Connect with us

Autos

BMW speed demons

Two fun, flashy high-performance rides

Published

on

BMW M3 Competition xDrive sport sedan

Just in time for Pride month, two BMW sport sedans celebrate just how fun, fast and flashy a true high-performance ride can be.

BMW M3 COMPETITION xDRIVE
$78,000
Mpg: 16 city/22 highway
0 to 60 mph: 3.2 seconds

Talk about a pocket rocket, itā€™s hard to beat the thrill of the BMW M3 Competition xDrive sport sedan. This 503-horsepower speed demon streaks from 0 to 60 mph as fast as many premium sportsters, including the glitzy new 621-horsepower Maserati MC20 super coupe ā€” which costs a whopping $215,000. Along with the lower price tag, the M3 has room for twice as many passengers and boasts three times as much rear cargo space as that two-person Maserati.

While this high-test BMW may be classified as a compact car, thereā€™s ample legroom, decent headroom and a sharply angled dashboard for improved driver visibility. My test car had optional carbon-fiber racing bucket seats, trimmed in snazzy aqua blue and lemon yellow and backlit with illuminated M logos. While the futuristic design is truly a piece of art, scooching in and out of those sci-fi seats ā€” which sit lower than standard seats and have sharply angled side bolstersā€”was quite a challenge. And, hello, it didnā€™t help that a ā€œthigh separatorā€ (a raised, hard-padded object stuck in the middle of the bottom cushion) protruded oh-so-close to my scrotum. Letā€™s just say I got more than my fill of butt-clenching exercises during the week-long test drive.

But once situated comfortably behind the sculpted steering wheel, all was forgiven. The M3 cabin is superbly sleek, with modish armrests and a duo of sweeping digital display screens. The eight-speed automatic transmission is wicked smooth, making it practically unnoticeable as the car shifts through gears. And the overall handling is rousing yet controlled, especially with the all-wheel drive. When not grooving to the guttural exhaust growl, I enjoyed jamming to a sparkling 16-speaker Harman Kardon stereo. There are plenty of other creature comforts, such as smartphone integration, wireless charging pad and Wi-Fi hotspot. Driving aids include blind-spot monitor, head-up display, collision alert and pedestrian detection. Thereā€™s even a system to automatically pull the car over if the driver falls asleep at the wheel. As you could tell, I didnā€™t have to worry about that happening.

BMW M440i GRAN COUPE xDRIVE
$60,000
Mpg: 22 city/29 highway
0 to 60 mph: 4.5 seconds

M440i Gran Coupe xDrive

If the BMW M3 Competition xDrive is a badass sport sedan, then the M440i Gran Coupe xDrive is more buttoned-down ā€” but only to a point. The M Sport trim level on both vehicles includes sturdier brakes, suspension, and stability control. And each car can be ordered with all-wheel drive, a big plus considering the number of downpours and icy road conditions in this part of the country.

But the M3 is extra taut, tight and tuned ā€” a race car enthusiastā€™s dream ā€” whereas the M440i feels as suave as an Aston Martin. Think of it as trading flash for finesse. Styling is just as sharp, though the body cladding, side air vents and rear spoiler are all less pronounced on the 4 Series. Itā€™s also wider and sits higher off the ground. And instead of having a trunk lid, the M440i is a hatchback with a more swoopy profile and easier access to the cargo area. Despite smaller wheels and about two-thirds the horsepower of an M3, the M440i is still plucky and a delight to drive.

And safety features and optional amenities are comparable. Inside, the cabin exudes refined BMW luxury but loses the Jedi spaceship vibe so noticeable on the M3. Gauges and the infotainment layout are the same, with similar but fewer performance-oriented readouts on the digital screens. I still found the M440i cabin to be plenty sporty, with premium fit and finish. And thereā€™s beaucoup insulation to block annoying road noise. Perhaps most important, my tush welcomed the return to more traditional seats.

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Autos

Green machines on the scene

Itā€™s a good time to buy an electric vehicle

Published

on

Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium

Looking to roll into something new? With all the buzz about 25% tariffs, itā€™s the perfect time to grab a new ride before prices soarā€”especially for electric vehicles, which may soon wave goodbye to those oh-so-attractive federal tax credits. Whether you are an eco-conscious commuter or just need a chariot for weekend getaways, these three green machines offer some serious swagger.

FORD MUSTANG MACH-E PREMIUM

$42,000

Range: 250-300 miles (depending on battery pack)

0 to 60 mph: 5.2  seconds

Cargo space: 29.7 cu. ft. 

PROS: Zippy. Sporty feel. Ample battery range.

CONS: Bit bumpy over potholes. Limited seat adjustments.

IN A NUTSHELL: With sleek curves and a design thatā€™s hotter than a drag queenā€™s heels on the runway, the Ford Mustang Mach-E blends both power and flair. The exterior colors are vibrant and unapologetically bold, just like the rainbow after a storm. Three trim levels, but opt for the spiffy Premium versionā€”which was what I drove and is a nice step up from the $37,000 base model. It also costs a lot less than the gutsy GT, which tops $55,000. 

Inside, the Mach-E is like driving a chic lounge on wheels. Toggling through the 15.5-inch touchscreen feels like navigating through the latest TikTok trends. A panoramic glass roof and faux-leather upholstery come standard, but assorted add-onsā€”standard features with the Premium trimā€”include hands-free power liftgate, multicolor ambient lighting and 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo. Thereā€™s also plenty of space for all the essentials: totes, coats and besties.

And letā€™s not forget about battery rangeā€”thereā€™s enough juice here to take you through a whole day of driving without needing a recharge. With Fordā€™s fast-charging network, itā€™s easy to be powered up quicker than you can say, ā€œRide ā€˜em, cowboy!ā€ Well, almost.

How popular is this EV, which looks more like a hot hatchback than an SUV? Last year, sales spiked 27% and outsold the iconic gas-powered Mustang. So yes, the Mach-E Premium isnā€™t just any vehicleā€”itā€™s an experience thatā€™s, well, electric.

KIA SPORTAGE PHEV X-LINE PRESTIGE 

$44,000

MPGe: 84 city/highway combined

0 to 60 mph: 7.1 seconds

Cargo space: 39.6 cu. ft. 

PROS: Comfy. Comely cabin. Oodles of passenger room.

CONS: Clunky dual-use dashboard controls. Bit noisy interior. 

IN A NUTSHELL: Next up: the 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige, a compact plug-in hybrid that combines style, strength and versatility into one dazzling package. If the Mach-E Premium is a glam EV star, I found the Sportage PHEV to be an SUV showstopper.

Under the hood, power comes from an electric motor and gas-powered backup, so you get the best of both worldsā€”whether cruising on green energy or unleashing your inner diva. The all-electric range is almost 35 miles, and all-wheel drive is standardā€”which helps keep things steady, no matter the weather.

Inside, itā€™s pure comfort. While there are two hybrid trim levels, even the base-modelā€”the X-Lineā€”is fairly loaded: LED headlights/taillights, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, power liftgate, nav system, wireless charging pad, smartphone integration and more. 

For my weeklong test vehicle, I was spoiled with the X-Line Prestige, which is full of a ridiculous number of amenities and safety gear. Letā€™s just say the clever cabin design would make the folks at Ferrari blush. Oh, and thanks to the pristine acoustics from the Harmon Kardon audio, I could have sworn the cast of ā€œHamiltonā€ was right there with me belting out each tune. ā€œBlow Us All Away,ā€ indeed. 

MERCEDES AMG C 63 S E 

$87,000

MPGe: 40 city/highway combined

0 to 60 mph: 3.3 seconds

Cargo space: 11.6 cu. ft. 

PROS: Snazzy. Lightning fast. Haute handling.

CONS: Pricey. Quirky steering-wheel controls. 

IN A NUTSHELL: Jonesing for an exciting, eco-friendly sedan? Then look no further than the Mercedes AMG C 63 S E plug-in hybrid, which gets the adrenaline pumping each time you slip behind the wheel. 

Under the hood, thereā€™s a staggering 671 horsepowerā€”enough to leave competitors in the dust and make them more than a little jealous. This AMG-tuned Mercedesā€”the quickest C-Class everā€”blasts from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, faster than your heart rate when seeing your next crush at a circuit party. And thatā€™s not even the best partā€”the shapely contours of this sportster are as chiseled as Luke Evansā€™ check bones.

Inside, the cockpit is like a designer outfit made for a fab night outā€”high-quality material everywhere, as well as branded sport seats with top-tier upholstery and stitching. One downside: the steering-wheel controls, which look tasteful but can be a tad too touch-sensitive at times.

Still, this elegant ride exudes more than enough bells and whistles to maintain a constant state of euphoria.

Continue Reading

Autos

Mad about Mercedes ā€” and a Mini Countryman, too

These three spiffy SUVs not too basic, not too complicated

Published

on

Mercedes AMG GLA 35

Not too basic, not too complicated. Thatā€™s what I enjoyed most about three spiffy SUVs recently. Call it the Goldilocks effect, but each rideā€”two Mercedes and a Mini Countrymanā€”seemed just right. Thatā€™s a big plus in todayā€™s world of extremes. 

MERCEDES AMG GLA 35

$59,000

MPG: 22 city/28 highway

0 to 60 mph: 4.7 seconds

Cargo space: 15.4 cu. ft. 

PROS: Affordable luxury, smooth suspension, zippy.

CONS: Bit noisy inside, so-so storage, costly options.

IN A NUTSHELL: The subcompact GLAā€”the most affordable Mercedes sold in the U.S.ā€”comes in two trim levels. With the average price of a vehicle topping $48,000, the base-model GLA 250 is a bargain at $43,000. On paper, the stats for acceleration, handling and braking look spot on. Ditto the fine amenities, including faux-leather seats, ambient lighting, wireless charging pad and power liftgate. Toss in numerous safety featuresā€”including forward-collision warning, blind-spot alert, an automated parking systemā€”and what could be better? The answer is the sport-tuned AMG GLA 35, which is the vehicle I tested. Zippier, grippier and ritzier than its entry-level sibling, this saucy SUV is also pricier. And beware: The long list of optionsā€”such as head-up display, surround-view camera, illuminated door sillsā€”can add up quickly. But oh, what a thrill. Stomp on the accelerator, and the GLA 35 scoots from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 secondsā€”a full two seconds quicker than the GLA 250. Along with a more powerful engine and all-wheel drive, thereā€™s now a 48-volt hybrid-assist system. The GLC 35 also flaunts aggressive styling, including a sexy rear spoiler, large dual exhaust tips and bigger wheels. Fave feature: the flat-bottom, performance-oriented steering wheel with spiffy paddle shifters and a panoply of user-friendly buttons and dials.   

MERCEDES AMG GLC 43 COUPE

$70,000

MPG: 18 city/24 highway

0 to 60 mph: 4.7 seconds

Cargo space: 19.2 cu. ft. 

PROS: Posh styling, potent power, quiet cabin.

CONS: Pricey, limited rear visibility, reduced cargo room.

IN A NUTSHELL: Stepping up from the baby Mercedes GLA, the larger GLCā€”though technically a compactā€”is 12 inches longer. Whatā€™s more, this hauler comes with choice of five trim levels. And you can choose from either a traditional square-back design or sloped coupe-like styling. Confused? Donā€™t be. Just trust that the AMG GLC 43 Coupe, which is really an SUV, checks all the boxes. Thereā€™s plenty of drama here, with a bulging snout and sinuous shape that any diva would love. Thereā€™s also plenty of power, with a gritty turbo that allows the GLC to accelerate just as fast as the much lighter GLA. And the interior is stunning: NASCAR-like bucket seats, gigantic infotainment touchscreen and reinforced window glass to better insulate the cabin. A clever nav system can project traffic and other info onto the head-up display on the windshield, and rear automatic braking helps anticipate and prevent a back-end collision. Sure, the low-slung roofline cuts into rear-seat headroom and cargo space. But for me, the sacrifice was worth it. After all, itā€™s hard to imagine any other glam-but-gutsy ride equally at home on a fashion runway or at the racetrack. 

MINI COUNTRYMAN ALL4

$40,000

MPG: 24 city/32 highway

0 to 60 mph: 5.9 seconds

Cargo space: 24.9 cu. ft. 

PROS: Bigger, faster, better.

CONS: Almost too big, bit less playful, higher MSRP.

IN A NUTSHELL: Fully redesigned for 2025, the Mini Countryman enjoys a slew of up-market changes but retains some of its retro quirks. Larger than before, this latest modelā€”with so much extra room for passengers and cargoā€”feels comfy and spacious. Almost too much so. At first blush, I was reminded of a Subaru Forester or Outback. Both fine vehicles, but without that familiar Mini vibe. Luckily, the steering wheel, head-up display and large Frisbee-shaped infotainment display all channel the previous Countryman. Ditto the overall exterior, which now boasts a redesigned grille, sleeker headlights and refined rear treatment. Yet I missed seeing all the toggle switches and some other playful touches. In their place, though, is a groovy dashboard with nifty LED lighting that changes colors based on the driving mode. While some digital readouts initially seemed too techy, they ended up being very user friendly. And there are two standout features: a huge panoramic moonroof and the use of sustainable materials for the carpeting, seats and such.  

Continue Reading

Autos

All charged up about EVs

Style, comfort, and technology galore

Published

on

From left, the Subaru Solterra, the Cadillac Lyriq, and the BMW iX.

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.

WHATā€™S 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.

WHATā€™S TO LIKE: If a BMW iX is cutting edge (say, like ā€œTransformers Oneā€), then a Cadillac Lyriq is old-school cool (a la ā€œDeadpool & 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 thereā€™s 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.

WHATā€™S 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 ā€”literally. There are so many creature comforts ā€” self-leveling suspension, ambient lighting, massage seats, rear-window shades, 14-speaker Meridian audioā€”you 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.

WHATā€™S 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, thereā€™s 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.

WHATā€™S TO LIKE: Cute, compact, comfy. Itā€™s 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 itā€™ll 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.

WHATā€™S 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 ā€”less 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 ā€œSubieā€ 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. 

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Sign Up for Weekly E-Blast

Follow Us @washblade

Advertisement

Popular