The Cartrast Blog

While we were attending 2021 WAJ Media Days earlier this week, we spent some time with the 2022 Genesis G70 3.3T in rear-wheel-drive form on the winding back roads of Half Moon Bay. Redesigned with the intention of sharing the same design language with other Genesis models, the G70 still retains many of the characteristics which we liked in 2019. With a twin-turbocharged V-6 making 365 horsepower, the G70 3.3T was no slouch and put a smile on our faces whenever we could put the throttle down.

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Earlier this week we found ourselves in the driver’s seat of the all-wheel-drive hatchback version of the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo during the Western Automotive Journalists’ Media Days event in Half Moon Bay. The Mazda3 has become a much more upscale vehicle in recent times, offering equipment once only available in cars more than double the price. With a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making up to 250 horsepower, we were interested to see what the more powerful version of the Mazda3 would be like and we weren’t disappointed in the least.

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During the Western Automotive Journalists’ Media Days event earlier this week, we got some seat time with the plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4xe. Pairing a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor, the 4xe designation makes the Wrangler become much more efficient both on- and off-road. We wanted to see how this new powertrain handled as fuel economy is always something important when venturing out onto trails that generally don’t have a fueling station nearby.

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As we were at the Western Automotive Journalists Media Days event in scenic Half Moon Bay, we wanted to get behind the wheel of a convertible to fully take in the environment and the wonderful weather. Due to this, when we had an opportunity to get some seat time in the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E53 cabriolet, we took it. Having been significantly updated for the 2021 model year along with the rest of the E-Class range (sedan, coupe, and station wagon), we wanted to find out how good the E53 was to drive.

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Across the country, pickup truck enthusiasts have very much been looking forward to the Ram 1500 TRX hitting the market. We were interested in the TRX too as it has the same supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 found in the Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Durango Hellcat models as well as the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. When one became available for us to get behind the wheel of at WAJ Media Days, we decided to try out the TRX for ourselves and discover what made it so special.

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Something which the Cartrast team always wonders about is the future of automotive luxury. Luxury cars tend to showcase the best of comfort and performance that a vehicle can offer. While we were attending the Western Automotive Journalists Media Days event, we had the chance to try out the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580 sedan, a vehicle considered by many to be a standard bearer for luxury cars. With an entirely different user interface from previous S-Classes as well as a redesigned, sleeker interior and exterior, we wanted to see if the new S-Class still sets the guidelines of what an upscale vehicle should be.

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With over 137,000 sold in America since 2014, the Macan has been a very popular choice among premium compact SUV shoppers and brings new customers to Porsche. For 2022, the company has made even more enhancements visible on the outside as well as underneath the skin (with more powerful powertrains), helping the Macan stand out even more in an ultra-competitive market.

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For the 2022 model year, Jeep has performed a substantial update of the Compass with the changes most visible in the cabin and available equipment list. Notably, the amount of storage room inside has doubled while there is an available 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment screen in the dashboard. Handling has also been improved, with retuned suspension for a smoother ride and an upgraded steering for better responsiveness. All of these improvements come as the compact SUV market becomes ever more popular.

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Yesterday Infiniti unveiled an all-new QX60 SUV, conceived to provide families with a vehicle capable and classy enough to complete transport tasks with ease. Completely redesigned on the inside and out, the exterior sports an origami-inspired mesh grille along with distinct daytime lighting signatures, while the interior can be had with quilted semi-aniline leather and contrast piping, coupled with open-pore wood and ambient lighting.

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With the premium compact SUV market becoming ever more competitive, Lexus has delivered a comprehensive update of its NX, installing plenty of new equipment and features. Notably, there’s an all-new Lexus Interface multimedia system, which offers available over the air updates, wireless charging, and an untethered smartphone connection. Along with the infotainment changes, Lexus has made a host of other developments, a key standout being the availability of a plug-in hybrid version of the NX.

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It looks like Hyundai wasn’t the only one with a new compact pickup truck for 2022. This month, Ford debuted the Maverick, which Ford says is the most fuel-efficient truck on the market with a targeted rating of 40 miles per gallon in the city. Coming as a five-passenger four-door truck with a full-hybrid powertrain and having the maneuverability of a city car, the Maverick should appeal to customers who likely never considered a truck before.

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With the attraction of SUVs showing no signs of abating, Toyota has introduced a new utility vehicle based on the popular Corolla. Called the Corolla Cross and available with all-wheel-drive, this new model is designed to appeal to customers who prefer the maneuverability of a compact sedan but the utility that an SUV can provide. With the Cross, Toyota can combine ride comfort, a high level of spaciousness, and efficiency into one vehicle.

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With the 3-row family SUV market thriving, Buick has made a significant update to the Enclave for the 2022 model year, with visible changes both inside and out. In particular, the top-end Avenir trim gets unique outside trim bits, a more upscale interior with piping, as well as heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats. The updated Enclave provides an alluring alternative to the usual 3-row SUVs that families usually choose.

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For the 2022 model year, Toyota has made some updates to its sought-after Tacoma. The 4x4-only Trail Edition trim gets a 1.1-inch front and 0.5-inch rear suspension lift to make venturing off the beaten path less challenging while the TRD Pro trim gets the same suspension lift along with new upper control arms and new wheels. With these updates to the Tacoma, the reputation of the midsize truck is enhanced further.

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Since its introduction, the Toyota Highlander has been popular with families across the United States. In hybrid form, the Highlander became even more appealing combining a relatively high level of efficiency with the ability to cart around at least 7 passengers. For 2022, Toyota wants the Highlander to stand out in the pack of family crossovers with the Bronze Edition of the Highlander, available only with the hybrid powertrain.

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