All New KIA

Renault gave the Clio supermini a mid-cycle facelift about a year ago, so it’s only natural that its crossover counterpart would also receive a few changes. The 2024 Captur follows the latest design language with bold LED daytime running lights and a redesigned diamond logo. The entire front fascia has been redesigned, which doesn’t happen often over the life of a vehicle.

There are some slight changes at the rear, where the taillights remain the “C” shape but now have different graphics. Renault has updated its badging on the tailgate to match the new corporate identity, and it looks like the fake exhaust tips are now (thankfully) a thing of the past. Hopefully, this is a sign that this annoying trend is starting to die down.

The new Esprit Alpine variant replaces the old RS Line at the top of the range. Customers can choose from no less than 14 two-tone paint combinations and just as many colors. The cheapest 2024 Captur rides on 17-inch steel wheels, but you can opt for 19-inch wheels for the Esprit Alpine.

The interior looks instantly familiar (it’s just a facelift), but the infotainment touchscreen now measures 10.4 inches while the larger digital instrument cluster measures 10.25 inches across. With the 2024 Captur, Renault has removed all leather from the interior of the subcompact crossover, and also removed the chrome. The new seats are made from recycled materials based on renewable materials such as hemp.

Stick to the entry-level version and the French brand will fit a tiny 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with 90hp sent to the road via a six-speed manual transmission. A larger 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder produces 140hp and works with the same manual transmission. A more powerful version of the 1.3-litre engine has 160hp and sends power to the wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Alternatively, you can opt for a hybrid powertrain with a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 94 hp and working in conjunction with a 36-kilowatt electric motor, an 18 kW high-voltage starter generator and a 1.2 kWh battery. The car has a combined output of 145 hp and always runs in pure electric mode. Renault claims that 80 percent of city driving is done without using the combustion engine.

Predictably, there is no diesel engine as European carmakers are gradually moving away from using oil-burning engines in their smaller cars. However, there is an LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) version with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo engine and a six-speed manual transmission. On a full tank of petrol and LPG, the 100 hp Captur can travel 684 miles.

Ford Puma rival Renault Captur goes on sale in Europe later this year after series production began in Spain at its Valladolid plant.

Kia announced pricing and information for the 2025 Sorento Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid on Tuesday, both of which are getting the same refreshes we saw for the 2024 pure-combustion models. As you might expect, the prices are higher than last year—much higher in some cases. But there’s a surprise in the mix. The base price for the new Sorento plug-in hybrid is actually lower than before.

That’s because buyers now have a new entry-level trim option. The EX is now the starting point for plug-in hybrids, with a base price of $49,365, including a $1,375 delivery fee. That’s $2,300 less than last year’s base retail price, and you still get the same hybrid powertrain that produces 261 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. As a refresher, it’s a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a single electric motor and a 14-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The electric-only range of the 2025 Sorento is 30 miles.

The EX trim also comes with luxuries like heated power front seats, a 12.3-inch center display, 19-inch aluminum wheels, LED headlights, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and plenty of USB power ports throughout the three-row interior. Over-the-air updates are standard, as are a modest selection of driver-assistance features like lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, and forward collision avoidance, among others. And it’s all wrapped up in the updated exterior Kia introduced last year.

Stepping up to the SX Prestige trim costs $54,465—$2,800 more than last year. That’s where you’ll find things like leather trim, heated and ventilated seats, a Bose stereo, dual 12.3-inch displays for the driver and center infotainment system, and more. It’s also the only way to get Kia’s full suite of driver assists like blind-spot collision avoidance, advanced forward collision avoidance, rear collision avoidance, and a surround-view camera.

Kia also announced pricing and details for the mild-hybrid Sorento. You’ll pay $40,065 for the entry-level EX with front-wheel drive; if you opt for all-wheel drive, the price jumps to $41,865. That’s a hefty $1,700 and $1,200 increase over last year. Meanwhile, the Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige is up $4,400 to $48,265. The 227-horsepower hybrid will be available starting in 2024; it’s a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a single motor powered by a 1.5-kilowatt-hour battery.

Kia also announced pricing and details for the mild-hybrid Sorento. You’ll pay $40,065 for the entry-level EX with front-wheel drive; if you opt for all-wheel drive, the price jumps to $41,865. That’s a hefty $1,700 and $1,200 increase over last year. Meanwhile, the Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige is up $4,400 to $48,265. The 227-horsepower hybrid will be available starting in 2024; it’s a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a single motor powered by a 1.5-kilowatt-hour battery.

Both Sorento hybrid models will be available later this year.

Lancia is back! Well, not in the way we expected – with a successor to the rally-inspired Delta Integrale – but the new Ypsilon is still big news considering it’s the brand’s first new product since 2011. It’s due to make its debut next month, but we’ve already got a closer look at the design.

The video you see here is from Masera Facebook page and shows the supermini car without any camouflage at all. The car was filmed for what is probably a promotional video by the Alfa Romeo Stelvio camera car. The footage is not perfect, but we can see the new Ypsilon from all angles.

There are some obvious influences from the Pu-Ra HPE concept, but the best part is that we also see inspiration from the 037 and Stratos. Overall, the city car looks sharp with a distinctive front end, although it is also worth mentioning that there are strong similarities to other Stellantis products. This should not be too surprising considering the shared underpinnings between Lancia, Peugeot, Citroen and Opel. As a result, the body proportions of the new Ypsilon are very similar to the Opel Corsa and Peugeot 208.

From what we know so far, the new Italian hatchback will be available with both hybrid and all-electric powertrains. Given what the Corsa and 208 offer, the EV version will most likely feature a 52-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a single electric motor on the front axle with a peak output of 156 horsepower. This would make the new Ypsilon the most powerful model generation in its history, as the model still available in Italy has a 70-hp hybrid three-cylinder engine.

Talking about the current generation Ypsilon, it was launched in 2011 and has undergone several cosmetic changes over the years. The last time it underwent a minor cosmetic change was about a year ago.

I can’t fall in love with the BMW M3. From the base manual to the xDrive Competition, nothing has captured my heart. It’s fast and fun to drive, but it’s not particularly memorable. The M3 CS is different.

Through a number of mechanical and cosmetic upgrades, the most potent M3 has become more attractive than the sum of its parts. It is a very attractive car and far more exciting than any other modern M car I have ever driven. Its stunning looks, blistering speed and sheer appeal make it a truly popular car from the M division.

If the M3 CS looks familiar, it should. The updated four-door inherits most of its upgrades from the more potent M4 CSL, a limited-run track-only edition for 2023. The CS uses the same engine—a 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six producing 543 horsepower—and many of the same lightweight carbon-fiber components. It also has a completely overhauled suspension with more camber, thicker roll bars, stiffer springs, and retuned shocks.

Most importantly, though, the M3 CS has two features that the CSL doesn’t: All-wheel drive and a set of rear seats. And those are the things that make it my favorite version of the platform.

The CSL is a fun car to drive. It has a very sharp front end and plenty of power on demand. However, it is also a bit sharp, eager to kick the rear and lay rubber whenever given the chance. It is not a scary car to drive, but it is difficult to put down consistent times without going sideways about 37 times per lap.

The M3 CS retains its impressive front end and prodigious power, but ditches the vibrations in favor of a sure-footed ride. On a beautiful spring day along Connecticut’s Lime Rock Park trails, the CS delivered smooth, predictable four-wheel glide, with no hint of wasted traction. At the same time, the rear end is less compressed than the regular M3 xDrive, allowing for real rotation. The car can dance around its center point, but it never gives the impression of suddenly taking over the rear end the way the CSL does.

DW Burnett

Pros: Very Fast, Very Fun on the Corners, Looks Much Better Than Other M Cars

The glue-like Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 and suspension tweaks go a long way toward improving the steering feel of BMW’s classic, far-out electric-assist rack. Still, I mostly relied on my butt to give me a sense of what the nose was actually doing. At 3,915 pounds, this track missile is still a heavy thing, so its true feel and purity are overlooked. Still, it’s so much more fun in the corners than its siblings that I almost didn’t care.

The straight-line speed of the CS is even more addictive. It's an ongoing joke these days that BMW seems to be seriously underestimating the power levels from the factory. The S58 under the hood of this car makes about 600 hp. At least that's how it feels when you step on the gas pedal and everyone in the car says “Good grief!!“when you hit second gear. It's incredibly fast in a very efficient, no-nonsense way that only a modern German car can be.

The eight-speed ZF torque converter has been retuned for quicker shifts, but it follows the same ethos as it has always done in modern M cars, producing a blisteringly quick shift that can rival a five-year-old dual-clutch system. Downshifts aren’t quite as crisp, but most people won’t notice. Plus, it makes the car a lot more livable when you just want to slosh through traffic on your way to your soul-sucking finance job (the only way you’ll ever afford the $132,695 3 Series as tested).

DW Burnett

DW Burnett

The optional $8,500 carbon ceramic brakes are also reliable, if a bit touchy at lower speeds and lighter inputs. They take a lap or two to get up to temperature, but when they do, stopping power is immense. They’re also the first part of the car to let you know when its weight is getting too much to handle.

Physics can’t do much for this BMW, and while the car’s peak performance is readily accessible, it only lasts about four or five laps before the brakes start to lose some of their power. Keep going, and the tires get fat, too. The equipment works brilliantly, but with nearly two tonnes of weight to lug around, it can’t do its magic for long.

Tires and brakes wear out gradually, though it’s easy to feel the damage. We never went fast around Big Bend at Lime Rock without brakes, nor did we skid off the road at 80 mph with a blown tire. As the laps go by, the brakes and tires won’t perform as well as they did five laps ago. Our advice? Time your laps early in the session. After that, focus on having fun.

DW Burnett

Cons: Heavy, There Are Cheaper and Better Race Cars Out There

The M3 CS’s cabin is a familiar sight if you’ve ever driven a regular M3. The space is dominated by a pair of 12.3-inch screens. One is for the instrument panel, while the other serves as a central hub for things like climate control and entertainment. The CS stands out with a bit of carbon fiber and Alcantara trim. I don’t mind most of it, but I know the steering wheel won’t age gracefully. If it were my car, I’d swap it out for a leather one. Plus, there’s no center console, which means there’s nowhere to rest your elbows.

While the CSL comes with fixed-back bucket seats as standard, the M3 CS gets the more widely used carbon bucket seats. These seats have become notorious for their odd carbon crotch-area center section and funny vertical thigh bolsters, but I like them. They allow you to sit very low in the car, and because you can move the back, you can adjust them to your body type, which reduces back pain (at least for a few hours). Plus, there’s a long bench in the back, meaning you can fit five people easily. That makes the CS much easier to justify as a do-it-all car.

For the price, there are better race cars out there. You’ll get more fun and more consistent performance in a Boxster or Cayman GTS 4.0, for example. And you can get about 90 percent of the performance out of a regular M3 Competition with xDrive. But there’s no other car on sale that delivers the same blend of utility, fun and blistering speed. Wrapping it all in a bright green and gold Tokyo Drift-style package just adds to the silliness. I’d have a hard time choosing between one of these and the M2. The purist in me wants the coupe with a manual, but ultimately, the CS is just more fun. I guess that’s one way to justify the price.

DW Burnett

Mitsubishi may be adding an off-road minivan to its aging lineup. A report published Thursday by Automotive News claims the Japanese automaker is preparing a production version of the DX Concept it introduced last October. That car won’t arrive until later this decade, and is one of two powerful vehicles the automaker is reportedly showing off with its new 2030 Momentum plan that it presented to North American dealers this week.

Mark Chaffin, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America, told dealers that the company will launch two new models in segments “that the company is not currently in.” In addition, the company plans to launch a new or “completely updated” vehicle each fiscal year between 2026 and 2030.

We reached out to Mitsubishi to see if they could confirm that one of the two new models is the production version of the D:X. A representative declined to comment on any information regarding future vehicles.

The D:X, a short, six-passenger minivan with a flat floor and a plug-in hybrid engine, debuted in 2023 looking like a futuristic Mars rover. It had a raised suspension, thick upholstery, front and rear skid plates, chunky tires, and an all-wheel drive system. When it was unveiled, we thought the concept might be a preview of the next-generation Delica.

Mitsubishi’s U.S. lineup is thinner than some of its competitors. Of course, Mitsubishi could use some fun. The compact and affordable Mirage reportedly ends production later this year, leaving only the Outlander, Outlander Sport, and Eclipse Cross available. New metal will start arriving next year with the launch of a higher-end Outlander variant.

Mitsubishi will lean on its partnership with Nissan, the report said, which could result in a new truck for the U.S., but the company remained noncommittal. The company also plans to replace the Mirage with a new entry-level model—a compact plug-in hybrid crossover—by the end of 2025, making the potential for a rugged minivan the most compelling offering in the plan.

Mercedes is giving the EQS a fresh new look for the 2025 model year, incorporating some S-Class cues into its flagship electric car. Styling changes are limited to the front, where the BMW i7 rival gets a redesigned faux grille with horizontal chrome slats to mimic the company’s top-of-the-line combustion car.

The standing star is also new and echoes the traditional S-Class bonnet ornament. Going forward, the EQS will have the AMG Line front bumper as standard. Since this is just a facelift, the controversial egg shape has been retained. Despite these updates, the EQS doesn’t look as grand as the venerable S-Class.

The interior is largely unchanged, but Mercedes has added chrome accents to the air vents on the B-pillars. Additionally, the rear seat cushions now feature contrast stitching and Nappa leather trim. The rear seats should be slightly more comfortable after adding 0.2 inches of foam to the backrests.

Inside the quietly revised body is an upgraded battery with a usable capacity of 118.0 kilowatt-hours instead of the previous 108.4 kilowatt-hours. That should open up a slightly longer range compared to the 2024 EQS, which the EPA has rated at 352 miles for the rear-wheel-drive EQS 450+. The all-wheel-drive EQS 450 and 580 models are rated at 345 miles on a single charge. Least efficient of all is the AMG EQS, with a range of just 305 miles.

The 2025 EQS can also charge more of its higher-capacity battery thanks to improved energy recovery via new software for the regenerative braking system. Since you’ll be using the brake discs less often than in an ICE car, brake pads are automatically applied to the discs every once in a while as a form of maintenance.

Mercedes will sell the revised EQS in the United States later this year, with pricing to be announced in due course. The old model starts at $104,400 if you choose the EQS 450+. The all-wheel-drive model starts at $107,400, while the EQS 580 starts at $125,950. As for the AMG variant, the sportier model is priced at $147,550.

Accountants will tell you that you’d be better off buying a slightly used example of the big electric sedan. A recent study found that the EQS lost nearly half its value after just 12 months. In just one year, it depreciated an average of about $65,143.

Believe it or not, 2025 model year vehicles are already on the way. As summer approaches, more manufacturers will begin rolling out their new models for next year. Kia is very optimistic about marketing their 2025 models.

Kia already has five updated and/or refreshed vehicles for 2025: the Carnival minivan, the EV6, the K4 (formerly Forte) and K5 sedans, and the Sorento hybrid SUV. All of these vehicles will be at Kia dealerships before you know it. Here’s what to expect from these 2025 Kia models before they hit dealerships in the next few months.

Kia Carnival 2025/Hybrid

• Sale Date: Summer 2024 (estimated)
• Price: $35,000 (estimate)
• Engine: 1.6L Turbo Hybrid Four Cylinder / 3.5L V-6
• Output: 242/287 Horsepower

That The Kia Carnival is a stylish and high-tech minivan. It gets even more striking in 2025 with an aggressive redesign that’s highlighted by a large rectangular grille, sharp headlights and the automaker’s signature “Star Map” LED running lights. The rear looks more striking, too, with new LED taillights.

The interior is more comfortable thanks to reclining second-row seats with built-in footrests, and a generous 145.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows removed. Rear passengers also get the Connected Car Rear Cockpit entertainment suite with multiple 14.6-inch HD screens.

The biggest update for 2025 is the addition of a hybrid drivetrain, which pairs a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with a 54.0-kilowatt electric motor for a combined 242 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. You can still get a V-6, though; the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter makes 287 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.

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Kia EV6 2025

• Sale Date: Summer 2024 (estimated)
• Price: $45,000 (estimate)
• Battery: 84.0-Kilowatt-Hours
• Output: TBD

Kia's first EV will get an update for the 2025 model year. The EV6 facelift includes new headlights, new bumpers, and new 19- and 20-inch wheel options on the base model and GT-Line trims.

The slightly updated interior features a new steering wheel design along with additional features such as a fingerprint authentication system, a 12.0-inch head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. Much of the glossy black plastic trim on the center console has also been removed.

A new 84.0-kilowatt-hour battery replaces the old 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery and increases charging time and range on select models. The new EV6 can be recharged from 10 to 80 percent in 18 minutes on a 350-kilowatt fast charger. The rear-wheel-drive EV6 Long Range now has a range of 307 miles instead of 295 miles.

We still don't know when the updated EV6 will go on sale or how much it will cost, but expect an on-sale date sometime this summer and an asking price of around $45,000 for the base model.

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2025 Kia K4 car

Sale Date: Late 2024
Price: $22,500 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L Four Cylinder / Turbo 1.6L Four Cylinder
Power: 147/190 Horsepower

That The K4 is a new sedan that will replace the Forte in Kia’s lineup for 2025. It will go on sale later this year with a new design that features a rakish roof, sharp C-pillars and unique vertical headlights, while also being larger than its predecessor. The K4 is about three inches longer and two inches wider than the Forte.

Kia will offer the sedan in five trim levels: LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line, and GT-Line Turbo. The cabin features a large screen in the dashboard—a 30-inch display—wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. GT-Line models add heated front seats, and a Harmon Kardon audio system is an available option.

Under the hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque paired with a continuously variable transmission. Optional is a smaller 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

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2025 Kia K5 car

• Sale Date: Summer 2024
• Price: $28,145
• Engine: 2.5L Four Cylinder / Turbo 2.5L Four Cylinder
• Output: 191/290 Horsepower

The Kia K5 received a mid-cycle refresh for 2025, with updated headlights and a new front bumper to go with it. The fifth-generation sedan first went on sale for the 2021 model year, replacing the Optima, and it rolled into the new model year with minimal styling changes while looking similar to the previous model.

More significant updates are made inside the car. The dashboard now houses two curved screens measuring 12.0 inches for the driver and 12.3 inches for the infotainment screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

The base engine is Kia’s naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic sends power to the front wheels, but customers can upgrade to all-wheel drive on the GT-Line. The K5 GT has the most powerful engine in the lineup—a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 290 hp and 311 lb-ft paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

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2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid

• Sale Date: Summer 2024
• Price: $40,065
• Engine: 1.6L Turbo Four Cylinder Hybrid
• Output: 227 Horsepower / 258 Pound-Feet

The updated Sorento SUV goes on sale in 2024 with its traditional petrol engine. But in 2025, an updated hybrid will debut. It will feature the same sharp redesign as the pure-gasoline model with waterfall-style headlights and new LED running lights. And it will get an updated interior with dual 12.3-inch screens.

Under the hood is a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine and a 1.5-kilowatt-hour battery paired with an electric motor that produces a combined 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

The Sorento Hybrid gets 36 miles per gallon on front-wheel-drive models. It's also available with all-wheel drive. The base Sorento Hybrid EX with FWD starts at $40,065, while AWD costs an additional $1,800.