Silent Strength

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 makes a strong first impression before you even glance at a spec sheet.

It drives like a confident, well-sorted family hauler that just happens to be electric, which is exactly what Hyundai was aiming for as it positions this as its premium flagship.

Hyundai’s EVs have been good for a while, but this one feels like the company stepping deeper into luxury territory. It pulls away with instant smoothness, and the dual-motor setup delivers the kind of quick, seamless acceleration that makes merging easy.

Around town, it responds immediately to the throttle and feels lighter than it looks. On the highway, it stays impressively quiet, tamping down wind and tire noise to a level that rivals some luxury brands.

Ride quality is another highlight. It’s cushy without being floaty, and it manages bumps in a way that keeps everyone content over long trips.

Even driven briskly, it holds its composure and feels secure, traits that matter more in a three-row SUV than outright speed. The 311-mile range on the Performance AWD model is impressive for something this large.

The Ioniq 9’s bold, upright shape pairs clean lines with distinctive pixel lighting.

The interior is where Hyundai’s upscale ambitions really show. The materials feel soft and substantial, and the layout avoids the cold minimalism some EVs lean on.

Everything is logical and easy to reach. The center display responds quickly, and the digital cluster is clear and attractive.

Driver-assistance features are just as impressive. Highway Drive Assist centers the vehicle with minimal fuss, and on well-marked roads it can pilot itself with only light supervision.

It reduces fatigue on long drives and feels more natural than some competing systems that tug at the wheel or ping-pong within lane lines.

Practicality is the Ioniq 9’s biggest selling point. Three rows of seats and a wide, open cabin make it feel more like a living room on wheels than a typical crossover.

Adults can ride in the third row without complaint, and there’s real cargo room with the seats folded. The flat floor frees up legroom in every direction, and the sliding console helps front-row passengers move around more easily.

This is the rare EV that truly works as a family vehicle instead of a statement piece.

A wide, airy cabin offers soft materials, intuitive tech and generous three-row space.

Though the Ioniq 9 aims at the luxury segment, its pricing pushes the boundary. My test vehicle rang up at $77,540, and that included $230 for carpeted floor mats. At that price, those should really be included. Hyundai is far from alone in charging for small items, but it still feels off for a nearly $80,000 vehicle.

Charging is quick thanks to 800-volt architecture, and the standard NACS port gives it access to Tesla Superchargers. Hyundai building the Ioniq 9 in Georgia adds another advantage: it’s positioned to qualify for federal tax incentives if they’re ever reinstated, which could help soften the sting of that sticker price.

Competition in the electric three-row segment is growing, but Hyundai makes its case with comfort, range and ease of use.

Some rivals offer flashier badges or more performance, yet the Ioniq 9’s strength is how naturally it fits into daily life. It doesn’t ask you to adapt to EV ownership as much as it blends into whatever routine you already have.

The Ioniq 9 feels like a family-first EV with genuine refinement. For buyers who want space, comfort and modern tech, it’s one of the most well-rounded electric SUVs available.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2026 Hyundai Ionia 9 AWD Performance Calligraphy ($74,990). Options: Premium paint ($500), carpeted floor mats ($230), vehicle load adapter ($220). Price as tested (including $1,600 destination charge): $77,540

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 123.2 in.
Length: 199.2 in.
Width: 78 in.
Height: 70.5 in.
Power: Dual electric motors (422 combined hp)
Range: 311 miles
MPGe: 91 city, 79 highway

RATINGS

Style: 9
Performance: 9
Price: 4
Handling: 7
Ride: 8
Comfort: 8
Quality: 8
Overall: 9

WHY BUY IT?

The Ioniq 9 is a quiet, roomy, genuinely premium electric family SUV that feels effortless to live with.

Posted in Hyundai

Rugged Utility Refined

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The Subaru Forester has long been a practical favorite. It’s roomy, easy to see out of and confident in bad weather.

The new 2026 Forester Wilderness keeps all of that and adds a fresh layer of refinement and capability that makes it one of the most well-rounded small SUVs on sale.

After a week behind the wheel, it’s clear Subaru hasn’t tried to reinvent the Forester. Instead, it focused on making it a better version of itself.

The sixth-generation model feels sturdier, quieter and more cohesive, but it’s still unmistakably a Forester: boxy, honest and built for real-world usefulness.

The Wilderness trim remains the most distinctive version, wearing black cladding, copper accents and all-terrain tires that lend it instant trail credibility.

With 9.3 inches of ground clearance, upgraded suspension tuning and Subaru’s dual-mode X-MODE all-wheel-drive system, it’s genuinely more capable off pavement than rivals like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 Adventure. It’s not a hardcore off-roader, but it’ll happily take on muddy access roads or snowed-in campsites.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness stands taller with rugged tires, copper accents and 9.3 inches of ground clearance.

On the road, the Forester Wilderness is easygoing and composed. The suspension soaks up rough pavement gracefully, and the steering feels light yet accurate.

There’s a reassuring solidity to the chassis, thanks to the latest Subaru Global Platform, which improves rigidity and keeps body motions well-controlled. Ride comfort is excellent, and road noise is low for a vehicle with aggressive tires.

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, routed through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It’s smooth and efficient but not quick.

Around town, it feels fine, but freeway merges and uphill passes reveal the powertrain’s limits. The CVT simulates gear steps in its “Sport” mode, yet the lack of a traditional automatic transmission leaves the

Wilderness feeling less responsive than it could be. A bit more power would unlock the chassis’ full potential.

Fuel economy lands at 24 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, fair numbers given its off-road gear and higher stance.

The cabin blends durable materials with smart storage and Subaru’s latest tech for a functional, easygoing environment.

Subaru’s safety suite remains among the best in the business, with standard adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and automatic emergency steering. Visibility is exceptional, aided by generous glass and thin pillars — a rarity in modern SUVs.

Inside, the Wilderness trim features durable StarTex upholstery with copper stitching, easy-to-clean materials and an upright dashboard dominated by an 11.6-inch touchscreen.

Pricing for the Forester Wilderness starts at $38,385, and the tested example — optioned with navigation, a Harman Kardon audio system and a power tailgate — came to $42,035. That’s competitive for a fully equipped all-wheel-drive SUV that can tow up to 3,500 pounds and tackle genuine trails.

Subaru knows its audience well, and this latest Forester Wilderness hits the sweet spot between everyday comfort and outdoorsy confidence. It’s not flashy, but it’s deeply satisfying in how well it performs the tasks owners actually need it to do.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness ($38,385). Options: Option Package 33 ($2,200). Price as tested (including $1,450 destination charge): $42,035

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 104.9 in.
Length: 182.9 in.
Width: 81.2 in.
Height: 69.3 in.
Engine: 2.5-liter four cylinder (180 hp, 178 lbs.-ft.)
Transmission: Continuously variable
MPG: 24 city, 28 highway

RATINGS

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

WHY BUY IT?

The 2026 Forester delivers real-world versatility, unmatched visibility and authentic off-road capability in a comfortable, everyday-friendly package.

Posted in Subaru

Fast Future for Jeep

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Limited might be Jeep’s first global EV, but it feels like it’s been practicing for years.

With 500 horsepower on tap and standard all-wheel drive, this midsize SUV rockets forward with instant torque and confidence that few gas-powered Jeeps could match. It’s fast, smooth, and beautifully designed, making it a bold first step into a new era for the brand.

Jeep claims the Limited model can sprint to 60 mph in under 4 seconds, and it absolutely feels that way. Stomp the accelerator and it leaps ahead like a sports sedan, silent except for a faint electric whir.

The rush is addictive, and while the top Launch Edition has 100 more horsepower, the Limited never feels lacking.

If anything, it borders on too much. Its throttle response is so eager that driving smoothly around town takes some finesse, especially in reverse.

Ride quality is another mixed bag. The Wagoneer S feels tightly sprung and can bounce on uneven pavement, but it stays composed through corners and always feels planted.

The Selec-Terrain system offers multiple drive modes — Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand, and Eco — and while its 6.4 inches of ground clearance and road-oriented tires limit serious trail use, the system gives you peace of mind on gravel or muddy tracks.

Think “glamping access road” more than “Rubicon Trail.”

The Wagoneer S Limited’s sleek shape and illuminated grille mark a new design direction for Jeep’s electric era.

Design-wise, the Wagoneer S makes a statement. The long, clean profile, floating rear wing, and illuminated seven-slot grille mark a striking departure from Jeep’s boxy past.

It’s elegant without being strange, a welcome contrast to some of the more eccentric EV shapes out there.

The Limited’s black roof and subtle badging lend it a crisp, upscale look, while the overall proportions hint at both luxury and performance.

Inside, Jeep has gone for quiet sophistication, and it works. The minimalist dashboard wraps around an impressive 45 inches of total screen real estate. Materials feel expensive.

There’s genuine Range Rover inspiration in the layout and finish, though the Jeep costs a fraction of the price. It’s roomy for five passengers, whisper-quiet at speed, and filled with thoughtful touches.

The McIntosh audio system remains one of the best in the business, and the tech integration — especially the optional front passenger screen — makes the cabin feel properly futuristic.

A minimalist, high-tech cabin combines premium materials with more than 45 inches of screen space.

Charging is refreshingly straightforward. Jeep includes either a Level 2 home charger or public charging credits through its Free2move program, and DC fast charging can juice the 100-kWh battery from 20 to 80 percent in about 23 minutes.

Range remains around 300 miles, depending on driving style and temperature.

Still, the Wagoneer S faces a real-world challenge. The Limited trim starts at $66,995 including destination.

Combine that with America’s still-spotty fast-charging network, and it’s easy to see why this might remain a niche choice — at least for now.

But that doesn’t take away from what Jeep has achieved here. The Wagoneer S Limited is fast, refined and genuinely desirable, an SUV that finally gives the Jeep brand a worthy electric flagship.

It’s not perfect, but it’s an exciting start and strong signal of where Jeep is headed.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Jeep Wagoner S Limited 4xE ($65,200). Options: None. Price as tested (including $1,995 destination charge): $67,195

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 113 in.
Length: 192.4 in.
Width: 83.6 in.
Height: 64.8 in.
Power: Dual electric motors (combined 500 hp)
Range: 94 miles
MPGe: 100 city, 85 highway

RATINGS

Style: 9
Performance: 9
Price: 4
Handling: 6
Ride: 7
Comfort: 8
Quality: 7
Overall: 8

WHY BUY IT?

It’s a quick, stylish and comfortable electric SUV that still feels like a Jeep, even without a gas engine.

Posted in Jeep

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