A few weeks back, our Washington Automotive Press Association hosted its annual Fall Rally #WAPARally2022! The weather was absolutely spectacular, on a crisp and sunny day out on the shore of Maryland. It was a busy day, but read our quick spin hot takes below. Hoping to get more of these through the Carsplain garage for a full shakedown soon.
Acura Integra A-Spec – The perfect Dadlife commuter?
Retro dreams reborn!! An Integra with a 6-speed manual, turbo engine (from the factory no less!), limited slip diff, trick adaptive dampers, premium sound system AND coming in at less than $40,000?? Is this too good to be true? Oh, and it’s a hatchback. The fact that it’s a 4 door hatchback also makes this potentially family friendly, so young dads, or young at heart, could still justify jumping into one of these. As one might expect, the 6-speed transmission features a lovely shifter and the balance between ride and handling makes for a terrific, yet fun daily driver that won’t beat you up. It is absolutely approachable and easy to drive. Solid structure and those active dampers for sport mode help you attack any twisties on the way to and from daycare pickup. Interestingly, believe this might be the first Acura “Tech” trim without an embedded factory navigation system since like the 1999 TL. Also a bit of a miss and maybe less family friendly, a lack of rear seat air vents, nitpicking I know. This also just makes me wonder what an expected Integra Type S might be like with some of that Civic Type R-level of power goodness…. mmmm.
Subaru WRX GT – A Japanese Audi S3?
Not so sexy WRX’y, the looks of the WRX, supremely panned by the online armchair/keyboard experts proved… somewhat warranted in person. But then again, even as a former 2009 WRX Hatchback owner, the WRX was never one for looks. Yes the cladding trim all around seems a bit much, but that’s very much in today’s Subaru ethos. Luckily the drive seems to be intact. Super quick and direct steering made for a lively drive, while the top spec GT we sampled also brings with it adaptive dampers providing good ride quality, and smooth power, although a bit sadly only channeled through at CVT, SPT (Subaru Performance Transmission), on this top GT trim. The flappy paddles were fun to use though. $43,390 including destination seems like a tall price for sub 300 horsepower, but it is loaded with lots of other goodies like snug Recaro seats and the big 11.6″ infotainment screen. But might be tough sell against some luxury branded competitors.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Estrema – Italian Flair and Passion
In a sea of compact luxury crossovers, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a crisp and refreshing Italian breeze. Just look at it! And if you like claim to like driving, the Alfa is still one of the best in the segment with superb steering and ride quality, even with the 21″ wheels on this Estrema. Exclusivity and luxury go hand in hand and continued improvements continue to make this attractive crossover something that should absolutely be considered if you like the Sport in Sport Utility Vehicle. Nestled between the Veloce and the crazy-hot Quadrifoglio (but closer to the Veloce), the Estrema benefits from an active suspension controlled via the DNA selector, and a limited slip differential. There are also some added carbon fiber trim bits to help mimic the 4-Clover model. Power though is untouched at 280 HP from the turbo 4-cylinder. Would like to have seen some added oomph there to bridge the gap to the 505 horsepower beast.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer L – The L is for Lounging, not really though
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer oozes luxury, at least on the inside. Features and screens and plush materials are everywhere. The new “L” models add 12″ in length and 7″ in wheelbase to the already massive standard Grand Wagoneer. Cargo Space behind the 3rd row is now a massive 44 cubic feet an increase of about 16 cubes over the standard length models. Outside the look is still a bit slab sided and the added length added to the rear end don’t help proportions too much, but when you’re nearly 19 feet long, not much is going to be able to look great. Driving with the new Hurricane turbo inline 6-cylinder engine is, just like nearly everything about the Grand Wagoneer, smoooove. 510 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque available down low make for pretty effortless acceleration of this New York duplex sized mammoth. Want to drive a barcalounger? Look no further.
VW Golf R / GTI – In need of some sharpening
Golf R… something that should tug at my heart strings as a former R32 owner. Setting off in a quick spin in the Golf R, yes the acceleration is wicked quick. It’s luxurious and athletic, but it was also a touch softer than I expected. The steering was a little slower off center than I would have liked. No doubt it was smooth and comfortable, but is that what you want from the R? The brakes also don’t have a lot of initial bite, but at least they were linear after that initial bit of squish. Could there be like a Golf RS-R? R+? R Type R? Leave the soft stuff for the GTI and give me something a little bit sharper in the R. The GTI (also a former GTI owner) was similarly nice in the balance of a daily driver that it still fun to drive, if a bit soft, and nicely appointed inside. I didn’t mind the GTI’s softness, as I feel that’s more aligned with its mission. GTI vs Integra… now that would be a great shootout of entry luxury hot hatches.
Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek – Beefier, but a bit plain
Nissan is back with another rendition of the Rock Creek Edition on the Pathfinder. Where the initial iteration on the last gen Pathfinder was a bit weak, this one actually looks pretty thought out, at least as far as you might take a crossover without a dedicated transfer case. Outside a tubular roof rack and chonky all-terrain tires with honest to goodness sidewall height help with the visual distinction. On our little loop, the smooth and good transmission shifts from the 9-speed automatic remain impressive here. Turning circle felt tidy for a long 3-row ute, but there is definitely some tire hum from the A/T tires so make sure to pay attention to that during your test drive, fuel economy also takes a small hit on the highway, 23 vs 25 on other trims. Oddly the Rock Creek is fairly low spec, as it’s priced below the Platinum and SL trims. You get a small 8″ infotainment screen, but you get 360 degree camera. No sunroof, no power lift gate, no upgraded audio or wireless phone connectivity. Would love to a see an available premium package for the Rock Creek.
Mercedes-AMG EQS – Speed Deception
While the outside may look a little jellybean’ish, there’s nothing more shocking than the speed and smoothness of the AMG EQS. Dual electric motors churn out 649 horsepower, but even that can be dialed up for bursts of 751 horsepower and 752 lb-ft of instant torque. 0 to 60 can happen in just over 3 seconds and there’s perhaps nothing else I’ve driven with this level of deceptive speed with how smooth the adaptive air suspension is. I don’t know how I wouldn’t get a ticket every day. Maybe this is why so many European cars need speed limiters. There are giant screens across the entire front dash and the HUD throws the image super far forward down the road. Technological and luxury marvel, sledgehammer with fitted leather gloves.
Lexus RX500h F SPORT Performance – Sharper, but still a Lexus
Finally the Lexus RX moves onto the new global platform. This provides the ubiquitous luxury crossover with much needed updates to its chassis and technology. It yields big improvements in ride and handling, while still erring on smooth and quiet, even for this F SPORT Performance model. It keeps the standard RX’s new turbo 4-cylinder up front and pairs it with an electric motor out back, power is channeled through a 6-speed automatic transmission. There’s even rear wheel steering, but not to the degree that many German offerings exhibit, and so the effect isn’t quite as evident/dramatic. It didn’t seem to have quite the punch of an Acura MDX Type S, and the drive modes are no longer easily accessible, seemingly only buried in the infotainment screen.
Mazda MX-5 Miata – Just Drive
In this time of digitized this and boosted that (see Mercedes-AMG EQS above) there’s something absolutely charming and delightful about something so pure as the Mazda MX-5 aka Miata. If there’s ever been a car that begs you to “just drive” it would be this. A tide 2-seat roadster with a plum naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine that loves to sing and powers your rear wheels through an available 6-speed manual transmission. Yes, this is what driving is about. A car that you can’t get into too much trouble with, and the smiles per gallon might be higher than anything else. While on our little quick spin, an owner of an early generation model Miata was out on a drive, top down, and honked at us to give us a thumbs up. Yes, this is what driving and car culture is all about.
Honda HR-V – Refined Leisure
When the first HR-V came out, it was a quirky little guy with magic flip up rear seats and relatively good space for the burgeoning subcompact utility segment, but it was a bit slow. Now with the 2nd generation HR-V, we’ve lost some of that quirk. The rear seats are pretty traditional, but the migration to the Civic platform brings a wealth of refinement, at least to ride and dynamics and interior design and materials. Drive wise the HR-V is still almost painfully slow. 158 horses from a non-turbo 4-cylinder leaves it a bit lacking. Not helping is a CVT transmission that pegs the RPMs up high on even acceleration runs. I did read that Honda is improving the CVTs in the upcoming Accord, so maybe that logic will trickle down to the HR-V.
Chevrolet Corvette 70th Anniversary Edition – Get me some New Balance Shoes STAT!
The latest Corvette, dubbed the C8, is stunning. It breaks necks like possibly no Corvette in the modern era. The mid engine proportions give it instant supercar aesthetics, although there is maybe a bit too much length out the rear. Once you climb in over some wide door sills and up over the tall seat cushion bolsters, the seating position is phenomenal, you feel like you’re dead center with the steering wheel and the pedals. Don’t know how the New Balance set will manage getting in and out of this one. Top down, you’re privy to the roar of that great American V8 nested behind your head and the exhaust burbling out back. Around curves the C8 also feels like it rotates around you, unlike my prior drives in C6’s and C7’s where it felt like 2/3rds of the car was in front of you. It has a large trunk, the only element of proportions that keep it from being a true super car, but also lend it to be a terrific weekend getaway mobile. Frunk is also available for smaller needs.
Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy – More luxury than some luxury brands
Despite being one of the most demanded 3-row crossovers in the segment since its launch, Hyundai isn’t sitting still. For 2023 they’ve given it a quick facelift with a handsome, more squared off face. Interior also sees refinements with the inclusion of a driver seat massage function (sorry passenger) and even heated 3rd row seats! The drive is soft and smooth, more akin to Mercedes than BMW perhaps, with a quiet cabin thanks to laminated glass nearly throughout the cabin in the top trims. Good space and visibility in the cabin and the 12.3″ infotainment screen is standard, even on the base SE. Would still love to see some hybrids/electrification or turbos here!
Hyundai IONIQ 5 – Quirk and Delight in EV form
I love seeing the IONIQ 5 around town. It’s got so much character in its pixelated design, inside and out. Space inside the cabin is voluminous and comfortable, nearly cavernous for something of its overall footprint. Compared with our long-term Polestar 2, the IONIQ 5 is definitely softer, but no less delightful of an EV experience. Everything in the cabin is easy to adjust to, with traditional controls for most everything except for the transmission selector. If this had been available when we were shopping for our Polestar 2, it likely would be in our garage.
