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.
Check out the Hagerty Media homepage so you don’t miss a single story, or better yet, bookmark it.
I recently read a story on the first automobile race in the US. It was a 55 mile circuit from Chicago to Evanston. From memory- 60 cars entered. 11 made it to the starting grid. 6 actually left the starting grid. 2 cars finished. Winning time was just under 8 hrs with an average speed of almost 7mph. Setting aside the argument over whether horses or cars have more soul, I think most people would have to agree that EVs are off to a relatively better start than the beginnings of the ICE age. As the proud owner of over 100 hydrocarbon powered vehicles I encourage everyone else to go electric as soon as possible. To all my fellow future fearing fossil fuel fanatics (try saying that 3 times fast), imagine the price of oil when everybody else is driving an EV, plus we’ll finally be able to tell Putin, MBS and all the other fine gentleman of OPEC to go F themselves. Speaking of F’ing, on another tangent and in an admittedly self interested attempt to bend a different supply/demand curve to my personal benefit I ‘d like to suggest that the rest of you consider celibacy. Now… GET OFF MY LAWN!
I would bet that everyone complaining about how boring the new EV’s are have never even driven one. Yes Hagerty is a Classic Car insurer but I don’t mind them keeping me up on the latest technology. BTW, This is a free sight it doesn’t cost you a dime so if you really don’t like it you can always scroll on. Now i’m waiting for those who will say they pay for it when they buy their Ins. from Hagerty. Well no you don’t. It’s free to anyone even if you don’t buy their Ins. Whine On LOL
And where’s the end of ICE cars? The GT4RS?
As for EV’s. I drove an X Plaid yesterday and it was just that, Plane.
Not one of the vehicles stirs the soul. Not one will appear on a poster on a child’s wall in total adoration. Sadly not one will be around in 50 years to be restored in the garage of my grandchild. These are appliances that will fulfill a need in the time it takes for the lease to run out. After that someone will try and own it out of warranty but the cost will be prohibitive. Electric cars are blindingly fast for a reason, it makes you forget how boring and uninspiring the actual automotive art actually is.
The thing all the electric car people refuse to address is. How the heck can an electrical power grid recharge 1 Billion cars when It has trouble keeping up with Air Conditioning?
Unfortunately, we are being driven toward “transportation units” for all because the “elites with agendas” are buying off the politicians and bureaucrats. EV’s fit into certain scenarios, my wife had an I3 and now a Bolt and is perfectly happy as they are basically cars for commuting and short under 250-mile trips. Any politician, bureaucrat or dude or dudette who advocated going strictly electric are morons of the first order and has no real-life experience in crisis/emergency/energy planning. Backups are always needed for electricity and if that is all you have, you are at the mercy of the energy companies and the government. I would advocate a hybrid of diesel/gas and a long-range battery. However, I don’t give millions to the politicians and am an independent so I am screwed. NONE of these vehicles work for me.
Why is the Comment Box moving about? Sometimes it is at the top of the Comment Section–then it will skip to the bottom of the page???? Is someone being paid by the hour to revise for revision’s sake?
Not one of these cars (none of them is a Classic) will ever make it to the 25 year mark to be an “antique” vehicle. Very boring–no class. Subsidized vehicles–subsidized by the TaxPayer/Controlled by the Gov’t.
Otherwise, there would be NO EVs!
Pass!!! Never been impressed with any EV vehicle! And the fact that this is the answer for a better and brighter future for the transpiration world makes me sick. If I want an EV anything, I’ll buy a gulf cart. Anything short of that, I’m combustion for life!!! On the side note, combustion engines only have a foot print of 3% on the CO2 issue. I can live with that😎