Nother CarGuy

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...

Hyundai says it’s breaking new ground with the brand new 2022 Santa Cruz. The unibody pickup eschews the boxy proportions of traditional pickups in favor of a youthful design based on its crossovers. The connection to Hyundai’s crossovers is clear, as the Santa Cruz is kinda like a Tucson, only with an open bed added behind the second row of seats. That’s not to say that the two are identical; the front end design may follow the same philosophy but it’s different, while at 118.3 inches, the Santa Cruz’s wheelbase is 9.8 inches longer than that of the new Tucson, and it also has a 12.4-inch bigger overall length, at 195.7 inches. In any case, Hyundai claims that its pickup truck boasts “bold yet sophisticated styling, powerful and efficient powertrain options, a flexible open bed for gear, cutting-edge connectivity and a highly maneuverable all-wheel-drive platform that is equally at home in urban and adventure-focused environments”. With four doors and a bed hauling your gear, the auto...

Although it’s five inches longer than the outgoing model, Nissan tells us that it didn’t want its new Frontier to grow too much. The company was focused on finding a just-right size for the mid-size pickup. However, even though the chassis has been thoroughly re-engineered for 2022 and the overall length increased, the wheelbase is the same as the outgoing model. Power also comes from a familiar engine, though Nissan disclosed that when they introduced the 3.8-liter V6 for MY2020. The engine makes 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. That’s easily more power and torque than the Chevy Colorado (with optional V6). The Ranger’s EcoBoost, meanwhile makes much less power, but more torque. The Frontier‘s V6 is hooked up to a 9-speed automatic. Although EPA numbers aren’t ready yet, Nissan says that the economy numbers will be similar, if not better than the outgoing model’s 18/24/20 mpg. The new look, meanwhile, has been designed to be as rough and tumble as possible. Many of its design cues were...

What’s in a number? A lot when they happen to be 668, 659 and 200+. Those are the headline grabbing numbers associated with the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing, which is the most powerful Cadillac ever created. Starting under the hood, there’s an upgraded version of the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that powered the CTS-V. It features Rotocast aluminum cylinder heads, titanium intake valves, and a “track-capable wet-sump oiling and vent system with an external oil separator and drain-back.” There’s also a revised exhaust system and an improved intake which provides 46% better airflow. Thanks to these modifications, the hand-built engine produces an impressive 668 hp (498 kW / 677 PS) and 659 lb-ft (893 lb-ft) of torque. That’s 28 hp (21 kW / 28 PS) and 29 lb-ft (39 Nm) more than the CTS-V. It’s also worth noting the CT5-V Blackwing blows the competition out of the water as the BMW M3 Competition has 503 hp (375 kW / 510 PS) and 479 lb-ft (649 Nm) of torque, while the Mercedes-AMG C63 S packs 503 hp (...

Hours after Chevrolet introduced the 2019 Silverado, Ford is firing back by unveiling the all-new Ranger. Set to debut at the North American International Auto Show, the Ranger will join the reinvigorated mid-size truck market that is currently being dominated by the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma. The Ranger's front fascia is dominated by a relatively small grille which can be flanked by optional LED headlights. Designers also installed a bulging hood, front fender vents, and muscular wheels arches. Other styling features include vertical taillights and a tailgate with stamped "RANGER" lettering. Three different trim levels will be available - XL, XLT, and Lariat - and they will be joined by Chrome and Sport appearance packages. Regardless of which trim level is selected, the Ranger will only be offered in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. Perhaps the most notable option is the FX4 Off-Road Package which adds special shocks, all-terrain ...

Hyundai has unveiled the facelifted 2018 Sonata at the New York Auto Show. Looking virtually identical to the Korean model which was introduced last month, the North American variant has a sportier front fascia with a larger grille that is flanked by LED-infused headlights. The refreshened styling continues further back as customers will find restyled taillights, new alloy wheels, and a rear Hyundai badge that doubles as a trunk release button. The Sonata Sport and Sonata 2.0T go one step further as they are distinguished by a mesh grille, unique bumpers, and gloss black window trim. The cabin invokes a sense of déjà vu but the company has added a revised instrument cluster, a new three-spoke steering wheel, and an updated center stack with new switchgear. Buyers will also find a second row USB charging port, an upgraded infotainment system, and an improved navigation system with a bird’s eye view feature. On the safety front, the 2018 Sonata gains a standard Blind Spot Dete...