Autos
New BMW, Lexus models enjoy being center of attention
640i xDrive stands out as cross between sport sedan, SUV


640i xDrive Gran Turismo
BMW 640i xDRIVE GRAN TURISMO
$72,000
Mpg: 19 city, 27 highway
0-60 mph: 4.9 seconds
Calling this BMW a hatchback seems silly, even if it is one. Instead the 640i xDrive Gran Turismo screams out as a cross between slinky sport sedan and souped-up SUV. The refined, 335-hp engine is smooth and strong, with more than enough power to handle this 4,409-pound bad boy.
Along with all the vroom, thereās plenty of room. Both the headroom and legroom are bountiful, despite a dramatically tapered roof. Lowering the back seats doubles the amount of cargo capacity to 65 cubic feet. And the standard panoramic moonroof only adds to the feeling of spaciousness.
As for handling, the steering is light but controlled and the dynamic air suspension, where the car can be raised and lowered manually, is perfectly tuned between cushy comfort and weekend racer.
Other niceties include soft-close automatic doors, frameless side windows, head-up display, gesture control and automatic parking. Inside, the kicky cabin is full of aluminum and wood trim, as well as a gigantic touchscreen, thick-rimmed steering wheel and high-tech LCD instrument cluster that changes readouts based on driving mode.
This Bimmer is eerily quiet, except when pumping up the volume on the exquisite Harmon Kardon stereo. But donāt get too excited grooving to those tunes: If you start drifting out of your lane or get too close to a car in your blindspot, a visual warning goes off and the steering wheel starts to vibrate.
LEXUS RX 350 F SPORT
$51,000
Mpg: 19 city, 26 highway
0-60 mph: 7.7 seconds
Lexus certainly takes chances. Not satisfied with producing some of the most reliable luxury vehicles on the planet, the automaker started shaking up its lineup and its buyers with radical designs.
It also added the F Sport trim level, though these vehicles are sportier in look than performance. Yet it all works, including on the RX 350 midsize crossover, a fan fave since it was introduced 20 years ago.
Itās easy to bypass the base model, which rides a bit soft, and splurge for those spicy F Sport add-ons: heated/ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, paddle shifters, ambient lighting, firmer suspension for better handling, and special interior and exterior design cues, including a more menacing grille.
Plus, it has 20-inch, dark-graphite alloy wheels and a sexy engine growl. Lexus also tosses in 10 airbags, rain-sensing wipers and touch-free power liftgate, and you can opt for a 15-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. The RX 350 is definitely not as quick as the BMW 640i xDrive Gran Turismo, but the price is much more appealing. Along with a hybrid version (the RX 450h) thereās now a long-wheelbase, three-row RX 350 L model that seats seven.

Lexus RX 350 F Sport
VW GOLF R
$41,000
Mpg: 22 city, 29 highway
0-60 mph: 4.8 seconds
With European flair and sure-footed handling, the VW Golf has always been popular. But now thereās the radical Golf R ā at twice the price of the base model ā screeching around the corner. This is the uber high-performance model, surpassing even the spiffy Golf GTI in chills and thrills.
A launch-control system helps this pocket rocket blast off from standing starts, while precise steering and burly brakes make commuting through traffic bearable ā almost fun, even.
But to truly appreciate the Golf R, itās best to head to a test track or fast freeway and let this puppy off leash. Along with Sport, Normal and Comfort drive modes, a customizable setting lets drivers fine tune the power and handling. Inside, thereās an eight-inch touchscreen and 400-watt, eight-speaker Fender stereo.
There are more safety features here than on most competitors, including collision warning, pedestrian detection, front/rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitor and lane-departure warning. Alas, the sporty styling cues are almost too subtle, with some understated R-style badging, a double set of dual exhaust pipes and blue accent interior lighting. But while all Golf models basically look the same on the outside, the Golf R gives you plenty of attitude under the hood.

VW Golf R

I love New Yearās resolutions. Thereās that anticipation of a fresh start ā just like a first date, where everything is possible. Same for vehicle makeovers, where automakers must strike a tricky balance: Add plenty of pizzazz to an existing model, yet donāt alienate diehard purists who love their cars just the way they are. For 2023, two rides receive some spicy updates but without losing any of their old-school cool.Ā
KIA NIRO EV
$40,000
MPGe: 126 city/101 highway
Range: up to 253 miles on a full charge
0 to 60 mph: 7.1 seconds
For some time, Kia has been all charged up about electric vehicles. Thereās the EV6 crossover, cousin of the award-winning Hyundai Ioniq 5. Both of these mid-priced, midsize rides debuted last year, and they look, whir, and pretty much drive like earthbound spaceships. Coming later this year is the EV9, based on the popular Telluride full-size SUV but with a boxy-yet-bold design straight out of āTransformers.ā
By 2027, Kia plans to offer a whopping 14 electric vehicles. Yet I still remember the thrill of driving a Niro EVā Kiaās first all-electric contenderāthree years ago when it arrived in showrooms. This compact four-door hatchback was fun, feature-laden and affordable. For 2023, the Niro EV gets a full redesign, with sassier styling and the same spunky performance that initially was so impressive. Battery range, which already was better than the competition, is now 14 miles more than the previous model. Using a DC fast charger, the updated Niro EV takes about 25% less time āor some 60 minutes ā to charge up to 80 percent. Inside, the cockpit-like interior has been smartly revamped, with a sculpted center console, angled digital display panels and two-tone color scheme thatās vintage chic.
Another plus: a slightly longer wheelbase means more cargo space and rear legroom. The original Niro EV offered an insanely long list of standard amenities, but this redo boasts even more goodies: smartphone integration, wireless charging, voice command functionality, forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and other creature comforts. Choice of two groovy-sounding trim levels: base-model Wind and more upscale Wave, which adds a sunroof, ventilated seats and power take-off. Thereās also Kiaās impressive 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. āNiroā means āto riseā in Korean, and with so many splendid upgrades here, this latest EV does just that.Ā

NISSAN Z
$42,000
Mpg: 19 city/28 highway
0 to 60 mph: 4.5 seconds
For just $28 million, you can own the most expensive car in production today. That would be the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail coupe, with a tapered rear that looks like, well, the back end of a 1930s yacht. This two-door beauty can be ordered with a pair of bespoke Bovet wristwatches, which can be used as pocket watches, desk clocks, or even the carās dashboard clock ā as well as a chic Montblanc pen in a hand-crafted case for the glovebox.
Or you could ignore such extravagance and opt for a reasonably priced coupe that oozes sex appeal. That would be the redesigned Nissan Z, resurrected this year with a retro vibe that harkens back to the 1970s. Few cars stir your loins each time you slip behind the wheel (well, it certainly stirred mine aplenty). Perhaps the Jaguar E-Typeābuilt from 1961 to 1975āis the only other two-door classic to evoke such nostalgic passion.
With the latest Z, the dramatic design carries through to the interior, with its swooping dashboard, thickly padded steering wheel and bolstered sport seats. Thereās a nice blend of old and new here, with conventional knobs mixed with a high-tech digital instrument cluster. And yes, for all you gearheads out there, the Z is available in a six-speed manual transmission. Alas, the nine-speed automatic actually shifts faster than any human being. Either way, stomp on the accelerator and this sports car thunders down the road. The suspension is extremely taut, as my keister can attest. Yet handling and cornering are so smooth itās easy to be zipping along much faster than you realize. Standard features include keyless entry, 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone integration, Bluetooth and voice recognition. There also are some nice options, such as eight-speaker Bose stereo, user-friendly nav system and Wi-Fi hot spot. But if youāre expecting to find swanky wristwatches or a pricey writing pen, Iām afraid youāll have to bring your own.
Autos
Lightning strikes twice with all-electric Ford F-150 pickup
This dazzling eco-ride will take your breath away

Years ago as I was walking to work, a driver wielded his ginormous Ford F-150 pickup truck into a parking space barely big enough for a Mazda Miata. He then strode into my office building with the swagger of a total yahoo: seemingly clueless about parking etiquette, let alone climate change.
A short time later, this urban cowboy was introduced as our new supervisor. My internal eye-rolling kicked in after learning he had three toddlers. I mean, how practical is a monster haulerāwith its sky-high ground clearance and limited interior cargo roomāwhen ferrying around a trio of rugrats?
But my haughty ātude soon started to wane after learning he also had a minivan. This dude just couldnāt quit his F-150 because it was tough and āfree spirited.ā While I appreciated his passion, I didnāt fully understand it. Pickups to me are workaday trucks: basic, utilitarian and, well, no big whoop.
That is, until last week when I tested the all-new, all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning. This dazzling eco-ride took my breath away, blasting off from a standstill to 60 mph in four seconds and dodging through traffic like Lionel Messi.
Call it a jolt (or lightning bolt) to the senses, but now itās my turn to be the total yahoo when it comes to a pickup.
FORD F-150 LIGHTNING
$52,000-$97,000
MPGe: 76 city/61 highway
Range: up to 320 miles on a full charge
0 to 60 mph: as quick as 4.0 seconds
During the past year, various all-electric pickups have gone from concept to reality. Thereās the cartoonish-looking Rivian, with a smiley front end that looks like something out of a āCarsā movie, and the GMC Hummer EV, which could easily be mistaken for a modish lunar rover.
Enter the Ford F-150 Lightning, with its sprinkles of futuristic styling cues, including distinctive light bars atop both the grille and tailgate. While the overall design may not be as outre as a Rivian or Hummer, the Lightning still turns plenty of heads.
Most notable, the Lightning is very practical. A Rivian, for example, is 14.6 inches shorter so has less passenger and cargo room. A Hummer is seven inches wider, making it harder to navigate city streets. And both the Rivian and Hummer are taller than a Lightning, whichāyikes!ācan barely scooch under the clearance bar in a parking garage itself.
Thereās lots of leg room in both the front and back seats. And those rear seats flip up, allowing you to conveniently stow gobs of gear underneath. There also are a few dividers to help keep cargo organized and prevent items from jostling around.
But perhaps the coolest feature is the āfrunk,ā or front trunk. This storage spaceāwhere the engine used to beāis an impressive 14.1 cubic feet. Thatās enough room for two golf bags or three medium-sized suitcases. The funky frunk is also water-resistant, drainable, lockable and has four 120-volt outlets and two USB chargers. Thereās even an emergency release latch, just like in a standard trunk. Best of all, the lid opens and closes electronically, with just two taps to the keyfob. When I did this the first time, it looked as if the Lightning was actually yawningāor getting ready to eat someone.
And hereās a first: If your household ever loses power, a fully charged Lightning can serve as a backup generator for up to three days.
The real excitement, though, is behind the wheel. Power comes from two electric motors configured to provide standard all-wheel drive. Add in the extended-range battery for more horsepower and torque, and this pickup handles just like a sports car. The instant accelerationāespecially when stomping on the gas, er, throttle pedalāmust be what itās like when a spaceship rockets off the launch pad. Except in the Lightning, thereās no back-and-forth shuddering, and no noise. Everythingās perfectly, eerily quiet in the well-insulated cabin.
Many interior features in the Lightning are also in the snazzy Ford Mustang Mach-e crossover, including the optional 15-inch infotainment screen that looks and behaves like an iPad. Other pleasing add-ons include max-recline seats, hands-free driving system, Bang & Olufsen premium stereo and twin-panel moonroof.
For more than 40 years, the traditional gas-engine F-150 has reigned as the best-selling vehicle in America, so the Lightning is a big risk for Ford. Yet with stellar performance and boffo functionality, itās hard to see this electrifying pickup losing the crown.
Autos
Holiday gifts for car lovers
Something for everyone, from a Barbie Maserati to Subaru dog sweaters

Sure, a $100 gift card to use at the gas pump or EV charging station is a nice stocking stuffer this holiday season, but there are plenty of other much more playful gifts for car fans.
Subaru Blue-Striped Beanie

To help reduce waste and carbon emissions, Subaru offers assorted eco-friendly clothing. This includes a blue-striped beanie ($15), made from 100% recycled acrylic knit and festooned with a sassy pom on top. Subaru Motorsports USA logo is embroidered on the side.
Barbie Maserati Grecale Trofeo SUV

For megabucks motorheads, Neiman Marcus offers its annual holiday catalogue āa collection of āfantasy giftsāā with the Barbie Maserati Grecale Trofeo SUV ($330,000). This fab rideāin shocking pink and with yellow accentsācan sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds. Only one is available, with 10% of the sale donated to the Barbie Dream Gap Project, which helps provide equal opportunities for girls and young women.
Hyundai Nexo Kiddie Car

Back in the day, there were Hot Wheels, Matchbox Cars and Tonka Toys. Today, thereās the Hyundai Nexo kiddie car ($737), an electric-powered plaything with vegan leather, stitched seating and rear sensors that beep when thereās an obstruction. Parents can control the car via a Bluetooth remote-control system. Charging time: seven hours.
Mercedes Classic 300 SL Desk Clock

Turn back time with the Mercedes classic 300 SL desk clock ($85) made of aluminum and stainless steel, with a wave pattern on the dial similar to the design used on the dashboard of that vintage Benz.
The Godfather Cadillac Model Car

Like Marlon Brando, hereās an offer you canāt refuse: The Godfather Cadillac ($23), a diecast model of the 1955 Fleetwood in that movie.
Ferrari Wraparound Sunglasses

Caio bella! Sleek unisex sunglasses ($1,275) from Ferrari feature a futuristic wraparound design with steel frame, titanium nose pads and the automakerās prancing-horse emblem on each lens.
Maserati Blue Unisex Socks

What better stocking stuffer than, well, socks. Maseratiās blue unisex socks ($31) are made of a high-quality blend of cotton and technical fabric, with the Maserati trident logo inlaid on the side and sole of each sock. Ideal for outdoor activities or sports.
BMW Scooter

The BMW kidās scooter ($120) is made of durable plastic and metal, with a height-adjustable steering bar and convenient storage drawer to hold stuff. Available in choice of two snazzy color combinations: white/raspberry or black/orange.
Ford Bronco Holiday Adult Onesie

Ford is proud of its ugly holiday sweaters, but this year thereās the Bronco holiday adult onesie ($45). Made of 100% polyester polar fleece, this glorified pajama comes with loose-fitting hood, tight-fitting cuffs for your arms and ankles, and a cringe-worthy design in maroon, sage and cream coloring.
Land Rover Heritage Watch

Inspired by old-school aviator timepieces, the Land Rover Heritage Watch ($282) has a leather strap, rugged stitching and early Land Rover logo on a matte black dial and ion-plated case. Available with a snazzy Land Rover presentation box.
Subaru Dog Sweater

Subaru offers festive gifts for those four-legged members in your family, including a holiday dog sweater ($35) made of jacquard knit. Other Subaru pet-centric presents: collars, leashes, clip-on safety light, travel roll-up mat, toss-n-chew dog toy, fleece plushie full of cat nip, and more.
Retro Datsun Lunch Box

Gearhead foodies will appreciate the Datsun lunch box ($15), with images of two iconic cars from that retro automaker: the racy 240z roadster on one side and the stylish 510 sedan on the other.
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