This month of Editors’ Picks is filled with some brand-new metallic and refreshes of what have gotten previous favorites. The brand new Prius delivers on its enticing appears to be like to grow to be one in all our favourite hybrids, and the environment friendly Hyundai Ioniq 6 solely provides to the success of Hyundai’s E-GMP platform automobiles. Each the Kia Telluride and Ford Escape are refreshed for this yr, and as soon as once more, they each earn the excellence of being an Editors’ Decide.
In case you missed our earlier Editors’ Picks posts, right here’s a fast refresher on what’s occurring right here. We charge all the brand new automobiles we drive with a 1-10 rating. Vehicles which are exemplary of their respective segments get an Editors’ Decide designation. These are those we’d advocate to our buddies, household and anyone who’s curious and asks the query. The checklist that you simply’ll discover under consists of each automobile we rated in July that earned an Editors’ Decide.
2023 Toyota Prius
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Fast take: The Prius is cool now. It has stellar styling, a contemporary and sporty inside, is comparatively fast and is not solely dreary to drive. Utility remains to be strong, however cargo space and rear headroom may very well be higher.
Rating: 8
What it competes with: Kia Niro, Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
Execs: Sporty and enjoyable styling; Prime variant is fast with nice EV vary; implausible gasoline financial system
Cons: Cargo room and rear headroom suffers from form; will get costly fast
From the editors:
Highway Take a look at Editor Zac Palmer — “I feel Toyota did a stellar job with this new Prius, from the gorgeous styling to the a lot improved acceleration and Prime electrical vary. It could be good if there have been extra cargo area to higher compete in opposition to hybrid SUVs, however the Prius is unquestionably angling towards people who need and like automobiles and hatchbacks than the rugged crowd. The ridiculous instrument cluster placement is the worst half, but it surely’s a small bone to select with an in any other case wonderful automobile.”
Affiliate Editor Byron Hurd — “Toyota needs us to imagine that the Prius is enjoyable now. Whereas it is definitely extra nice to drive than earlier incarnations, we’re not going to leap to calling it ‘sporty.’ Being a hybrid is not sufficient to make a automobile particular nowadays, and even the Prime just isn’t essentially the most sensible PHEV for the cash, however for those who want a small fastback to an upright crossover or wagon, there’s actually little draw back right here. And it appears to be like nice.”
In-depth evaluation: 2023 Toyota Prius Assessment: It isn’t nearly sky-high MPG anymore
2023 Kia Telluride
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Fast take: Roominess, nice design and a very good inside make the Telluride really feel far more particular than its worth suggests. If you need a three-row ute with character that will not break the financial institution, look no additional.
Rating: 8
What it competes with: Kia Telluride, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Chevy Traverse, Honda Pilot, Subaru Ascent, Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9, Kia Sorento, Buick Enclave, Nissan Pathfinder, VW Atlas, Mazda CX-90
Execs: Greater-than-average third row and cargo area; user-friendly tech; extra-smart cruise management; good-looking design; wonderful worth
Cons: X-Professional journey high quality; no hybrid powertrain accessible
From the editors:
Senior Editor, Inexperienced John Beltz Snyder — “No marvel this factor’s in style. The Kia Telluride stays a favourite within the phase for its worth, practicality and utility. It is merely a superb three row crossover. We just like the appears to be like and the little smidgen of off-road functionality the X-Line and X-Professional trims present, even when they are not as quiet and cozy as the remainder of the lineup.”
Highway Take a look at Editor Zac Palmer — “I feel the Telluride appears to be like worse than it did earlier than after its refresh, however that does not change my emotions on it being an outstanding three-row SUV. You are now not enjoying second-fiddle to the Palisade when it comes to luxurious options, and the addition of the X-Professional trim is a candy choice to have. I would purchase both this or the brand new Pilot if I have been within the three-row SUV phase.”
In-depth evaluation: 2023 Kia Telluride Assessment: Nonetheless the neatest three-row purchase
2023 Ford Escape
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Fast take: The Ford Escape’s big selection of spectacular powertrain selections, together with a hybrid, and respectable dynamics brings a contact of enjoyable to a boring phase. There’s tons of area all through the automobile, however the exterior design may very well be extra engaging.
Rating: 7
What it competes with: Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Nissan Rogue, VW Tiguan, Chevrolet Equinox, Mitsubishi Outlander
Execs: Environment friendly choices with hybrid and PHEV; sporty 2.0T variant; respectable dealing with and distinctive utility choices
Cons: Costly inside the phase; inside is on a budget aspect; styling leaves one thing to be desired
From the editors:
Senior Editor, Inexperienced John Beltz Snyder — “The refreshed Escape will get some new appears to be like and higher tech, however adjustments aren’t basic. The large motive to select this over the competitors just isn’t due to worth or some nice characteristic content material, however as a result of it might need the perfect driving dynamics of the phase. The accessible hybrid powertrains are enticing, too.”
In-depth evaluation: 2023 Ford Escape First Drive Assessment: New ST Line provides much-needed fashion
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
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Fast take: The Ioniq 6 is the perfect of the E-GMP autos to drive, and its aerodynamic form makes it tremendous environment friendly with an extended vary. You hand over utility versus the Ioniq 5, however the advantages shall be value it for some.
Rating: 9
What it competes with: Tesla Mannequin 3, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Polestar 2
Execs: Enjoyable, environment friendly driving; attention-grabbing design; helpful tech; as much as 361 miles of vary
Cons: Tight rear head room; small trunk; no federal EV tax credit score
From the editors:
Senior Editor, Inexperienced John Beltz Snyder — “What a implausible EV the Ioniq 6 is. It loses a bit of little bit of the cargo utility in comparison with the Ioniq 5, but it surely makes up for it with sportier journey and dealing with. It is splendidly environment friendly in rear-wheel drive, whereas the dual-motor, all-wheel drive variations are surprisingly potent. The outside design is … attention-grabbing, however the cabin is kind of spacious and the inside is enticing and of a top quality, even within the base trim.”
Information Editor Joel Stocksdale — “The Ioniq 6 has grow to be my favourite of the E-GMP automobiles (barring the high-performance ones just like the EV6 GT and in all probability the Ioniq 5 N). The styling is totally one in all a form, and it is fantastically executed inside and outside with cool shapes and supplies. And that form offers superb effectivity and thus wonderful vary. All of it does this whereas additionally offering the sportiest journey, dealing with and steering of the essential E-GMP automobiles. Sporty, trendy and environment friendly? It does not get significantly better than that.”
In-depth evaluation: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Assessment: Fashionable, sporty electrical financial system
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