Comparisons

Premium SUVs have been around for quite some time now. Many claim that the first luxury hauler arrived in 1984 as the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, but the modern era began in 1999 when BMW introduced the X5. In 2016, Bentley reshaped the segment with the Bentayga, the first full-blown luxury SUV that gathered fine upholstery, state-of-the-art tech, fancy features, and high-performance under one roof. At the time of its launch, it was the quickest, fastest, and the most expensive SUV. Two years have passed and Rolls-Royce delivered its first people hauler, just like it promised a few years back. It’s called the Cullinan, and although it’s not faster than the Bentayga, it’s definitely the more expensive choice.

While the premium segment is packed with SUVs from European, American, and Japanese automakers, the range-topping luxury market is still very small. With no other products around, Bentley and Rolls-Royce are the only firms fighting for supremacy here. The Cullinan and the Bentayga will go against each other for the richest, most pretentious customers out there for years to come. Who will win? It’s hard to predict at this point, but we set up a thorough comparison for the most luxurious SUVs ever built as of 2018.

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BMW just unveiled the M2 Competition, a significant upgrade to the already familiar M2. Sporting exclusive features inside and out and a turbocharged engine borrowed from the M4, the M2 Competition is a big step forward for the nameplate on the performance ladder and may open the door to a more track-prepped version in the future. With more than 400 horsepower at its disposal, the M2 Competition seems ready to take on the heavyweights of the performance market, starting with the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS. Does it have what it takes to go against Stuttgart’s mid-engined sports car? Let’s find out in the comparison below.

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Say what you will about Lexus’ penchant for swinging for the fences when it comes to the design of its cars. Some people like them while others don’t. But they draw attention, which, I suppose, is the whole point of it. You’ll likely feel the same about the Lexus UX, which hits dealerships here in the U.S. at the end of the year. When it does, the UX will compete against a number of crossovers, most notably the Mercedes GLA-Class. That said, there’s no better time than today to take a look at the design of both the UX and the GLA-Class to see which one is better.

After seven years on the market, the third-generation Focus was finally retired in 2018 and replaced with a new model redesigned on a clean sheet. Highly popular in the U.S. and Europe, the third-gen Focus leaves a big legacy behind. The outgoing hatchback was a high seller, it spawned the best ST model yet, and marked the return of the RS nameplate. Whether the new Focus will be able to fill the big shoes or not is hard to predict at this point, but we can compare the two cars inside and out to see what changed and which is ultimately more appealing. Let’s have a closer look below.

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GMC just launched a new-generation GMC Sierra that redefines the luxury pickup truck segment through its imposing looks, premium interior, and segment-first carbon-fiber bed. But General Motors also used the new Sierra to introduce a new model line for GMC vehicles. It’s called the AT4 and adds extra features inside and out and a lift kit. With the Sierra more capable in off-road terrain in this setup, truck enthusiasts can’t help but wonder whether the AT4 is a good proposition for the mighty Ford F-150 Raptor. To answer this question, I’m going to have a closer look at both trucks in the comparison below.

The new Kia K900 caused a divide here at Top Speed headquarters. Some of us liked the way it looked, but some of us were less thrilled about. By contrast, everyone agreed that the Genesis G70 was designed like a proper luxury sedan. There lies the (perceived) divide between the two saloons. When it comes to all-around design, the G70 takes the cake over the K900.

Rumored for more than two years now, the four-door version of the Mercedes-AMG GT sports car finally broke cover at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. However, it turns out that the GT 4-Door is exactly a sedan version of the already popular coupe. The four-door model not only uses a different platform that the sports car — based on that of the midsize E-Class — but it also looks a bit different front and rear. While this isn’t necessarily an issue, the fact that it’s very similar to the recently unveiled CLS has ignited some debate on whether Mercedes-Benz was a bit lazy in the design department.

Granted, the two cars are far from identical, but there aren’t many differences to talk about inside and out. That’s why we decided to bring them side by side for a proper comparison. Of course, with the AMG GT 4-Door being the more performance-oriented model, a proper comparison isn’t possible, but fortunately, both models come in "AMG 53" spec. Let’s have a closer look at what sets them apart on the outside, inside the cabin, and under the hood in the comparison below. Does it make sense for Merc to offer both? Leave your comments in the box below.

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The world went gaga when Tesla dropped a surprise debut of its next-gen Roadster last November, with analysts and speed fans alike drooling over the claims made by the high-tech EV sports machine. Some of the numbers and specs seemed insane for a street-legal road car, but with an official on-sale date still several years away, there was time for the rest of the industry to catch up. Now, it looks like the Tesla just got one-upped before it could even hit the road, as Rimac dropped the C Two in Geneva with a list of numbers capable of delivering a K.O. punch to the upcoming Roadster 2.0.

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While it’s difficult not to get excited by new-generation cars, I’m far from enthusiastic when Audi launches something new. I understand the philosophy behind the "same sausage, different length," but this design approach doesn’t do it for me. What’s more, I think that Audi’s current styling language is bland and boring. But that’s not to say that the new generations do not bring significant improvements. The new A6, for instance, while still highly recognizable, it stands out inside and out thanks to numerous upgrades. It also boasts different figures when it comes to specs, dimensions, and performance. And we are going to discuss these changes in the comparison below.

Not surprisingly, the latest A6 is a tad bigger than its predecessor. It also offers a bit more room inside the cabin. The changes are far from impressive and barely hit an inch inside and out, but it proves that Audi is slowly but surely making its vehicles bigger. The new engines are also a bit more powerful, this time around by a more significant margin. Let’s find out more about that below.

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The mid-2000s brought a new generation of Audi vehicles that took the company to new heights. Although the entire lineup shared the same design language that wasn’t exactly exciting, the simple and elegant looks, the solid tech packages, and the good performance brought more and more people into Audi dealerships. The Germans began revamping the lineup in 2015 with the Q7 SUV and, by late 2017, we saw a host of updated models on the road, including the A4, R8, and A8. Come 2018 and Audi has launched the new A6, Ingolstadt’s main weapon against the brand-new BMW 5 Series and recently launched (and innovative) Mercedes-Benz E-Class. As expected, design changes are far from radical, which is why we’re taking a closer look at both generations in the comparison below.

The A6 remains familiar with the lineup, but it’s also very similar to its predecessor. The sharper lines don’t alter the exterior beyond recognition, but it gives the sedan a modern twist. The revised four-door comes in a bit more aggressive too thanks to larger vents in the bumpers and a bigger front grille. The interior is indeed quite different, as Audi ditched every single element that made the A6 look modern in 2010, but long in the tooth in 2018. Let’s take a closer look at the changes.

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There once was a time not too long ago when station wagons were becoming irrelevant. They still had a following, but fans of wagon we’re dwindling. Fast forward to the present, and the script has flipped entirely. Wagons are popular again, and a big part of that is the design reinvention they’ve enjoyed in recent years. Need two examples? Look no further than the Kia Optima Sportwagon and the Volvo V60.

It doesn’t get much more “Volvo” than that old standby body style we all know and love. I’m of course talking about the station wagon, a favorite for both families and modern automotive journalists. The Swedish brand is certainly well-versed in this space, as is evident by the release of its latest wagon, the new mid-size V60. Officially breaking cover at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, stateside buyers will be happy to know that this gorgeous piece of extended roof goodness is indeed arriving on these shores to meet all your grocery-getting needs. But how does it compare against the competition? To find out,we lined it up against another luxury wagon, namely the Audi A4 Allroad, and gave ’em both a thorough visual shakedown, diving into the aesthetics, the equipment, and what’s going on under the hood.

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Following an unofficial reveal earlier this week that spilled shots of the upcoming Cupra Ibiza all over social media, the newly minted standalone performance brand decided to serve up some fresh press shots of the tiny mighty machines. While Cupra maintains thenew Ibiza is not yet part of the standard brand lineup (believe it or not, Cupra is saying that it’s still in the “design exercise” phase), it looks pretty darned done to us. With that in mind, we decided to give a little visual inspection and comparison against one of its chief rivals – the Ford Fiesta ST.

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Ahead of its world debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, the third-generation Kia Ceed is already generating plenty of attention. The new model arrives with a fresh design born from Kia’s latest style language. It adopts plenty of the automaker’s distinctive features, most notably the “Tigernose” front grille that’s flanked by a pair of more aggressive swept-back headlamps. The new Ceed also has a sportier profile, emphasized in part by a more sculpted hood, aggressive body lines, and a more pronounced rear section than the model it’s succeeding. The Ceed’s new presentation sets it up nicely as a viable competitor to the Volkswagen Golf. The question then has to be asked: which looks better, the Kia Ceed or the Volkswagen Golf?

It might be small, but it’s sporty and quick too!

When it was unveiled back in 2014, the W205-generation C-Class redefined the premium compact market with its sporty exterior design and exquisite interior layout. Based on the larger S-Class, which was still new back then, the C-Class made the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4 look old and dated. The fact that the two were three and seven years old in 2014 also helped the C-Class become the king of the luxury compact market instantly. But things have changed since them. Audi launched a new A4 in 2015, while BMW updated the 3 Series for the 2016 model year and it’s getting ready to launch a new-generation model in 2018. The C-Class is no longer that far ahead, so Mercedes gave its four-door a makeover.

On top of the usual exterior design changes, the C-Class was updated with new features and technology inside the cabin. Highlights include a new digital display for all models and a standard seven-inch screen for the lower-spec versions. Mercedes also added touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheels, and new driver assist features that make the car semi-autonomous, just like in the bigger E-Class and S-Class models. Of course, exterior changes are an important part of a facelift, so let’s see what makes the upgraded model stand out in the comparison below.

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BMW has high hopes for the X4 now that the new coupe-crossover has been unveiled. The new midsize model will now be tasked to compete against a bevy of rivals in its segment, none more important than the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe. An endless amount of debates should ensue now that both models are here. Which one performs better? Which one handles better? These questions are a few of the many that we can expect in the coming months. Those, and which of the two looks better. We’ll try to piece together what we can to answer that last question, though, off the bat, don’t blame us if we can’t arrive at a consensus. The BMW X4 and Mercedes GLC Coupe do look alike in a lot of ways.

It really has to suck for BMW to get beat out so badly by a Korean economy brand.

The new Hyundai Veloster N just dropped at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, serving up U.S. audiences a thick slice of the South Korean brand’s performance know-how on a three-door hatchback plate. It’s a tempting piece of kit, no doubt about it, but the Blue Oval won’t take it lying down, offering up the tried-and-true Focus ST as a strong counterpoint. Which is superior? We take a quick look at the numbers and specs to figure it out.

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The 2018 Mazda3 5-Door Grand Touring under our evaluation this week is equipped with all the bells and whistles. Not surprisingly, that means its price tag might seem a bit hefty for a compact hatchback with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder. As such, I decided to look at the Mazda3’s competitors and their comparable trim levels and optional equipment.

I settled on the 2017 Volkswagen Golf, the 2018 Honda Civic Hatchback, the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT, and the2018 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback. For each, I selected their range-topping trim and added the appropriate options for an apples-to-apples comparison. Here’s how things shake out.

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The Kia Forte and the Lamborghini Aventador are two cars that couldn’t be more different from each other. One is a compact four-door sedan while the other is, well, you know what the Aventador is. On the surface, the Aventador beats the Forte in just about every meaningful discussion. But is the Lamborghini really that much better than the Forte? Kia (obviously) doesn’t think so, and believe it or not; it actually makes a compelling case for its own sedan.

Go ahead and watch the video. Tell me you didn’t get a good laugh out of it. I certainly did. Kia’s justifications for the Forte are all fair. The sedan does have two more doors than the supercar. It also has a big advantage in rear seating, cargo space, touch-screen capability, and wireless charging. It even has the Aventador beat in fuel efficiency and cost. It’s true that you can buy a Forte for a tenth of the price of an Aventador. You can even use the money you saved on something else, including that villa in Italy the voice-over guy suggested. By these metrics, the Forte wins hands down!

In all seriousness, the “rivalry” between the Forte and Aventador is tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek humor. Give credit to Kia for thinking outside the box with the angle for this commercial. It takes a certain kind of confidence to roll out an Aventador opposite a Forte, and then actually make a compelling case for the latter as the better car.

Well done, Kia. It’s a great commercial, though, I think it would’ve probably been better if you saved this one for Super Bowl LII. Just a thought.

Korean carmaker Hyundai has been developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles since the early 2000s, with the first test model launched in 2005. It was based on the first-generation ix35/Tucson. The crossover was updated in 2012 and went into production in 2013, becoming the first mass-produced SUV with hydrogen power. It’s been five years since then, and Hyundai is replacing the ix35/Tucson FCEV with the Nexo. Unveiled at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show, the Nexo is the brand’s first fuel cell vehicle built on a dedicated platform and boasts significant performance improvements in every department. And it offers better mileage than a Tesla!

This week has seen a 2017 Lexus GS 200t in my driveway, and after some 200 miles of mixed driving around town and down the Interstate, I started thinking about how it compared to another luxury sedan I’ve driven. This won’t be a true apples-to-apples comparison due to the wide variety of engine options and trim levels, however, but we’ll still make the best of it. Grains of salt are generously sprinkled atop the premise of this piece.

So, a little on the Lexus GS 200t. Well, it has the rather desirable F Sport package, meaning it has an upgraded suspension with summer performance tires designed for better handling, it has a more aggressive exterior appearance, and the interior is finished off with deeper bucket seats and some slightly flashier trim work. The F Sport package does not change anything about the engine. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces the same 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque as the non-F Sport version. It’s also worth noting that Lexus’ website calls the 2017 GS 200t the GS Turbo and that, for 2018, the car is renamed the GS 300. Read about the name change here.

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