12 new vehicles that moved the needle in 2022
Yes, we know, putting together a list of the most important vehicles introduced this past year is a very subjective thing. But this has been a big year for new debuts, including sports cars, trucks, luxury EVs, and more. If we got it wrong, there’s a comments section down at the bottom where you can set us straight. So without further delay, here are 12 vehicles we think moved the needle in 2022, or will soon in 2023. Oh, and they’re organized alphabetically, rather than ranked in any particular order.
BMW i4 M50
With the i4 M50, BMW is just showing off. With the enormous grille that is there for looks (what happened to the modest bow tie grilles on BMWs?), the electric i4 M50 has dual-motor all-wheel-drive, totaling 536 horsepower, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.7 seconds. Weight is over 5000 pounds, but it feels lighter on its feet than you’d expect. It’s a solid vehicle with in-your-face styling, starting at $68,295. Click here to read Ronan Glon’s BMW i4 M50 review.
BMW M2
Yes, it’s surrounded on this list by a lot of electric cars, but the BMW M2 is a pocket rocket reminds you of why internal combustion and manual transmissions still matter. The turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine has 453 horsepower and the six-speed manual promises smooth shifting, especially after the car is broken in and you get used to that familiar, rubbery gear engagement. It’s pricier than, say, the Toyota GR Corolla, but this car is as exciting and, in its own way, sophisticated as it gets for $63,195. Money well spent, we’d say. And no M4 grille!
Cadillac Lyriq
Go to Cadillac.com and click on “Lyriq.” The first thing you see: “Orders for the 2023 Lyriq are full. Pre-order your 2024 model today.” That speaks to the general appeal of the elegant electric Lyriq. Cadillac estimates the price of the 2024 all-wheel-drive, two-motor, 500-horsepower Lyriq at $64,000; they might sell out in ’24 too – a problem Cadillac hasn’t had with a mass-market model in a long time. Click here to read Aaron Robinson’s 2023 Cadillac Lyriq 450E review.
Ford F-150 Lightning
The F-150 Lightning has become the default representative of the electric truck. It’s quick, entirely capable as a pickup, handsome, and despite a rash of price increases that now comes in at a base of just under $60,000, still affordable if you opt for the Pro or Lariat model (though the Platinum extended range model is dangerously close to $100,000). Rivian’s swanky R1T is a looker, but the Lightning boasts well-conceived and expertly executed package—with the backing of the Blue Oval. Click here to read Sajeev Mehta’s Ford F-150 Lightning review.
Ford Mustang
Yes, we know, we haven’t driven the seventh-generation Mustang, but it is an important car, even if the new generation isn’t that far removed from the sixth. But all signs point to the possibility that this may be the last true new pony car with an internal combustion engine, and that wonderful sound from the (soon to be) 480-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8, much less the track-ready, 500-horsepower Dark Horse model. The looks aren’t to everyone’s taste, but the performance can’t be denied.
Genesis GV60
The electric Genesis GV60 tries to be many things to many buyers, and it essentially succeeds. The premium cockpit and very smooth, quiet ride point up the level of precision that went into this SUV; there are luxury models that are more fun to drive, such as the Volvo XC40 Recharge, but as daily runabout transportation the Genesis GV60 delivers everything you’d want in a modern EV. Starting price is just over $60,000. Look for Nate Petroelje’s first drive review of the GV60 in the coming weeks.
Lordstown Endurance
While the Endurances we drove earlier this year were certainly capable and well screwed together, this fleet truck scores points mainly because it exists, turning an abandoned GM plant in Ohio into a working factory again. Kudos, and good luck getting the Endurance off the ground. Click here to read my Lordstown Endurance review.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer L
The L is representative of all the big new Jeep Wagoneer models, but there’s something about the L that just seems appropriately stately. After seeing a white one at a gas station towing a big aluminum-skinned Avion trailer, we had to admit it just looked right. And the new 510-horsepower “Hurricane” inline six-cylinder engine is just right, too. Of course, starting at $88,640, the Grand Wagoneer L better be good. Click here to Nate Petroelje’s Jeep Grand Wagoneer L 4×4 Obsidian review.
Kia EV6/Hyundai Ioniq 5
These two South Koreans are essentially twins, so choose your styling and your dealer and go for it. You’ll be getting one of the most critically acclaimed electric SUVs on the market. Handling is startlingly good, masking the weight of the battery (and let’s face it, electric vehicles are way too heavy). Power is adequate at 320 horsepower, and far more than adequate in the sports-minded 576-horsepower EV6 GT model. The single-motor Ioniq 5 SE is probably the best bargain, with rear-wheel-drive and 320 horses, but a range of over 300 miles for under $47,000. Click here to read Sajeev Mehta’s Hyundai Ioniq 5 design story.
Nissan Z
No, it isn’t as fast as some customers might want it to be, but 400 horsepower seems like plenty for this Japanese sports car. Handling is very good, ergonomics above average, and the styling, reminiscent of the 1990 Nissan 300 ZX but not derivative, is spot on. Eventually the pipeline will be full enough so dealers can’t so easily tack on $20,000 to what is a tantalizingly low base price of $39,990 (before destination). If you’re looking for attention, this may well be the most appealing pure sports car you can get for the money. Click here to read Eddy Eckart’s Nissan Z review.
Toyota GR Corolla
The only question we have about the GR Corolla is, what took Toyota so long to build a wild thing like this? It’s a blast to drive, but even with its 300-horsepower turbo three-cylinder it’s docile enough to serve as practical daily transportation. The manual transmission is way fun, and handling is truly kart-like. The all-wheel drive system and limited-slip differentials front/rear make it a uniquely rally-bred prospect, now that the Subaru WRX STI is dead in the water. The GR Corolla starts at $35,990 (before shipping), but good luck finding one for that.
Toyota Prius
We suspect a lot of consumers who have never thought about buying a Prius will now add it to the “consider” list. It’s finally pretty, and with the base hybrid’s 193-horse powertrain, it should be reasonably capable of merging onto the highway. Add in great mileage and Toyota reliability and resale value, and we think the new Prius will be a big hit.
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Speaking as a fellow WNY resident (ex, actual Buffalo resident in the EV, now in East Amherst), it’s a shame you had to make this political. I transported my aging mom-in-law back to her home in the Town of Tonawanda last night; passed a dozen stuck vehicles. All ICE powered. Folks suffered and passed with your favorite technology. Nature can always out-do whatever we can invent. Should we blame the technology as you seem to?
I’m far from a proponent of EVs, but like them or not, I expect to slowly, grudgingly, be dragged into a Hybrid/EV in the coming decade. My long-roof Benz will only last so long in WNY winters, and I doubt the prime used choices in the south will last for the rest of my driving life. I aim to preserve my small fleet of ICE powered cars/trucks, and expand it by a few more in the coming years, but we’ll be either Hydrogen or Plug-in for new vehicles soon enough (I personally expect the former.) I plan to take European delivery of another E-class Wagon next year, and buy my wife a GLS before MBoB is all electric. It’s happening.
This liberal-arts grad (for one BA; the others and grad degrees are all over) will go toe-to-toe with you rebuilding a 4150, Toploader, Weber side-draft, a THM-425 in a GMC RV, or blasting/hanging/painting a quarter anytime you want. Painting with a broad brush makes you appear ignorant.
Lastly, Sweeden gets solid winters. I’m assuming you’ve never been. One of the best cars I ever owned in winter was a 240GL Sedan fresh out of college as cheap, used, transportation. Survived the 7′ snowfall in 2001, passed plenty of Explorers and Jeeps with just snow tires and some tube sand (I had just moved to Buffalo in ’00; she was a great car.) If a Sweedish teen, Z’er, Millenial, X’er or Boomer tells me it works in winter, I’d tend to believe them…
Or are you just jealous she can sail bluewater probably better than either of us? 🙂 See ya at Cars and Coffee…
All over the map there. Driving skill is a lost art.
I drove a rear drive, 383 stroked, big cam, 3.90 geared, locked diff g body in upper Midwest winters. Meh, no big.
If we are going to throw out the best possible snow vehicle, it was the 2.5 ton Ford farm truck. It had so much weight and so little torque, one had to TRY to get it upset, but unless one drove it into a ditch after splitting a 12 pack, it didn’t get stuck.
Keep drinking the cool aid. Electric vehicles are the next love canal, coming to a landfill near you.
Thank you
I don’t understand the obsession with these hideous cheese-grater grills. A radiator air intake should be just large enough for cooling, and not a square inch larger. And enough with all the fake air intakes! Are there no adult designers remaining in the business?
why do ppl always have to be insulting. ev arent perfect yet, but they have come a long way. maybe they cannot be used everywhere. but looking at buffalo (and have a friend that lives there) doesn’t seem to matter what car you have, there were plenty of gas-powered cars stuck in the weather. they run out of gas and get dead batteries also. Just like when gas powered cars were developed there was not a gas station on every corner. there will be more charging stations, they will be able to go longer distances. But you wouldn’t listen to a liberal art grad or a swedish teenager bc you are old and cannot learn anything news
Old, knowledgeable and experienced. Yes ev’s work, but what about the issues of solid waste disposal and the cost associated with changing stations, which should be passed on to the car manufacturers in the form of a 50% surcharge for each vehicle. Why should the taxpayers bear the brunt of this venture? Age has nothing to do with it.
The single biggest resistance is due to mandates. Most want to let the market decide. Which is exactly what happened with ICE vehicles.
I can tell you about Engineering and alt-fuels from 100 years ago, but it wouldn’t really matter.
What strikes me is the the 3 types of folks when it comes to EVs.
1) early adopters – they wave the flag and adopt the tech early on.
2) skeptics – they wait and see.
3) pragmatists – if it’s cost effective, they’ll consider it.
Sure, you can throw out the Luddites, but really they are 2 or 3.
It reminds me of me and my 3 uncles.
1 has a F150 EcoBoost with max tow
1 has a V10 Superduty
1 and me have diesels.
Mine is the oldest, has the most miles, and is the least powerful. When it comes to actual work – they are all pretty similar. The F150 might get there first, but I get the best mileage. The V10 is brutally unstoppable with 4.30 gears and the 5 speed auto, and the more powerful diesel is a good compromise. Until one requires replacement, we’re all happy with our choices. And that’s the point-freedom to make our own choice.
Very well stated.
That Ford Lightning towing the Airstream>>>you’ll need the travel trailer because you will be stopping a lot to charge it while pulling the trailer. They need to work on the range when loaded.
The increase in electric vehicles is going to have to also cause a corresponding increase in nuclear power plants – only way to reliably generate power without carbon emissions (I know – but green energy is unreliable and not nearly enough for us). Bill Gates seems to be ahead of the curve on this issue with the idea of a factory build, modular nuke that can be installed in multi-unit modules for power generation whereever you need it. Add air cooling and no polution. Before anybody jumps on the nuclear catastrophe bandwagon the U.S.Navy has been running them for many years – with no appearent issues.
@Conrad- Bill Gates can probably find a way to have a factory-built nuke delivered in six months, but can he get all the required studies and permits done in less than 10 years?
At least your personal bias is not showing… too much. Every top 10 list is getting annoyingly similar.
Just mention electric and get ready for the peanut gallery. You can set your sundial by it.
No batteries in a sundial. No iPhone needed either.
Sadly, the EV revolution will prop up ICE used-car pricing for decades. It will become nearly impossible to find that much-anticipated and once-significant depreciation on a 3-year-old DD purchase.
Ooof…..
When all of the GM (Government Motors) vehicles built are electric, I have not heard yet which can be used in Nascar?? Since Ford and Toyota still produce their vehicle which meet the rules, will all GM drivers need to put an ICE engine in an electric vehicle to compete??
I love my i4 but got the eDrive40 instead of the M50 to get the greater range. It gets to 60 plenty fast enough, even if it can’t match the M50’s 3.7 seconds.
There was a Cadillac TV advertisement several years ago where a sexy actress closed the ad with the line “When you turn on your car, does it return the favor?”
Discounting all of the pro/con EV comments here so far, there are very few of these 12 cars that “move my needle” and “return the favor”. The majority of these cars have no soul.
Certainly SUVs, trucks and new technology EVs have a place, but moving my needle is not one of them.
Hagerty’s business was based upon those automotive conveyances that “returned the favor”. Please don’t lose that vision.
What ever happened to the real car guys who were curious about and could make an adventure with anything in any broad classification of vehicles? Is the car world really getting that narrow minded? Are car guys the ones who are boring and not the cars?