Autos
AUTOS: Ford Mustang Bullitt is limited edition Steve McQueen tribute
New models from Ford, Jeep pack major punch, hellish thunder


As a gearhead who still fawns over Matchbox cars and Gran Turismo video games, itās the cars with muscle that really get my motor running. Of course, toys are one thing but reality is even better.
FORD MUSTANG BULLITT
$48,000
MPG: 15/24
Zero-60 mph: 4 seconds
For muscle car mavens, it doesnāt get much better than a Ford Mustang Bullitt. Introduced last year in time for the 50th anniversary of the action movie āBullitt,ā this is the third tribute model since Steve McQueenās legendary car chase through the streets of San Francisco.
This limited-edition version ā available for only two years or so ā comes in select colors, including the iconic dark green on the original. Some of the same barebones styling is here, which means no Mustang badging on the wide black grille (though youāll find a shiny Bullitt badge on both the trunk lid and steering wheel). And while the V8 in the 1968 sportster churned out an impressive 320 horsepower, todayās fastback, based on the high-test Mustang GT, boasts a whopping 480 horsepower.
A simple tap to the accelerator lets you fly down the road. Premium Brembo brakes give you plenty of control. Adding to the fun is the six-speed manual transmission with a nifty shifter knob that looks like a white billiard ball. The deep, guttural exhaust growl courses through your veins and becomes louder and more menacing each time you downshift.
Despite the macho appearance and performance, thereās plenty of pampering: heated/ventilated seats, smartphone integration, voice-control infotainment system and more. Thereās also a blind-spot monitor and cross-traffic alert to help keep things safe. Most of all, this retro pony car neatly combines todayās tech gear with old-school cool.
FORD F-150 RAPTOR
$54,000
MPG: 15 city/18 highway
Zero-60 mph: 5.1 seconds
With the surging popularity of crossovers and other haulers, todayās muscle cars arenāt just two-door coupes anymore. Ford took its popular F-150 pickup truck ā the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for the past 37 years ā and gave it the heart and soul of a hard-charging Mustang.
Power comes from a 450-hp twin turbo V6, which easily propels this 5,600-pound beast around corners and twisty roads. The Raptorās overall look is imposing, with harshly chiseled corners and a towering presence. At 250 inches in length, the mammoth SuperCrew Cab model is almost two-and-a-half times longer than a Smart Fortwo. And the 8,000-pound towing capacity is impressive.
Yet beneath the Hulk-like demeanor lies a refined ride, with handling thatās light and nimble. The electronically adaptive suspension helps. So do the massive 34-inch tires, which also come in (yowza!) 35 or 37 inches. Despite the high ground clearance, the aluminum running boards allow you to easily get in and out of the truck.
As in the Mustang, youāll find Recaro racing seats (this time with Raptor stitching) and a throaty exhaust note. Thereās also smartphone integration, 360-degree camera and 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo. Plenty of safety features are included, along with tons of interior storage and a power-sliding rear window. With so many amenities, the Raptor almost feels like a luxury car. But make no mistake, this is one tough Tonka toy on steroids.

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE TRACKHAWK
$89,000
MPG: 11 city/17 highway
Zero-60 mph: 3.5 seconds
Over at Jeep, known more for its off-roaders and family haulers, the automaker is also flexing its muscles. The result is the amazing Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, a premium crossover where all hell breaks loose. Literally.
Powered by the 707-hp supercharged Hellcat V8 ā a phenomenal engine used in the Dodge Challenger and Charger ā this track-worthy contender is faster than an Aston Martin Vantage or Porsche 911 Carrera. Mash the accelerator into the floorboard, and suddenly you can imagine what supersonic flight must feel like. Luckily, as you hurtle down the road like a screaming banshee, the superb braking can bring you back to reality. You can also select from various drive modes (Auto, Sport, Track, Snow and Tow) depending on the weather or your mood.
And thereās plenty of cargo space and stowage compartments. The cabin is loaded, featuring an Audi-like steering wheel and gauges, along with carbon fiber trim, panoramic sunroof and 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system. A spectacular Harman Kardon stereo with 19 speakers is also available. Of course, such power and panache come at a price, which is why the Trackhawk is the most expensive Jeep ever.
Toss in all the options, and suddenly youāre shelling out more than $100,000. Still, thatās less than most exotic cars. And who knows, you may be able to save in other ways. After all, who needs all those Red Bolts when the Trackhawk can jolt you awake.


Electric vehicles are charging ahead, despite recent saber rattling by politicians. After testing a bevy of EVs, the rides below certainly got my motor running.
BMW iX (midsize SUV)

Price: $89,000-$113,000
Range: 288 to 324 miles
0 to 60 mph: 4.0 seconds
Cargo space: 35.5 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: Fun styling. Funky steering wheel. Floating center console. Oh, and cameras, radar and other sensors hidden in the grille, which has a special coating to magically erase minor scratches and dings. I was blown away when the BMW iX debuted in 2022. Three years later, the thrill is still there. Acceleration, cornering and braking? All breathtaking, in both the base model xDrive50 and high-test M60. Gizmos now include eye-tracking software so you can change lanes simply by glancing toward one of the side-view mirrors. An expansive digital monitor above the dash holds both a 14.9-inch infotainment display and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. And many materials ā such as carpet and floor mats ā are recycled. A truly eclectic electric? You bet.
CADILLAC LYRIQ (midsize SUV)

Price: $60,000-$70,000
Range: 314 miles
0 to 60 mph: 5.7 seconds
Cargo space: 28.0 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: If a BMW iX is cutting edge (say, like āTransformers Oneā), then a Cadillac Lyriq is old-school cool (a la āDeadpool & Wolverineā). Handsome design. Familiar feel. Quiet cabin. Handling is more affable than athletic. Ditto the acceleration. The land-yacht aura extends to the seats, which are cushy instead of taut. For older ā er, more mature ā drivers, this is a plus. But thereās plenty of tech here, too: 33-inch digital display, tri-zone climate control, hands-free driving, wireless charging pad and so on. When first sliding behind the wheel, I wished the navigation/infotainment interface was more intuitive. But a stellar voice-assistant system more than made up for it.
KIA EV 9 (large SUV)
Price: $57,000-$76,000
Range: 230 to 304 miles
0 to 60 mph: 4.9 seconds
Cargo space: 20.2 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: A cyborg in the city? With Robocop styling and Tron-like finesse, the Kia EV9 looks and feels out of this world. Three-row seating, with scads of passenger room. Lowering all the rear seats expands cargo capacity to fit more than 15 suitcases. And unlike most EVs, the EV9 can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Yet the hulky hauler behaves like a nimble ninja, easily darting in and out of traffic. At almost 6,000 pounds, the King Kong Kia is three tons of fun āliterally. There are so many creature comforts ā self-leveling suspension, ambient lighting, massage seats, rear-window shades, 14-speaker Meridian audioāyou would think this was a Range Rover.
MERCEDES EQE (midsize SUV)
Price: $80,000-$110,000
Range: 265 to 307 miles
0 to 60 mph: 5.6 seconds
Cargo space: 14.0 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: Luxury is as luxury does and Mercedes does luxury well. With a dashing design, silken ride and hushed interior, the EQE sets a high bar. Four trim levels, including the awe-inspiring AMG with 617 horsepower. Everything is state-of-the-art: powertrains, suspension, safety, multipixel headlights, cabin air purifier, Burmeister stereo and more. An augmented-reality nav system monitors traffic, weather and such, then conveys this info into graphic overlays on the head-up display. And the standard faux leather seats? They look and feel like the real thing. One downside: minimal cargo space. But then, thereās always a full-size EQS topping out at $180,000.
NISSAN ARIYA (compact SUV)
Price: $40,000-$56,000
Range: 205 to 289 miles
0 to 60 mph: 7.5 seconds
Cargo space: 22.8 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: Cute, compact, comfy. Itās easy to like a Nissan Ariya, with its cheeky exterior, composed handling and low price. Choice of two battery packs, as well as two-wheel or all-wheel drive. Base-model pricing is hard to beat, but beware the tradeoffs: pokey acceleration and reduced range. Luckily, the other trim levels offer more oomph. All Ariyas come loaded: LED headlights, heated steering wheel, heated front/rear seats, nav system, head-up display and lots of safety gear. Notable options: panoramic sunroof, hands-free liftgate, limited hands-free cruise control, automated parking and illuminated kick plates. Overall, I found the ride smooth, though not sporty. Racing mavens may want to look elsewhere, but itāll cost you.
SUBARU SOLTERRA (compact SUV)

Price: $40,000-$47,000
Range: 222 to 227 miles
0 to 60 mph: 6.1 seconds
Cargo space: 27.7 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: The first EV from Subaru ā the Solterra ā boasts origami-like flair. Built in tandem with the quirkily named Toyota bZ4X, both SUVs fall a bit short in battery range āless than 230 miles. But the Solterra comes standard with all-wheel drive, roof rails and front cross-traffic alert. Plus, it now has faster charging times, as well as hands-free driving at up to 25 mph and an automatic lane-changing system used in conjunction with the turn signal. While not a true off-roader, this āSubieā has above-average ground clearance ā 8.3 inches ā to better tackle snow and potholes. And I liked all the storage compartments, along with dual-level cargo floor to fit extra luggage.
Autos
SUV rundown: ātis the season for traveling
6 standouts whether trekking home for the holidays or taking daily commutes

Here are six standout SUVs from which to choose if youāre looking for a new ride this holiday season.
BMW X5

Price range: $67,000-$90,000
MPG: 23 city/27 highway
0 to 60 mph: 5.3 seconds
Cargo space: 72.3 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: With a base model nudging $70,000, the midsize BMW X5 costs a pretty penny. Yet this dream machine offers a choice of boffo engines, exciting handling and enticing features. Four trim levels, including a plug-in hybrid and gnarly M60i (a V8-powered ride that costsāyikes!ā$20,000 more but scoots from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds). Spacious, too, with oodles of room. And if youāre jonesing for glitz, thereās a glass-trimmed shifter that looks like real crystal, massaging seats, panoramic roof with embedded LED lighting, rear window shades and more. Thereās also the latest tech: 12.3-inch digital display, 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless charger and 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? Drive one and see.
BUICK ENCORE

Price range: $27,000-$34,000
MPG: 29 city/31 highway
0 to 60 mph: 8.8 seconds
Cargo space: 50.2 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: Buick keeps hitting the high notes with its bravura designs, and the Encoreāa sassy subcompactāis no exception. Surprisingly spry, with comfy seats, concise handling and a classy cabin. Thereās beaucoup standard gear, including remote start, LED headlights, smartphone integration and the latest safety systems. Open your wallet a bit more to add larger wheels, 360-degree camera, hands-free liftgate, Bose audio and other niceties. A big plus: lotsa storage. Alas, not the peppiest engine, but capable enough to not feel sluggish. Compared to upscale divasāAudi Q3, BMW X1,Mercedes GLA 250āthe affordable Encore deserves, well, an encore.
GMC ACADIA

Price range: $44,000-$57,000
MPG: 20 city/27 highway
0 to 60 mph: 6.7 seconds
Cargo space: 97.5 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: The third-gen Acadia, redesigned for 2024, is the best yet. This full-sizer is now larger, more potent and full of gizmos, including hands-free driving assist, wireless charging, Wi-Fi and more. For off-roading, thereās a tighter suspension, all-terrain tires and even a steel skid plate. My only beef was with the automatic braking system, which scared me silly the first time I was backing into a garage. The driverās seat began vibrating and buzzing wildly, even though there was nothing nearby. Then the brakes slammed onāhard. Most vehicles only beep or apply the brakes when too close to an object. This, though, felt and sounded like a manic whoopee cushion. But yes, after driving the Acadia for a week, I missed having such a quirky alert on my next test vehicle.
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

Price range: $37,000-$69,000
MPG: 19 city/26 highway
0 to 60 mph: 7.4 seconds
Cargo space: 70.8 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: A glam ride on a gutsy chassis. Earlier this year I reviewed the mid-range Overland model. Now it was time for the top-of-the-line Summit Reserve. Mixing pizzazz, power and pampering, this gung-ho SUV spoiled me good. And at $69,000, it should. This is BMW X5 territory, yet the Jeep delivers virtually the same creature comforts and advanced safety monitors. The seats may not be as taut, but thatās a minor quibble. A trailer-tow package also canāt be beat: automatic headlight leveling, load-leveling rear suspension, and heavy-duty cooling and electrical systems.
LINCOLN NAUTILUS

Price range: $52,000-$75,000
MPG: 21 city/29 highway
0 to 60 mph: 7.2 seconds
Cargo space: 71.3 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: Lincoln previously appealed mainly to Gramps and G-ma, but now the target is a younger crowd. For the midsize Nautlius, this means mod styling, a finely crafted interior and eye-popping features like a four-foot digital display. The ginormous screen is part of a sweeping dashboard that stretches onto the door panels. Handling and cornering are smooth yet sporty, especially in the new hybrid model. When the Nautilus was parked, I could indulge in some guilty pleasures with a multisensory setup that integrated the panoramic screen, surround-sound stereo, massaging seats and a fragrance diffuser into a truly spa-like ambiance. Nirvana, indeed.
SUBARU FORESTER

Base model: $29,000-$38,000
MPG: 26 city/33 highway
0 to 60 mph: 9.3 seconds
Cargo space: 74.2 cu. ft.
WHATāS TO LIKE: Solid, steady, a sure thing. Thanks to all-wheel drive, the Foresterās handling is excellentāespecially in rain or snow. And even though this is no speedsterāthe powerplant is a tad pokeyāthe fuel economy outshines most rivals. My test drive was the midrange Sport model, which boasted 18-inch black-painted wheels, raised roof rails, foglights, tinted rear windows and an all-weather package with a windshield-wiper de-icer. Best of all: the cargo room was big enough for all my holiday shopping, including a very wicked outfit for my husbandāmy own Prince Fiyero.

Dodge Igloo Kool Tunes Cooler

Mixing beats with brews, Dodge offers a combined cooler and boombox ($296), with two built-in speakers, LED status indicator, charging port and Bluetooth pairing. You can rock your tunes for up to 10 hours on a single charge. Capacity: 26 (12-ounce) cans.
Lexus Flask and Tumblers

Add some spiritāor spiritsāto the holidays with a Lexus High Camp Parkside Flask ($140). The stainless steel, vacuum-insulated container has a chic cypress-green finish and can hold the temperature of a full bottle of wine for up to 24 hours. Two tasteful tumblersāinspired by classic stemless wine glassesāfit on the top and bottom of the flask.
Ferrari Baby Romper Outfit

For swaddling any newborns in the family, thereās a festive Ferrari romper ($150). This outrĆ© outfitāmade of 100% cottonāhas the automakerās famous Prancing Horse emblem on the front and comes with matching baby bib. Expect plenty of pitstops ahead!
Ferrari Plush Pump Shoes

For more prancing, though this time as an adult, Ferrari has a pair of patent-leather pump shoes ($1,291). Available in black, red, or cream, these preening pumps are designed with a square toe, red lining and natty-looking red pull at the heel. Made in Italy, naturalmente!
Rolls-Royce Cufflinks

How to up your sartorial game even more? Spirit of Ecstasy cufflinks ($900) from Rolls-Royce are crafted in 925 sterling silver, with choice of either a rhodium-plated or dark-ruthenium finish. And pricing is a bargain, considering the average MSRP of a brand-new Rolls today is $500,000.
Kia Flashlight and Electric Lighter

For outdoor adventures, Kia has a waterproof, rechargeable LED flashlight with built-in electric lighter ($38). The compact flashlight is less than four inches long and come in three modes: full power, half power orāfor all of us disco queensāpulsing strobe. And the tail of the flashlight opens up into a windproof lighter. Lanyard and micro-USB cord included.
Cadillac Cabana Towel

Some automakers see everything in black and white ā literally. The Cadillac cabana towel ($37), with retro-groovy yarn-dyed stripes, is made of 100% microfiber polyester and measures 60×72 inches.
Cadillac Crew Socks

Cadillac also has a pair of sporty, fully knitted black-and-white crew socks ($59). Bonus: the classy cardboard presentation box.
Ford Warriors in Pink Mug

The Warriors in Pink Mug ($20) from Ford is part of the automakerās longtime initiative to help fight breast cancer. Both the Susan G. Komen and Pink Fund each receive 5% of the purchase price of the mug, as well as any other Warriors in Pink merchandise.
Maserati Aero Pen

Need some motivation to start writing holiday cards? Maserati has the Pininfarina Aero pen ($140), with a futuristic design that evokes the infinity symbol. Made of aerospace aluminum, this super cool pen comes with an attractive base in unrefined concrete, along with a customized box.
Dodge Dodgeball

Let off some steam and release your inner Ben Stiller or Vince Vaughn with this aptly named Dodge ball ($17). Made of performance rubber and measuring 8.5-inches wide, this red dodgeball comes with the automakerās logo emblazoned in white.
Bentley Napkin Rings

Ringing in the New Year just got a lot more la-di-da with a pair of Bentley napkin rings ($97). The diamond-shaped knurling pattern echoes the elegant design on the grillwork, console and upholstery of glam Bentleys. The automakerās emblem is laser-engraved on the underside of the napkin rings. Available in nickel-plated metal or gold-plated zinc alloy.
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