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Lexus, Mazda win KBB 5-Year Cost To Own Awards

We focus a lot on what new cars are like to drive, but it's difficult on a one-week loan to really get a sense of what a car is like to live with. Sure, we try to recreate that sense with our long-term vehicles, but even after a year, it's impossible to know fully learn about a car, particularly in terms of reliability and cost of repairs. For 2014 model year vehicles, Kelley Blue Book has put together a list of the most affordable vehicles over a five-year period.
At the tippy top of the list are Mazda and Lexus, with the Zoom-Zoom automaker winning the award for best non-luxury brand. Lexus, meanwhile, was the most affordable luxury marque over a five-year period. It's interesting to note, though, that not a single Mazda won its segment in this year's awards.
General Motors did quite well, taking eight segments, including both the subcompact and plug-in segments, with the gas-powered Chevrolet Spark and Spark EV. The Chevy Camaro SS and ZL1 took the high-performance car award. Toyota was well represented, with five winners split between the main brand (Corolla, Prius C and Tacoma) and Lexus (LS and RX).

2019 Lexus UX Review and Buying Guide | More Lexus, less Corolla, please

The 2019 Lexus UX is the smallest and cheapest Lexus you can buy, and the UX 250h hybrid model just barely misses out being the most fuel efficient. As an entry into the Lexus brand, this subcompact crossover is generally an impressive effort, embodying the design, quality, features and driving experience we've come to expect – albeit with understandable cutbacks made to achieve its lower price. However, the UX faces stiff competition. It has one of the smallest cabins in a segment not known for its spaciousness, and its Remote Touch tech interface constantly frustrates. And while fuel economy is exceptional for the segment, its acceleration is underwhelming regardless of whether you get the UX 250h or gas-only UX 200. Worse still, you can only get the latter with front-wheel drive. In other words, this is a car with distinct highs and lows. What's new for 2019? The Lexus UX is an all-new model for 2019. It is mechanically based on the same platform that underpins most new Toyota models such as the Toyota C-HR and Toyota Corolla, as well as the Lexus ES sedan. It slots into the bottom of the Lexus SUV lineup below the NX. What's the interior and in-car technology like? From the comfortable and supportive driver seat, the UX looks and feels like a proper Lexus. The design is consistent with, but, refreshingly, not a copy of other models. There are common details like the drive mode setting selectors that sprout from the instrument panel and the F-Sport's sliding gauge cluster within, while the available 10.25 infotainment display is perched atop a low, flat dash. The materials covering the dash and front doors are appropriate for this luxury price point and consistent with the ES 350, if not higher-priced Lexus models. By contrast, the hard plastic door panels in the rear are disappointingly more consistent with a Toyota Corolla. However, the UX features unique touches (we like the contrast-color dash and door trim available) and offers different controls than other Lexus models. The climate system is operated by unique toggle switches, while the air vents have little rotary controllers that look and feel better than those in a Lexus ES. Now, the UX has been afflicted by the same curse as its various siblings – the Remote Touch tech interface – and while it's still perpetually frustrating and distracting, there are some noteworthy advancements.

Editors' Picks February 2022 | GMC Yukon, CT4-V Blackwing and Lexus NX 450h+

The shortest month of the year spawned a few Editors' Picks choices, and they come from a variety of categories amongst the car world. One comes with a particular caveat, the Lexus NX. Specifically, the new NX that gets our nod is the 450h plug-in hybrid model. We can heartily recommend an NX in this guise for its superb electrified powertrain, but the other versions fail to stir us in the same way. Beyond this, it's some of the latest from GM cleaning up, and they sure are some good ones. 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 January that earned an EditorsÂ’ Pick. 2022 GMC Yukon Quick take: The Yukon is a big, comfortable and versatile SUV that has a little something for everybody, so long as you can stomach the fuel economy. It's an excellent middle ground between the Tahoe and Escalade. Score: 8.0 What it competes with: Ford Expedition, Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, Lincoln Navigator, Chevrolet Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade Pros: Tons of space, comfy ride, great trim variety, powerful engine options Cons: V8 Fuel economy, infotainment can be laggy, unexciting base interiors From the editors Road Test Editor, Zac Palmer — "GM's full-size SUVs are fantastic this time around, especially if you opt for the magnetic shocks and air suspension. The availability of a diesel engine that vastly improves fuel economy is huge, and the Denali trim is more special than ever with its unique interior design. I personally prefer the Yukon's styling over the Tahoe's, too." In-depth analysis: 2022 GMC Yukon Review | AT4 and Denali make the strongest case   2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Quick take: Cadillac is at the top of the mountain with its performance sedans, and the CT4-V Blackwing is no exception. One drive in this magnificent creation will have any enthusiast convinced that it's a top-tier sport sedan.