14 Mirage Black 5 Speed 41 Mpg Power Locks Cargo Area on 2040-cars

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Autoblog's guilty pleasure cars

Guilty pleasures are part of life – don't even try to pretend like you don't have one (or two, or six). In the non-automotive space, this could come down to that secret playlist in your iPhone of songs you'll only listen to when you're alone; or think of that one TV show you really do love, but won't admit to your friends. I've got plenty, and so do you. Going back to cars, here's a particularly juicy one for me: several years ago, I had a mad crush on the very last iteration of the Cadillac DTS. Oh yes, the front-wheel-drive, Northstar V8-powered sofa-on-wheels that was the last remaining shred of the elderly-swooning days of Cadillac's past. Every time I had the chance to drive one, I was secretly giddy. Don't hate me, okay? These days, the DTS is gone, but I've still got a mess of other cars that hold a special place in my heart. And in the spirit of camaraderie, I've asked my other Autoblog editors to tell me some of their guilty pleasure cars, as well – Seyth Miersma, as you can see above, has a few choice emotions to share about the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Read on to find out what cars make us secretly happy. Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG This decadent convertible is the epitome of the guilty pleasure. It's big, powerful, fairly heavy and it's richly appointed inside and out. It's a chocolate eclair with the three-pointed star on the hood. Given my druthers, I'd take the SL65 AMG, which delivers 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. That output is borderline absurd for this laid-back convertible. I don't care. You don't need dessert. Sometimes you just crave it. The SL line is about the feel you get on the road. The roof is open. The air, sun and engine sounds all embrace you. It's the same dynamic you could have experienced in a Mercedes a century ago, yet the SL gives you the most modern of luxuries. An Airscarf feature that warms my neck and shoulders through a vent embedded in the seat? Yes, please. Sure, it's an old-guy car. Mr. Burns and Lord Grantham are probably too young and hip for an SL65. I don't care. This is my guilty pleasure. Release the hounds. – Greg Migliore Senior Editor Ford Flex I drove my first Flex in 2009 when my mother let me borrow hers for the summer while I was away at college. The incredibly spacious interior made moving twice that summer a breeze, and the 200-mile trips up north were quite comfortable.

Mitsubishi Mirage hatch and sedan refresh teased

Almost every Mitsubishi model sold in the U.S. wears the automaker's "Dynamic Shield" design. The corporate face combines a two-piece grille emphasizing the horizontal with slim, angled headlights supported by a thick, C-shaped trim piece that defines the fog lights and lower intakes. The only holdouts are the Mirage hatchback and Mirage G4 sedan, but that will soon change. Mitsubishi teased a dim image of two Mirages that had earned their Dynamic Shields, and promised a debut on November 18 in Thailand. The reveal location gives a shout-out to the Laem Chabang plant that, along with another facility in the Philippines, builds the siblings. It's easy to forget about Mitsu's tiny twosome, but it's hard to deny they've served the company well as global offerings. In the U.S., the duo has increased its annual sales every year since the car's introduction in 2013. Around the world in fiscal 2018 the Japanese automaker sold 140,000 units, and sales through the end of October in the U.S. show the Mirage nearly 10 percent ahead of last year's sales at the same period. Assuming the cheap-as-chips price equation doesn't get a heavy refresh, there's every reason to think the facelift will aid sales. The hatch and sedan wear two different faces at the moment, both graduates of the most mediocre school of ambiguous econoboxes. The teased image puts a personality on economy, with large, single lenses peeking out from a narrow eyeline above the Dynamic Shield's sculpted features. It appears designers have done a touch of reshaping in back as well, and there's a wee spoiler hanging off the back of the decklid. No word on what might be in store for the two three-cylinder engines sold in international markets, a 1.0-liter that makes 70 horsepower and 65 pound-feet of torque, and the 1.2-liter that's our only choice here, making 78 hp and 74 lb-ft. The fuel filler cap has moved from the driver's side to the passenger's side, though, so there could be action under the skin, and we'd expect a few interior upgrades, too.

Cheapest SUVs of 2024

There is no doubt that cost is the number one decision maker when it comes to purchasing a vehicle. As prices continue to climb, affordable choices are getting harder to find, so we dug through what's available to find the least expensive SUVs in the most popular classes.  These prices are current as of January 2024, using available manufacturer suggested retail prices for 2024 models wherever possible. The prices include destination fees, but not dealer markups or incentives. Cheapest small SUV: 2024 Hyundai Venue Not surprisingly, the most affordable SUVs are the smallest. There's a whole host of subcompact SUVs out there, with some of the first introduced being the Nissan Juke, Mini Countryman and Kia Soul. In the beginning, these micro utes were marketed to empty nesters and first-time buyers, but nowadays they represent an alternative to the conventional sedan and have been increasing market share ever since. Profit margins in this class are narrow and popularity is high, which means the entrants are competitively priced. The top choices in the class are only a couple thousand dollars more than the most affordable alternatives below, so it may make sense to consider our favorites that include the Mazda CX-30, Volkswagen Taos and Chevrolet Trax. 2024 Hyundai Venue: $21,135 The Hyundai Venue debuted in 2020 and earned praise for its overall value. You get a ton of features for the money as well as a very generous warranty. Holding it back is its rather weak engine and very tiny proportions. Honorable mentions: 2024 Chevrolet Trax: $21,495 2024 Kia Soul: $21,565 Cheapest midsize SUV: 2024 Chevrolet Equinox Compact SUVs have the broadest appeal thanks to a very diverse group. It seems as though there's a great pick for nearly every taste, whether you're seeking something sporty, rugged or luxurious. They're a great pick for small families with one child and/or a dog. The class is led by vehicles that include the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-50, which are still within reach of most shoppers' budgets. 2024 Chevrolet Equinox: $27,995 The Equinox debuted back in 2005 and this current third-generation was last redesigned in 2018, though a new one is right around the corner for the 2025 model year. While the current 2024 model may be showing its age, it still deserves your consideration for its comfortable ride quality, confident cornering and roomy passenger space.