Subaru enthusiasts love to drive and are loyal to their brand, and their patience has paid off with the arrival of a long overdue redesign of the WRX for 2022, nearly a decade since the previous generation was unveiled.
This sporty, compact hot rod looks better, drives better and sounds better than its predecessors. It also holds up well against tough competition such as the Honda Civic SI and Volkswagen Golf GTI, among others.
I recently tested a 2022 Subaru WRX, and I’m back with a full report.
“Wow. That’s a Nissan?”
This was a common expression I heard all week when people would walk by and stare at the 2023 Nissan Z I was test-driving.
The long-awaited vehicle — the 7th generation of the Z model aimed at driving enthusiasts — has finally arrived this summer, offering a more affordable option to fans of speed and power who don’t want to spend luxury dollars for a rear-wheel-drive coupe offering a pure thrill ride. With few true competitors — most notably the Toyota GR Supra — the latest Z has a great shot at drawing a significant fan base among devoted enthusiasts.
In an era where most big launches are electric vehicles, the arrival of the new Z is a big deal.
The 2023 Nissan Z is the 7th generation of the Z legacy, which stretches back all the way to 1969. I was able to test a prototype of this highly anticipated sports car, and I’m back with a full report on the vehicle — which aims to continue the Z’s historic styling and sporty nature while adding in some modern tech features.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2023 Nissan Z
- Price as tested $53,610 (Starts around $40K)
- Best feature Thrilling and powerful ride, beautiful throwback styling
- Rating 4.5 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Fun, affordable sports car that revives a classic brand
Volkswagen’s wee but consistently-lauded Golf has long been a favorite of driving enthusiasts — a vehicle focused on providing a truly joyous driving experience to enthusiasts who appreciate what a vehicle can do and don’t want to shell out luxury-level bucks to get that ride quality.
This vehicle helped bring about the “hot hatch” category that is both performance focused while attempting to retain some level of practicality. It faces stiff competition from Hyundai, Honda, Subaru and MINI hatchback models, but has always been a standout in the category.
Returning for 2022, the Golf GTI debuts the 8th generation of this popular and sporty ride, boosting performance and retooling some physical elements of the car’s design and tech setup.
I recently spent some time in a 2022 VW Golf GTI, and I’m back with a full report on how well it holds up in the realm of hot hatches.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
- Price as tested $40,185 (starts around $31K)
- Best feature Truly enjoyable driving experience, sharp but not overly flashy design
- Rating 4 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Compact car buyers looking for a fun and sporty hatchback
Four doors are better than two — at least in the minds of some car buyers.
So it makes sense that BMW is bringing back a redesigned 4-series Gran Coupe for 2022. This vehicle is a sort of hybrid between its two-door 4-series coupe, and its 3-series sedan, aiming to be a best of both worlds type of vehicle.
The goal here is to create more accessibility and room for rear passengers without compromising the driving aesthetic that BMW’s reputation brings.
With two powerful engine options, the Gran Coupe delivers — which is essential in the extremely competitive luxury car genre.
I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2022 BMW 430i Gran Coupe, and I’m back with a full report on whether it achieves its goal of maintaining driving excellence while increasing practicality.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2022 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe
- Price as tested $56,300 (starts around $46K)
- Best feature Tremendous speed and power, a driving enthusiast’s dream
- Rating 4.5 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? BMW fans who want a fast ride with four-door access
When a vehicle has been around for 50 years, like the Honda Civic can boast, it obviously has some good things going for it.
But even a popular model like the Civic needs to change now and then, and for 2022 the Honda Civic has undergone its latest reimagining — the 11th overall generation of the vehicle.
The results have paid off, with this compact ride being selected as the 2022 North American Car of the Year.
The redesigned Civic — which comes in sedan and hatchback versions — encompasses an upscale and roomy interior design, a sharper looking exterior, and the inclusion of additional safety features to bring the vehicle into the modern era of high-tech cars.
I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2022 Honda Civic, and I’m back with a full report.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2022 Honda Civic
- Price as tested $29,690 (starts around $23K)
- Best feature Sharp redesign, strong tech, reliability
- Rating 4 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Compact car buyers who seek a modern, reliable vehicle with a sharp design
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