Plus: we run down the highest used SUVs below $20,000 this 12 months, and provide you with causes to carry out for a Highlander
Those that design the favored autos of right now should take into account extra than simply the driving force’s expertise. As a result of whereas many autos are nonetheless used to shuttle one or two adults into work day after day, they’re additionally referred to as upon to move the remainder of the household, together with all of their belongings, to and from the plethora of after-school and weekend actions that make up trendy life.
Listed here are the most important and most up-to-date family-vehicle tales, debuts, and evaluations from the previous month.
Now in its sixth era for the 2023 mannequin 12 months, the Honda CR-V has as a lot going for it inside as out. Passengers and drivers will be aware all-round elevated materials and element high quality within the inside, from the brand new Physique Stabilizing seats; to added legroom within the rear seats; to up to date software program within the infotainment system, the latter of which is displayed on a seven-inch multimedia touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto within the LX and Sport trims, and a nine-inch touchscreen within the EX-L and Touring fashions with wi-fi CarPlay and Android Auto.
One other of the CR-V’s neat new tips occurs on the windshield, the place washer jets spray straight onto the blade on the up-stroke, limiting watery obstructions and utilizing 40 per cent much less washer fluid. Study extra in regards to the 2023 Honda CR-V’s up to date inside by way of our Deep Dive evaluate.
After years of writing about it, we’ve lastly pushed the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. The worldwide media first drive came about within the 18th-century Frederiksstaden district of Copenhagen, Denmark, main drivers across the metropolis and throughout the eight-kilometre Øresund Bridge to Malmo, Sweden, onlookers smiling and waving wherever they went.
The mannequin pushed was the short-wheelbase single-motor rear-wheel-drive in passenger and cargo setup, which is able to go on sale in Europe quickly as 2023 fashions, however gained’t come to Canada. Like within the unique VW Bus, the driving force place is excessive and cozy, with a view by way of the steering wheel of the identical floating driver show that sits within the current ID.4 (the steering wheel can be acquainted). The wheel-mounted gear selector features a B setting for regenerative braking that makes one-pedal metropolis driving straightforward; and a D setting that units the van ‘crusing’ if you elevate your foot off the pedal.
The VW ID. Buzz has a WLTP vary of 423 kilometres, which ought to drop about 20 to 25 per cent below the North American score scheme. Pricing for the 2024 VW ID. Buzz with long-wheelbase – the model we will get – stays unknown, however VW Canada says on-line pre-orders will open within the first half of 2023.
The used-car market is sizzling, sizzling, sizzling! However that doesn’t imply that there aren’t any sensible buys out there. Driving’s Justin Pritchard combed by way of the listings to compile a listing of the very best used SUVs out there for below $20,000 this 12 months, touchdown on various imported and North-American-made choices.
Unsurprisingly, the favored mid-size choices from Honda and Toyota each made the listing. The 2017 and 2018 Toyota RAV4 is a late-generation mannequin with a confirmed monitor report, excessive security scores, first rate gas effectivity, and automated all-wheel-drive on most fashions. You’ll must step again just a few years and add just a few kilometres to get the identical deal for the late-generation 2014 and 2015 Honda Pilot, however will profit from top-of-the-line powertrain setups of the time, with Honda’s 3.5-litre VTEC V6 engine tied to its dependable five-speed automated and pushing energy to an all-the-time AWD system. Heads up, although: all the time have a trusted technician look at any high-mileage car.
The opposite three SUVs on the listing embody 2016 and 2017 Subaru Forester, which is hard to beat in winter-driving circumstances; the 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon, which affords extra measurement and seating than a lot of the competitors on the similar worth level; the 2014 and 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK, with its distinct styling and confirmed reliability; and the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, which sits on the tail finish of an eight-year era run and due to this fact has had lots of its points ironed out. Discover the total listing intimately right here.
In the event you drive drunk in Tennessee and kill a dad or mum, you could possibly wind up financially liable for that youngster’s upbringing. The primary-of-its-kind U.S. legislation was championed first by a grieving Missouri grandmother whose two grandsons have been orphaned by a drunk driver, however was handed first in Tennessee after a police officer was killed in a similar way, leaving his two youngsters with no help system.
Now it appears Ethan’s, Hailey’s, and Bentley’s Regulation is piquing curiosity in almost 20 different states. However will the seemingly toothier legislation assist dissuade individuals from getting behind the wheel whereas inebriated, or is it merely a means for politicians to look good in entrance of the digital camera? As Lorraine Explains, it’s in all probability the latter. The problem is with the present authorized system’s group, as a result of the brand new legislation solely pertains to aggravated vehicular murder and vehicular murder, each of which include huge monetary punishments, authorized charges, and jail time of their very own, and can probably depart anybody convicted strapped for money and unable to make youngster help funds.
“Folks prepared to danger lengthy jail sentences to drive impaired are hardly going to be deterred by the specter of some long-in-the-future month-to-month hit,” Lorraine writes. “These similar politicians needs to be supporting initiatives to really curb the harmful drivers on our roads, and do extra to guard sober street customers.” Be part of the dialog within the feedback part beneath the op-ed.
It’s been just a few years for the reason that fourth-gen Toyota Highlander landed in driveways, and the favored household SUV is barely getting higher. For the 2023 mannequin 12 months, the Highlander arrives with two important {hardware} updates, plus some spectacular new componentry.
The 2023’s new 2.4L turbo four-cylinder engine making 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, for instance, affords 47 lb-ft greater than the outgoing V6’s (however 30 horsepower fewer). This implies higher throttle response – particularly at low speeds – and a smoother and quieter drive, all for a similar fuel invoice.
The following-gen infotainment system is another excuse to carry off in your buy, providing “a few of the highest-quality graphics, screens and interfaces on the scene,” with twin 12.3-inch touchscreens which can be a pleasure to make use of.
Lastly, there’s the matter of the rumoured Grand Highlander that will arrive subsequent 12 months with an prolonged wheelbase and an possibility for third-row seating — and that’s the one justification some household drivers would require.
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There is a new third-place car that simply occurs to put on what would be the most well-known SUV badge in historical past
Throughout a six-month span stuffed with of extreme provide constraints, these auto manufacturers have been nonetheless delivering roughly 1,700 SUVs/crossovers per day
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