pickup, the wait is starting to shrink. F-150 Lightning starts from $68,000 in Canada with 370 km of range, and a longer-range model with 515 km is also available.

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Integra is here

Acura's 2023 Integra, the return of the legendary hot sport compact badge, will arrive at dealers in June. The base model car, featuring a 200 hp 1.5-litre turbo-four, will start from $34,350 before destination. That model will get a CVT. If you want the six-speed stick, you'll need to get an Elite A-Spec Package trim car, for $42,550. That car comes with adaptive dampers, 16-speaker ELS audio, and an integrated dynamics system with individual drive mode. Acura will also offer the Integra in A-Spec for $37,050, and Elite A-Spec with a CVT for the same price as the stick.

Supra gets a third pedal

Toyota's Supra sports coupe gets a new manual transmission option for 2023, along with changes to all six-cylinder models and a new special edition. The six-speed stick was developed just for this model, Toyota said, with unique internals and a larger clutch diameter to handle the 382 hp and 367 lb-ft of torque of the 3.0-litre turbo-I6. The eight-speed auto is still available and will be the only box on the 255 hp GR Supra 2.0. All six-cylinder GR Supra models get a re-tuned suspension with revised shocks. They also have a new power steering system, with 3.0 models offering new wheels and new paint colours. A new A91 special edition is six-speed only and adds a cognac leather interior, red Supra badge, and strut tower braces. The A91 model will be limited to just 50 for Canada, with pricing for all 2023 GR Supra models to follow in summer.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-2-4.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167912" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/news-5-2-4.jpg" alt="2023 Toyota Supra" width="2500" height="1667" /></a>

The electric Corvette is real

Chevrolet has confirmed an electric Corvette is coming, though it won't say when exactly. GM President Mark Reuss confirmed the news Monday, saying that there would be internal combustion models as well. An electrified Corvette is coming next year, and while Reuss didn't clarify if it would be a hybrid or PHEV, the teaser video he posted clearly showed a Corvette that could spin its front tires. The highly camouflaged C8 Corvette had all-wheel drive. The layout wasn't specified, but the likely method will be to put electric motors on the front axle with the gas engine driving the rears. The Acura NSX uses a similar drivetrain.

https://twitter.com/chevrolet/status/1518577631716913152

Brightdrop EV breathes life back into Ingersoll plant

Meanwhile at the General Motors CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, ON, the process of converting to produce the BrightDrop commercial EVs has begun. The plant most recently built the Chevrolet Equinox crossover, but will now be the home to GM's EV delivery vans. The production equipment is expected to be installed by September, with employees back for retraining in October. The first production vehicle is expected by end of year. GM says it already has more than 25,000 reservations for the truck and expects to start a second shift of production next year.

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Weekly News Roundup: Lightning Strikes, Integra Priced, 'Vette Electrified, More

22 mazda cx-5 SD main

Forget about the Mazda CX-50 for a few minutes. Yes, Mazda's first off-road-intender crossover is grabbing headlines right now, but the CX-5 – with no ‘O’ – is the brand's best-seller. And since Mazda keeps giving the compact crossover incremental upgrades, it's likely going to stay that way.

To start the 2021 model year, Mazda added a pair of special editions to the lineup and made some of the nicer comfort features available on lower-grade trims. Halfway through the year, a 2021.5 update added a completely new infotainment system on a larger screen, added connected services, and gave every grade the full i-Activesense driver assistance suite.

Could Mazda have left well enough alone for 2022? Of course. Instead, the automaker gave it some mild styling upgrades, tweaked the engine, suspension, and transmission, made all-wheel drive standard, and even made the body more rigid than before. All in the name of making the CX-5 more enjoyable to drive, even if your commute is more highway than parkway.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/22-mazda-cx-5-sd-front-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167830" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/22-mazda-cx-5-sd-front-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Mazda CX 5" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

This is the 2022 Mazda CX-5 Sport Design. A new grade added this year, it sits between GT and full-zoot Signature. In place of the body-colour mirrors and matte grey trim on the former or body-colour trim and mirrors on the latter, Sport Design has glossy black wheel arches and mirrors and some red bits in the grille.

Does the gloss black wheel trim look fancy? It sure does. Does it disappear in most lighting conditions, visually extending the gap between fender and tire making the CX-5 look like it's on stilts? Also yes. It looked so high I checked to make no shipping blocks had been left behind during the pre-delivery inspection.

Sport Design adds a 10-speaker Bose Audio system and red-stitched accents inside, along with Traffic Jam Assist and LED interior lighting. All stuff you're going to want, but with the Signature just $1,000 more and boasting Nappa Leather, if you want the turbo engine you'll probably want to step up all the way. If you don't want the turbo, this is an excellent package.

About that turbo engine. The 2.5-litre turbo-four makes a few more ponies for 2022, up to 256 along with 320 lb-ft of torque. That's if you want to spring for 93-octane. With $2/L gas prices, it's nice to know the engine will run just fine on 87 and make 227 hp with 310 lb-ft that way.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/22-mazda-cx5-interior-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167831" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/22-mazda-cx5-interior-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Mazda CX 5" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

The Mazda turbo engine is smooth, though it sounds like no other engine on the market. It also pulls well from low RPM thanks to all of that torque. All-in-all, it's a very fun motor in a segment where those are few and far between, and the 10.8 city, 8.7 highway rating is achievable depending on how much of the power you use.

Though Mazda has tweaked it, it's the transmission programming that puts a damper on the CX-5's driving experience.

Mazda's six-speed auto shifts more quickly than ever, with both up and downshifts cracking off satisfyingly. It's when they're happening that is the problem. Mazda's automatics keeping you away from redline is nothing new, but this time the CX-5 is grabbing the next gear by the time you hit 5,100 r.p.m., even if you're using Sport mode. Sure, that's just above the 5,000 r.p.m. power peak, but just when things get interesting you're shifting. Every single time.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/22-mazda-cx-5-shifter-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167832" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/22-mazda-cx-5-shifter-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Mazda CX5" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

With a redline taunting you on the crisply laid-out instrument cluster at 6,500 rpm, these shifts are disappointing. Manual mode won't get you much closer, and the paddles are slower than letting the ‘box do the work by itself.

Enough about the transmission, back to the rest of the CX-5's changes.

The extra rigidity in the chassis is noticeable from the first time you hit a crater on the highway. While last year's was hardly flexible, the 2022 doesn't creak, groan, or bang when you go over bumps.

The stiffness lets the suspension do its work and does it ever. The CX-5 has excellent body control, on the bouncy side of sporty but never harsh. Turn-in is also on the fun side of sporty, with the geometry and Mazda's G-Vectoring Control Plus system sending the nose diving into bends. Once you get into that corner, body roll puts a damper on the fun, but it's still great for a mainstream crossover.

With Mazda's CX-5 Kuro offering red leather and carpeting, the GT's white leather, and the Signature's cocoa Nappa leather, the Sport Design's black with red is a little dull. Softer padding on the bottom bolsters of the new seats will be great for shorter drivers, though if you've got long thighs, they might still come up a little short.

Mazda's interior is still one of the tightest in the segment. Stylish, very well put together, and easy to use, even the buttons are a joy. Putting the wireless charge point on the trailing edge of the pocket it occupies is also a nice touch. Hard braking might toss your phone forward, but the rest of the time it lets you charge your phone and have some room for the random clutter that ends up filling these bins. The USB ports are under the armrest in the center console, inconvenient if you'd rather keep your phone out but also probably handy for keeping you looking at the road.

Aside from some tightness between the centre console and door, it's a spacious interior with generous headroom front and rear. And while legroom in the back isn't class-leading, it should be enough for most families.

You'll find 871 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats. Fold the rare 40-20-40 rear seat fully down and Mazda has 1,680 litres. Seats up, those are good for the class, seats down the CX-5 falls behind. The three-way seat split does wonders for convenience, letting you mix passengers and cargo or hauling long items like skis while still transporting four adults.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/22-mazda-cx-5-cargo-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167833" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/22-mazda-cx-5-cargo-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Mazda CX 5" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

The new 10.25-inch screen introduced halfway through last year is bright and responsive. The system that runs it gives you Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well. You still need to use Mazda's centre console control knob to operate it, though, and while the new system is quicker than the old one, navigation using the knob is still complicated. Finding the right spot to press when your phone is paired can take far too much frustrating spinning and jogging if you're driving at the same time. Yes, you can change the radio station using voice control, but it's still more complicated than it should be.

Radar cruise with stop and go, automatic emergency braking systems, and pedestrian detection are all standard. Mazda also includes blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert on all trims, features others reserve for more expensive grades. You will need Signature to get 360-view cameras, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking, another point for the top-spec version.

Mazda's changes to the 2022 CX-5 take a successful formula and make it just a little bit better in almost every situation. The snappy steering and bolt-action transmission can help make boring commutes a little less tedious, and that's an impressive feat. If Mazda would let the engine rev, and make some more improvements to the infotainment system, the CX-5 might be unbeatable for drivers who still enjoy driving but need to move people and some luggage. As-is, this is still a very impressive package, one that's likely to continue to be the brand's best-seller.

2022 Mazda CX-5 Sport Design

BODY STYLE: 4-door, five-passenger compact crossover

CONFIGURATION: Front-engine, all-wheel drive

ENGINE: 2.5-litre turbocharged inline-four. 256 hp @ 5,000 r.p.m./ 320 lb-ft@ 2,000 r.p.m. with 93 octane fuel, 227@ 5,000/310@2,000 with 87.

TRANSMISSION: six-speed automatic

CARGO CAPACITY: 871 litres behind second row, 1,680 litres behind first row

FUEL ECONOMY: (regular Gasoline in L/100 km) 10.8 city; 8.7 highway

OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 9.1 L/100 km

PRICE: Mazda CX-5 GX $30,200, Mazda CX-5 Sport Design $40,150, as tested $42,800. Includes $2,200 2.5T engine, $450 Soul Red Crystal

2022 Mazda CX-5 Sport Design Review

911 sport classic header

It's the most powerful Porsche with a manual transmission. The Porsche 911 Sport Classic is a heritage-look modern 911 inspired by the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 that will be limited to just 1,250 for the world. It will come with cool looks, upgraded suspension bits, and a bespoke watch.

Though Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur could have made this a simple cosmetic special, the custom part of the business chose to make this something truly special. Starting with the wider body of the 911 Turbo, the car is also fitted with the 3.7L flat-six engine normally found in the Turbo <a href="https://www.wheels.ca/vehicle-reviews/review-2021-porsche-911-turbo-s">and Turbo S</a>. Making 542 hp, 30 less than Turbo-badged cars but 98 more than the Carrera S (and 40 more than GT3), this is the most powerful 911 currently sold with a manual transmission. That stick will be the only choice, and the car will drive only the rear wheels.

An interesting visual tweak, this car doesn't have the rear fender intakes of Turbo models. Instead, the engine breathes through ducts at the bottom of the rear spoiler.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/911-sport-classic-spoiler-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-167790 size-full" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/911-sport-classic-spoiler-scaled.jpg" alt="911 sport classic 992" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

Porsche has used a suspension based on the 911 Turbo and GTS models. Porsche Active Suspension Management is standard (along with a 10mm-lowered ride). Because it lacks front-drive hardware (and that extra weight), Porsche has softened the springs up front. Porsche ceramic brakes are standard, and the standard rear-wheel steering has been modified for Sport Classic spec.

Sport Design cars will get a new Sport Grey Metallic paint colour, the first time it has been used. Solid black, Agate Grey, and Genetian Blue will also be offered, all getting double stripes in light grey. The stripes are entirely hand-painted, including marking out the design and sanding them smooth with the rest of the panel. There are more motorsports-inspired graphics on the car's flanks, and a lollipop and door number are no-cost options.

Called the Heritage Design Package, it includes a double-dome roof and recessed profile on the hood (both of which are carbon fibre). The fixed spoiler is also carbon fibre and is meant to make you think about the ducktail spoiler on the 1972 RS 2.7. 20 and 21-inch wheels get wide spokes, finished with a machine polish and black look that are a nod to the classic Fuchs wheels used on Porsches starting in 1967.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/911-sport-classic-interior-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-167788 size-full" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/911-sport-classic-interior-scaled.jpg" alt="911 sport classic 992 interior" width="2560" height="1712" /></a>

Inside, the 911 Sport Classic gets a pepita houndstooth pattern first made an option on the 911 in 1965. The other part of the seats is semi-aniline leather, with the Sport Classic the first to use it in this classic cognac colour. White gauge hands and green digits are a callback to the 356, and even the digital displays have some heritage tweaks. The pepita and cognac interior will become available in other 911s later this year.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/911-sport-classic-3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167785" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/911-sport-classic-3.jpg" alt="911 sport classic 992 watch" width="2500" height="1667" /></a>

Lastly, the watch. From Porsche Design, the Chronograph 911 Sport Classic uses hands and numbers based on the car and will come finished in titanium or black. The Porsche Design logo will be finished in gold to match the one on the car. The Swiss-made timepiece will be available to order in exchange for 12,500 euros at Porsche Centres.

The cars will start from 272,714 euros, or around $370k Canadian. The second of four Heritage Design models (the first was the 2020 911 Targa 42), orders are open now for the 1,250 cars. European deliveries starting in July and other markets to follow.

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Porsche 911 Sport Classic is a Retro Throwback in all the right ways

news 4-25 (2)

Canada's federal electric vehicle incentive program is expanding. The feds are raising the price limits for vehicles to qualify for the rebate, with a new category meant to capture larger electric vehicles (like pickups) with an even higher cap. The new maximum base price for a model to qualify is $55,000, up $10,000 from before. Higher trim and options levels of those vehicles will qualify as long as the MSRP is under $65,000. This should allow models like the BMW i4 to qualify, though Tesla's Model 3 is still above the maximum. For "larger zero-emissions vehicles," which includes SUVs, minivans, and trucks, the max base price is $60,000, with a max of $70,000. Another significant change to the rebate plan changes how plug-in hybrid models qualify. It was previously based on battery capacity but now uses range. The change means that Ford Escape PHEV, Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson, and Kia Sorento PHEVs are now all eligible for the full $5,000 EV rebate.

Volvo PHEVs get range boost

Volvo, with perfect timing, has just announced that its new longer-range Recharge PHEV powertrain has arrived in 60 and 90 series models. The new driveline, badged T8 on XC60, XC90, S60, and S90 models allows for a range of 58-64 km on electric power (depending on model). This doubles the range for some models. A more powerful rear electric motor delivers 143 hp (up from 87) for a total of 455 hp. That makes the PHEV T8s Volvo's most powerful cars yet. The V60 Recharge is currently on the iZEV incentive list.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/news-4-25-5.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-167815" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/news-4-25-5.jpg" alt="2022 Volvo XC 60" width="2500" height="1792" /></a>

Lexus reveals first-ever EV

Lexus has revealed the brand's first EV. The RZ 450e is based on the Toyota bZ4X, and that's quite clear in the vehicle's appearance even with the electric version of a spindle grille in the nose. It's not entirely the same, around 115 mm longer, and it will get powertrains the Toyota doesn't. Toyota offers the bZ4X with front-drive sporting a 201 hp motor or AWD with two 107 hp motors. Lexus uses the big front motor and the standard rear motor for a total of 308 hp which leaves us wondering why we couldn't have two of the big motors. EVs are supposed to be quick, aren't they? Steer-by-wire, a system where the wheel is not directly connected to the wheels, will arrive down the road, and it lowers the maximum steering wheel angle to help make the oddball yoke Lexus pictured work. RZ will also get the latest version of the Lexus Safety System. Range is an estimated 360 km and it is set to go on sale by end of year.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/news-4-25-4.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167816" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/news-4-25-4.jpg" alt="Lexus" width="2500" height="1314" /></a>

Lincoln jumping on EV wagon

Lincoln introduced the Star concept, a look at the brand's EV design language. Running behind other luxury brands on electrification, Lincoln says it will have three EVs by 2025 and a fourth the year after. We hope they look like this. Largely similar to the body shape of current Lincoln models along the sides, the nose is very interesting. A light signature grille that looks like the original TV Batmobile (also a Lincoln), the nose transforms into a very large frunk thanks to a slide-out panel and a "hood" that articulates upward. The cabin uses 3D-printed metal latticework, full glass roof with digital shade, and three new rejuvenation mood settings that combine symphonic orchestration with special animations. Lincoln has traditionally done well to bring concept to the road (minus features like the coach-opening doors), so we're excited to see the production version of this one.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/news-4-25-1.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-167817" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/news-4-25-1.jpg" alt="Lincoln" width="2500" height="1250" /></a>

The Mercedes EQS SUV has landed

Mercedes-Benz launched the 2023 EQS SUV. The model will be offered here in 450 4Matic and 580 4Matic, both with AWD. The former has 355 hp, the latter 536, while battery capacity of up to 108 kWh will be offered. Ranges for Canada aren't yet available, but the WLTP cycle rates it at up to 600 km. It is wider and taller than the EQS sedan, allowing for more space inside. It will also get an adjustable air suspension as standard equipment, while the Mercedes-Benz Hyperscreen 56-inch array of screens will be standard on 580 models. Pricing will be announced later this year, with the vehicles expected to hit dealers around winter.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/news-4-25-3.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-167818" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/news-4-25-3.jpg" alt="2023 EQS SUV" width="2500" height="1667" /></a>

Two new EVs coming from Nissan

Nissan teased two all-new EV models expected to arrive in 2025. One each from Nissan and Infiniti, they will be built at the brand's Canton, MS, plant, which is being converted to build EVs. The plant is currently home to Altima, Frontier, and Titan. Though the images shown are just a small look at the front of the two EVs, they appear to be crossover models, and both use lighting signatures to great effect.

Weekly News Roundup: EV Rebates, EV Launches, EV Concepts

23 kia sportage main header

It's tough to think of a vehicle that has changed more in the last 20 years than Kia's Sportage.

Remember the vintage ads where a swamp-styled homage to Crocodile Dundee encouraged a pair of confused tourists to belt out a nervous "ayeee" yell? We're pretty sure Kia would prefer it if you didn't.

Today, Sportage has just entered its fifth generation. Like many millennials, it has grown up in the last 25 years. It has grown larger, heavier, has a fresh new look, and is now much more concerned about the state of the planet. It has also jumped on tech that would have been unimaginable back when the body-on-frame first-gen Sportage was conceived.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/23-kia-sportage-front-3q-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167703" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/23-kia-sportage-front-3q-scaled.jpg" alt="2023 Kia Sportage" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

We're not kidding about it being larger. In the years since the previous Sportage went on sale, Kia has introduced the Telluride, grown the Sorento, and launched a new entry-sized model called Seltos. The shift has let Kia's engineers grow the wheelbase 85 mm and overall length by 180 mm (to 2,775 and 4,660 respectively). What was one of the smallest vehicles in the class is now one of the biggest.

How big? Try 1,121L of cargo space with the rear seats in place. That makes this the new class champ, beating the cargo van interior of Honda's CR-V. With the seats folded, it has 2,098L, which falls just shy of Honda's 2,146 but make no mistake, this is massive. It's 395L more cargo space than the old Sportage; enough extra space that Kia added seat-fold levers in the cargo area.

The rest of the cabin is large, too, offering loads of headroom and legroom for passengers front and rear. Thank the longer wheelbase for that boost in back-seat space, and rear-seat passengers can take advantage of a reclining backrest and Kia's clever USB-C charge points in the back of the front seats.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/23-kia-sportage-seats-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167704" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/23-kia-sportage-seats-scaled.jpg" alt="2023 Kia Sportage" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

Kia calls the sharp styling part of its Opposites United design language. We call the razor-sharp creases and boomerang headlights absurdly cool, though we'll acknowledge it might not be a win from the rear three-quarter view.

New for 2023 Kia has launched an X-Line trim, the automaker's nod to buyers who want their crossovers to look a little tougher. X-Line (the trim in the photos) is just an appearance pack, though, with front and rear fascias that look a bit like skid plates, and a green hue for the well-bolstered and very comfortable seats. It is off-road style without the fuel economy or comfort sacrifices of extra off-road capability.

All Sportage models get a wraparound dash panel that integrates infotainment and dash displays. They all get a fully-digital dash, too, though only X-Line Limited gets the fully customizable screen. LX and base X-Line grades use an 8.0-inch infotainment system with a matte plastic bezel to fill the space in place of the full-glass 12.3-inch dual displays of EX and up.

It's not quite as appealing visually, but buyers with the smaller system get the wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Call it a consolation, because the big screens don't. Kia says it hasn't completed that part of the development of its 12.3-inch system.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/23-kia-sportage-bezel-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167705" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/23-kia-sportage-bezel-scaled.jpg" alt="2023 Kia Sportage" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

Everyone gets Kia's fancy new climate control/audio panel. It's the same panel we've seen before in the EV6: press the navigation arrow and you have a volume knob, tuning dial, and infotainment buttons, press the HVAC fan icon and suddenly the same buttons adjust the air conditioning. It's as functional as it is cool, and it is very cool.

Other new features include memory settings for the power seats, and if you get the power tailgate you get four height settings to make sure it can accommodate operators running the full range of heights (and garage sizes).

Forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, lane follow assist, and a logic-based (it remembers if you opened the back doors) rear occupant alert are standard. For the good stuff, you'll need to move upward. X-Line adds blind spot collision avoidance assist and rear cross traffic assist. EX adds radar cruise control and forward collision avoidance with intersection assist.

X-Line Limited is the only one to get rear parking collision avoidance assist and Kia's swanky Blind View Monitor system that shows a camera view letting you see directly beside the vehicle when you signal. It also adds a Surround View Monitor parking camera that lets you scroll the cameras around the Sportage. A trick that was only on six-figure luxury cars just a couple of years ago.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/23-kia-sportage-cargo-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167706" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/23-kia-sportage-cargo-scaled.jpg" alt="2023 Kia Sportage" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

While a Hybrid is coming (it should be at dealers anytime now), and a PHEV hits later this year, the only option for gas buyers is a 2.5L four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed auto making 187 hp with 178 lb-ft of torque. Just six hp and three lb-ft more than 2022's 2.4L.

Get into the 2023 Kia Sportage and you're greeted with a small-diameter steering wheel that feels satisfyingly chunky in your hands. The T-handle gearshift is also a tactile delight, one that's exclusive to the 2.5L (the electrified models get a smaller e-shifter).

Sportage delivers on the promises of those controls on the road. Our test route around the southern tip of Vancouver Island offered up twisting roads and ribbons of pavement that begged for a proper sports car. It also had sections where I was glad that I was in a crossover and not that sports car I had been dreaming of. It would have lost a bumper or worse.

Over both of those types of roads, the Sportage was a delight. Compared with the rest of this segment, it was as much fun as the Mazda CX-5. The new platform is larger, but it's also much stiffer and that means a rock-solid shell that emitted not a creak, rattle, or complaint over bumps that had us making sure the wheels were still round.

The enjoyable chassis was dampened by an engine that was having no part of our fun. The 2.5L feels more lethargic than the displacement or power figure says it should. Reluctant to rev, the engine is at least quiet when you're not asking it for rapid acceleration, and that quiet extends to low levels of road and wind noise even on the highway.

Call it one more point for the hybrid. We've not yet driven the 227 hp and 258 lb-ft hybrid model, but we've driven the same powertrain in other vehicles, and it's a big upgrade from the 2.5. The PHEV model, which makes even more power and torque, should be an even bigger improvement, though it'll take a bit more cash and won't show up for a few more months

Front-drive 2.5 models are rated at 9.3/7.4 L/100 km city/highway, or expect 10.4/8.5 with AWD. Much better than last year's, but not at the top of the class. We saw in the low 10s on a very rural route, a figure that doesn't exactly inspire at $2/litre. Once again, the hybrid's estimated 6.1/6.3 are looking mighty appealing.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/sportage-10-of-30-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167701" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/sportage-10-of-30-scaled.jpg" alt="2023 Kia Sportage" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

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Much larger and much better equipped, the 2023 Kia Sportage is (surprise!) more expensive. It's a small increase by 2022 standards, though, now starting from $28,395. It's hard to argue with how much more you get for that price, though, and Kia keeps its typical in-segment value pricing.

The Kia Sportage might have grown up, but, like its fellow millennials, it isn't ready to stop having fun. It's a very serious player in an extremely competitive segment, and it ticks boxes we didn't even know existed. The lacklustre 2.5L four is the only mark written down in the negatives column, leaving me wishing Kia had included the 2.5T from the Sorento or some other more potent gas engine choice. Then again, the hybrid is right there, starting from $35,995, and solving that big issue.

The verdict? Expect to see a lot of boomerang headlights on your daily drive starting very soon.

2023 Kia Sportage AWD

ENGINE: 2.5-L I4 ; Power: 187 hp @ 6100 rpm; Torque: 178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

TRANSMISSION : 8-speed dual-automatic

CARGO CAPACITY: 1,121L behind rear seats, 2,098 behind first row

FUEL ECONOMY : (regular Gasoline in L/100 km): 10.4 city; 8.5 highway; 9.5 combined

PRICE: (LX FWD) $28,395 As Tested (X-Line Limited) $40,995
The vehicle was provided to the writer by the automaker. Content and vehicle evaluations were not subject to approval.

2023 Kia Sportage First Drive

head to head cx5 vs equinox main (1)

The Chevrolet Equinox and Mazda CX-5 are a pair of compact crossovers that get a refresh for 2022. Neither of the models is exactly new on the market, but they are still both extremely competitive in a hot segment of the Canadian auto market and very important to the companies that build them.

Just how important? The Mazda CX-5 was that brand's best-selling vehicle last year and just missed cracking the top 10 best-selling vehicles in Canada. The Equinox is the best-selling Chevrolet that doesn't have a truck bed, meaning it's not exactly sitting around on showroom floors.

Both of these models have a similar goal. To help people, especially families, do the jobs that a Mazda3 or Chevrolet Cruze would have done a decade ago. But to do it with more space, better features, and the capability of all-wheel drive.
<h3>Styling</h3>
Chevrolet has sharpened the nose of the Equinox for 2022, giving it more modern ultra-slim headlights, with some taillight changes to match. Despite the changes, this isn't a shape that stands out from the crowd. While Chevrolet has gone bold with some of its other models, the Equinox really isn't much of a looker. For some, that's a benefit, for others, maybe the black accents of the new RS trim are enough?

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/22-mazda-cx5-frot-3q-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167570" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/22-mazda-cx5-frot-3q-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/22-chev-equinox-front-3q-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167571" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/22-chev-equinox-front-3q-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Chevrolet Equinox" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

The Mazda CX-5 is also refreshed, though we're having a hard time telling 2022 and 2021.5 apart. It's less of a concern on the CX-5, though, because this is a much more cohesive design. Wide fenders and heavily sculpted in profile thanks to Mazda's Kodo design language, the CX-5 is a looker. Especially in its Soul Red signature paint colour.

What we like most about these is that neither is pretending to be something it isn't. While so many segment competitors have moved toward looking "tough," or "rugged", or "macho," without the capability to back it up, these two seem content to be what they are. Big family hatchbacks.

Inside, Equinox has big buttons. Not flashy, they're easy to use and (crucially on the steering wheel) the buttons are flush; They won't fill up with the grime that comes with putting many miles on a vehicle with family in tow. Mazda's buttons are smaller and look more precise. It's a high-tech cabin that is clearly aspiring to be the luxury offering in the segment.

The luxury intentions are even more clear if you look at Mazda's interior colour choices. Sure, Chevrolet has a light and a dark grey, and a maple sugar two-tone, but Mazda has cocoa Nappa leather, garnet red, and black with red contrast options. Even a white leather seat option if you like to live dangerously. The CX-5's cabin makes you feel a little bit more special thanks to these and other small details that have been done extra well.
<h3>Performance, Ride, and Handling</h3>
Chevrolet dropped one of its two four-cylinder engines for 2022, leaving only the 170 hp 1.5L turbo-four and its six-speed automatic. The old 252 hp 2.0L made the Equinox a quick compact ute, but not enough buyers were ticking that box to keep it going.

Mazda targets buyers who want their drive to be a little more engaging, so it continues to offer two choices. A 187 hp 2.5L naturally aspirated four and a same-size engine fitted with a turbocharger to make 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The turbo-four (which needs 93-octane to make those numbers and does 227 hp/310 lb-ft on 87) is the only engine on top-spec Signature and an option on our test-trim Sport Design.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cx5-nox-23-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167556" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cx5-nox-23-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Mazda CX5" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

Both brands give you a six-speed automatic transmission, and while that might seem outdated in a world of eight and nine-speed auto boxes, they're a reminder that sometimes less is more. A transmission with fewer gears might score slightly lower on government fuel efficiency tests, but in the real world, the feel behind the wheel is more important.

The Mazda automatic was retuned this year for quicker shifts than before, and it is delightfully quick and precise each time it grabs a gear up or down. Chevrolet's takes a little more time downshifting, especially in situations like a merge or yield sign where you might like it to be snappier, but is nearly invisible the rest of the time.

Mazda's turbo-four is a delight. Waves of torque from anywhere in the rev range and smooth power delivery make this crossover hustle, even if the ECU won't let it get anywhere near the redline. The non-turbo version is equally smooth, but the levels of power feel more "adequate" than "sporty."

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cx5-nox-16-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167563" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cx5-nox-16-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Chevrrolet Equinox" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

Chevrolet's 1.5L engine makes less power than Mazda's entry engine, but with 203 lb-ft from 2,000 through 4,000 rpm, it feels pleasantly punchy in daily driving. Chevrolet has also programmed the automatic to let the engine spin, so full throttle makes sure you use every bit of the rev range for best effect.

As an enthusiast, I'm picking Mazda's 2.5T every day of the week. As someone who has to pay for gas, the Equinox engine has some pretty serious upsides for your wallet without it being a slug on the highway.

Mazda stiffened the chassis of the CX-5 for 2022 and then retuned the suspension to accommodate. Hefty steering weight, sharp turn-in, and a ride that's definitely tuned more like a car than Equinox all make for a crossover that's fun to drive by segment standards. The Chevrolet is plusher, though, so if your only hard cornering is parallel parking and you're more likely to hit a pothole than an apex, the bowtie is probably the one you'll want.

Mazda made all-wheel drive standard for 2022, while Chevrolet continues to let buyers pick. If you don't need AWD, Equinox can return an estimated 8.4 L/100 km combined. AWD bumps that to 8.8, with Mazda's ratings of 9.3 and 9.8 combined showing the effects of more displacement and heftier curb weight. The differences grow in the city, so check the spec sheet below.

In my driving, the Equinox AWD returned nearly 2 full litres per 100 km better than the turbo Mazda.
<h3>Practicality</h3>
These two compacts take up nearly the same amount of room in a parking space, and they have similarly roomy cabins. The Equinox offers more headroom, but both have enough space for tall passengers in both rows of seats. From the driver's seat, the CX-5 feels slightly more snug, but that really just adds to the feeling that you're in a big sports car and not a family mover.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cx5-nox-32-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167550" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cx5-nox-32-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Mazda CX5" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cx5-nox-5-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167549" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cx5-nox-5-scaled.jpg" alt="Chevrolet equinox" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

Behind the rear seats, the cargo bays are almost identical - CX-5 edges out with 875L to 846 - but flip down the seats and the Chevy has 1,809L to Mazda's 1,687. Though the CX-5's handy triple-split-fold rear seat adds some flexibility to its capacity. Both have large openings and a big flat space to fit your gear, but only Chevrolet offers a kick-open hands-free tailgate.

We're big fans of Mazda giving back seat passengers USB ports and heated seat buttons in the center armrest instead of far away on the back of the front console. Handy for shorter arms in car seats, but useless if you're using all three back seats and something to be aware of.
<h3>Features</h3>
Though Mazda gave the CX-5 a brand new infotainment system halfway through last year, this category is still a clear win for Equinox. Mazda's 10.25-inch screen is larger than either of Equinox's two available displays (7.0 and 8.0 with navigation), but it isn't a touchscreen. It also uses essentially the same interface as Mazda's old screen. The system is controlled by a dial in the center console, and some simple commands like going up one station on the satellite radio system take frustrating amounts of presses and turns. The system offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but using them is much more difficult without the ability to touch.

The Equinox's system offers wireless versions of Auto and CarPlay standard across the board on a much more user-friendly touchscreen that offers large text, simple customization, and quick responses. Both vehicles give you physical controls for most of the climate features (and both have volume knobs), and I thank them both for it.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cx5-nox-30-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167551" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cx5-nox-30-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Mazda CX5" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022-chev-equinox-interior-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167574" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022-chev-equinox-interior-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Chevrolet Equinox" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

Both of these value-focused crossovers come well equipped from base. Push-button start, LED headlights, and driver assistance suites including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping are all standard. Mazda's base offerings include radar cruise control, which Chevrolet makes a pricey option even on its top Premier trim. Though that pricey trim is less expensive than Mazda's. Heated seats for the four main chairs are available on both, as are a heated wheel and ventilated front seats, so here it's a matter of exactly which luxury touches you want and how much you're willing to pay to name either as the winner.
<h3>Value</h3>
Thanks to optional AWD, the Equinox starts at a much lower price than the CX-5. An LS 'Nox is $26,498 before destination while a CX-5 GX is $30,200. Add AWD and the Chevrolet is $28,898. At the top end, the price gap grows, with an Equinox Premier from $34,798 and a CX-5 Signature (with turbo) at $43,350. Start adding on the options to give the top trims comparable equipment and the gap shrinks again. To get adaptive cruise, sunroof, Bose audio, and ventilated seats, you'll need Chevrolet's $4,295 Premier Plus package. With the gap closer to $3,000, Mazda's turbocharged engine, cocoa leather, and the level of attention to detail tip the value equation in favour of wanting the more luxurious ride.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cx5-nox-25-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167555" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cx5-nox-25-scaled.jpg" alt="2022 Mazda CX5" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>
<h3>Verdict</h3>
Take price out of the equation, and the Mazda CX-5, especially with the 2.5T and in Signature trim is easily the winner. More features, more upscale, and more fun to drive, the CX-5 does a better job of making you feel special on every drive. But in this segment, price matters. The Chevrolet Equinox offers incredibly strong value unless adaptive cruise control is on the list of your must-have features. Combine that value with Chevrolet's much easier-to-use infotainment system, and Equinox ekes out the win.

2022 Chevrolet Equinox

BODY STYLE: Five-door compact crossover

CONFIGURATION: Front-engine, AWD

ENGINE: 1.5-litre turbo 4-cylinder, 170 hp @ 5,600 rpm.; 203 lb-ft @ 2,000-4,000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic

CARGO CAPACITY (L): 846L with rear seat in place, 1,809 with seat folded

FUEL ECONOMY (L/100 km): (AWD) 9.4/8.0/8.8 L/100 km city/highway/combined

BASE PRICE: Equinox LS $26,498 plus $1,900 destination

PRICE AS TESTED: Equinox LT True North Edition $36,593 (Includes $3,715 True North Edition, $750 Advanced Safety Package, $495 Blue Glow Metallic paint, $460 18-inch wheels, $80 wheel locks)

2022 Mazda CX-5

BODY STYLE: Five-door compact crossover

CONFIGURATION: Front-engine, AWD

ENGINE: 2.5-litre 4-cylinder, 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm; 186 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
(opt 2.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder 256 hp @ 5,000 rpm; 320 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm with 93-octane fuel)

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic

CARGO CAPACITY (L): 871L with rear seat in place, 1,680 with seat folded

FUEL ECONOMY (L/100 km): (2.5 I4 GX) 10.2/8.2/9.3 L/100 km city/highway/combined
(2.5 I4 GS/Kuro/GT/Sport Design) 9.9/7.9/9.0 L/100 km
(2.5T) 10.8/8.7/9.8 - 93 Octane recommended

BASE PRICE: CX-5 GX $30,200 plus $1,950 destination

PRICE AS TESTED: Sport Design Turbo $42,800 plus destination (Includes $2,200 2.5T engine, $450 Soul Red Crystal Metallic)
The vehicle was provided to the writer by the automaker. Content and vehicle evaluations were not subject to approval.

Evan Williams

Articles by Evan Williams