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2024 Nissan Z Review

By Staff Posted on January 9, 2025
Nearly everything about the Nissan Z models is tuned for performance and handling, bringing the driver a true sports car experience, and is an excellent performance value. In testing, the Nissan Z returned performance numbers that compete with rival cars such as the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang and Subaru BRZ.
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2023 Nissan Z
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2024 Ford Mustang Review

2024 Ford Mustang Review

The 2025 Mustang is available as a fastback or as convertible, with one of four engines. The base engine is an EcoBoost 2.3L turbocharged 4-cylinder with 315 horsepower. More powerful Mustang GT variants are powered by a 5.0L V8 with 480, 486 or 500 horsepower depending on the trim. In other words, the Mustang is fast in all of its forms. All vehicles can be mated to either a standard 6-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. Adjustable driving modes such as Normal, Snow/Wet, Sport and Track allow drivers to custom-tune the responsiveness of the Mustang to the task at hand. Fuel economy on the EcoBoost is rated at 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the 5.0 V8 returns 15 mpg and 23 mpg, respectively. There are several trim levels for the fastback: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, and Dark Horse. The convertibles simplify things by only offering EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium and GT Premium trims. The EcoBoost Mustang's standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, a 6-way manual adjustable driver's seat, 50/50 split-folding rear seat, a 13.2-inch touchscreen, a 6-speaker sound system, the SYNC 3 infotainment system, and an "intelligent" key. The Ecoboost handling package adds MagneRide suspension, an upgraded Limited slip differential, stiffer spring rates, and a thicker rear sway bar. The EcoBoost Premium trim adds dual-zone automatic climate control, heated mirrors, additional exterior lighting, heated and cooled leatherette front seats with 10-way power-adjustability for the driver, and a 9-speaker stereo with SiriusXM satellite radio compatibility. The GT trims feature a rear spoiler, active grille shutters, 18-inch wheels, while the GT Premium adds heated and cooled front seats, leather upholstery, sport pedals, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, a garage door transmitter, 3 USB ports, satellite radio, and a 9-speaker sound system. The Dark Horse trim is at the top of the lineup with voice activated navigation, a 12-speaker sound system, 19-inch wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a heavy-duty radiator, a larger axle ratio, a multi-mode exhaust, adaptive sport suspension, heavy duty springs, 4-wheel vented disc brakes with painted calipers, a heated sport leather wrapped steering wheel and black exterior accents. Safety features include rear parking sensors, active lane departure, blind spot warning, forward and rear collision mitigation, pedestrian detection, and a driver attention alert while the Dark Horse trim adds a traffic sign recognition system, and evasion assist.

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2024 Subaru BRZ tS Review

2024 Subaru BRZ tS Review

The 2025 Subaru BRZ comes in Premium, Limited, Series.Purple and tS trim levels. The BRZ is powered by a 2.4L flat 4-cylinder engine that produces 228 horsepower mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission. Both transmissions come with a mechanical limited-slip differential. The BRZ includes a standard feature set than might be expected in a sports car at this price. An 8-inch touchscreen interface stereo takes center stage. It features Bluetooth, iPod integration, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM and smartphone app integration. Power windows, locks and heated mirrors are also included. The shift knob, steering wheel and parking brake lever are leather-trimmed and dual-zone climate control also come standard. The BRZ rides low, with an overall height is just 51.6 inches. But as Subaru tells us, there is enough extra headroom inside to accommodate the driver's racing helmet. Rear seatbacks flip forward to open up a trunk pass-through, and while the 6.9-inch-cubic-foot trunk is small, it's shaped well enough for two standard golf bags, a couple of small weekend bags or, as Subaru notes, four race-tire-shod wheels for track day. Performance is the BRZ's true focus. Built on a rear-wheel-drive platform and designed to ride lean and low, the BRZ weighs only 2,800 pounds and has one of the lowest centers of gravity of any production car. Power is provided by a Subaru 2.0L horizontally opposed "boxer" 4-cylinder engine fitted with direct injection. 228 is plenty of horsepower, but unlike other rear-wheel drive sports cars available, it isn't exactly neck-snapping. But to evaluate the BRZ only by its horsepower numbers is to miss the true design purpose of the BRZ. The lightweight chassis, the rev-happy boxer engine, the relatively narrow 215/45R17 tires and the limited-slip differential all work together to make the BRZ some of the most fun available at the price. The handling is nimble, the steering quick and the engine note intoxicating. While Subaru clearly intended it to be a tail-happy weekend track racer, it shines in daily driving, with all the modern comfort features and strong fuel economy numbers. The new tS trim includes painted front and rear calipers, larger brakes, black exterior accents, heated front seats, 8-speakers, navigation, rear parking sensors, blind spot warning, and rear collision warning. Despite the BRZ's performance focus and attention to weight savings, there's no sign of any compromise in safety. In addition to stability control, all BRZ models include front side airbags, side-curtain bags, and anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist.

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