Cars are not as popular as they used to be. Most consumers want to spend their money on an SUV that offers more ground clearance, a higher driving position, more interior space, and safety in case of an accident. Here’s the thing, the car is still great. And as consumers migrate to his SUVs, automakers are under pressure to make their vehicles even better.
These days, you can find cars that come standard with just about every bell and whistle. Plus, modern cars offer snappy handling that SUVs can’t match until you get a really expensive one. For consumers considering sedans, sports cars and hatchbacks, there are more options than ever in this class. We’ve put together a list of our favorite cars in popular segments to help you find the right option for you.
Best Electric Car: Lucid Air
For years, Tesla has been an unwavering presence in the all-electric segment. Between the Tesla Model 3 and Model S, the automaker covered the compact and large segments. With a range of up to 405 miles, Tesla puts it far ahead of any other competitor in its class, with the Model S sedan’s ability to reach 60 mph in just 1.99 seconds and its 1,020 horsepower rating. I even boasted about Tesla sat on his Mount Olympus a little too long because a small startup called Lucid and his brand came out of nowhere and dropped Tesla from its pedestal.
Lucid Air is an amazing feat of engineering. Opt for Grand Touring trim for 516 miles of range. Everyone thought Tesla had created a mark with his 405-mile rating that hadn’t been surpassed in years, but Lucid smashed that figure with the official rating once and for all.
The Air is not only the longest range electric car on the market, it is also one of the most powerful and fastest electric cars on the market. Lucid introduced his new Sapphire model with 1,200 horsepower and a 0 to 60 mph speed in less than two seconds. Those numbers are meant to beat the Model S, and when the final numbers come out, it will accelerate even better than Tesla.
Automakers continue to introduce EVs at an alarming rate. EVs come with cutting-edge tech features and features that seem silly. Air doesn’t feel like a gimmick. It’s cutting edge and the fact that it’s Lucid’s first vehicle makes it all the more impressive.
Best Compact Car Award: Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has been the benchmark in the compact class for decades. It manages to do it all well at a price that will appeal to everyone. increase.
One of the Civic’s greatest features is the wide range of available trim. Available in hatchback and sedan body styles, the Civic is available in a modest 2.0-liter 4-cylinder or turbo 1.5-liter 4-cylinder. Both engines consume fuel, which makes the Civic perfect for commuters. If you choose a hatchback model, you can also choose a 6-speed manual with the base engine. There are quite a few non-performance vehicles with manuals these days, so it’s commendable that Honda left the manuals.
Unlike most compact cars, Honda offers two performance variants. There is a Civic Si with a 200 hp version of the turbo 1.5 liter engine. The crisp variable gearbox and flickable handling make it a great everyday drive for those looking for weekend fun. Then there is the Civic Type R. Completely redesigned for 2023, it now makes 315 hp. It has enough grip to scare passengers, can reach 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, set new lap records on the track and makes life surprisingly easy. Talk about a well-rounded lineup.
It’s unheard of in modern times to have a car this affordable that looks this good and has something this spacious.
Best Hot Hatchback: Toyota GR Corolla
2023 will be a breakthrough year for hot hatchbacks. After seeing Toyota introduce the GR Yaris, we couldn’t help but sneer. No, we’re crazy about SUVs, so the GR Yaris probably wouldn’t sell in the US, but we felt it deserved something special.
Toyota entrusted the Corolla hatchback to its high-performance sub-brand, Gazoo Racing, and the GR Corolla was born. The GR Corolla is equipped with the same 1.6-liter 3-cylinder turbo engine as the GR Yaris, and is powered up to 300 horsepower. The engine is available with a six-speed manual transmission only, and a customizable all-wheel drive system is also available.The hot hatch may be rally-inspired, but it’s got tenacious cornering grip and high-tech all-wheel drive. The system makes it a full-fledged weapon on the circuit.
The GR Corolla drives like crazy, but one of the things we love about this hatchback is that it looks like it’s going to kill people. Flaring fenders, massive front air intakes, three exhaust vents and well-placed vents make the GR Corolla look like a true rally car. All missing hatchbacks are livery.
Best Large Luxury Sedan: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
No other car embodies what it means to be a luxury car like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. This is nothing new. The S-Class has been the definition of luxury cars for decades. Few cars can match the S-Class when it comes to luxury, as it offers cutting-edge technical features, a plush ride, and design elements that help pamper its passengers.
The S-Class looks like the epitome of a luxury car. Its imposing design emphasizes the fact that it is over 17 feet long. The sedan’s enormous size correlates with an incredibly roomy interior, especially for rear-seat occupants. Those sitting there get 43.8 inches of leg room. It’s wider than a midsize SUV.
The S-Class is not only huge, but it has features that make it even more comfortable than the Lovesack sofa. The Executive line features powered outboard rear seats with memory settings, quad-zone auto climate control, rear wireless charging pads, rear massage seats, rear neck heater, rear tablet and rear seat airbags.
Mercedes doesn’t have an AMG S-class yet, but most people aren’t looking for more performance from a sedan’s engine. generate horsepower. For more power, there’s a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with a mild-hybrid system that produces 496 horsepower. The standard air suspension delivers one of the most comfortable rides on the market, and the available E-Active Body Control actually leans the car into corners.
Sublime and ridiculously unequal, the S-Class is automotive royalty.
Best Sport Sedan: Cadillac CT5-V
The industry is ripe for sports sedans, but nothing beats the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. This sedan is a top-of-the-range Murika with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces a heart-stopping 668 horsepower. The engine itself makes his CT5-V Blackwing award-worthy and special, but what sets the Cadillac apart is his availability of a six-speed manual. That is correct. This All-American heavyweight is the only car in its class and one of his few sedans with a V8 and manual gearbox.
Acceleration out of the V8 is ridiculous. Being able to pedal the gear with your right hand and left foot is great. It’s worth noting how the CT5-V Blackwing handles. For such a big car, the CT5-V Blackwing has composure and quick reflexes. Unlike other cars in its class that offer numbing driving dynamics or try to hide the road from the driver, Cadillac does the exact opposite by pairing the machine with the driver.
The CT5-V Blackwing likes to push through corners and in a straight line, but it’s also a great family car when you’re not in a hurry. Or, if you’re the type of family without kids, it’s perfect for a spontaneous vacation trip. The CT5-V Blackwing is an incredible machine that shows America knows what it’s doing, so it’s a shame it’s only been around for such a short time.
Best Sports Car: Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ
Sports cars are disappearing from the earth as fast as the Javan rhinoceros. In a situation that serves no good cause, sports cars are ridiculously expensive and out of reach for most people. and further deepened the partnership. The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ make his second comeback, but better than before.
The big news for the new sports car is that it will eventually come with a more powerful engine. Both are equipped with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine of 228 horsepower. As a result, it is no longer as competitive as the Toyota Prius in drag racing. While the engine makes it a sports car that doesn’t feel underpowered, the brand has also made changes to the car’s suspension and chassis to make it sharper to drive. The result was two purely drivable sports cars.
GR86 and BRZ are surprisingly different in ride comfort. One is more happy with their tails than the other – I’m not going to screw things up by saying which one likes being smacked. Different driving dynamics of sports cars are meant to appeal to different people.
It’s a miracle that these two sports cars are affordable or still exist. You can get a faster sports car, a faster sports car on the track, a sports car that will get you more followers on Instagram. But when it comes to driver fun, the two are in different leagues.
Editor’s pick