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AUTO
REVIEW

It’s time for my every-now-and-then rundown of new cars and same impact on the Toyota Rav4/Honda CRV market as the Palisade
trucks that I think will be of interest to BCMS members. As has been did on the Toyota Highlander/Honda Pilot market.

the case for the past 10 years or so, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are
Toyota Land Cruiser: I’ve said since 2008 (along with many oth-
increasingly “the future,” but the internal combustion engine isn’t
ers) that the last generation Land Cruiser was too big, and Toyota lis-
going away, mostly because the current BEV state-of-the-art isn’t where
tened. The 2024 LC is on the same platform as the 4Runner, and it
it needs to be yet. Once a BEV can go 400 miles on a charge regardless
looks like a winner with a tough-guy design and serious off-road abil-
of the ambient temperature, and fully charge in 10 minutes or less,
ity. The legend continues.
electric vehicles will be mainstream. They’ll get there, probably soon,
but they’re not there yet. Volvo EX30: A cool compact BEV from Volvo with an enticing
$35,000 starting price that will appeal to young singles and couples
Anyway, here’s my list of 2024 vehicles that you should who want to help the environmental cause.
pay attention to.
BMW i5: Basically a BEV version of the venerable 5-series, the i5
Acura ZDX: Ten years ago the weird Gen 1 ZDX was dropped by gets you lots of BMW goodness in an all-electric package. Families
Acura with almost no one noticing. Soon Honda’s luxury arm will will probably prefer the BEV iX SUV, but many others will appreciate
launch the ZDX Gen 2, a conventional looking SUV with an all-elec- an electric car that’s designed to drive like a BMW.

tric powertrain (think BEV MDX). Will it succeed? It can’t do worse
Lucid Gravity: Finally a Lucid SUV! The Saudi-funded BEV com-
than the previous ZDX.
pany started life with the Air, a luxury BEV sedan that cost around
Cadillac Celestiq: Featuring either an ultra-modern or ugly exte- $120,000. Good looking car, but it didn’t sell. Enter the Gravity, a lux-
rior design depending on your point of view, the upcoming BEV ury SUV with 440 miles of range, 7-seats, and a starting price of under
Cadillac flagship promises a beautiful interior and premium buying $100,000. Lucid and Saudi Arabia hope you like it.

experience that’s meant to rival Bentley. Even base models will offer
Lexus GX: The new mid-size Lexus SUV gets a major update with a
300mi range, 600HP, a full-glass roof with variable opacity, and GM’s
much better looking exterior and 346HP turbo V6 powertrain. The last
best Super Cruise autonomous driving system. It’ll be expensive
version had a V8 but looked completely bland. Thank you, Lexus for re-
though, with an expected starting price of around $340,000.
placing it with an SUV with better emissions and more personality.

BMW M5 wagon: BMW must have hated watching the Mercedes
Volkswagen ID. Buzz: Volkswagen has been teasing us with “com-
E63S and Audi RS6 “hyper wagons” get showered with kudos from
ing soon” modern VW Microbuses since forever. Finally, we’re going
the automotive press because they’ve responded with a station wagon
to get one with the BEV ID. Buzz. It’s all electric and looks sensational.
version of their delicious M5 sedan. A 600HP turbocharged V8 AWD
I hope it sells.
soccer mom-mobile? Yes please!

Porsche 911: The 992.2 gen 911 launches soon, and the good
Ford Mustang: Yes it’s, “just a refresh,” but I’m going to play this
news is that Porsche wants it to be more available. While the fact
up because this is likely the last ICE pony car ever now that the
that supply chain problems have been mostly fixed means that it will
Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger are dead. The base engine
be, and Porsche has decided to bump the pricing significantly. Bum-
is a 330HP turbo-4, the GT’s V8 has 450, and a 500HP Coyote V8
mer. It’s still the car that successful BCMS members want, so deal
powers the Dark Horse track version. And the manual lives on! For
with it, I guess.
driving enthusiasts, the Mustang is as good as it gets.

Tesla Cybertruck: I’ve read about the clever bed that can haul or
As always, call Phil Hornbeak, the Auto Program Manager at
store almost anything and the impressive specs, but I can’t get past the
BCMS (210-301-4367) for your best deal on any new car or truck
cartoon-ish design that says to me (and probably most Texans), “Tesla’s
brand. Phil can also connect you to preferred financing and lease rates.
not serious about pickup trucks.”

Hyundai Santa Fe: Hyundai’s Rav4 competitor has always been a Stephen Schutz, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist
just OK wannabe until now. Wow, Hyundai surprised everyone with who lived in San Antonio in the 1990s when he was stationed
a new Santa Fe that brings the action with a Land Cruiser/Land Rover here in the U.S. Air Force. He has been writing auto reviews
Defender vibe and extra off-road chops. Expect this SUV to have the for San Antonio Medicine magazine since 1995.
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