Nother CarGuy

Volkswagen’s Polo is a giant among small cars. In a career spanning almost 50 years it’s shifted over 18 million units, and regularly ranks close to the top of best-seller charts, proving Europeans love competent but dull cars. To ensure it stays there, and to make it slightly less dull, Volkswagen has given it a mid-life refresh, applying a touch of the Mk8 Golf’s design and some tech features more usually seen on cars like the flagship Touareg SUV. This being a facelift rather a ground-up rebuild, the major visual changes are limited to lights and bumpers. LED head and tail lights are standard on every model, the front units connected by an illuminated strip at the base of the radiator grille. Or you can upgrade them to the adaptive Matrix LED technology from the Touareg and Passat. That’s not the only big-car tech the Polo inherits. Volkswagen has bundled various assistance system together and given them the IQ.Drive Travel Assist tag. Those extra cost systems include adaptive cruis...

The Lexus ES might not be as exciting as the IS or as luxurious as the LS, but it’s the company’s bread and butter sedan. It’s also getting better with age as the automaker has announced a series of updates for the 2022 model year. Starting with the exterior, the revamped ES has been equipped with a new grille that “emphasizes the vehicle’s elegant design with a series of concentric ‘L’ shapes that radiate from the front Lexus emblem.” The grille is flanked by new LED headlights that are accompanied by a revised color palette which sees Iridium and Cloudburst Gray replace Atomic Silver, Silver Lining and Nebula Gray. Additional changes are limited, but the 2022 ES has updated wheels including standard 17-inchers that have “thicker spoke ends that are layered in ‘V’ formations to produce a sporty impression.” The sedan can also be equipped with updated 18-inch wheels, while F Sport variants come with exclusive 19-inch wheels featuring a new black finish. Touchscreens are nearly everywhe...

The first images of the facelifted 2022 Genesis G70 have been unveiled, showcasing a striking new look fitting of the brand’s current design language. With this in mind, the front of the updated G70 includes the Korean automaker’s new ‘Quad Lamps’ headlights that give the sports sedan a particularly athletic appearance. The front end also includes the Genesis signature crest grille as well as shapely new air intakes and a large lower grille. Fewer changes have been made to the sides of the 2022 model but there are air extractors just behind the front wheels. Genesis has also overhauled the rear fascia of the 2022 G70 with the fitment of its new Quad Lamp taillights that have been inspired by the soaring wings from the Genesis logo. The sedan also includes a body-colored diffuser as well as oval exhaust tips. Moving to the interior and we find an enlarged 10.25-inch infotainment system that includes an exclusive Genesis UI design and supports over-the-air wireless updates as well as App...

This is the facelifted 2021 BMW 5-Series, complete with a sharp new look and bringing with it a host of new technologies. The exterior design is easily discernible from the outgoing 5-Series model. Found up front are new standard Adaptive LED headlights that are slimmer in profile and complete with two L-shaped daytime running lights. These DRLs double as the turn signals. Spin around to the rear and you will find new taillights and trapezoidal tailpipes. Changes have also been made to the M Sport Package with new front and rear bumpers, enlarged front air intakes, a rear trunk lid spoiler, and a re-sculpted rear diffuser. Interior updates are quite subtle. All variants come complete with BMW’s iDrive 7 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display and include navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. There is also a 12.3-inch digital instrument display. In the U.S., all four-cylinder and six-cylinder models come equipped with new Perforated SensaTec upholstery with contr...

As recent teasers indicated, the design changes made to the facelifted i30 Hatchback, Fastback, and Wagon are only subtle but do make the vehicle a touch more striking. At the front, the South Korean car includes a wider grille with a complex 3D mesh pattern while also sporting slimmer headlights with optional multifaceted reflector MFR LED technology. These lights are particularly eye-catching thanks to the presence of new V-shaped daytime running lights. Spin around to the rear of the refreshed i30 and you’ll be greeted with a new bumper that’s been developed to improve aerodynamic performance. The taillights also offer a V-shape to mimic the front. Hyundai has also designed diamond-cut 16-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels. Alterations have also been made to the i30 N Line, available in both Hatchback and Fastback guises. In addition to featuring the same headlights and taillights as lesser models, the new N line trim includes a new lower and larger front grille, a re-designed ...

Chrysler has revealed the 2021 Pacifica at the Chicago Auto Show, featuring new options and technologies, as well as an updated styling. The facelifted Chrysler Pacifica debuts with a revised front fascia that features a 3D diamond-style front grille, redesigned LED headlights and taillights, new wheel designs and an updated S Appearance package. For the 2021 model year, the new Chrysler Pacifica gains a new all-wheel drive system option, capable of transferring all available torque to the rear wheels, or whichever wheels offer the more traction, a unique feature in its class. Models equipped with Chrysler’s AWD system are also getting a rear sway bar, revised suspension tuning and an increased by 20mm ride height. Customers will be able to choose the AWD option in all trim levels: Touring, Touring L, Limited and the new range-topping Pinnacle. The new 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle was designed to offer a premium luxury experience, with features such as quilted Caram...

The Toyota Highlander lineup is expanding as the three-row crossover is gaining an all-new and sportier XSE variant for 2021. Following in the footsteps of the Camry XSE, the Highlander features an aggressive front fascia with a revised grille and larger lower air intake. The model also has tinted lighting units and a metallic spoiler. The sporty styling touches continue further back as the crossover is equipped with exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels that feature black accents. Buyers will also find new side skirts, blacked out window trim and black mirror caps. Rounding out the highlights are black roof rails and a chromed dual exhaust system. Interior changes are limited but include ambient lighting, faux carbon fiber trim and black Softex seats with fabric inserts. Customers can also opt for a two-tone interior featuring black and red leather as well as red contrast stitching. The improvements aren’t just skin deep as Highlander XSE features a sportier suspension with ...

Chevrolet has unveiled the facelifted 2021 Equinox at the Chicago Auto Show, with highlights including a refreshed appearance, newly available safety features and a new RS trim. Most notably, the facelifted SUV gains a redesigned front fascia featuring new, sleeker LED headlights intertwined with a bolder grille. The rear fascia is also updated and now features visible exhaust trims flanking a diffuser-like element. There are five available trim levels: L, LS, LT, Premier and the newly-added RS. Those opting for the sporty RS grade will get a gloss black grille, 19-inch Dark Android alloys, black bowtie emblems and badging, plus black side rails. Inside, the 2021 Chevy Equinox RS gains an RS shift knob and black upholstery with red stitching. The 2021 Equinox Premier features several design particularities as well, including a gloss-black grille with chrome inserts, 19-inch machine-faced wheels, as well as French stitching and high gloss black finish on the center consol...

Audi has revised its RS5 Coupe and Sportback models, giving them a more aggressive appearance and new MMI touch technology. The 444 HP 2.9-liter TFSI twin turbo V6 unit however remains the same. The exterior of the two RS5 models now features a wider and flatter Singleframe grille, following in the footsteps of the latest RS6 and RS7. Meanwhile, the implied air vents above the grille take us back to the iconic Audi Sport quattro from the 80s. “The revision of the RS5 Coupe and RS5 Sportback marks the successful conclusion of our 25th anniversary and the renewal of our model range,” said Audi Sport exec Oliver Hoffmann. “Thanks to the standard permanent quattro drive, they occupy a special position in their segment.” The 1.6 inch (40 mm) wider wheel arches and darkened matrix LED headlight bezels serve to further differentiate these new RS5 models from their regular A5 counterparts. Also new are the contoured air inlets that now feature a pentagonal cut, as well as the redes...

Jaguar has embraced crossovers and electric vehicles, but the company hasn’t given up on sports cars.  That’s clearly evident today as the automaker has unveiled the facelifted F-Type. Looking instantly recognizable, the updated model has an aggressive front fascia that features a larger honeycomb mesh grille. It is flanked by slimmer headlights and sportier air intakes. The rest of the model largely carries over, but buyers find a new hood, restyled wheels and updated front fender vents. The styling changes continue out back as there’s a modestly revised rear fascia and new taillights that ditch the circular accent featured on its predecessor. Inside, drivers will find a familiar interior.  While most components carryover, there’s a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a Touch Pro infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Speaking of the infotainment system, it now has software-over-the-air functionality so future updates can b...