Mercedes-AMG E53 W214

Based on the W214 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the all-new Mercedes-AMG E53 is the only AMG-fied E-Class you'll be getting for this generation...for now.

2025 Mercedes-AMG E53

2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Estate

The all-new Mercedes-AMG E53 is a significant departure from its predecessor. What's underneath has changed, and the price has increased. Starting at 109,242 Euros plus additional costs, it's definitely a luxury car.

The E53 features styling and interior design similar to the standard E-Class range. It includes a signature AMG grille at the front, distinctive AMG aerodynamic enhancements on the exterior, and an AMG Performance flat-bottomed steering wheel with AMG-specific rotary controls. 

The vehicle comes with power-adjustable AMG sports seats, with the option for AMG Performance bucket seats. Inside, you'll find Artico faux leather and Microcut suede upholstery. Additionally, you can opt for the MBU Superscreen, which includes AMG-specific features such as a lap timer.

Under the hood, the all-new E53 is powered by a 3.0L turbo six-cylinder engine with a powerful electric motor. This electrified setup produces 449PS of power and 560Nm of torque. Arm it with the AMG Dynamic Package with Race Start launch control, and the power output is shot to 612PS. Mated with the AMG Speedshift TCT 9G and AMG Performance 4Matic+, it does 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds and up to 280kph of top speed. Without it, it's just four seconds and an electronically-limited 250kph top speed.

Thanks to its 28.6kWh battery pack, the fuel economy is 8.6 to 9.2 liters per 100 km and the driving range on electric power alone is up to 101km.

On its own, the all-new E53, equipped with AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers, offers a respectable driving experience, even on track days. However, when you add the AMG Dynamic Plus package—which includes dynamic engine mounts, an electronic locking rear differential, composite front brakes (with 390 mm discs and six-piston calipers), and the Race Start feature—the performance becomes exhilarating.

Even in its six-cylinder PHEV setting, the all-new E53 is proven to be as fun as the outgoing V8-powered E63. It may be as posh as the normal E-Class but with AMG credentials only drivers at the same level as George Russell can take advantage of, it feels like every day's a race day for this one.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz AG.

MG ZS (ZS3A) and HS (AS3A)

MG's ZS and HS budget crossovers have entered their latest generation. These new-generation MG crossovers are worth noting for their budget-conscious pricing, spacious interiors, impressive dynamics, and advanced technology.

2025 MG ZS

2025 MG HS

The all-new MG ZS starts at 21,995 Pounds plus additional costs while the all-new MG HS starts at 24,995 Pounds plus additional costs. Although they're sized differently with the HS slightly bigger than the ZS, these crossovers finally eschewed the Mazda-esque styling in favor of a cleaner styling lifted from today's MG3. Welcome to the new look of MG.

2025 MG ZS interior

2025 MG HS interior

Digging on the new interiors, the all-new ZS features a 12.3-inch color touchscreen as standard on the SE model while the Trophy variant features Black Leather upholstery, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and rear privacy glass. The boot space goes from 443 to 1457 liters.

The all-new HS, meanwhile, features two 12.3-inch HD screens, dual-zone auto airconditioning, heated front seats, and Black Leather Style Upholstery with Tan Leather Style Upholstery. Because of the increased dimensions compared to the previous model, the boot space goes from 507 to 1484 liters.

When discussing performance, the all-new ZS features the same hybrid powertrain as the current MG3. It includes a 102PS 1.5L petrol engine combined with a 100kW electric motor, resulting in a total power output of 196PS and 465Nm of torque. This setup is paired with a 3-speed automatic transmission, allowing the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in under nine seconds, with a top speed of 104 mph.

On the other hand, the all-new HS offers more options. It provides a choice between a 170PS 1.5L Turbo GDi engine, which can be mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Alternatively, there is a high-performance 272PS 1.5T GDI plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) paired with a 2-speed automatic transmission. It can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in under seven seconds and reach a maximum speed of 105 mph. Combined fuel economy is 0.5km/100km based on WLTP standards.

Both of these crossovers come with MG Pilot Advanced Driver Assistance System, which provides a variety of driver aids. In addition, they have a 360-degree parking camera and MG I-Smart live services for added peace and security.

MG's ZS and HS budget crossovers have entered their latest generation. These new-generation MG crossovers are worth noting for their budget-conscious pricing, spacious interiors, impressive dynamics, and advanced technology. Which one will you go for?

Photo: MG Motor UK

Nissan Ariya NISMO

Nissan's NISMO brand has just unveiled its first-ever all-electric SUV, the Ariya NISMO. Based on the Ariya crossover, the Ariya NISMO is the first of its kind for Nissan. What do you think of this new vehicle?

2025 Nissan Ariya NISMO

2025 Nissan Ariya NISMO interior

Starting at 8,429,300 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the first-ever Nissan Ariya NISMO is not like every NISMO model you're familiar with because this is the first time NISMO minced some of its sporty pedigree on an all-electric SUV like the Ariya. Although this might displease NISMO loyalists, it promises to attract more attention for Gran Turismo-playing speedo boys.

At first glance, it looks and feels just like the normal Nissan Ariya but the NISMO features numerous NISMO touches inside out from its specific aero tweaks, sport seats, NISMO-specific instrumental panel, a NISMO steering wheel with the middle red lining, and other.

The maximum output of the NISMO B9 e-4ORCE has increased from 290 kW in the base model to 320 kW. Similarly, the NISMO B6 e-4ORCE has seen an increase from 250 kW in the base model to 270 kW. 

In terms of dynamics, both models feature a NISMO-tuned e-4ORCE system, which includes two motors at the front and rear. This system precisely controls the drive force and braking on all four wheels to enhance driving stability. Additionally, the vehicles come equipped with special aluminum wheels, bespoke MICHELIN PILOT SPORT EV tires, a unique suspension setup, high-performance braking pads, and improved chassis control.

Although this may be the most controversial addition to the NISMO fleet, the first-ever Ariya NISMO beefed the typical Ariya crossover into an all-capable sports car that can handle everything tarmac, gravel, and snow. It's common sense spread with wasabi and ginger.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Polestar 4 vs Lotus Emeya

Polestar has done the impossible with the first-ever Polestar 4, an all-electric coupe crossover with no rear window. How is this possible? Is it legal to drive a car without a rear window?

2025 Polestar 4

The 700,000Kr Polestar 4 is unlike every road car you've come across since the days of the Gumpert Apollo because like the Apollo, the Polestar 4 has no rear view window. Verging suicidal by Polestar standards, the liftback styling and signature Polestar styling first seen in the Polestar 3 SUV really means business for the Swedish EV premium brand under the thumb of China's Geely group.

2025 Polestar 4 interior

Inside, the Polestar 4 accommodates up to five people but because of such luxury car pricing, it's too expensive to be used as a family car, perhaps it can be used for business class purposes, escorting big shots from Peking to Paris. Because it doesn't have a rear mirror, the only way to see things behind you is by using the 15.4-inch touch screen with Google built-in and Snapdragon Cockpit Platform. It's the future, after all.

Powered by a 102kWh battery pack, the RWD Long Range Single Motor variant produces 272PS of power while the AWD Long Range Dual Motor variant produces 544PS of power, sprinting from 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 200kph. As for the driving range, the latter does 590km on one full charge.

The Polestar 4 is packed with numerous safety features that earned the right to become fully autonomous in the foreseeable future, with Level 2 autonomy the best it can do for now. It even comes with the Polestar-first Smart Eye that detects drivers' eye movements in the name of reducing driver distraction.

2025 Lotus Emeya

Feeling nervous about driving a car with no rearview mirror like the Polestar 4 should be better off with the more expensive choice; the Lotus Emeya, the first all-electric premium sedan from the company behind lightweight sports cars such as the Elise, Exige, and the Evora.

2025 Lotus Emeya interior

Priced at 89,500 Pounds plus additional costs, the Emeya is more expensive than the no-rear-window Polestar 4 and has one seat less compared to the said car but with all the downsides come with the added upsides because, unlike the Eletre SUV, this is a lot more interesting to drive.

Like the Eletre SUV, the Emeya sedan is powered by dual motors that power it and the Geely-derived platform underneath. Although it doesn't behave like a Lotus, it delivers a throat-chopping experience when you put your foot down and looks like someone's driven to tears, wishing they want to experience this someday.

The Emeya features three different configurations with the base variant producing 612PS of power and 373 miles of driving range to the ultra-powerful Eletre R with a monstrous 918PS of power output, capable of going from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of 278kph. As for the range, the Eletre R is good for 485km on one full charge.

It also features the most sophisticated ADAS offered such as the LIDAR system, ultra-HD cameras, and millimeter-wave radar, making it equipped for fully autonomous driving.

The Polestar 4 is an all-electric coupe crossover with no rear window, while the Lotus Emeya is an all-electric premium sedan. Both cars have pros and cons. The Polestar 4 is less expensive but doesn't have a rear window, while the Lotus Emeya is more expensive but has a rear window. If I had to choose, I would go for the Lotus.

Photo: Polestar, Lotus

Cupra Tavascan v Terramar

A concept turned reality, the first-ever Cupra Tavascan the brand's first-ever EV coupe crossover that runs on the same bits and bobs as the Volkswagen ID.5 and with prices starting at 51,790 Euros plus additional costs, looks like you're on the roll...or are you?

2025 Cupra Tavascan

2025 Cupra Tavascan interior

The first-ever Cupra Tavascan happens when you let Cupra mess around with the humble Volkswagen ID.5 and turn it into a sharp-dressed EV coupe crossover that prefers to prowl around city centers after hours and by the looks of it, it really is on the roll.

Having appreciated its concept-inspired exterior design, the interior retains the minimalist approach like everyone from the Volkswagen Group fleet. On the driver's side, you'll be greeted by its 15-inch infotainment system with smartphone connectivity that controls almost the entire car. It features smart lighting functions, an AR HUD, and smart heated seats for added flashiness. In terms of spacing, the Tavascan can carry up to 540 liters of boot space.

The Tavascan features two different variants to choose from such as the rear-wheel-drive Endurance variant with up to 547km of driving range and the flagship VZ variant with a four-wheel-drive system that produces 250kw of power output and 517km of driving range. Both variants are fitted with a 77kWh battery pack.

In its rear-wheel-drive configuration, which feels like an old Porsche 911 when you handle it precisely like a pro, making it a mild coupe crossover to drive daily but for the VZ, it's a capable crossover that can tackle all kinds of conditions despite retaining its mild driving feel from its normal equivalent. As for safety, the Tavascan is packed with the most advanced safety features ranging from Front Assist with City Emergency Braking System and Pedestrian Monitoring, multi-collision brake and Lane Assist, Side Assist lane change system, Park Assist, Park Distance Control, and so on.

2025 Cupra Terramar

Those who are not interested in the all-electric Tavascan but prefer buying a Cupra crossover or not interested in the Formentor should consider the first-ever Terramar. Priced at 41,190 Euros plus additional costs, the Formentor, named after a historic racetrack, runs on the same MQB evo platform as today's Volkswagen Tiguan.

2025 Cupra Terramar interior

The Cupra Terramar is a slightly enlarged Formentor with Cupra's new family face. Inside, it has a typical Cupra minimalist driver-centered interior with a 12.9-inch infotainment system that controls the entire car, smart lighting functions, an AR HUD, a parking heater, CAR2X communication, and more. While it has Tiguan-sized proportions, it has less space than the Tavascan.

The Terramar is powered by a choice of a 150PS 1.5L eTSi, a 265ps 2.0L TSi, and the 272PS 1.5 e-HYBRID. All are mated to a 6-speed DSG. The e-HYBRID VZ variant with the said power output sprints from 0-100kph in 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 215kph. Because it's a PHEV, it has 0.4L/100km of fuel economy and an electric-only driving range of 120km.

Safety features include but are not limited to Front Assist with City Emergency Braking System and Pedestrian Monitoring, multi-collision brake and Lane Assist, Side Assist lane change system, Park Assist, Park Distance Control, and so on.

The all-electric Cupra Tavascan is a sharp-dressed EV coupe crossover that prefers to prowl around city centers after hours. The Cupra Terramar is a Tiguan-sized crossover with up to 272PS of power from its 1.5L e-HYBRID powertrain. Which Cupra crossover will you choose?

Photo: Cupra

Cadillac Optiq and Escalade IQ

The first-ever Optiq joins the list of Cadillac's electric vehicles and with prices starting at $52,895 plus additional costs, it's the junior of the Cadillac EV range. So, what's it all about the Cadillac Optiq?

2025 Cadillac Optiq

2025 Cadillac Optiq

One clear reminder about the Cadillac Optiq is that because this is the baby brother of the Lyriq, the sizing is identical to the XT4, and because the XT4 is set to be euthanized soon, the Optiq is glad to take its place.

2025 Cadillac Optiq interior

With the futuristic styling that draws inspiration from its big brother, the Lyriq, the Optiq's interior is business-class stuff thanks to its 33-inch diagonal advanced LED display with Google built-in compatibility and over-the-air software updates, extensive use of recycled materials in the making of patterned accent fabric, 126-color dual-zone ambient lighting, and 19-speaker AKG Studio Audio System with Dolby ATMOS. It even boasts the segment-best second-row legroom of 37.8 inches and rear cargo volume of up to 57 cubic feet as well, making this crossover worthy of your time.

Running on General Motors' Ultium platform, the Optiq's dual-motor setup produces 300hp of power and 354lb-ft of torque through all four wheels. It even comes with regenerative braking that stores energy while braking. At one full charge, the Optiq lasts for 302 miles and has a towing capacity of 1500 lbs.

Despite being an electric crossover, the Optiq handles rather well thanks to its near-perfect weight distribution and low center of gravity. It even boasts a wide array of advanced safety features including the controversial Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance technology.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

Those who demand the ultimate expression of luxury should go for the ultra-expensive and ultra-luxurious $127,700 Cadillac Escalade IQ, the Cadillac of all Cadillac EVs.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ interior

Despite borrowing the name from Cadillac's king-sized SUV, it eschews the squarish looks of its petrol-powered counterpart in favor of a more unibody setting but no matter. Because the Escalade is a popular choice for major celebrities from Los Angeles to New York, the Escalade IQ promises to buck such a trend because despite donning familiar styling cues from the Cadillac EV lineup, the interior is where the real party begins.

On the driver's side, the dashboard is heavily surrounded by its curved pillar-to-pillar 55-inch total diagonal LED display with Google built-in compatibility, giving the driver the futuristic experience behind the wheel while taking control of almost everything. There's even a separate touchscreen on the armrest for the climate controls as well.

Although being a seven-seater SUV, it's the executive second-row seats that serve as the sweet spot for the Escalade IQ. Coupled with the rear-seat entertainment system, extra legroom, upgraded sound system, tech-charging options, and others, VIPs will be thrilled while relaxing in the middle of typical West Coast traffic. It even has up to 131.97 cubic feet of maximum cargo space behind the first row and eTrunk.

Running on the Ultium platform, the dual-motor setting produces 750HP of power output with Velocity Max set and that's more than you get from the Escalade-V. Sprinting from a 0-60mph time in less than five seconds, the Escalade IQ can last up to 460 miles of driving range, the longest range of any EV SUV. It even packs a wide array of safety features ranging from night vision, adaptive cruise control, automatic lane change, and standard Super Cruise hands-free driving aid complimentary with 3-year OnStar Super Cruise plan.

If you're looking for an affordable Cadillac EV, the Optiq is a great choice. But if you're a CEO who cares more about your employees than you do about yourself, then the Escalade IQ is the car for you. Whichever you choose, you'll be getting a great Cadillac EV that's perfect for your lifestyle.

Photo: General Motors

Acura ZDX (Gen 2)

After nearly a decade, the Acura ZDX made a comeback and this time, it's Acura's first-ever EV sold, although they didn't make it by themselves, they've sought help from General Motors in the making of this EV crossover.

2025 Acura ZDX

Starting at $64,500 plus additional costs, the all-new Acura ZDX is morphed from the Accord-based coupe crossover into an all-electric crossover with bits and bobs from the Chevrolet Blazer EV thanks to a cooperation between Honda and General Motors, which sadly became a write-off after its launch.

2025 Acura ZDX

Beginning with the design, the all-new ZDX is surprisingly a concept-turned-reality, taking its cues from the Precision EV Concept of 2022. As a result, it features a dramatic evolution of Acura's Diamond Pentagon Grille, Chicane DRL signature, and Jewel Eye LED headlights.

2025 Acura ZDX interior

Inside, the ZDX features high-grade authentic materials with brushed aluminum accents and Milano leather trim as well as 26-color ambient lighting, bespoke seating, a digital rearview mirror, Bang & Olufsen sound system, an Acura-first Google built-in HD display sat-nav touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, and others. Such features will bring envy to the competition as well as spacing identical to its Chevrolet Blazer EV counterpart.

2025 Acura ZDX

In its RWD A-Spec variant, it produces 358HP of power and has a driving range of 313 miles, but when you hit the range-topping Type S with Dual Motor AWD, it has 499HP of power, 544lb-ft of torque, a 278-mile driving range, and 3,500lb of towing capacity. Sticking to the Type S, it packs an adaptive air suspension handy for various driving situations such as tarmac, gravel, or snow, as well as Brembo front brake calipers for a dramatic braking feel. Not bad for an Acura running on GM's Ultium platform.

As for safety, the ZDX features a wide range of safety features under the AcuraWatch umbrella but for the ZDX Type S, the exclusive AcuraWatch 360+ adds Hands Free Cruise and Automatic Parking Assist. Clever but obvious behind the wheel. What a gimmick.

It's a shock for being the first-ever Acura electric vehicle because of the fact that General Motors contributed behind the scenes, meaning it's not a real Acura EV but rather a Chevrolet Blazer EV underneath. Amid a write-off joint effort, the all-new ZDX tries hard to impress its drivers with its sporty credentials not heard for an EV crossover, and in typical Acura fashion, it's a real upset to the competition because of the features the competition didn't dare to have. Kudos for such a write-off cooperation between Honda and General Motors in the making of the ZDX revival.

Photo: Acura