2022 Toyota Tundra First Test: A Bigger and Better Pickup Truck?

Ferdinand Alexander Porsche—a.k.a. F.A., Ferry's son and founder Ferdinand's grandson—is probably best known in car circles for the Porsche 901 (which, due to a trademark tiff with Peugeot, became the 911) and 904. He should be equally well known for his 1972 founding of Porsche Design, a company that creates all sorts of non-car things—sunglasses, pens, luggage, knives, even a Blackberry phone—and, of course, watches. In fact, Porsche Design's first product was a watch called the Chronograph 1, and this new (if awkwardly-named) special-edition 911 celebrates the 50th anniversary of Porsche Design and its original timepieceThe celebratory car is a 911 Targa 4 GTS, painted and finished to commemorate the Chronograph 1, which Porsche says was the first all-black watch. Gloss black paint is highlighted by a Satin Platinum finish on the targa bar and wheels. Inside, the Edition 50 Years Porsche Design—as English majors, you have no idea how painful it is for us to type that—gets black-and-gray checkered upholstery, a slate-gray steering wheel, and plenty of limited-edition badging, including F.A. Porsche's signature embossed into the center armrest. The powertrain is standard for the Targa 4 GTS—3.0 liter twin-turbo flat six with 473 hp, and choice of PDK dual-clutch auto or a seven-speed stick—and the car comes with a phalanx of useful option packages.It also comes with a watch, specifically the less-grammatically-challenged Chronograph 1 - 911 50 Years of Porsche Design. The watch is based on the original Chronograph 1, with modern-day Porsche logo and fonts, and a clear back that reveals a winding rotor identical to the 911 Edition 50 Years Porsche Design's wheels.Both car and watch are limited to 750 copies worldwide, each individually numbered (with identical numbers for the car and its corresponding watch, of course). The price: $197,200. The cars and watches will arrive at U.S. dealerships in the spring of 2022. We haven't heard back from Porsche about how many of these cars will be earmarked for the States, so if you're interested, better give your Porsche dealer a quick call sooner rather than later.Interested in the timepiece alone? While the watch that comes with the car is unique, Porsche Design is also releasing a Chronograph 1 - 1972 Edition which stays true to the design of the original, featuring a titanium case back with the original Porsche Design logo; 500 copies will be made, with a price tag of $7,700.

hyundai palisade Full OverviewHyundai's push into the SUV market is strong today—it's easy to forget the Korean automaker had a lousy SUV lineup just five years ago. Now it has six models covering virtually every segment of the SUV market. And when the Hyundai Palisade hit the streets three years ago, it quickly became a sales hit popular with families who wanted style, value, and room for eight. With the new 2023 Hyundai Palisade, a midcycle update brings some fresh styling elements and more technology, plus additional comfort features. We traveled to the beautiful roads outside Asheville, North Carolina, to sample the updated Palisade and try the refreshed SUV firsthand.So, What's New?Along with a new grille and some exterior details, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade is now 0.6 inch longer than before thanks to an upsized front overhang. The rear overhang is shorter, and the wheelbase remains the same, but overall length is now 196.7 inches. Although the interior dimensions didn't change, designers made these moves to give the Palisade a better stance in profile view—and it paid off.Inside, Hyundai added comfort features across all three rows to please a wide variety of passengers. Taking a page from sister brand Genesis' Ergo motion seats, the Palisade adds a massaging feature to the driver's seat, and the second row now boasts headrests that bend to provide lateral head support. Heated seats are now offered in all three rows, and the first and second row continue to offer ventilated seats.Hyundai's remote smart parking assist is available for the first time in the Palisade, which means drivers may get out of their vehicle and move the SUV forward and backward using the key. A new rear passenger-side airbag and parking collision avoidance assist are also present.Tech SavvyFamilies who missed having a Wi-Fi hotspot in the Hyundai Palisade will be happy, as Hyundai partnered with Verizon to allow drivers to now connect up to five devices at once. A three-month trial is included, but owners thereafter will need to pay $20 per month to use this feature. In-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspots are nothing new, but the 2023 Hyundai Palisade is the first of the company's models to offer the technology.A new digital key allows Apple and Samsung users to lock, unlock, and start the Palisade with their phones. Working with NFC technology, simply place your phone on the door handle to unlock the Palisade. To start the car, you must place the phone on the wireless charger (where there's another NFC sensor).The task is easy, and there are five digital keys in total that can be shared with friends via text message. Owners can change the settings of each of those keys to only lock and unlock the Palisade, and owners can remove key access easily. Best of all, the NFC sensors work even when your phone is dead, and the tech works with the Apple Watch, as well.People familiar with the old Bluelink app know there were a few limitations of what you could do in the Palisade. The 2023 model expands the list of features; it now turns the heated and ventilated seats on and off and sets the temperature when the owner starts the Palisade remotely. Owners will also be able to see and receive notifications about doors and windows left open, as well as fuel levels.The hardware updates also allow two driver profiles in the Bluelink app and the digital key, so if you share a car with your significant other, the radio presets, seat and mirror positions, and temperature will automatically change depending on who opens and starts the car.On the RoadNew for 2023 is the XRT trim, which adds rugged styling and darker treatments outside, but there are no hardware enhancements such as all-terrain tires or better approach and departure angles. We spent half a day driving the XRT on city roads near Asheville and on trails around the Biltmore Estate, and we were generally pleased with the way the SUV handled.There are no mechanical changes to the 2023 model; every Palisade continues to be powered by Hyundai's 291-hp, 262-lb-ft 3.8-liter V-6 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic. The XRT we drove was equipped with all-wheel drive, which was useful during the off-road section. On muddy parts of the trail, the Palisade demonstrated good traction and linear power delivery, making it easy to conquer obstacles. Although the trail was mostly a dirt road with a few ruts and puddles, it was a good representation of what families will encounter when heading on a camping trip.On the road, the ride was generally comfortable and quiet, with the steering tuned on the lighter side and the engine delivering enough punch to go over Asheville's hilly downtown streets without protest. In the past, we've complained about the Palisade's stiffer ride compared to the Kia Telluride, but because of our limited time behind the wheel for now, we'll wait to render our full judgment once we can get a 2023 model in our hands for testing.Should I Buy a Palisade?The 2023 Hyundai Palisade is available in five different trim levels—SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. Prices start at $36,245 for the SE and rise to $50,195 for the Calligraphy. The all-wheel-drive option adds $1,900.The midcycle update for the 2023 Hyundai Palisade might look mild on the outside, but it's significant when you look at all the new technology that's come aboard. With remote parking, a digital key for Apple and Samsung, and more features for the Bluelink app, the Palisade feels updated and modern. And Hyundai managed to add all those features while keeping prices competitive.Looks good! More details?2023 Hyundai Palisade Specifications BASE PRICE $36,245-$52,695 LAYOUT Front-engine, FWD/AWD, 8-pass, 4-door SUV ENGINE 3.8L/291-hp/262-lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V-6 TRANSMISSION 8-speed auto CURB WEIGHT 4,500 lb (MT est) WHEELBASE 114.2 in L x W x H 196.7 x 77.8 x 68.9 in 0-60 MPH 7.0 sec (MT est) EPA FUEL ECON 19/25-27/21-22 mpg EPA RANGE (COMB) 395-414 miles ON SALE Currently Show All

volvo c40-recharge Full OverviewProsFabulous design and detailingProvocatively quick accelerationMakes brake pedal almost obsolete ConsSupercar-esque rear visibilitySoftware needs polishingMediocre range and chargingLaunching to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, the 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge electric SUV vaulted itself into a tie for the title of quickest Volvo ever. And this fastback crossover EV's acceleration never ceases to amuse. It reacts instantly to pressure on the go pedal, angling its grilleless front end slightly skyward as the motors hum happily along.But the C40 Recharge isn't the only electric SUV with sports-car-rivaling speed. The Tesla Model Y outperforms it in each of our testing criteria—and in criteria that matter greatly to everyday living. So why would the C40 Recharge be worth consideration in an expanding field of electric luxury SUVs? Simple: Because it's cool.Volvo's Second Electric SUV (Sort Of)What is the C40, anyway? Begin with the Volvo XC40, which went on sale in the United States for 2019 and quickly climbed to the top of our subcompact luxury SUV rankings. For 2021, Volvo revealed the XC40 Recharge, a battery-powered version of the XC40 and the first of many all-electric vehicles due from the Swedish brand. Then, following fashionable trends, Volvo reworked its conventional SUV to wear a sleek fastback roofline. The result is the C40 Recharge.Fundamentally, the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge are the same machine. Both are based on Volvo's CMA architecture and feature a battery pack with 75 kWh of usable capacity beneath the floor. In each, a dual-motor AWD powertrain spins out an impressive 402 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque. Although both recharge at a maximum of 150 kW, the C40 ekes out a slight range advantage, scoring 226 miles instead of 223 in EPA certification. The XC40 Recharge has a lower starting price, at $52,795, but equipping it in high-end Ultimate trim (the only trim offered on the C40 for 2022) brings it to within $600 of the C40. Both are currently eligible for $7,500 in federal tax incentives.Think of it this way: The C40 Recharge is to the XC40 Recharge what the BMW X4 is to the X3 or the Audi E-Tron Sportback is to the E-Tron. However, the XC40 can be had with either gasoline or electric power. The C40 Recharge is exclusively an EV—if you want its good looks, you have to go electric.Statement- (and Sale-) Making StyleIndeed, design is a primary selling point for the C40, and starting with the XC40 could only mean great things for its vogueish adaptation. The sleek greenhouse contrasts against chunky lower body panels, all hunkered down on aero-emphasizing 20-inch wheels. Its unique headlights and taillights perform an LED animation whenever it's locked or unlocked. Aerodynamic elements at the top and bottom of that raked rear glass add a touch of sportiness.Aesthetic allure persists inside the C40, which alters the XC40's attractive and functional cabin with a few key enhancements. That's not leather on the steering wheel or suede on the seats; the C40's materials are entirely animal-free, but they look and feel convincingly upscale. Our test car's cosmopolitan blue carpeting perfectly matched its exterior paint. An especially stylish detail is the trim panels, which are formed to resemble the topography of Sweden's Abisko National Park. At night, backlighting shines through them at varied brightnesses, creating an ambiance quite unlike any other car's.As an artistic exercise, the C40 succeeds, standing out with its sculptural stance and delightful flourishes. Even better, it's really fun to drive.A Very Unassuming DragsterAs stated above, the C40 is rapid. In acceleration testing it's essentially even with XC40 Recharge, hitting 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, 100 mph in 10.6 seconds, and the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds at 109.0 mph. It whooshes from 45 to 65 mph in just 1.9 seconds. These results are shockingly similar to certain V-8-powered muscle cars.Out and about, the C40's driver has a sensation of imperious power that belies the SUV's style-centric image. Its accelerator pedal is ultraprecise, letting you zip ahead instantly with just a few millimeters of foot movement. Some EVs dampen accelerator response for smoothness, but the C40 seemingly doesn't, giving it an extremely linear, almost raw feel. Don't take this to mean that it's difficult to drive the C40 normally, though. Any challenge to that lies with your self-discipline, not the pedal's programming.Accelerator is perhaps a misnomer for the right-side pedal, as it so effectively controls deceleration, too. When one-pedal drive mode is engaged, you can subtract speed with exactitude by relaxing your ankle. Doing so activates the motors' regenerative braking effect, converting kinetic energy into deceleration while sending charge back to the battery. With how intuitive it becomes, and that it can bring the C40 to a complete stop, pushing the brake pedal becomes a rarity. If you do, you'll find it firm and strong. Even so, we recorded a 125-foot stop from 60 mph, longer than the 118-foot distance posted by the XC40 Recharge.Given that both Volvos roll on identical EV-spec Pirelli tires, high track temperatures that test day were a likely culprit in those and other performance discrepancies.The C40 averaged 0.78 g on the skidpad, while the XC40 Recharge held on to 0.84 g. Both went around the figure eight in 26.3 seconds, at 0.72 and 0.70 g average, respectively. On the road, the C40's handling is dialed more toward simplicity than involvement; its steering is light and a bit dull. Despite suspension tuning on the firmer side, it's generally comfortable and retains a solid, planted feel, aided by its low, heavy battery pack.Here's the thing, though: The Tesla Model Y—in many ways, still the EV SUV benchmark—outperforms the C40 across the board. However it's configured, it's quicker to 60, stops shorter, and holds the road better. Comparing their battery capabilities further dims the value of the Volvo.Looks Only Go So FarEven if you have the ability to charge at home, the C40's 226-mile range rating isn't competitive when you consider the Model Y Long Range can cover more than 100 additional miles. Its 150-kW charge rate is slow, too, now that rivals like the Genesis GV60 can absorb electrons at 235 kW. These factors shouldn't deter you entirely, but carefully consider how you'll use this EV. Last year, Volvo was able to boost the XC40 Recharge's range from 208 miles to 223 using only a software update, so it's possible that eventually even more miles could be coded in.Hopefully, other over-the-air updates will address the software bugs we experienced on our C40 test car. At different times, a tire pressure warning wouldn't reset, the backup camera wouldn't come on, and only the rear doors would unlock. There's also the matter of its Google-designed infotainment, which has useful functionality and voice-recognition capabilities but doesn't react as quickly as other automakers' systems or your smartphone.The C40's hardware—that is to say its very shape—creates compromises, too. Maximum cargo capacity is 49.0 cubic feet, down from the XC40 Recharge's 57.5-cubic-foot measurement. Visibility through the raked rear window is more problematic, in that it's terrible. We're surprised that a company as safety-focused as Volvo would sign off on letting its customers drive with such a limited view of what's behind; the C40 is a perfect candidate for a digital rearview mirror. At least the C40's standard blind-spot monitoring works well, as do its other driver assist systems.Too Cool to CareFinite differences in specs or our test data aren't what'll sell a person on the C40. The reason to choose this EV over any other—ones that go farther, carry more, or perform better—is because of the experience it delivers. Unlike some of its competitors, C40 is not a prosaic zero-emissions mobility appliance. With its great looks, funky interior, and frisky road manners, there's no getting bored of the C40. This small electric SUV is too cool for that.Looks good! More details?2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Twin Specifications BASE PRICE $59,845 PRICE AS TESTED $60,540 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front- and rear-motor, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV MOTOR TYPE Permanent-magnet electric POWER (SAE NET) 201 hp (fr), 202 hp (rr); 402 hp (comb) TORQUE (SAE NET) 243 lb-ft (fr), 243 lb-ft (rr); 486 lb-ft (comb) TRANSMISSIONS 1-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,742 lb (52/48%) WHEELBASE 106.4 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 174.8 x 73.7 x 62.8 in 0-60 MPH 4.2 sec QUARTER MILE 12.8 sec @ 109.0 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 125 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.78 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 26.3 sec @ 0.72 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 94/80/87 mpg-e EPA RANGE, COMB 226 miles ON SALE Now Show All