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Editors' Picks March 2022 | Acura RDX, VW GLI and a Rolls-Royce

This month's Editors' Picks offer a little something at every budget. We call out a performance car as cheap as the Volkswagen GLI, but the Rolls-Royce Ghost also manages to make its way on to the list. Of course, very few folks can afford a Ghost, but that doesn't change the fact that it's an engineering master class. In addition to these options, we also dive into the compact luxury SUV market, one that is bursting with choices. In case you missed our previous Editors' Picks posts, here’s a quick refresher on whatÂ’s going on here. We rate all the new cars we drive with a 1-10 score. Cars that are exemplary in their respective segments get EditorsÂ’ Pick status. Those are the ones weÂ’d recommend to our friends, family and anybody whoÂ’s curious and asks the question. The list that youÂ’ll find below consists of every car we rated in March that earned an EditorsÂ’ Pick. 2022 Acura RDX Quick take: The RDX ticks a lot of boxes for a great price. It drives better than expected, offers excellent tech, has plenty of room and even looks the part. Score: 7.0 What it competes with: Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, BMW X3, Volvo XC60, Audi Q5, Lexus NX, Infiniti QX50, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Genesis GV70, Porsche Macan, Jaguar F-Pace, Lincoln Corsair Pros: Value, driving dynamics, space Cons: Infotainment is polarizing, midgrade interior From the editors Road Test Editor Zac Palmer — "The RDX is a bit of a sleeper in this segment. It drives far better than many of its competitors, and it doesn't let you down in any particular area. If you were thinking of buying an entry-level option from one of the Germans, make sure you take the RDX into account, because you'll likely end up with more tech and features for an even lower price. News Editor Joel Stocksdale — "The Acura RDX is an impressive value in the small luxury SUV segment. It starts in the low $40,000 price range, and provides loads of standard convenience and safety features. Everything is packaged in a sharp and surprisingly spacious package, too. It's also nimble and has a punchy engine that makes it fun to drive. You may find some competitors that surpass it in some areas, but the Acura offers about the most for the money of anything in the segment." In-depth analysis: 2022 Acura RDX Review | Value-packed and surprisingly sporty   2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Quick take: The GLI offers excellent driving dynamics and great styling for someone who doesn't want a hatchback. It's pricey, but it's worth it.

Rolls-Royce shows off bespoke Wraith with interplanetary inspiration

Rolls-Royce is dangling yet another one-off Wraith far out of our reach — so far out of reach, one might even say it's not of this world. If you've ever dreamed of rolling around in your own private planetarium, well, one lucky Rolls-Royce customer in Dubai is about to be living your fantasy.  Bestowed with the tagline "Inspired by Earth," this Wraith draws its cues from more than just the Blue Planet. While the hood is adorned with an air-brushed scene of the Middle East as viewed from the heavens, this luxury coupe's overall aesthetic is decidedly interplanetary. The first hints of this can be seen in the hand-painted solar system incorporated into the pinstriping elements on the Wraith's flanks. “WeÂ’re used to clients bringing us grand visions for their Bespoke Commissions, but this provided a new perspective altogether. In our response to the brief, weÂ’ve worked at both the ‘macroÂ’ level, referencing the Sun and planets of the whole Solar System, and the much more personal ‘microÂ’ level, centring our view of the world on the place the customer calls home,” said Rolls-Royce Bespoke design chief Michael Bryden. Bespoke Rolls-Royce Wraith 'Inspired by Earth' View 9 Photos The artwork on the hood might be the highlight of a first impression, but if you ask us, Rolls-Royce buried one of the Wraith's coolest touches pretty deep in its announcement: a headliner embroidered with the solar system, floating like a magnified night's sky over the earth-themed elements of the cabin surfaces.  "The seats are made from Moccasin leather to mimic the sands of the EmiratesÂ’ deserts; Navy and Cobalto Blue accents are suggestive of rivers and lakes and Emerald Green piping symbolises nature in all its forms. Arctic White ‘RRÂ’ monograms and stitching hint at clouds and translucent running water," the announcement says.  The result creates the impression of gazing toward the heavens from Earth, which sounds like a tranquil cure for standstill traffic.  Related Video:

Man drives Rolls-Royce for 78 years then makes museum donation to ensure its preservation

Mr. Allen Swift died in 2005 at the impressive age of 102, but his automotive story is even more remarkable. Not only is the gentleman credited with owning a Rolls-Royce automobile longer than anyone else in the world, but he had the forethought and funds to ensure its future preservation after his death.
In 1928, while living in Springfield, Massachusetts, Swift's father gave him a 1928 Rolls-Royce Piccadilly P1 Roadster as a graduation present (Springfield and Rolls-Royce have a history - from 1920 to 1931, the British automaker built 2,944 vehicles in the city as part of its attempt to establish a US plant). The young man was passionate about his green-over-green softtop convertible, not only driving it on a regular basis, but maintaining it meticulously over the decades (the two door-received a complete body-off restoration and engine rebuild in 1988).
Rolls-Royce acknowledged Mr. Swift in 1994, awarding him a crystal Spirit of Ecstasy award for his length of ownership. By 2005, Swift had logged more than 170,000 miles on its analog odometer and he was recognized as the oldest living person to have owned a car from new. He passed away that year.