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Genesis, Kia, Lexus EVs earn spots on the IIHS Top Safety Picks+ list

A trio of 2023 electric vehicles — the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Lexus RZ, and Genesis Electrified GV70 — have just earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The prestigious award from the IIHS requires that the cars and SUVs achieve top scores in a number of crash tests and that they have an “Advanced” or “Superior” front crash avoidance system that activates to help inattentive drivers prevent vehicle or pedestrian crashes. Previous selections for the award among EVs have included the Rivian R1T/R1S, Kia EV6, Hyundai IONIQ 5, and Tesla Models 3/Y. To earn the “+” designation, the agency stipulates that headlights rated “Acceptable or Good” must be standard across all trims, and that a front crash prevention system that earns Advanced or Superior ratings in both the daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations be available. The GV70 earned “Advanced” ratings in both the daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention evaluations. The Ioniq 6 and the Lexus RZ earned “Superior” ratings in these two tests. “To be environmentally friendly, our vehicles and our cities also need to be pedestrian-friendly,” said IIHS President David Harkey. “All three of these vehicles have standard front crash prevention systems designed to protect pedestrians both during the day and at night, when most fatal pedestrian crashes happen.” Overall in its latest list, the IIHS named 51 cars in the “Top Safety Pick+” grouping, and 25 in the secondary Top Safety Pick tier. ThatÂ’s down from 101 total award-winning models last year, likely because the organization has implemented its tough new side-impact test and is also testing for night-time pedestrian detection for collision warning and prevention systems. The IIHS is one of two major automotive safety rating organizations, along with the federal government's National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. IIHS is a private organization funded by insurance companies. By the Numbers Genesis Kia Lexus Green Automakers Insurance Safety Electric

600-horsepower IS leads Lexus to SEMA

SEMA appears to be back in full swing for 2022, replete with in-your-face custom builds and engines tuned within inches of their lives. Lexus will be at the show with several builds based on its factory offerings, not the least of which is an IS 350 sedan packing Toyota's new turbocharged six-cylinder, rather than the V8 found in the IS 500 F-Sport Performance. Let's dive right in.  Lexus DSport IS600+ SEMA build View 10 Photos DSport IS 600+ Concept The DSport IS 600+ is far and away the headliner in this crowd. Unlike the IS 500 F-Sport Performance, this build utilizes Toyota's new turbocharged six-cylinder. A fresh set of turbos and custom tune for E85 churn out more than 600 horsepower (hence the name) for this track-focused build. Additional modifications include a 4-point roll cage, sequential transmission, carbon ceramic brakes and a two-way adjustable suspension. Carbon fiber and an Artisan Spirits widebody kit complete the exterior look.  Lexus LX 600 Urban SEMA Concept View 8 Photos LX 600 Urban Concept Dialing things back a bit, the LX 600 Urban Concept leans toward luxury. Artisan Spirits is featured here yet again, with a body kit that is far more subtle than the one found on the IS 600+. You'll still find plenty of carbon fiber (front spoiler, rear bumper, fenders, hood, rear roof spoiler, rear gate spoiler and diffuser) but no carbon ceramics or adjustable dampers.  LX 600 Alpine Lifestyle SEMA Concept View 5 Photos LX 600 Alpine Lifestyle Concept If practical off-roading is more your speed, the Alpine Lifestyle Concept may just be for you. This build leans into the overlanding craze. Yeti is featured heavily in the gear department, while the truck itself was overhauled with endless storage and fitted with enough armor to protect it in most off-road situations.  GX 460 Overland SEMA Concept View 9 Photos GX 460 Overland Concept Sticking with the overlanding theme, this GX 460 Overland concept built by Cruiser Outfitters looks to expand the GX's off-road capabilities. Beneath the extensive exterior modifications, you'll find an Old Man Emu suspension with increased ground clearance and travel, Toyo mud-terrain tires and  self-recovery winch up front from Warn.  RX 500h F-Sport Performance AWD SEMA concept View 7 Photos RX 500h F-Sport Performance AWD Concept Don't let the "500" and "F-Sport Performance" bits fool you; there's no V8 to be found here either.

2023 Lexus LX 600 adds a few features, higher prices

With Lexus launching the all-new LX 600 here for the 2022 model year, and the brand selling every one it can make, there isn't much changing for the 2023 model year. The base trim benefits from a heated steering wheel as standard equipment. The F-Sport Handling finally gets a crack at the exterior Nori Green Paint option, to go with its exclusive Ultra White and Black Onyx. The Ultraluxury adopts Takanoha wood as the standard trim, a Japanese specialty engraved wood. Buyers at the top will also get the option of a Sunflare interior. And thanks to customer feedback, the rear seat entertainment system will come with covers for the screens next year. That's the extent of it. Prices are up across the range as well. After the $1,345 destination charge, MSRPs for the 2023 Lexus LX 600 and their changes from 2022 are: Base: $89,160 ($915) Premium: $97,110 ($765) F Sport Handling: $103,370 ($1,025) Luxury: $105,110 ($1,165) Ultra Luxury: $129,250 ($1,905) Next year's model is up on the Lexus retail site now, but deliveries won't begin until closer to the end of the year. Motivation holds steady from the 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 with 409 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque shifting through a 10-speed automatic and providing acceleration we called "a bit boring" because it's so effortless. Since that's the only engine available until Lexus decides to include a hybrid option, swift travel won't need much more than $89,000. We still recommend the Luxury trim for buyers out to travel swiftly in the right amount of style for the right price, and warn all to test drive the F Sport Handling on home roads before signing on the dotted. Those 22-inch F Sport rims can be felt over just about every crack, seam and expansion joint.