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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As far as the electrics go. I am nervous for any automotive plant that has turned over to electrics. They just don’t make sense….yet. They are too expensive and they don’t have the range or flexibility. I have talked to a few people already who have traded their electrics in (after a year of use and a winter) for fuel powered replacements because they cannot be used for distance driving without recharge that would take hours. This is a game ender if somebody doesn’t come up with something quick to address this.
GM did that with the assistance of Hughes Electronics in the ’80s.
Almost every Cutlass Supreme/Regal/Grand Prix/Lumina produced (Doraville, GA) was done without human interaction (other than visual checks) until interior assembly. Those cars did have some sorting out to deal with, but their issues weren’t in build quality, long term. Some questionable engineering choices.
I’ve been in a stamping plant, and engine plant (Ford and GM, respectively); it’s mostly robots, CNC equipment, and automated inspection cameras. We’re there, and have been for three decades, for anything sub-$150k.
Last handmade “normal” car I knew of was the Volvo V70 Convertible. It creaked and groaned after about 30k miles, and usually had a lengthy PDI list to get through because humans really aren’t as precise.
@Andy – the GM10 cars were trash-box dumpster garbage from day 1.
The last (renamed) W-body Impala Limited was barely decent.
Everything about them – engineering to build quality was unquestionably substandard.
From the same company that built amazing quality C-body Buick/Olds/Pontiacs.
Current technology will not support an all-electric fleet.
The USA is shooting itself in the knee cap, with all of this EV hype. It will prove to be a total debacle. Texas just had 300,000 thousand without power, how did they charge those so called wonderful EV’s. They think they are going green, try recycling the batteries. I will stick with my gas Guzzlers!!!!!
Imagine this…you are going on a weekend trip with America’s sports car, the Corvette. You need gas. You pull into a service station fill your tank and you are on your way in less than 5 minutes. Your friend arrives at the service station with his electric SUV. There are NO charging stations! He has to drive a few miles to find a charging station. Now he has to sit there for a minimum of 30 minutes. You are almost at your destination…him not even close. Or another scenario…in whatever city you live in, there may be several hundreds of thousands of people commuting to work everyday. Imagine at 6 P.M. when they get home from work, they all plug their EV cars in to be fully charged for tomorrow’s commute. THINK THE GRID CAN HANDLE THAT? Electric cars did not work back in the early 1900’s. Think they will work today?? Also how much are they going to increase your electric bill?
And speaking of Corvettes. I have a deposit on a C8 convertible that I anticipate getting sometime in March 2023. I am thinking this might be the last generation of V8 powered Corvettes – as GM has pretty much gone all in on EV vehicles. They have even leaked the word that they are looking at an electric powered Corvette.
Nice going Ms Barra – your development of an electric Corvette has all but alienated GM’s most loyal customers.
Billy, battery technology has increased substantially in 100+ years. Also, EVs can be programmed to charge during off peak hours and still be ready to roll before you wake up. Your local power company has incentives to install DC fast chargers in homes for just the cost of labor. Do some research and try before you deny 😉
I’ve done the research.
Talked to my power company.
Got the quotes.
You see my wife doesn’t drive very far each day, so a BEV would seemingly be ideal for her.
But the ROI isn’t there. It takes a decade to recoup the costs.
She drives the family car, but an efficient BEV is the best ROI.
But that’s a terrible family car.
Why get a larger BEV with a longer ROI, when we can get a ICE or ICE-Hybrid and have a more versatile vehicle?
It’s not a money thing, it is an ROI thing.
Funny when there is an entire row of old, ICE vehicles, with no notes, no outrageous costs, owned by a bunch of overly analytical types, it’s the antithesis of the upper management non-Engineer types with every exotic and trendy cars. Some of us have been rocking the same vehicle for 20+ years.
Fads fade, but mark my words – in 2045 be it bio or petrol, diesel will still flow from the pumps.
I parked next to a Tesla charging island, 18 lines. 10:00 in the morning, probably 10 lines were in use, cars moving in and out. Where will those people who live in apartment buildings charge their cars?
Interesting read, however the inconsistent information on pricing of the Ford Lightning confused me a bit (first $40K, then price increases to a baseline of $60K, then back to $40K later in the article) – had to go back and re-read it. Comparison(s) with other models indicating the pricing of the Ford Lightning @ $40K are inaccurate, misleading..
Someone needs to go back and proof read their article(s), before publishing them..
That, and in all honesty – I don’t find any in this list the least bit ‘earth shaking’ – More of a ‘yawn’..
“ with the backing of the Blue Oval”, as if that’s automatically a good thing. The blue oval did all they could to dodge the trans issues with my wife’s (bought new) 2012 Focus, for all 5 years of ownership, until they got sued into addressing it long after we said goodbye to it. What a POS that auto trans was, and it was quite special watching Ford’s service centers trying to dodge it/act like it wasn’t an issue/weasel their way out of any responsibility. :/
The only ones here that interest me are the M2, Mustang, Z, and maybe the redesigned Prius. I have no interest in buying an EV, and in that Jeep’s market, I would choose instead a Yukon or Suburban.
I was most interested in the Z, but the early tests and reviews have been a bit disappointing.
So why is Hagerty jumping on the electric vehicle band wagon? Why can’t you be a leader in informing people with the unspoken truths about EV. What is the real world range on them (it’s not what they claim)? Any weekend trip you take, add an extra hour for every 200 miles to recharge (and don’t say it only takes 20 min. to recharge, if you don’t have to modify your journey, you have to wait in line). What is the $$ amount charging at home adds to your electric bill? These aren’t golf cart batteries. Not to mention that in the south, they do rolling blackouts because of the strain that HVAC puts on the electrical grid.
Can you just imagine how quite the Daytona 500 will be when it’s all electric race cars.
quite and Boring as it is NOW!
Very well said and psychic too.
Where is the Yugo? It would fit right in with this group.
The 7th generation Mustang looks like Ford hired the guy who designed the Camaro, a car GM can’t seem to sell in spite of its superior performance. I think the styling took a wrong turn.
I am surprised that the Z06 didn’t make this list.
The C8 Z06 will appear on this list 3 to 5 years from today if a few actually make into the hands of mere mortals. I doubt we will ever see one on the street.
Maybe 4 of the vehicles on the list might move the needle for me. None of the toasters do it for me or the big Jeep. The Prius only would if I cared only about fuel economy. 2023 looks to be a mostly boring year if this is what “moves the needle”.
Not worthy of the time to read. Almost all ugly junk. These are moving the needle the wrong way. Lordstown Endurance hope the back looks better than the front.
I’m nearly 70 and have a stable of great performance cars. To date, all are internal combustion. Not sure ( other than the lack of sound) why most of the readers here have animosity toward electric. These cars are capable of providing stylish transportation. Some even have performance that rivals muscle cars. Change is inevitable. Seek technology that appeals to you but if you’re hooked on gas powered cars, you’ll not have much selection in the next ten years. It’s OK for Hagerty to represent all forms of automobiles. I like the variety.
Tom; although I intend to stick on the ICE bandwagon for as long as I can, I agree.
They were the same people who yelled when GM HEI came out in ’74. Quadrajets/Motorcraft Holleys/Carter Thermoquads got phased out for TBI. TBI for MPFI. OBD-I to OBD-II.
I’m just a bit more than half your age; feel comfortable in both camps of digital vehicles and body control modules, and hand-operated chokes/ignition advance. I do plan on keeping an ICE vehicle for at least one of my family’s daily drivers; we tend to take roadtrips. We’ll see what propulsion/range/charging advances we make in the coming years.
Hope it’s a fun ride.