2024 Land Rover Defender

The Defender 130 is a tricky one to judge. On one hand, it potentially improves upon a design and package we previously lauded enough to crown as our 2021 SUV of the Year in the form of the standard Defender 110. The 130 is more than a foot longer than the 110 and has more room for people and stuff, stretching the existing design into a new body style. (The 130’s wheelbase remains unchanged.)

2023 Ford Escape

The Escape is one of those SUVs that hasn’t ranked at the top of its class for a long time, but every time we drive one, we’re pleasantly surprised. Although it perpetually feels a little outdated, there’s some inherent goodness baked into the Escape.

2023 Lexus RZ

Lexus says it will make only battery-powered vehicles by 2035, and the new RZ 450e is the brand’s first dedicated EV. This midsize crossover indicates Lexus’ future lineup will have luxurious appeal, but we find this first effort lacking in crucial areas.

2024 Kia Seltos

If you’ve been a fan of Kia’s recent styling direction but don’t want to pay top dollar for it, the 2024 Kia Seltos is a great way to get a rolling piece of that design aesthetic at a reasonable price.

MOTORTREND SUV OF THE YEAR 2024 - CERTIFIED FRESH

THERE’S NO REST FOR SUV MAKERS IN THE INTENSE QUEST TO BE THE BEST

2023 Ford F-150 FP700

Having recently sampled a pristine OG Lightning from the 1990s (July 2023), believe us when we say the F-150 FP700 is the only modern successor to that exuberant original.

2025 Lotus Emeya

Weird name, four doors, stupid speed.

2023 BMW X7

BMW’s updates to the X7 address a few of our complaints about last year’s version. It gets a redesigned front end, retuned handling, and a particularly nice distraction: more power. Yet that might not be enough to impress for such a pricey offering.

2024 Buick Encore GX

As far as midcycle refreshes go, the 2024 Buick Encore GX’s is unusual in that the car looks all-new when really only the nose and tail see significant changes.

2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally

The Mach-E Rally is Ford’s first rally-inspired EV, a Mach-E modified to play around on unpaved surfaces. With four WRC manufacturers’ championships to its name, Ford isn’t exactly new to rallying, but it is a new space for the brand stateside, and certainly for the Mustang.

2024 Maserati MCXtrema

Maserati Centro Stile designs a racer with extreme aerodynamics.

2024 Nissan Z NISMO

Nissan Z chief product specialist Hiroshi Tamura says his aim was not to deliver an ultimate numbers car but rather a “willing dance partner” to enjoy a favorite challenging road with.

2023 Lexus LM

For the best experience, don’t even drive it.

2024 Audi Q8 Sportback E-Tron

The updated Audi E-Tron has a new name: the Audi Q8 E-Tron. But much like the old E-Tron, the design and engineering of the updated luxury electric SUV seems to be geared toward not scaring off legacy customers.

2024 Dodge Hornet

Is this a Kirkland label discount Alfa Romeo Tonale, or is it a slightly pricier but way more fun-to-drive Toyota RAV4/ Honda CR-V competitor? The former perception might earn the new Dodge Hornet value points with us, but the brand is counting on the latter impression to gain it a toehold in a hugely profitable segment and arrest its long slide into rear-drive Hellcat oblivion.

2024 Buick Envista

We had high hopes for the Envista, Buick’s new entry-level SUV. It sports a new nameplate and standout looks, especially for a model that sees even its top-tier Avenir trim carrying a starting price of less than $30,000.

2024 Hyundai Kona

The Kona enters its second generation for 2024 with a new design language. It’s larger than the outgoing Kona, too, and its uncommonly ornate (for this class) and unmistakable design is something we’re already seeing in other upcoming Hyundai products. Having really liked the previous Kona, would our judges warm to this one?

2023 Jeep Compass

When asked to identify an off-road vehicle, the average person will point to just about any Jeep.

THE CHEVROLET BLAZER EV IS THE 2024 SUV OF THE YEAR

Once again, the bow-tie brand shows leadership in the electric vehicle space

ENDURING

Bonneville Speed Week 2023 Perseverance Amid Nature's Setbacks

IS YOUR HOT ROD TRADITIONAL SAYS WHO?

Hot rods, street rods, traditional rods, and other definitions we'll never agree on.

DASH PIZZAZZ

WE SHOW YOU HOW TO ADD AN ENGINE-TURNED DASH PANEL TO PERSONALIZE YOUR HOT ROD

REMEMBERING GASSER LEGEND "OHIO GEORGE" MONTGOMERY

George Montgomery, the legendary drag racer who passed away in late August at the age of 90, was one of many successful gasser racers to come out of Ohio.

CHIPPING AWAY

The Corvette C8.R fought a fierce battle at IMSA's Northeast Grand Prix.

ELEGANT PERFORMANCE

Sean Smith Designs and Driven Speed Shop create an award-winning 1969 Camaro SS.

MOVIE CAR MASTER

Dennis McCarthy's personal passion for cool rides led him to create Vehicle Effects and build the cars from the films you know and love.

MAIL-ORDER MAKEOVER

We pair up with Amazon to completely rebuild a '65 Dodge Coronet to debut at Roadkill Nights in Detroit

TRUCKS ON TRACK!

Dozens of Chevys, a few GMCs, and two lonely Fords battle it out at the 6th annual Pro Touring Truck Shootout!

DITCH THE DOD?

WHEN INSTALLING A PERFORMANCE CAM, MANY OWNERS LOSE THE ENGINE'S CYLINDER DEACTIVATION FEATURE. HERE'S WHY YOU MAY WANT TO KEEP IT ACTIVE.

RUST BUSTED

Project T-top Coupe: We decided to inspect the engine, and it's a good thing we did.