Based on the new for 2022 Honda Civic, the HR-V sits on a longer wheelbase and wider track, as well as receiving a makeover to match the Japanese brand’s latest styling language.
Honda’s littlest crossover, the HR-V, debuted in the U.S. as a 2016 model and happily chugged along for the last six-years without any major changes. That ends this summer when a new, second generation (for the U.S.) 2023 model comes along with a larger footprint, different look, and, I suspect, a completely different powertrain.
Awfully similar to the already available CX-5 in size, spec, and power. Different in personality and priority
Your eyes deceive you. This brand new 2023 Mazda CX-50, a two-row, compact crossover SUV, will not replace the current two-row, compact crossover SUV from Mazda, the CX-5. Yes, they look awfully similar in size—and spec—and power (because they are quite similar in size, spec, and power). But, trust me, the five and fifty will co-exist at Mazda dealers and do, ultimately, cater to two different buyers.
It’s called the HALO. And this full-scale wind tunnel is built to handle SUVs and Indycars alike, as well as perform aero-acoustics testing and much more.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard, as is 200 horsepower, a stiffer suspension, and loads of new tech.
Earlier this year, Honda introduced the 11th generation Honda Civic sedan. And many folks, me included, lauded its new chassis as it provided excellent response and great feel. Now that chassis gets a once over, an uptick in power, and an Si badge. The 2022 Honda Civic Si is here. It’s based on the Civic sedan. And it comes standard, standard, with a six-speed manual transmission.
Starting its third generation, it gets new tech, a new frame and body, and two V-6 engines to choose from.
Toyota’s full-size Tundra truck enters its third generation for 2022 with a new, big ole, in-your-face front grille with LED headlights and a whole lot of goodies. It’s built on an all-new, fully boxed frame and high-strength steel cab, however both the hood and front door panels are made from aluminum.
The Type S stands out from the standard TLX with motor, structure, and more
What makes a proper sport sedan? You need good amounts of power, of course, a well-built and sport tuned chassis certainly helps, as do strong brakes, grippy tires, and supportive seats. But while all the above are important ingredients, the real key is blending them together just so to provide an easy-to-drive, engaging dish. And after a few bites, I’m pleased to say the 2021 Acura TLX Type S is delicious.
The 2022 Taycan and Taycan Cross Turismo receive updates to improve battery performance, update the tech, and wow us with color options.
Porsche introduced us to the Taycan years ago as the Mission E Concept, but actual production models only started in 2020, with the Cross Turismo joining in 2021. Yet for the 2022 model year, Porsche is already adding updates. Chief among them, from a technical point of view at least, is faster charging capability.
When Honda launched its premium Acura brand back in the 1980s, it started with two models. The Legend sedan and the Integra hatchback. Today, during this years Monterey Car Week, Acura announced the return of one of those models.
After months of multiple announcements and reveals, the 2022, fourth-generation Acura MDX has arrived, adorned with a new look and riding on a new platform. This new generation brings about a new era for the premium, three-row SUV as it is now burdened with the title of flagship model, meaning it’s here to represent the best of what Honda’s luxury/performance brand can deliver. That ignores the NSX supercar, of course, which Acura calls its halo car.
Riding on an all new platform that Acura designed specifically and, for now at least, solely for the MDX model, it is a claimed 32 percent more torsionally rigid than the third generation model. Furthermore, the front strut suspension was tossed in the bin and replaced with a much more car enthusiast friendly double-wishbone set-up. The rear suspension retains its basic four-link structure, but engineers thoroughly reworked it to increase both handling prowess and ride comfort.
The most obvious change of the latest MDX, however, is its new skin, as Acura adopted the design language that was first introduced on the 2019 Acura RDX. And it works well. Because the MDX is longer and wider than before and, indeed, the biggest car Acura builds, the curves and creases of the design flow naturally here, never looking blunt or stunted. The stance is low and wide, given the category, and the front and rear overhangs are reduced, adding visual strength. That said, I’d prefer a smaller emblem attached to the grille in front. It’s not an eye sore, but it stands out more than it blends in.
Considering all of the aforementioned newness, Acura surprised me by bolting up the existing 3.5-liter V6 with no updates, such that it continues to produce the same peak outputs of 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, just as the 2020 model does today. Acura’s rebuttal is that while the engine remains unchanged, they installed a new, 10-speed automatic transmission, with an 8.9-percent shorter first gear, putting more torque to the road from zero speed.
Moreover, the MDX gets the latest generation Super Handling all-wheel-drive, SH-AWD, that can send 70 percent of the torque to the rear-axle and then distribute 100 percent of that to either wheel. That flexibility in torque distribution helps the MDX mitigate the inherent handling issues of a long wheelbase, 113.8-inches, and a nose heavy body, 58 percent of the weight rests on the front axle.
In fact, the MDX handles WAY better than you’d ever expect it to. Steering has a nice weight to it, with good turn-in response and high-levels of precision, which makes it easy to keep speed up in the corners, and really lean on the 20-inch all-season tires. While the MDX understeers, it does so much less than you’d expect. If you really try, you can even get the rear-end to wiggle a bit at corner exit. In a three-row SUV!
And all the usual safety and luxury bits are here. Standard in the MDX is a Qi smartphone charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a built-in Amazon Alexa. That’s controlled through a 12.3-inch center console screen. The seats are leather and comfortable. The space is cavernous and the ergonomics are intuitive. You also get plenty of space and flexibility for cargo carrying needs.
The point is, Acura built a useful SUV, as they’ve always done. But this time around, they added more style and driving prowess than before. And by big margins. Base price is under $48,000. But you’ll have a lot more fun with one of the SH-AWD models that start at $49,925. For that money, you get a flagship worthy SUV to roll in. One that will even allow you to crack a smile on your favorite twisty road.
