Greatest Single-Generation Improvements: Part 4 - Toyota Camry

 7th generation

The 7th generation of the Toyota Camry was a very disappointing car. It looked like it was 5 years older than it is, and the tech and powertrain were also dated and unimpressive. Toyota debuted it promising a "comfort, safety, reliability, and efficiency, with an engaging driving experience". Time has proven that the Camry hasn't in fact excelled in any of those areas.

8th generation

Within just one generation, the infamous Toyota Camry went from incredibly incompetent to segment challenger, and that happened by Toyota completely starting with a blank slate. The first thing they did to improve the Camry was the most noticeable: the exterior design. It is now crisp, sleek, and artistic, opposed to anonymous and uninteresting. The engine was also changed, switching over to a 2.5 L 4 Cylinder that transformed the Camry from a mere transportation device into a surprisingly fun sedan.

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Greatest Single-Generation Improvements: Part 3, Honda CR-V

 4th Generation

The 4th generation Honda CR-V wasn't a bad crossover by any measure, but it was still a way off from the segment leaders, many of which had better tech, cargo space, and handling. It was also not a very attractive vehicle, and looked dull compared to the Mada CX-5 and Nissan Murano, its biggest competitors. It was never mentioned in any automotive awards, as many criticized its interior design, among other issues. 

5th generation

And BAM, there we go! The current generation CR-V is a wonder, and, despite not having been refreshed in 4 years, it is still very likely the best mid-size crossover in the world. It has won Motor Trend's SUV of the year award, which is a big deal, considering what it beat (Alfa-Romeo Stelvio, Land Rover Discovery, Volvo XC60, etc...) and has picked up several CarandDriver 10Best awards as well. Everything that was unimpressive about the previous gen was fixed, most notably the exterior styling and infotainment, and the recognition came along with the sucess.  

THANKSGIVING SPECIAL: 2 New Cars I'm Thankful Are Here to Stay, and 2 That I Welcome Their Exit

 It's that time again: Families and friends gather together to remember their blessings and give thanks. And for us, car nerds, we give thanks for fun cars and remember great auto memories. This year, we have been blessed with a ton of new cars, so let's pick out a few that the car community is thankful for. 

Nissan z

After the Nissan Z had gone a decade without a proper refresh, Nissan finally gave us a new generation, and boy, is it terrific. It has arguably the best design of any Nissan in years, and the engine and powertrain configuration were picked with the enthusiast in mind. It should be able to hang with the likes of the BMW M2, Porsche 718, and Toyota Supra. The Z starts at roughly $40K

Kia Ev6

The outrageously stylish EV6 is the performance Kia EV no one knew they needed. Kia's first bespoke EV is a winner in every competition it competes in, as this little hatchback can beat literal supercars in a drag race, as the higher performance variants only takes 3.5 seconds to go to 60 mph. It also has excellent technology, cargo space, phenomenal charging capabilities, and killer looks. I've said it before, I'll say it again: Kia is likely the best brand in the world. You might bring up names like Honda, Audi, or Mazda, but it really isn't even close: the majority of the good cars at the moment are Kias (or Hyundais, Genesis, which are corporate siblings with Kia). 

 

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Honda clarity - discontinued

The Honda Clarity doesn't make sense. If it is focused on the EV aspect, it fails, as it has way below average range. If it is supposed to be a comfortable sedan, then it makes no reason why someone would pick it over an Accord or Insight. If it was supposed to be an experiment with styling and powertrain technology, then both are unsuccessful. The Clarity is one of the most polarizing cars in the history of Honda, and the powertrain is barely adequate. 

BMw i3 - discontinued 

Like the Honda Clarity, the BMW i3 is a horrifically designed electric car, with the inside and out of the car occupied by questionable features. It wouldn't be too awful if it were around $30K, but this poorly engineered compact car demands a cool $44K at base price. The i3 is easily the worst BMW in decades, as it doesn't make a case for its existence, and subsequently has been eliminated from the fold. 

2023 Ford Escape Spotted in Light Camo Wrap

 

The refreshed Ford Escape has been spotted on the road, and while it isn't that different, there are a couple noticeable changes, mostly regarding the fascia. The grille and headlights appear to be revisited, and the overall front suggests a more aggressive look, compared to the rather anonymous previous generation. The headlights are thinner and feature a different LED makeup. At this early point, there isn't much info regarding the interior, or any upgraded tech or powertrains. This update is glaringly necessary, as the current Escape is not an impressive crossover by any measure. Stay tuned to MTT for more news on Ford, as well as the entire car industry. 

2018, 2019 Toyota Camry Models Recalled for Brake Issues

 

Toyota has confirmed that it is recalling 227,490 Camrys from the 2018 and 2019 model years. The suspect issue is reported to be a brake issue that could cause sudden loss of braking ability. The Camry Hybrid is unaffected though, which does not have the vacuum pump that is said to be the reason for the braking issues. The NHTSA released this information in an official recall. Dealers will replace the vacuum pump at no charge to the owner, and further notifications are pending.  

Lucid Air Overview

 

The world is noticing Lucid, and not like the way it noticed Faraday Future, Canoo, or any of the other failed startups. Lucid is legit. They have already began selling their Air electric sedan, and it has burst onto the scene by winning Motor Trend's illustrious Car Of The Year award, besting the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and EQS, the electric Porsche Taycan, the Toyota 86, Honda Civic, and vastly improved Hyundai Elantra. The sophisticated engineering excellence found in the Lucid is similar to the aforementioned Mercedes Benzes, and that's a heck of an accomplishment, given Mercedes has been doing this for decades, and Lucid is new to the scene. The Air features an incredibly small motor that pumps out 480 for just the base model, and it jumps all the way up to 1111 with the Dream Edition. The whole electric powertrain is developed entirely in-house, and uses a 900 volt system that enables "jump charging" to other EVs. The Air is the fastest charging EV in the world at the moment, capable of adding 300 miles in 20 minutes. It provides 451-520 miles of range, and boasts EPA figures of 111-131 mpg-e, ranking just narrowly ahead of it's biggest competitor, the Tesla Model S, and noticeably better than Porsche Taycan and Audi E-Tron GT. 

Although styling is subjective, the Air has received near unanimous praise for it's incredibly sleek design, and many have said that it is the best-looking EV on the market. Although I would not go that far, (My pick would be the Rivian R1T or Porsche Taycan 4S) it is definitely a styling success. As a matter of fact, the Air is a complete success, and is sure to make a splash in the industry's EV transition. 

Ferrari Daytona SP3 First Look, Reaction

 

Ladies and gents, Ferrari is back. After a period where they had some identity issues, with the brand forgoing it's heritage and shelling out a variety of hatchbacks, luxury coupes, and even a SUV, the Italian firm is going back to what it does best: 2 door supercars with drop-dead gorgeous looks and a wild engine configuration. The SP3 joins the SP1 and SP2 in the company's Icona stable, and in the SP3, Ferrari have built their most aerodynamically efficient car from the brand ever, even though it features no active aero. Powering the stunning SP3 is a ludicrous 6.5 Liter V12 that makes 812 hp that is also found in the phenomenal 812 Superfast. The engine goes all the way to a 9500 redline. It sprints to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. Ferrari have not at the arrival date, but there will be 599 made and it will cost roughly $2 million. Stay tuned for more info.

Kia EV9 First Look, Reaction

 

       The Kia EV9 just debuted on Wednesday at the LA Auto Show, and it’s got everyone talking. It is big, bold, and also electric. It, along with the smaller EV6, signal that Kia is heading unmistakably towards the electric world, and extends the Korean brand’s head start on its competitors, with the Niro and Soul E both on the market. In its press debut, Kia executives and marketers strangely said that the EV9 is “inspired by water”, and that’s why the SUV is blue-ish, and apparently uses recycled materials from the ocean, as well as it using vegan leathers. Fish nets have been repurposed and are part of the flooring. Considering that such environmentally friendly measures are also seen on the EV6, it is fair to say that Kia is going all in with “saving the world, through cars” as they promise. The EV9 is full of clever features, but the production model might ditch a few of them, with the platform likely to be enlarged, and definitely other pairs of wheels will be available, thank goodness. The exterior design, while not for everyone, is unique and creative, and I personally like it more I every time I see it. Obnoxious? Maybe, but I think I prefer it to the bland SUVs on the market currently. Let me know in the comments what you think of the EV9, and be sure to follow MTT for more news.

Describing Every Toyota With ONLY ONE SENTENCE!

 PRIUS: Although the Prius is inexcusably ugly, it is still a decent choice for those who want an inexpensive car that has great fuel economy.

SUPRA: The new Supra is nothing short of legendary in the turns, and is a bargain compare to rivals like the Porsche 718 or BMW M2.

86: Apart from the Mazda Miata, there are no cars you can buy for $27K that give you such a divine driving experience 

COROLLA: Even considering the Corolla was designed for nothing more than "Point A-B" travel, Toyota have still made a thoroughly disappointing sedan in the Corolla.

CAMRY: For the first time in a while, the Camry is relevant, thanks to a dazzling new exterior design, among other things.

HIGHLANDER: Although it will never beat the Kia Telluride or Mazda CX-9 in a comparison test, the Highlander is improving steadily, and sales are up.

RAV-4: Not unlike the general Toyota lineup, the Rav-4 has comfortably exceeded the prior model in every aspect, especially fuel economy and exterior design.

SEQUOIA: Every part of the Sequoia, from the engine to the design, is tragically outdated.

LAND CRUISER: legendary off reader, unfortunately will be pulled from the lineup soon and replaced by a Lexus.

Tier List: Every McLaren RANKED!

 

3 Awesome SEMA Trucks To Celebrate The Return Of The Legendary Car Show!

 #1 - Chevrolet Silverado "Bandit"

What is it: A lowered Chevy SIlverado with a front spoiler and additional grilles and gold trim. Supercharged V8 makes 700 hp, pays homage to legendary movie "Smokey and the Bandit".

#2 - Ford Maverick

What is it: A really cool lowered Ford Maverick truck, with a custom pail blue paint job, as well as "bowl" hubcaps. Also features a rear spoiler.

#3 - Jeep Gladiator

What is it: A Raised Jeep Gladiator with tons of off-road modifications, such as alternate doors, larger tires, and a roll-cage. The bed also is loaded with equipment, because, why not.