Electric Excellence

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 represents electric vehicle maturity in its finest form.

After years of compromises, half-measures and learning curves, Hyundai has delivered an EV that feels genuinely premium while addressing the practical concerns that have kept many buyers on the sidelines.

The driving experience immediately announces this vehicle’s serious intentions. With 320 horsepower from dual electric motors in my AWD tester, acceleration feels effortless and instantaneous, delivering the kind of smooth, silent thrust that makes gasoline engines feel antiquated.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5’s angular, futuristic design creates genuine road presence while maintaining clean proportions that should age well over time.

The ride quality strikes an excellent balance between comfort and control, absorbing road imperfections without wallowing while maintaining composed handling through corners.

Perhaps most importantly for real-world usability, the 2025 Ioniq 5 adopts Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. This seemingly small change represents a massive leap forward in charging convenience.

Access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network works seamlessly, eliminating the reliability concerns that have plagued other charging networks. The charging experience feels polished and predictable rather than an exercise in frustration, at least in the Supercharger locations I visited.

The exterior design continues to turn heads without venturing into overwrought territory. Hyundai’s angular, futuristic styling manages to look both contemporary and timeless, suggesting this vehicle won’t appear dated in a few years.

The Ioniq 5’s spacious cabin features premium materials and intuitive technology.

The spacious cabin benefits from the dedicated EV platform, offering generous room for passengers and cargo alike. However, the front trunk storage area proves disappointingly small, limiting its usefulness.

Technology integration feels thoughtfully executed rather than overwhelming. The infotainment system responds quickly and includes wireless smartphone integration as standard.

At nearly $60,000 as tested, the Limited trim isn’t inexpensive, but the feature content and overall execution justify the premium. This represents one of the most complete electric vehicles available today, successfully balancing performance, efficiency, technology and usability without significant compromises.

The Ioniq 5 succeeds where many EVs have stumbled by feeling like a complete, mature product rather than an interesting experiment.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD Limited ($58,100). Options: Carpeted floor mats ($210). Price as tested (including $1,475 destination charge): $59,785

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 118.1 in.
Length: 183.3 in.
Width: 74.4 in.
Height: 63 in.
Power: Dual electric motors (320 horsepower hp)
Transmission: Continuously variable
MPG equivalent: 108 city, 88 highway

RATINGS

Style: 9
Performance: 9
Price: 6
Handling: 7
Ride: 7
Comfort: 8
Quality: 8
Overall: 8

WHY BUY IT?

The Ioniq 5 offers exceptional performance, premium quality and seamless charging access in a package that eliminates most traditional EV compromises.

Posted in Hyundai

Efficient Sports Appeal

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid represents something uncommon in today’s crossover landscape: a genuinely engaging hybrid that doesn’t sacrifice driving dynamics for fuel efficiency.

While most manufacturers treat electrification as an excuse to numb the driving experience, Mazda has created something that feels authentically sporty while delivering impressive economy.

Behind the wheel, the CX-50 Hybrid feels more responsive and nimble than its 219-horsepower output suggests. The Toyota-sourced hybrid system combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors and a continuously variable transmission, but Mazda’s engineers have tuned the package to feel less sluggish than typical CVT applications.

The steering remains precise and weighted, offering more engagement than you’ll find in a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V Hybrid.

The trade-offs become apparent during acceleration runs, where the CX-50 Hybrid feels noticeably slower than the turbocharged variants. The engine note under load lacks refinement, producing a coarse sound that reminds you this powertrain prioritizes efficiency over auditory pleasure.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid maintains the model’s rugged, adventure-ready styling while adding subtle hybrid badging and unique wheel designs to distinguish it from gasoline variants.

For buyers seeking the CX-50’s inherently sporty character, the hybrid version dilutes some of those appealing qualities.

What the hybrid delivers exceptionally well is fuel economy. EPA estimates of 39 mpg city and 37 mpg highway represent genuine real-world efficiency that translates to meaningful savings at the pump.

During my week of mixed driving, the CX-50 Hybrid consistently delivered on those promises without requiring hypermiling techniques.

The interior continues Mazda’s impressive recent trajectory toward premium materials and thoughtful design.

The cabin feels more upscale than anything else in this price range, with quality soft-touch surfaces, logical control placement and an overall sense of refinement that justifies the premium over mainstream competitors.

Rear seat space feels tight for taller passengers, but front occupants enjoy excellent comfort and visibility.

The CX-50 Hybrid’s cabin features premium materials and intuitive controls that feel more upscale than most competitors, with supportive seats and excellent forward visibility for confident driving.

Mazda’s commitment to driving dynamics extends beyond the powertrain. The CX-50 Hybrid maintains the brand’s preference for slightly firmer suspension tuning and heavier steering effort, resulting in more controlled handling than most compact crossovers.

The ride quality pays a small penalty, but enthusiast drivers will appreciate the added connection and feedback. Off-road capability exceeds expectations for this segment, thanks to standard all-wheel drive and well-tuned traction management.

The Premium Plus trim tested here includes nearly every available feature, from the panoramic moonroof to premium Bose audio and advanced safety systems.

At just over $40,000, it represents solid value for the equipment level and build quality provided.

The CX-50 Hybrid succeeds in an area where many manufacturers struggle: maintaining brand character while embracing electrification.

It offers buyers who want both engaging dynamics and impressive fuel economy a compelling alternative to the increasingly bland hybrid crossover field.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus ($40,050). Options: None. Price as tested (including $1,420 destination charge): $41,920

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 110.8 in.
Length: 186.1 in.
Width: 80.8 in.
Height: 65.8 in.
Power: 2.5-liter four cylinder engine plus electric motor (combined 219 hp)
Transmission: Continuously variable
MPG: 39 city, 37 highway

RATINGS

Style: 8
Performance: 6
Price: 7
Handling: 9
Ride: 6
Comfort: 6
Quality: 8
Overall: 7

WHY BUY IT?

The CX-50 Hybrid delivers exceptional fuel economy and premium interior quality while preserving the engaging driving dynamics that make Mazda crossovers special.

Posted in Mazda

Practical Perfection Achieved

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The Grand Highlander represents something surprising: Toyota’s first serious attempt at a three-row crossover that doesn’t require you to sacrifice fuel economy or maneuverability for family hauling duties.

After years of steering three-row SUV buyers toward the truck-based Sequoia, Toyota finally offers something that makes sense for most families.

Behind the wheel, the Grand Highlander delivers exactly what you’d expect from Toyota: competent, confidence-inspiring driving dynamics without any unpleasant surprises.

The build quality feels solid throughout, suggesting this vehicle will live up to the brand’s reputation for longevity.

The Hybrid Max powertrain combines a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with electric motors for 362 horsepower, though the acceleration doesn’t feel particularly urgent. The engine can sound slightly coarse under hard acceleration, but most driving happens in a refined, whisper-quiet manner.

What truly impresses is the thoughtful cabin design. Toyota engineers clearly prioritized usability over flashy styling, resulting in seats that adjust and fold with minimal effort.

The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander combines contemporary styling with practical proportions, offering families a more efficient alternative to traditional truck-based SUVs.

The second-row captain’s chairs slide and tilt forward easily, making third-row access genuinely practical rather than an emergency-only proposition.

Cargo space measures a respectable 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row but expands to a cavernous 97.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The driving experience emphasizes comfort over sportiness, which makes perfect sense for a vehicle designed around family travel. The suspension soaks up road imperfections without drama.

The overall character suggests this is a vehicle built for covering long distances rather than carving canyon roads.

Standard equipment proves generous across the lineup. Even base LE models include Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging and blind-spot monitoring.

The Platinum Hybrid Max tested here adds premium touches like a head-up display, panoramic moonroof and JBL premium audio.

The Grand Highlander’s cabin prioritizes functionality with easy-folding seats, generous storage compartments and intuitive controls throughout the spacious three-row layout.

The fuel economy deserves particular praise. EPA estimates of 27 mpg combined from a 362-horsepower three-row vehicle would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.

The 17.8-gallon fuel tank feels slightly small for a vehicle designed for road trips, but the excellent efficiency helps offset range concerns.

Some compromises are evident. The acceleration, while adequate, doesn’t match the impressive power figures on paper. And interior materials, while well-assembled, lack the premium feel of luxury competitors.

Toyota has finally filled a glaring gap in its lineup with a vehicle that balances practicality, efficiency and the brand’s reputation for reliability.

The Grand Highlander offers families a compelling alternative to both larger truck-based SUVs and smaller two-row crossovers.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max ($58,775). Options: Tow hitch ($930), illuminated door sills ($345), illuminated cargo sill 9$345), mudguards ($155), wheel locks ($105), cross bars ($325), carpet floor mats ($378). Price as tested (including $1,450 destination charge): $62,808

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 116.1 in.
Length: 201.4 in.
Width: 78.3 in.
Height: 70.1 in.
Power: 2.5-liter four cylinder plus electric motor (combined 362 hp)
Transmission: Continuously variable
MPG: 26 city, 27 highway

RATINGS

Style: 8
Performance: 7
Price: 8
Handling: 6
Ride: 9
Comfort: 9
Quality: 9
Overall: 8

WHY BUY IT?

The Grand Highlander delivers exceptional space, impressive fuel economy and Toyota’s proven reliability in a package that actually makes sense for most families.

Posted in Toyota

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