The entry-level version of the Toyota Land Cruiser is called the “1958 Edition” because it offers the most basic features and has a few cosmetic details that pay homage to the original rugged models. These early models were essentially Japanese-built versions of Jeeps. The “1958 Edition” comes with a standard rear locker and Toyota’s CRAWL control off-roading software. On the exterior, there are round LED headlamps set within rectangular surrounds on each side of a “Heritage” grille. Inside, the car has a basic nine-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker sound system, and manual seats upholstered in tough fabric. Surprisingly, it also includes a heated steering wheel.
The mid-level trim is simply named the “Land Cruiser.” This may cause some confusion, but it offers additional features such as a front sway bar disconnect, rectangular LED headlamps, RIGID fog lamps, and wider all-season tires. The dashboard is equipped with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, and the car includes Multi-Terrain Select and Multi-Terrain Monitor systems. The seats are upgraded to SofTex, which is a synthetic leather-like material, and they also have heating and ventilation.
At the top of the lineup, there will be a limited run of 5,000 “First Edition” Land Cruisers. These models are designed for more serious off-roading and come with a roof rack, rock rails, a font skid plate, and mudflaps from the factory. Additional upgrades include a tailgate light and heated/ventilated leather seats. Furthermore, buyers may appreciate the “Unique-stitched key glove” that serves as a commemoration of this iconic four-wheeler’s return.
Lotus has confirmed that the entry-level variant of the Lotus Emira will be unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This model will feature a turbocharged M139 engine sourced from Mercedes-AMG, which is known as the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine. The same engine is used in other AMG models such as the A45, C63 S E Performance, and SL 43.
However, the engine has undergone “fundamental changes” for the Emira, including a new intake and exhaust system. This results in a slight reduction in power output, with the Emira producing 360bhp and 317lb ft of torque compared to the 382bhp and 354lb ft found in the entry-level AMG cars.
The Emira with the AMG engine will come equipped with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox as standard. In the First Edition trim, it will be priced at £77,795, making it £4200 cheaper than the version fitted with the supercharged Toyota V6 engine.
The Toyota V6 engine, previously used in the Lotus Evora and Lotus Exige, produces 400bhp and 310lb ft of torque. The notable difference is that it can be paired with a manual gearbox, which the AMG engine does not offer.
Deliveries of the four-cylinder Emira are expected to start in autumn, with a more affordable trim level set to be released before the end of the year. However, it is worth noting that the actual cost of this trim level is expected to exceed its originally pitched price of £59,995.
The Emira will mark Lotus’s final combustion-engined series-production sports car, as the brand plans to transition to battery-electric powertrains for all its new models. Lotus will be working closely with Geely, its parent company, to introduce a range of electric vehicles in the coming years. This includes a saloon based on the Eletre in 2024 and a high-volume rival to the Porsche Macan EV by 2028, aiming for around 75,000 sales annually.
While the new electric models will be engineered at Lotus’s factory in Wuhan, China, the production of pure sports cars like the Emira, Evora, and Elise will continue to take place in Hethel, Norfolk.
When it first came out, the Porsche 944 was positioned as an entry-level option and the most affordable way to join the Porsche brand. Now, 40 years later, the same idea still holds true in the secondary market. However, it’s worth noting that collectors have discovered the 944 over time, so it’s no longer the amazing deal it used to be. According to classic.com, a valuation site, the average selling price for a base model 944 in the past year is $13,310. However, if you search carefully, you can still find rougher examples in the $5,000 range.
The 944 has always been commended for its balanced handling and weight distribution. It features a rear-mounted transaxle connected to the engine via a “torque tube,” which is basically a solid and vibration-free driveshaft licensed from Mitsubishi, of all places.
From the factory, the 944 came with a compact inline four-cylinder engine that took it from 0-60 MPH in a leisurely 8.5 seconds. While some later models offered turbocharging and four valves per cylinder (16V), even those improvements couldn’t compare to a modern LS engine, especially one that has been customized.
If you needed another reason to replace the original Porsche engine, it’s worth mentioning that it had a rubber timing belt that, if it failed, could potentially ruin the entire engine. Some may argue that installing a V8 engine will affect the perfect weight distribution, but if you opt for an aluminum LS engine instead of an iron block, the weight gain over the Porsche four-cylinder is only around 25-30 pounds.
The Venue is the entry-level SUV in Hyundai’s lineup and is their most affordable offering since its introduction in the 2020 model year. Although the Hyundai Venue is one of the lowest-priced crossovers on the market today, it still features a surprisingly high level of standard equipment.
With its spacious interior, fuel-efficient engine, and high safety rating, the Venue is a great choice for the first-time customer, especially those looking for a sub-compact family hauler. Some of the competition in the budget-friendly entry-level crossovers space include the Nissan Kicks, Kia Soul, and Toyota C-HR.
With a 121 horsepower four-cylinder engine, it lacks the horsepower for serious performance, but it is quite capable of cruising city streets. While many crossovers offer AWD, the Venue is only available in FWD.
Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the Venue has a spacious cabin, providing a roomy feel and can comfortably seat two adults in the rear seats, with limited space for a third passenger. While the design of the Hyundai Venue may not be swanky, its interior is thoughtfully crafted and features robust buttons and switches. When it comes to safety, the Venue stands out by offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assist systems as standard, which contributed to its Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The Hyundai Venue comes equipped with a standard 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. The only transmission option is a CVT. This engine delivers adequate performance in urban environments, although it lacks grunt when pushed. The Venue’s compact dimensions and responsive steering make it an excellent city navigator, which will be its primary habitat. The ride quality of the Hyundai Venue is noteworthy, as it effectively minimizes the impact of most road imperfections. However, some may find it slightly on the stiffer side, bordering on being too firm.
2023 Hyundai Venue Price
Trim
Price
SE
$19,650
SEL
$21,000
Limited
$22,900
The Hyundai Venue comes in three trims, the base SE which starts at $19,650 MSRP, SEL which costs $21,000 MSRP, and the top-of-the-line Limited trim which costs $22,900 MSRP. These performance numbers are as expected from an economy crossover, however, the Venue compensates for this with better-than-average fuel efficiency. As per the EPA, the 2023 Hyundai Venue returns 29 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway for a combined 31 MPG.
With its slightly smaller size compared to the Kona, the Venue sports a more traditional SUV appearance upfront with narrow turn signals and square headlights, reminiscent of the flagship Hyundai Palisade. It is available in eight colors which incude
Onyx Black
Green Apple
Ecotronic Gray
Scarlet Red Pearl
Shimmering Silver
Lunar White
Ceramic White
Intense Blue
Exterior Dimensions
Length
159.0 in.
Width
69.6 in.
Height
62.6 in.
Wheelbase
99.2 in.
Ground Clearance
6.6 in.
Curb Weight
2568 lbs
The base SE trim comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, while the SEL and Limited trim come with larger 17-inch alloy wheels. The Limited trim also comes with LED headlights/taillights and DRLs.
Legend17 via YouTube
A shot of the dashboard in the 2023 Hyundai Venue SE
Despite its compact size, the Hyundai Venue surprises with its spacious cabin, offering ample room for both front and rear passengers. The well-put-together cabin is further enhanced by a digital gauge cluster and an attractive 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto support, while navigation is available in the highest Limited trim. The SEL trim is the only variant with an optional Gray interior, in addition to the Black.
The SEL trim also comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, while heated front seats and passive entry with push-button start as options. On the Limited trim, these features come standard. It’s worth mentioning that the Limited trim does not offer the optional power sunroof, but the SEL trim does, which is an interesting choice by Hyundai.
Interior Dimensions
Head room (front/rear)
39.4 / 38.6 in.
Leg room ( front/rear)
41.3 / 34.3 in.
Cargo Capacity
31.9 cu.ft
Base trims come with a center-console armrest as standard. The Limited trim offers the option of wireless charging, a feature that was previously absent. Despite these considerations, the Venue’s cabin has 60/40 split-folding rear seats, and provides 19 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the back seat flat expands the cargo area to an impressive 31.9 cubic feet.
Across all trims, the Venue comes equipped with standard safety features such as tire-pressure monitoring, a rearview camera, electronic stability control, traction control, and ABS. The Venue also impresses with its array of driver-assist technologies. These encompass features like
Lane-keeping assist
Pedestrian detection
Collision warning
Driver-attention warning
Automatic high beams
Rear-seat occupancy alert (New for 2023)
For added peace of mind, the higher two trims feature blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert.
While the Hyundai Venue may lack premium features, a closer look at the safety features reveals that Hyundai has done an admirable job of equipping even its most affordable model with essential safety technologies. There is also a comprehensive airbag system consisting of six airbags, including dual-front, front-side, and curtain airbags for all outboard seating positions.
Despite its boxy unconventional looks, the Kia Soul remains nimble in corners with its confident handling and 147-horsepower four-cylinder engine, it maintains a smooth ride quality in different driving conditions. The Kia Soul stands out as a great alternate choice for buyers seeking great value and a roomy interior packed with an array of standard features. The Kia Soul is also very similarly priced, starting at $19,890.
The Nissan Kicks has a similar powertrain with 122 horsepower, it is similarly affordability and has impressive fuel efficiency. The Kicks may appear sluggish on paper, but its main strength lies in its excellent fuel economy. Front-wheel drive is the only option here as well, but it delivers an impressive 36 MPG on the highway. The Nissan Kicks starts at $20,440.
Mazda
A front 3/4 studio shot of a Mazda CX-30
The Mazda CX-30 stands out in this space with its impressive performance and more upscale interior. Equipped with a peppy 191-horsepower base engine, this compact SUV delivers ample power for most driving situations. Mazda offers an enhanced driving experience by pairing it with a six-speed automatic transmission, providing a more engaging feel compared to the CVTs found in rivals. Additionally, the CX-30 comes standard with all-wheel drive, further enhancing its appeal. At $22,950 it is comparatively a little more expensive, but the Mazda has performance to back up the premium.
At this price, Hyundai has put together a capable SUV which is a great choice for folks who are looking for their first car. While there is some good competition to consider, the Venue has a proven track history with reliability, safety, and fuel economy. Maybe in the next generation, we will get to see a version with AWD or a hybrid powertrain to make it more appealing.
In the event of any unforeseen issues, it brings peace of mind to know that the Venue is backed by one of the most comprehensive warranties in the industry. Hyundai offers a generous five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty, ensuring confidence in the quality and reliability of the vehicle. The powertrain is covered by an impressive ten-year/100,000-mile warranty, providing long-term protection for critical components.
Additionally, Hyundai includes a seven-year anti-perforation warranty, offering coverage against rust and corrosion regardless of the mileage accumulated. For added reassurance, 24-hour roadside assistance is available for five years, ensuring support in case of emergencies or breakdowns. With such an extensive warranty package, the Hyundai Venue demonstrates Hyundai’s commitment to delivering exceptional reliability and customer satisfaction.
The 2024 X1 M35i xDrive by BMW is the latest version of their entry-level SUV, boasting a powerful 2.0-liter engine. With its aggressive look and hardware upgrades, this SUV delivers exceptional performance on the road. Excitingly, it will also be the first BMW product to feature the new iDrive 9 infotainment system, set to go on sale in the United States in October of this year.
Built on the reports from last summer, the new X1 M35i xDrive does indeed come with a more robust version of BMW’s 2.0-liter engine. Upgrades such as a reinforced crankshaft, an optimized oil supply system, and main bearing shells and caps borrowed from BMW’s six-cylinder engines contribute to the increased power output. The improved engine now produces an impressive 312 horsepower between 5,750 and 6,500 rpm, with a peak torque of 295 pound-feet available from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm. This represents a significant boost compared to the base model’s 241 horsepower.
The Maverick, Ford’s entry-level pickup, debuted in 2021 and since then has been sold in over 120,000 units in the United States alone. Presumably, some buyers got a Maverick as their first-ever pickup, but others chose Ford’s unibody truck because it promises decent fuel economy and lower maintenance costs compared to the bigger pickups out there.
However, as the video embedded at the top of this page shows, it’s not a perfect vehicle, especially if you like to wander off the beaten track frequently.
YouTuber Overland Florida explains in the 5-minute long production that the biggest gripe he has with his 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat FX4 is the low ground clearance and low-hanging front bumper, which isn’t ideal when going off-road.
He says that because it’s an FX4-equipped pickup, it should have a higher ground clearance from the factory, seeing how the optional package comes with goodies like all-terrain tires, exposed front tow hooks, hill descent control, and skid plates as standard.
Ford released the Tremor pack for the 2023 model year, which comes with a lot more off-road-oriented features, like an electronic lockable rear differential, skid plates, and – more to the point of this article – different front and rear shocks that increase the ride height by one inch (25 millimeters), compared to the base variant Maverick.
