Hyundai may be a brand for the masses, but ignore any model wearing the “N” badge at your own peril. And now, the performance sub-brand is working its magic on the Korean carmaker’s first dedicated EV, the Ioniq 5. But does it live up to expectations? To find out, Headlight.News headed out to California’s scenic Monterey Peninsula to push the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N to its limits, on track and off.
First Drive
First Drive: 2024 Fiat 500e
For the second time, Fiat is offering an electric version of its iconic Cinquecento. It’s far easier to justify purchasing given its longer range, while its price makes it somewhat affordable. Whereas buying an EV once meant settling for a Tesla of some kind, consumer...
First Look: 2025 Buick Enclave – Bigger, More Stylish and Now, Hands-Free
Buick’s flagship SUV is back with a new look for the upcoming model year and it’s picking up on some of the key design cues first seen on the Wildcat concept vehicle. The 2025 Buick Enclave also gets an assortment of new comfort features as well as new technology that includes the “premium” brand’s first use of the hands-free GM Super Cruise.
First Drive: 2024 Atlas Cross Sport – A Sportier Atlas?
The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is attempting to inject more fun and vigor into Atlas model lineup with sportier styling inside and out. But does it succeed in checking all the boxes for SUV buyers looking for more flair in their daily commute?
First Drive: 2024 Genesis G80 Electrified – An EV for the Mainstream
2024 Genesis G80 Electrified uses familiar package to help customers make the transition to all-electric commuting.
First Drive: 2024 Polestar 2 Performance Package – A Sharper EV
Polestar puts the Polestar 2 sedan under the knife for 2024 and gives it more power, technology, and performance in an attempt to ward off rivals from Tesla, BMW, and Hyundai. Get the full story at Headlight.News
First Drive: 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid: Common Scents
Once one of America’s most exclusive automotive brands, Lincoln has been little more than an also-ran in recent years. But Ford Motor Co.’s upscale marque is on a mission to rebuild itself — and not just by becoming a clone of luxury market leaders like Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, BMW or crosstown rival Cadillac. And the complete makeover of the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus gives a good sense of what’s in store, as Headlight.News discovered during a day behind the wheel of the midsize crossover in Palm Springs. Here’s our review.
First Drive: 2024 Honda Prologue — A Partnership Pays Off
Honda is finally getting into the EV game, the automaker getting ready to roll its first long-range model into U.S. showrooms in the coming weeks. The name is an appropriate one, the 2024 Honda Prologue set to become the first in a planned family of EVs set to debut later this decade. While future models will be developed in-house, however, the Japanese automaker took a shortcut with Prologue, turning to its longtime Detroit rival, General Motors for help. Headlight.News has the back story — and a first review of the 2024 Honda Prologue.
First Drive: 2025 Ram 1500: More Power, More Tech, More Money
The full-size truck market is about to get more competitive as Ram rolls out a major update of the 1500 pickup. The 2025 package has plenty to offer, from two versions of the new Hurricane engine to the all-new premium Tungsten edition. There’s plenty of new technology, as well, including the new Hands-free Driving Assist system. But you can also expect to spend more money, Headlight.News headed to Texas Hill Country to get some time behind the wheel of the 2025 Ram 1500.
First Drive: 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
The iconic Mercedes-Benz tri-star badge today graces a wide range of products, from the little CLA sedan to the flagship GLS crossover. It’s also found on one of the world’s most popular vans, the big Sprinter. And, as the German automaker accelerates its switch to zero-emissions propulsion, the latest model to go all-electric is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter. Headlight.News spent a day in Southern California testing it out and discovered it was surprisingly fun to drive while delivering plenty of range. It also maintains the flexibility of the classic Sprinter and could even wind up with an RV option.
First Drive: 2024 Lexus GX 550 — A Complete Makeover
Not long ago, Lexus buyers had a single utility vehicle to choose from: the time-tested RX. Today, the Japanese luxury brand has one of the broadest portfolios of SUVs and CUVs on the market. That includes the Lexus GX which, for 2024, gets a ground-up makeover. There’s a new chassis, a new engine, a more classic exterior design and a more high-tech interior. There’s also the all-new Overtrail trim package which adds more rugged features that, as its name suggests, will allow for more serious off-road adventures. Headlight.News headed down to Tucson, Arizona to test out the 2024 Lexus GX.
First Drive: 2024 Blazer EV – Something for Everybody
Chevrolet is getting into EVs in a big way, the bowtie brand beginning to ramp up production of an all-electric Silverado, prepping the Equinox EV for a launch next year, and confirming the Bolt nameplate will return in all-new form. But the spotlight now is on a battery-powered version of one of its most popular model lines. And Headlight.News spent several days in sunny San Diego getting a chance to drive two versions of the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV.