The 2022 Subaru WRX Is Fuel Efficient As...a Ford F-150?
Most people wouldn't associate the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive Subaru WRX with extraordinary fuel economy, though the four-door sedan caters to young buyers who care about fun driving dynamics as well as saving their money. That may soon change—albeit not because its fuel economy is extraordinarily good. The new 2022 Subaru WRX has just been rated by the EPA and its fuel economy numbers slide past mediocre and fall below those of the outgoing model, landing weirdly close those of a full-size, four-wheel-drive Ford F-150 pickup truck powered by the midrange 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine.
Yep, you read that right. The WRX has been rated at 19/25/21 mpg on city/highway/combined with the CVT transmission, while Ford's much larger, heavier, and larger-engined truck delivers 19/24/21 mpg—just 1 mpg short of the Subaru on the highway. Even if you opt for the manual transmission (like you should), the Subie's EPA figures only improve to 19/26/22 mpg. There's no other way to put it—those numbers are pretty bad for a car of the WRX's size and power output.
The 2022 WRX gets a new 2.4-liter turbo-four engine that makes 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. That's just three extra ponies and no more torque than the old WRX's 2.0-liter boxer engine. That extra displacement means fuel economy drops by 1 mpg across the board (except for the automatic's combined rating) compared to the previous model, which itself was no model for efficiency.
Looking at the Subaru's direct competition, the story stays pretty bleak. A Honda Civic Type R makes more power and carries EPA estimates of 22/28/25 mpg; the also more powerful Hyundai Elantra N sedan with the manual is rated for 22/31/25 mpg; and the (you guessed it, also more powerful) Volkswagen Golf R six-speed gets 20/28/23 mpg (it also has AWD like the Subaru, while the Honda and Hyundai are front-drive). While some of those are hatchbacks, they still play in the same sporty compact segment, and all three at least deliver something close to or above 30 mpg on the highway. If you can deal with a little less power and front-drive, the 200-hp 2022 Honda Civic Si delivers 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined.
Subaru said the EPA tested the WRX in Sport mode, its most performance-oriented set up as default, which obviously doesn't maximize fuel efficiency. While the WRX has never been a fuel efficient car, the fact the competition is much more efficient is uneasy.
We are very pleased with the way the 2022 Subaru WRX drives, which again is largely the point of a car like this. It's fun, sticky, and practical. It has all the right ingredients to stand out in the sport compact world—except wallet-friendly fuel economy. Although the WRX's pricing hasn't been announced, we don't think it will deviate much from the outgoing model, which starts at $28,420, when it arrives at dealerships this spring.
We do not believe that customers view the WRX as an economy car. The WRX is designed as a performance vehicle first and foremost and does sacrifice some economy as a result. The automatic WRX did improve over the previous generation, even though it is EPA tested in Sport mode, its most performance oriented set up as a default, which doesn't maximize economy.
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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.
Like it or not, it was hard to miss the 2023 Acura Integra Prototype that debuted last year in its Yellow Pearl paint job. That prototype is now going into production—and being revealed soon in salable form— though it might not get that striking yellow color as an option immediately, according to alleged leaked details on the IntegraTalk forums.Details gathered from screenshots of a dealer ordering guide—if accurate—may reveal the upcoming Integra's trim and specifications ahead of orders opening later this week, on March 10. Here's what the forum-leaked order guide shows:The 2023 Integra will come in base, A-Spec, and A-Spec Tech trim levels, with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) listed as standard and a six-speed manual option only listed as available for the top-of-the-line A-Spec Tech trim, according to the screenshots. It doesn't appear that the company's available 10-speed automatic transmission will be an option on launch, either.The CVT is here because in all likelihood it's the very same transmission utilized in the mechanically related Honda Civic. It's even paired with the Honda's same 1.5-liter turbocharged I-4 engine. Power figures for the new Integra have yet to be announced, but we anticipate an output of at least around 200 horsepower, meaning the Acura will use the the 200-ish hp version of the 1.5-liter turbo four used by the sportier Civic Si.The forum posts also offer a look at the upcoming Integra's paint options, and sadly there doesn't appear to be any yellow option (yet), despite the Integra prototype debuting in a bright yellow color. The paint options that are listed include Platinum White, Lunar Silver, Performance Red, Liquid Carbon, Majestic Black, and Apex Blue.We may just be looking at partial information and there could be more options at launch, or it's plausible that Acura is holding back the yellow for an upcoming Integra Type S model that surely will follow the regular-grade version. The company recently trademarked the name and has been Type S'ing numerous nameplates in its lineup, including the TLX sedan, MDX SUV, and NSX supercar.If this order guide is accurate, you can't quite order the car that Acura debuted in prototype guise last year. You can order something close, in another color. Oh, and you will also have to upgrade to the highest available trim level if do not want the CVT.That may not be what Acura fans had hoped for—a second coming of the brands' premium sport compact formula distinct from a regular Honda—but at the end of the day, there's still a new turbocharged, manual-transmission Integra just around the corner that isn't a crossover or an EV. Maybe that's something. We'll be able to confirm full details on the Integra's available options when ordering begins March 10.
cadillac lyriq Full OverviewProsGreat lookingUnique and stylish interiorDrives like a classic Cadillac in the best ways ConsInfotainment interface is a bit fussySilly door handlesWorrying assembly issuesThe 2023 Cadillac Lyriq represents an important reset for the storied American luxury brand. After a resurgence around the turn of the millennium that started with the Art and Science-design Cadillac CTS and Escalade and through a period that ended with the demise of the CTS-V Sport Wagon, Cadillac was on a roll. But it then squandered its momentum, ceding ground as a cool status symbol to archnemesis Lincoln and upstarts like Tesla. The industry-wide pivot to electrification is a chance for the brand to wipe the slate clean, and the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq 450E is the first fruit of that labor. But is it another CTS, or is Caddy having another ELR or CT6 moment? We're about to find out.What Makes the Cadillac Lyriq Tick?Cadillac's association with General Motors has often been more of a curse than a blessing, resulting in sport sedans with unrefined truck motors and/or switchgear shared with $20,000 Chevrolets. In the Lyriq's case, however, the association is no curse. The Lyriq rides on GM's new bleeding-edge modular Ultium electric vehicle platform, which allowed Cadillac designers the freedom to pen a midsize SUV that somehow manages to recall the mid-century modern greats of Cadillac's postwar years while also looking contemporary and visionary.Propelling our Lyriq 450E Debut Edition test car and its long dash-to-axle ratio and kammback rear end is a rear-mounted motor good for 340 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, backed by a quick-charging 102-kWh battery pack. The EPA says the Lyriq should be able to cover 312 miles on a charge, and the 190-kW peak rate helps ensure you aren't spending much time tethered to a public charger when necessary. A dual-motor all-wheel-drive Lyriq is also planned. You can get the full details of the rest of the Lyriq package, including its passive suspension system, by checking out our First Drive here.How Fast Is the Lyriq?With just a single, modestly powerful motor, we weren't expecting Tesla Model Y Performance, uh, performance out of our rear-drive Lyriq test vehicle, yet it still impressed. The Lyriq zipped from 0-60 mph in just 5.7 seconds and through the quarter mile in a respectable 14.2 seconds at 100.5 mph. That's significantly slower than many electric SUVs in the segment (most of which offer dual-motor all-wheel drive as standard), including the slowest Model Y we've tested, which needed 4.1 seconds to 60 mph and a 12.4 second quarter mile at 114.8 mph. Yet it's as quick or quicker than many of its gas-powered contemporaries, including the Lincoln Nautilus, Genesis GV80, and Mercedes-Benz GLE.And although its 134-foot 60-0-mph performance leaves us a little wanting, the Lyriq manages a respectable 27.2-second figure-eight lap while averaging 0.64 g. Not bad considering its 5,654-pound curb weight.Is the Lyriq Better on the Road?The Lyriq drives wonderfully out in the real world. Unlike the violent rip-your-face-off acceleration you get in many of its EV competitors, the Lyriq is tuned more conservatively, in many ways mimicking how a big, understressed V-8 performs. Dip into the throttle and you get one big tidal wave of torque that you can surf long past any legal speed limit in this country. "The throttle pedal is well damped, too," said associate editor Duncan Brady. "EVs with instant torque tend to expose less smooth driving habits, but the relaxed response in the default Tour mode makes it easy to drive smoothly." Those looking for more thrills, fret not, as dual-motor and V versions ought to pack more than 500 horsepower.The Lyriq's brakes are tuned well, too. The one-pedal driving mode is smooth and perfectly calibrated, allowing you to come to a complete stop, and should you ever need more braking power, pulling the paddle on the left side of the steering wheel results in even more regenerative deceleration. Those who prefer to brake the old-fashioned way will also find lots to like, as the pedal feels natural and offers plenty of bite.Contemporary high-end Cadillacs are known for their fine ride quality thanks to the wide use of MagneRide dampers, but the Lyriq makes do with a more traditional setup using what GM calls "Passive Plus" frequency-selective dampers. As far as our finely tuned auto journalist butts are concerned, the likely cheaper passive dampers are nearly as good as the fancy magnetorheological ones. The Lyriq floats over all but the harshest impacts—without actually becoming floaty, as did many of its predecessors. Also, like many of its mid-20th-century forerunners, the Lyriq isn't overtly sporty but it handles competently. Put it this way: The Lyriq won't leave you white-knuckling on a curvy road, but it also won't ever be mistaken for Cadillac's finely tuned V performance models, either.Inside the Cadillac LyriqThat's just as well because it's worth slowing down for a beat and appreciating the Lyriq's interior. For the first time in a Cadillac this millennium, the Lyriq features bespoke switchgear and hardware not shared with lesser Buicks, Chevrolets, or GMCs. The new controls make a great impression. "They're beautifully weighted," Brady said. "The real metal and heavyweight feel of the knobs remind me of Bentley. These are not things I anticipated would stand out in Cadillac's new EV, considering how many of the brand's cars share controls with other GM stuff." More than just looking good, the Lyriq is surprisingly functional, too, with hidden storage (such as the drawer lined with blue leather in the center stack), comfortable front seats, and an incredibly spacious back seat and trunk.Still, there's some obvious room for improvement. For starters, Cadillac's infotainment system shows much promise—the curved displays and its Google Maps integration are particularly great—but the UX doesn't make good use of the space, displaying blocks of apps that are difficult to navigate with the control knob. Similarly, the door handles appear to have been engineered in virtual space; getting into the car requires you first press the door handle—which is really just a button masquerading as a handle—to get the latch to release and then grab onto a separate handle hidden in the window trim to pull the doors open … unless you're getting in back, as there aren't any grab points back there. The Lyriq, despite being rear-drive in this test car's case, also lacks the frunk that's become so common on EVs.On the worrying side of the ledger, we experienced build quality issues with our early production Lyriq test vehicle. The charging port cover flapped in the breeze, the rearview mirror vibrated subtly at highway speeds, and a handful of inconsistent panel gaps in the interior distracted from the otherwise beautifully furnished cabin. And although the hardware for it comes standard, our Lyriq also didn't have GM's excellent Super Cruise advanced driver assist system due to the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage. Cadillac says owners will be able to add it at a later date with a software update and an indeterminate subscription fee.Is the Lyriq Worth It?Despite the build issues, though, the Lyriq still feels like a striking value at its $62,990 base and as-tested prices. Stellar to look at, good to drive, and generally easy to live with, the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq 450E Debut Edition provides both a viable and enticing path forward for the brand as we rapidly approach the middle of the 21st century. Second chances are rare. The Lyriq proves that Cadillac isn't wasting one.Looks good! More details?2023 Cadillac Lyriq 450E (Debut Edition) Specifications BASE PRICE $62,990 PRICE AS TESTED $62,990 VEHICLE LAYOUT Rear-motor, RWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV MOTOR TYPE Permanent-magnet electric POWER (SAE NET) 340 hp TORQUE (SAE NET) 325 lb-ft TRANSMISSION 1-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 5,654 lb (49/51%) WHEELBASE 121.8 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 196.7 x 77.8 x 63.9 in 0-60 MPH 5.7 sec QUARTER MILE 14.2 sec @ 100.5 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 134 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.79 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 27.2 sec @ 0.64 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 97/82/82 mpg-e EPA RANGE, COMB 312 miles ON SALE Now Show All
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