First Drive

First Drive articles

2022 Chevy Bolt EUV



PHOENIX — In 2017 Chevrolet first came out with the all-electric Bolt hatchback. Now for 2022 the Bolt has been redesigned and the brand expanded by introducing the Bolt EUV (Electric Utility Vehicle) that is a bit larger and more practical.  Chevrolet is vaguely suggesting the Bolt EUV is a crossover vehicle, but it’s front-wheel drive only and its low ground clearance fails as a utility vehicle. The regular Bolt EV has a starting price of $31,500, the Bolt EUV is $2,000 more at $33,500.

2022 Genesis GV70



HERNDON, Va. — The growth in size of today’s crossovers and SUVs is not unlike the growth in size of America’s collective waistline. (You know, we can’t all be a "perfect physical specimen.") Compact crossovers are quickly morphing into midsize crossovers, while those body-on-frame 3-rows — think Suburban or Ford’s Navigator — can’t realistically be garaged; they’re too long and too high. So, when you see a crossover that seems proportional to its mission, you want to jump on it. And over it. And around it.

2022 Mercedes-Benz S580



MIAMI — The S-Class has long been the flagship vehicle for the Mercedes-Benz luxury lineup and a case can be made that it also sits at the top of its class in the auto world — period. U.S. News & World Report magazine, which doesn’t do original automotive reviews but bases its rankings on an analysis of critiques from several sources, rates the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class No. 1 among vehicles it classifies as “Super Luxury Cars.”

2022 Nissan Frontier



PHOENIX — For 16 years the Nisan Frontier has remained largely unchanged and in automotive speak a rolling fossil where new Oldsmobiles were still in dealer showrooms.  For reference, there wasn’t even such a thing as the iPhone. Yet while it was well past its freshness date the popular mid-size pickup still sold in respectable numbers. That’s not surprising, the old Frontier still looks good, it did most things extremely well and not everyone gets overly excited with the latest high tech and digital stuff they’ll never figure out how to use or even want to know.

2022 Kia Niro EV



INDIANAPOLIS — I have a pretty long commute — about 35 miles each way.  And as I noticed while picking up soda at the gas station last weekend, 87 octane was $4.65 per gallon.  Premium and diesel were uncomfortably over $5.  I own a Smart car and have test cars most of the time, so gas prices don’t usually affect my budget much, but goodness that’s expensive.  I let it sink in, then realized I still don’t care because…I’m driving the 2022 Kia Niro EV.

2022 Mercedes EQS 580



MIAMI — Mercedes may be late to the party, but it makes a grand entrance to the all-electric vehicle market with the 2022 EQS 580 4MATIC sedan. Spectacular is a word that just doesn’t do it justice. It’s not just a luxurious electric vehicle, it is luxurious vehicle period with a prominent profile and opulent interior. You can even get pillows for the  headrests!

2022 Toyota GR86



PHOENIX — If the Toyota GR86 looks somewhat familiar to you it might be because it was formerly known as the Scion FR-S, or the Toyota 86 after Toyota officially discontinued the Scion brand in 2016. Beginning in August of 2017 the 2017 Scion FR-S became a Toyota branded vehicle along with the iA and iM sedans.


2022 Honda Passport TrailSport



PHOENIX — One of the hottest automotive segments today is off-roading Pickup, SUVs and dedicated – rugged 4x4s eagerly ready to tackle the best of “hardcore rock-crawling” challenges. Vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, new Ford Bronco and Raptor pickup, Land Rover Defender and numerous others.
Then there’s Toyota that affixes the TRD and TRD Pro moniker on everything from the capable 4Runner, Tacoma and Tundra to Highlander, Sequoia, RAV4 and even Camry.

2022 Mazda MX-30



HERNDON, Va. — It wasn’t long after Japanese automaker Mazda introduced itself to America that it reintroduced the rotary engine — initially known as the Wankel rotary — to that same American market. With fewer moving parts, an extremely compact package and an almost electric-like smoothness, the rotary was perfect for a family of compact coupes and sedans. But it was also thirsty, and Mazda’s timing — on the cusp of our first OPEC crisis — couldn’t have been worse.

2023 Subaru Solterra



SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Subaru knows its people, who are among the most loyal to any automotive brand.  They love their Outbacks, Foresters, Ascents, and WRXs.  They are also among the most environmentally conscious, dog-friendly, off-roading auto owners around.  They take their kids to school and hike on the weekends.  What they haven’t had until now is an electric vehicle of their own.  That changes with the 2023 Solterra that I just sampled in California.