2023 AAA Car Guide

The iX, BMW’s first all-electric SUV, is an impressive vehicle. It delivers dramatic styling, performance, comfort, and technological sophistication in spades. An example of the latter: The iX makes extensive use of carbon fiber–reinforced plastic in its frame. About the size of the X5, the iX looks more substantial, largely because of its bold, hunky shape (including its somewhat polarizing grille). Equipped with two electric motors (516 hp), the iX’s drivetrain supplies plenty of power, including abundant low-end torque. The steering provides ample feedback, and the optional adaptive air suspension nicely balances a compliant ride with responsive, sporty handling. Smooth regenerative and traditional friction braking deliver strong stopping power. All-wheel drive is standard. The iX’s cabin features plenty of space front and rear, plus interior storage compartments and cargo room aplenty. Both the exterior and interior materials and fit and finish are first-rate. The iX’s EPA-estimated range is high (324 miles), as is its fuel efficiency (86 MPGe). Prospective buyers should be prepared to pay handsomely for this largesse, however. The iX’s starting MSRP is $84,100, and that number rises quickly with options, of which there are plenty. Other negatives worth noting: an unintuitive infotainment system, poor rear visibility, and annoying glare from reflective interior controls and instrumentation. Finally, some ADAS features (adaptive cruise control, for example) are extra-cost options, not standard.

The EQS 580, the electric equivalent of Mercedes- Benz’s iconic S-Class sedan, is an impressive car that demonstrates the automaker’s level of commitment to an EV future. The EQS is Mercedes’ first model from its all-electric EQ sub brand. The 580, with 2 electric motors and all-wheel drive, sits in the middle of the EQS lineup, above the 450+ single-motor version and below the AMG EQS. It overflows with all the luxurious appointments, in-car tech, and ADAS features typical of the brand and that any buyer shelling out $140,000 has a right to expect. Not everyone is on board with the EQS exterior styling, but there’s no disagreement about its performance capabilities. Its efficient drivetrain produces excellent acceleration and power, with lots of low-end torque, although overall handling and drivability fall below that of the S-Class sedan. The ride quality is comfortable, smooth, and silent; hardly any road noise enters the cabin. MPGe ratings are good, and the overall EV range is a strong 340 miles.

The Rivian R1T is an innovatively designed, versatile electric pickup with lots of power and many clever features. Our test truck came with a powerful and responsive quadmotor setup - a single motor per wheel - good for more than 800 hp and 4-wheel drive. The R1T’s cabin provides plenty of room for passengers. The steering has a good overall feel, and the adaptable air suspension delivers a comfortable ride - rare among pickups. Unique features include Camp Mode, Pet Comfort Mode, and Soft Sand Mode. An excellent lineup of ADAS features is standard. Road and drivetrain noise intrude into the cabin, however. The EV range is good - more than 300 miles if you’re not towing a heavy load - but the large, 135-kWh battery requires long Level 2 charging times. Clever features include a gear tunnel between the cabin and bed, suitable for snowboards, camping gear, and the like; an automated, camera-based security system; a power-retractable tonneau cover; and a good-size front trunk. The auto self-leveling suspension provides a level camping surface atop uneven terrain. The R1T’s enormous 16-inch infotainment screen can prove distracting, however. And, oddly, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are unavailable. We also noticed a fair amount of squeaks and rattles during our testing, indicative of early buildquality issues. Finally, the panoramic sunroof has no shade option, and rear visibility could be better.

The iX, BMW’s first all-electric SUV, is an impressive vehicle. It delivers dramatic styling, performance, comfort, and technological sophistication in spades. An example of the latter: The iX makes extensive use of carbon fiber - reinforced plastic in its frame. About the size of the X5, the iX looks more substantial, largely because of its bold, hunky shape (including its somewhat polarizing grille). Equipped with two electric motors (516 hp), the iX’s drivetrain supplies plenty of power, including abundant low-end torque. The steering provides ample feedback, and the optional adaptive air suspension nicely balances a compliant ride with responsive, sporty handling. Smooth regenerative and traditional friction braking deliver strong stopping power. All-wheel drive is standard. The iX’s cabin features plenty of space front and rear, plus interior storage compartments and cargo room aplenty. Both the exterior and interior materials and fit and finish are first-rate. The iX’s EPAestimated range is high (315 miles), as is its fuel efficiency (86 MPGe). However, the infotainment system is nonintuitive and visibility to the rear is poor. Additionally, some ADAS features (adaptive cruise control, for example) are extra-cost options, not standard equipment. Prospective buyers should be prepared to pay handsomely for this largesse. The iX’s starting MSRP is $83,200, and that number rises quickly with options, of which there are plenty. But, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for, and in the rarefied realm of luxury SUVs, the iX delivers the goods.

In 2022, Kia replaced its venerable Sedona minivan with a new model, the Carnival. With handsome SUV-like styling, a roomy, minivan-esque interior, and a pair of sliding side doors for easy access, the Carnival does a nice job of straddling the line between the 2 divergent body styles. The Carnival’s comfortable cabin seats up to 8 passengers and can haul nearly 87 cubic feet of cargo behind the second row. As with all Kia models, there’s a long list of standard features and available niceties, including, on our test vehicle, 3-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a rear-seat entertainment system. Under the hood, the Carnival gets a strong V6 engine (versus the trend toward turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engines by many automakers). Fuel-economy numbers are just so-so, and there’s a bit of throttle lag, but this powertrain has the muscle to tow trailers up to 3,500 pounds. On the road, the Carnival’s ride quality is a bit bumpy over bad pavement, and steering feedback and braking effort feel less than responsive. Nonetheless, a suite of standard advanced safety features and a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty make the Carnival a strong value proposition.

The Chevrolet Bolt, introduced in 2017, is a no-nonsense, practical electric vehicle with many admirable qualities. The Bolt has a powerful electric drivetrain and smooth transmission, giving it quick acceleration and zippy lowend torque. It’s also highly efficient, producing solid fuel-efficiency numbers (120 MPGe combined) and a decent, 259-mile range. Regenerative braking makes 1-pedal driving a convenient option. The cabin has been upgraded, with comfortable front seats, an intuitive infotainment interface (including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility) and lots of standard ADAS and tech features, such as LED headlights. Getting in and out of the front seats is easy, and there’s plenty of legroom. Forward and side visibility is good as well. Some of the Bolt’s shortcomings are inevitable, given its size limitations and price point—but other features could be improved. For instance, in the performance department, the suspension feels harsh over bumps, and the stiff tires are noisy and lack grip. Behind-the-backseat cargo space is lacking, as is interior storage. And unless they’re kids, backseat passengers will experience tight accommodations and stiff, uncomfortable seats. Finally, the transmission shift pattern is a bit quirky and DC fast-charging rates are slow.

The Camry, introduced in 1983, is typically the top-selling sedan in the U.S. It’s generally among the 10 best-selling vehicles, and its numerous strengths have helped it earn and maintain its elevated status. Three things that make the Camry not only a desirable car but also a very good value (the base nonhybrid’s price starts at just over $26,000) are its efficient drivetrain; its smooth, comfortable ride; and its abundance of space for passengers and cargo. The hybrid version, with its fuel-sipping ways (up to 52 mpg combined) and smooth gaselectric transitions, only increases its appeal. Other positives are nicely improved exterior styling (particularly the refreshed Nightshade edition we tested) and the standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of advanced safety features (blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning still costs extra, though). But a few of the Camry’s traits could stand some improvement. The engine is noisy at full throttle, the infotainment system is outdated, and the Camry lacks features found in some competitors (e.g., heated and ventilated seats, backseat climate controls). Rear visibility is compromised by a high rear deck and fixed rear head restraints, and the rearview camera image isn’t sharp. Finally, although many Camry owners couldn’t care less - their loss - the Camry lacks any type of excitement or driver engagement. It’s just not an interesting or fun car to drive.