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2024 Mazda3 Hatchback 2.5T Premium Plus AWD

6-07-24 Featured Vehicle

By Rich Taber

Putting aside arguments about absolute certainty, I’m nearly 100% certain that if I were in the market for a reasonably affordable, new, compact hatchback with an internal combustion engine, I would be signing on the dotted line for a Mazda3 turbo. I have yet to find a competitor with the above requirements that has matched the satisfaction delivered during my weeklong test drive of the model.

It’s not a decision complicated by arcane analysis of fractional differences in interior dimensions or obtuse comparisons of the number of speakers the audio system employs. No, it’s quite simple. Every time I slipped into the driver’s seat, pressed the start button and immersed myself in Mazda3 world I felt totally content with its classy looks, vibrant performance and sublime comfort.

What’s completely surprising is that at the Premium Plus level, it’s all available to take home for $38,265. You can go as low as just over $26,000 delivered for the base model, but you’d be sacrificing all-wheel drive and the turbocharged engine, as well as the lot of premium features such as leather seating with heated fronts seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bose audio, wireless phone charging, paddle shifters…

Speaking of sacrifices, one does have to forfeit a bit more cash at the pump to enjoy all of the 250 horsepower that the 2.5-liter turbocharge engine can provide. That takes premium gasoline to achieve. Use regular and you’re bumped down to 227 horsepower. Even at that, though, it’s hard to complain considering it’s still a big notch above the 191 horsepower that the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine churns out, and several seconds faster from zero-to-60 mph.

I could rave on, but there’s that one big, “if I were in the market today for a… hatchback with an internal combustion engine”

Turns out, I’d be looking through a different lens. Many of the cars I love driving pose a an existential question that automakers know they have to address. Those vehicles with internal combustion engines, or ICE engines as they are sometimes called, are dependent on fossil fuels which we know produce carbon dioxide when burned. We also know that there’s a direct correlation between carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and climate change.

So, would I be able to find the same “classy looks, vibrant performance and sublime comfort” in a Mazda3 PHEV of EV? Considering what Mazda has achieved with our featured model, I think so. I certainly hope so. There are no ifs about that.

RPM News Weekly Photos by Rich Taber

2024 Mazda3 2.5T Premium Plus AWD

MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE $36,650.00

MSRP INCLUDING OPTIONS $37,100.00

INLAND FREIGHT AND HANDLING $1,165.00

TOTAL MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE $38,265.00

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EQ Factor

The ratio of the cost of a gallon of gasoline to the cost of an equivalent amount of electrical energy, based on a gallon of gasoline having 115,000 BTUs which is equivalent to 33.7 kilowatt-hours. The eQ factor is used to determine how many miles one gets in an electric vehicle for the same dollars spent on a gallon of gasoline. This is different than MPGe which does not account for price differences between gasoline and electricity. To figure the eQ factor, first calculate the the cost of an equivalent amount of electrical energy in your locale by multiplying 33.7 KwH by the cost per kilowatt-hour of electricity (including delivery charges, if any). Call that the “Cost of a Gallon of Electricity”. Take the cost of a gallon of gasoline in your locale, and divide it by the “Cost of a Gallon of Electricity” to get the eQ factor. The eQ factor changes depending on the prices of gasoline and electricity in a particular location on any given day.

To figure out how economical that electric car really is for you, multiply the MPGe rating from the EPA by the eQ factor to see how many miles you’ll get for the same dollars you spend on a gallon of gasoline.

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2024 Hyundai Kona N Line AWD

5-31-24 Featured Vehicle

By Rich Taber

There are few automakers who seriously embrace change as deliberately as Hyundai, and the redesigned Kona N Line makes this abundantly clear. Just look at the styling.

Here at RPM News Weekly, we took the model for a week-long test drive that not only proved this point to us, but also found us filling up at a gasoline pump and wondering whether an all-electric version would be a better choice.

No question. We enjoyed the ride in this model. For its $33,695 as-delivered price tag, it’s a great value and will compete well in the glutted marketplace for small sporty SUVs. It’s not a powerhouse by any stretch with its 190 horsepower, but it zips around neatly as long as you’re not too hard on the powertrain. It’s fuel consumption, however, is somewhat mid-ling, garnering a combined city/highway rating of just 26 mpg.

The all-electric version of the 2024 Kona manages 116 mpge. From an efficiency perspective, that’s obviously a lot better. But for a more useful dollar-for-dollar comparsion, calculate the true cost based on the costs of an equivalent amounts of gasoline and electric energy. You can do that easily with our EQ Factor calculator (see below).

Meanwhile, enjoy our slide show of the Kona N Line. Stylistically, Hyundai has created a vehicle that will no doubt turn heads, but more importantly they’ve designed an affordable car that scores above its price range in comfort, tech-savviness, and driving satisfaction.

RPM News Weekly Photos by Rich Taber

2024 Hyundai Kona N Line AWD

MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE $32,150.00

MSRP INCLUDING OPTIONS $32,360.00

INLAND FREIGHT AND HANDLING $1,335.00

TOTAL MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE $33,695.00

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2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness

5-24-24 Featured Vehicle

Long before every vehicle in every segment attempted to become an adventurous, off-road-ready SUV, the Subaru Crosstrek had been quietly and confidently filling that role.

For 2024, the Crosstrek gets a redesign, and while Subaru added new tech and sharpened the styling, they didn’t change the formula too much. And why would they? The Crosstrek was still a strong seller even before the update. As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke… don’t fix it.

The Crosstrek debuted in 2012 as the XV Crosstrek, a slightly lifted spinoff of the Subaru Impreza Hatchback with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and more rugged styling cues. When it debuted, the Crosstrek reminded me a bit of the Subarus of old. Back in the day, my sister drove a Subaru GL 4×4 hatchback, which might not be a direct relation to the Crosstrek but certainly created the formula. That little car was a beast; I wish I still had it.

Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness

RPM News Weekly Photos by Peter Ciani

These days, with adventure-ready vehicles all the rage among outdoorsy types, and models such as the Toyota Corolla Cross, RAV4 TRD, and the all-new Nissan Rogue vying for attention, the Crosstrek is no longer the sole option in the compact segment. However, Subaru has been paying attention — enter the Wilderness edition.

The Crosstrek is not the first Subaru to get a Wilderness edition badge. The automaker launched its first Wilderness Edition trim on the 2022 Subaru Outback, which is a bit ironic because, if you know your Subaru history, the Outback itself started as an off-road trim variant of the Legacy wagon before becoming a stand-alone model in 2000.

Then in 2023, the Forester Wilderness was revealed.

The 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness builds on the already capable small crossover by adding a trim-exclusive suspension with 9.3 inches of ground clearance, which is a half-inch taller than the usual 8.7 inches found in most Subarus. The added lift comes from longer, specially tuned coil springs and shock absorbers. The long-travel shocks offer increased absorption on rough surfaces while maintaining a smooth, controlled ride on regular roads. The Crosstrek Wilderness also benefits from improved approach and departure angles, thanks to its trim-specific front and rear fascia design.

To complement the off-road-ready suspension, the Crosstrek Wilderness comes equipped with Yokohama GEOLANDAR all-terrain tires for optimal performance in mud, gravel, or snow, and Subaru’s driver-selectable dual-function X-MODE, offering Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. Each setting optimizes engine output and CVT ratios, boosts Active All-Wheel Drive engagement, and fine-tunes the Vehicle Dynamics Control with Traction Control System for maximum traction. X-MODE also includes Low Speed/Low Ratio Gradient Control. This system senses when the vehicle is traveling on a steep incline at low speed, shifting the CVT to its lowest ratio (4.066:1). All Crosstrek models include Active Torque Vectoring for enhanced handling stability.

The Crosstrek Wilderness is powered by a 2.5-liter BOXER engine, producing 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Subaru engineered the Crosstrek Wilderness drivetrain for better off-road performance by installing a revised differential gear ratio and retuned Lineartronic CVT. Thanks to a trim-specific transmission cooler, the Crosstrek Wilderness boasts a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds — that’s 2,000 pounds more than other Crosstrek trims. If you need to tow equipment, the Wilderness is the Crosstrek trim you want.

You do pay a small MPG penalty for the lifted suspension and off-road tires, which is not unexpected. The Crosstrek Wilderness gets an EPA rating of 25 city / 29 highway, compared to 26 city / 33 highway for the Sport and Limited models with the same engine.

Beyond the mechanical differences, the Crosstrek Wilderness features exclusive styling, including all-new front and rear bumpers, a bold hexagonal front grille, larger wheel arch cladding, a metal front skid plate, unique hex-design LED fog lights, raised ladder-type roof rails, and an anti-glare hood decal in a matte-black finish. Of course, you can’t have a Wilderness trim without the anodized copper-finish accents.

Inside the Crosstrek Wilderness, you’ll find many of the amenities you’d expect from a top-tier Crosstrek, including the SUBARU STARLINK 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. While it doesn’t have the leather-trimmed seating of the Crosstrek Limited, it does include StarTex water-repellent upholstery with copper-colored stitching and heated front seats, fitting the softroader theme perfectly.

All weather mats also come standard on the Crosstrek Wilderness, as does a removable water-resistant rear cargo tray.

The Subaru Crosstrek was already a capable small SUV, but the new Wilderness trim takes it to the next level without compromising road manners or aesthetics. With a starting price about $1,000 over the top-of-the-line Crosstrek Limited, it’s a bargain, especially considering the additional equipment, capability, and mechanical upgrades you get.

MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE STARTING $31,995

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2024 Dodge Hornet GT Plus Blacktop AWD

4-26-24 Featured Vehicle

No, it won’t leap tall buildings; nor is it fast enough to evade a speeding bullet, but the superpowers that the all-wheel drive 2024 Dodge Hornet GT Plus Blacktop does possess cleverly reveal themselves through its animated performance, dynamic array of safety technology and everyday convenience.

We’re not talking about unrestrained power. It may be a sibling in the Brotherhood of Muscle, but it’s no Charger or Challenger. It doesn’t have that kind of standing or vibe. Even so, the 268 horsepower coming from its small 2-liter turbo engine is appropriately applied to make the drive swift when it needs to be and torque-ey enough for the light towing (2000 lbs.) one would expect from a compact SUV.

2024 Dodge Hornet GT Plus Blacktop AWD engine

If there’s anything holding this little brother back, it’s that it just doesn’t feel pumped up. Not that that’s a bad thing, but it is a bit of a let down.

Nevertheless, there are other positives to consider. Notably, the arsenal of safety equipment. Name it, it’s there – full-speed forward-collision warning, pedestrian/cyclist emergency braking, blind spot and cross path detection, lane-keep assist, adaptive speed control, rear park-assist system, automatic high-beam headlight control…

Then there are the conveniences such as the remote start system, wireless charging pad, hands-free power liftgate, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, and a bunch more. With destination charge, the total price on our test model came to $40,485 and that included $1,995 for the GT Blacktop Package which comes with gloss-black painted mirror caps and side window moldings, dark “Hornet” and “GT” badges, and 18-inch abyss finish wheels with all-season tires.

At that price the Dodge Hornet GT Plus Blacktop is very competitive and definitely a vehicle to test drive if you’re shopping in the compact SUV market.

TOTAL MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE $40,485.00

RPM News Weekly Photos by Rich Taber

Several months ago, the Dodge Hornet Plug-In Hybrid was featured on our weekly Tech Talk podcast. Check it out here and subscribe for all the RPM News Weekly updates.

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2024 Ford Maverick XLT FX4

5-03-24 Featured Vehicle

By Rich Taber

A few weeks ago, we, here at RPM News Weekly, reported on the 2023 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid. Other than the obvious hybrid distinction, it has a lot in common with the gasoline EcoBoost powered XLT model. Even so, the XLT FX4 variant of this compact pickup offers one particularly significant difference that’s not as apparent as the flashy FX4 decals adorning its hind quarters. You’ll have to get underneath the truck, or poke your head around the wheel wells to get a glimpse.

We’re talking about the suspension of course.

If you run down the spec sheets on the 2-liter EcoBoost equipped trims, there are no differences in output or transmission. Plus, you won’t find any notable differences in size, inside or out, unless you look at the Maverick Tremor (a different story we may get to in a few weeks). There are a few variances between FWD and AWD editions due to tire sidewall size (e.g. ground clearance, approach angle, etc.) and a Tow Package option for AWD equipped models. But that’s it.

Where you’ll stop short in your perusal, though, is under the Suspension heading. Where the other AWD Mavericks come with twin-tube dampers, the FX4 raises the off-road competence by employing mono-tube dampers with hydraulic rebound stop. If you’re planning to regularly go off-road, this is why you’ll want the FX4 AWD instead of one of its siblings (not counting the Tremor, of course).

What are the advantages? Typically, a mono-tube damper provides more damping force, offers better heat dissipation, reduces the potential for aeration of the fluid in the damper, and is generally considered more responsive. The trade off is in ride comfort.

Our FX4 test ride also featured the optional FX Luxury Package. Why not ride in style while kicking up some dust? Check out this slide show for a full look at the model we drove.

RPM News Weekly Photos by Rich Taber

2024 Ford Maverick XLT FX4 AWD

MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE $26,315.00

MSRP INCLUDING OPTIONS $33,140.00

INLAND FREIGHT AND HANDLING $1,595.00

TOTAL MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE $34,735.00

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Here’s the video from our report on the 2023 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid.

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2024 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD

4-19-24 Featured Vehicle

Perhaps you’ve noticed a lot more of the Kia Telluride on the roads these days. It’s not surprising. Having won a slew of Best Family Car awards this year has not only driven sales, but it also accounts for the many things Kia has done right with their full lineup of vehicles.

We here at RPM News Weekly had the opportunity to take the 2024 Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line edition for a weeklong test drive. Our colleagues in the automotive press have certainly gotten it right to award this vehicle. The Telluride clearly has a bounty to offer families seeking a three-row SUV – solid performance, ample roominess and plenty of amenities to please everyone onboard.

If there’s anything to hedge on in this love-fest with the model, it’s that we wish it had a bit more fuel economy and tad more softness to the ride. Nothing over the top, just a little more icing on the cake.

In any case, we’ve put together this slide show of the SX-Prestige X-Line that we drove. We hope it gives you some sense of how well-equipped this particular trim is. At $54,540, which includes $990 in options and a $1,365 freight and handling charge, one should consider it competitively priced for a vehicle at the high end of the lineup. In the coming week, check out our YouTube channel for a video version of this presentation, and subscribe for all the updates.