Behind The Wheel

Model Tested: 2019 Lexus NX 300h 5-Door SUV Engine:2.5-liter hybrid I-4, 194-horsepower 152 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 33-mpg city, 30-mpg highway, 31-mpg combined Base Price: $38,835 As Tested: $49,507 Performance: Power is adequate, but not impressive Fuel economy is excellent: our best was 33.5-mpg highway Dial for drive modes: Eco, […]

Model Tested: 2019 Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD Sedan Engine:3.5-liter V-6, 311-horsepower 280 lb-ft torque Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 19-mpg city, 26-mpg highway, 21-mpg combined Base Price: $44,095 As Tested: $53,437 Performance: Strong engine Excellent acceleration Paddle shifters Multiple performance modes dial (Eco to Sport Plus) Push button for snow driving […]

Model Tested: 2019 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0T Final Edition SE Engine:2.0-liter turbo I-4, 174-horsepower 184 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 26-mpg city/33-mpg highway, 29-mpg combined Base Price: $23,045 As Tested: $23,940 Performance: Peppy acceleration, easily merges and keeps up with traffic High twenties to low thirties fuel economy—our best was 32.9-mpg Easy […]

Model Tested: 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor 4×4 Supercrew Engine:3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6, 450-horsepower 510 lb-ft torque Transmission: 10-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 15-mpg city/18-mpg highway, 16-mpg combined Base Price: $55,840 As Tested: $72,780 Performance: Impressive performance 450 hp from twin-turbo V-6 Great exhaust note Low 5-second 0 to 60 times Looks like truck but goes […]

Model Tested: 2019 Toyota Prius Prime Advanced Hatchback Engine:1.8-liter I-4 gas plus electric motor, 121-horsepower Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 54-mpg gas only, 133-mpge electricity plus gas Base Price: $33,350 As Tested: $36,085 Performance: Impressive fuel economy—our best was 66.4-mpg highway Good acceleration with electric motor assist Odd shifter in lower center of […]

Model Tested: 2019 Lexus GS F 4 door sedan Engine:5.0-liter V-8, 467-horsepower, 389 lb-ft torque Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 16-mpg city, 24-mpg highway, 19-mpg combined Base Price: $84,350 As Tested: $88,210 Performance: Impressive V-8 performance Great exhaust note Four staggered exhaust pipes Torque Vectoring Differential for track driving and even drifting Confident […]

Model Tested: 2019 Mitsubishi Cross SE 1.5T S-AWC Engine:1.5-liter turbocharged I-4, 152-horsepower, 184 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 25-mpg city, 26-mpg highway, 25-mpg combined Base Price: $26,695 As Tested: $28,065 Performance: Decent acceleration especially for such a small engine Smooth transmission Pleasant highway ride Confident off-road Short rear overhang for good […]

Model Tested: 2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Advance Engine:3.0-liter V-6, 321-horsepower, 289 lb-ft torque Transmission: 7-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 26-mpg city, 27-mpg highway, 27-mpg combined Base Price: $59,550 As Tested: $60,545 Performance: Smooth transitions between gas and electric power Good fuel economy—our best was 33.8-mpg Advance Package includes active shock absorbers and wider […]

Model tested: 2019 Lexus LS 500h sedan Engine: 3.5-liter DOHC Atkinson-cycle V6 multistage hybrid, plus two electric motors Horsepower: 354 combined Transmission: E-CVT 4-speed automatic EPA ratings: 23/city, 31/highway, 26/combined Base price: $82,930 As tested: $107,355 Overview: The fifth-generation Lexus LS was totally redesigned last year, and except for enhanced Alexa/Apple CarPlay functionality, a new […]