The Mercedes Benz GLS is offered with one of two engines. The Base GLS 450 4Matic comes with a 3.0L, 375 horsepower 6-cylinder engine sending power to all-four wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission. In addition, a mild hybrid system is included, providing an additional 21 horsepower, which allows the GLS to coast in electric only mode, saving gasoline. The GLS 580 4Matic is powered by a 4.0L V8 aided by two turbochargers and a similar mild-hybrid system. With 510 horsepower, the GLS 580 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The new AMG 63 uses the same 4L engine tuned to produce 603 horsepower.
Standard features on the GLS 450 an adaptive auto-leveling height adjustable air ride suspension, a rear spoiler, power liftgate, sunroof, heated power folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals, LED headlights, 21-inch wheels, heated and ventilated front seats with memory settings, ambient lighting, automatic dual-zone climate control with separate rear controls, a 13-speaker sound system, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, voice activated navigation, adaptive cruise control, mobile hotspot, wireless device connectivity and charging, 9 USB ports, a 12.3-inch gauge cluster, surround view cameras and power tilt\telescoping leather steering wheel.
The GLS 580 adds 22-inch wheels, 14-way power front seats with massaging lumbar, heated rear seats, leather upholstery, push button start, remote starter, and a heated steering wheel.
Standard safety features include parking sensors, active lane departure, active blind spot, forward and rear collision mitigation, driver attention alert, and a traffic sign information system.
While most manufacturers are downsizing their engines and adding turbochargers, Honda has opted to fit the Passport with a large 3.5L V6 engine which produces 280 horsepower and 5000 lbs towing capacity. This engine ensures that the Passport feels powerful at the full RPM range. Power is sent to all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic transmission. This means the Passport is quicker than most people would expect from a mid-sized SUV, and while the Passport doesn't come out and claim to be a sports car, it does provide relatively sporty driving characteristics when compared to most of its direct competitors.
The Passport is available in AWD with three trim levels EX-L, TrailSport and Black Edition. The Passport is richly equipped, so even the entry level trim comes with plenty of equipment.
The EX-L trim is equipped with 20-inch aluminum wheels, LED headlights, sunroof, heated side mirrors with power reverse tilt down, power liftgate, remote start, leather seats, proximity keyless entry and push-button start, heated power front seats, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment with 7-speakers audio system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and wireless phone charging.
The TrailSport trim includes additional convenience features, such as 18-inch aluminum wheels with rugged terrain tires, roof rails, compass, front wiper de-icer, power folding mirrors, voice activated navigation, and interior ambient lighting.
The Black Edition trim tops them all with hands-free liftgate, HondaLink connected services, vehicle tracker system, three-zone automatic climate control with rear seat controls, ventilated front seats, auto-dimming mirrors, heated rear outboard seats, heated steering wheel, and 10-premium speaker audio system.
This SUV has an array of standard safety features including blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, forward collision mitigation, lane keeping system, adaptive cruise control, and front/rear parking sensors.
The Telluride is powered by a 3.8L V6 engine making 291 horsepower sending power to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic, though all-wheel drive is also available. Though the Telluride isn't going to break any speed records, 291 horsepower is plenty to allow the vehicle to feel relatively spry around town or when merging onto the highway. And while front-wheel drive versions aren't suitable for heavy off-roading, they should still provide plenty of ground clearance for the occasional gravel road, grass field or other light-off-road situation drivers might find themselves in.
The Telluride is available in ten different trims: LX, S, EX, EX X-Line, SX, SX X-Line, SX X-Pro, SX-Prestige, SX-Prestige X-Line and SX-Prestige X-Pro. The LX represents the base trim but being the flagship SUV in Kia's lineup, it still comes nicely equipped with lots of standard features including 18-inch alloy wheels, LED Daytime running lights, heated mirrors with LED turn signals in them, a 12.3-inch touch screen display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, rear passenger air conditioning with controls for rear seat occupants, leatherette seats and a leather wrapped steering wheel.
S models come with a slightly shinier dark metallic grille and more exterior chrome. Wheels on the S are 20-inches, and the SX model also gets a sunroof, roof rails, a power adjustable driver seat, heated front seats and a leather wrapped shift knob. At only a couple of thousand dollars more than the LX, the S model represents a sweet spot from a value perspective.
The upmarket EX offers quite a few luxury features in addition to what's available on the S. The exterior mirrors are power folding while the rear liftgate is also powered. One of the standout features to come on the EX is what Kia calls Driver Talk, which allows the driver to project their voice over the rear speakers in order to be more clearly heard by rear seat occupants. However, should those occupants fall asleep, Kia also offers a Quiet Mode on the EX that will cut out all sound to the rear and limit the front speakers from getting too loud, so those in the front seat can still listen to the radio or music without disturbing those in the back. Keeping with the theme, the EX also gets dual zone climate control and sunshades for the second row. Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather on the EX.
The top-of-the-line SX offers more of everything, including nicer front seats, a 10-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, park distance control and a blind spot camera, a 360-degree camera mode, a digital gauge cluster, LED projector beam headlights, LED fog lights and a panoramic dual sunroof.
Most safety equipment comes standard across the entire Telluride line including a rear blind spot collision avoidance assist, forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, a lane departure warning system, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic avoidance assist, a rearview monitor, smart cruise control and of course several airbags along with the latest and best stability control systems available to Kia.
The Lexus TX 350 is available in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive with three trims Base, Premium and Luxury powered by a 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 275 horsepower mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel drive Lexus 500h is available in two trims F Sport Premium and F Sport Luxury powered by the same 2.4L engine paired with 2 electric motors which produces 366 horsepower. For those looking for more power the all-wheel drive TX 550h+ is available in one Luxury trim powered by a 3.5L V6 that produces 259 horsepower mated to a CVT transmission, the two electric motors increase the output to 404 horsepower.
The TX 350 features a rear spoiler, power liftgate, heated power folding mirrors with integrated turn signals, LED headlights and fog lights, 20-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, automatic climate control with separate rear controls, an HD satellite radio, a 12-speaker sound system, a 14-inch touchscreen, voice activated navigation, adaptive cruise control, mobile hotspot, wireless device connectivity and charging, 7 USB ports, a 12.3-inch gauge cluster, and a leather wrapped steering wheel.
The Premium adds a power sunroof, cooled front seats, and driver seat memory. The Luxury trim adds heated rear seats, leather upholstery, and a heated steering wheel.
The 500h F Sport models feature a sport suspension, 22-inch alloy wheels, sport pedals, and ambient lighting.
The 550h+ is the plug-in hybrid version of the TX with an all-electric range of 33 miles, 22-inch wheels, and a power tilt\telescoping steering wheel.
Standard features across the lineup include parking sensors, active lane departure, blind spot warning, forward collision mitigation with left turn assist, rear collision mitigation, front pedestrian detection and a traffic sign information system.
There are two basic engines offered in the 2024 Toyota Highlander and each can be matched to either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive setups. The base engine is a 2.4L 4-cylinder making 265 horsepower, sent to the front, or to all-four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The optional, hybrid engine is a 2.5L 4-cylinder, aided by two electric motors for a total of 243 horsepower. In 2WD form, Toyota estimates around 36 mpg in combined city and highway driving for the Highlander hybrid, an astounding number for an SUV capable of transporting up to eight people.
There are five basic trim levels for the Highlander: LE, XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum, though Hybrid versions of the Highlander comes in LE, LE Nightshade, XLE, XLE Nightshade, Limited and Platinum trims.
The Highlander features 18-in alloy wheels, eight airbags, keyless entry/ignition, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, LED projector headlights, LED taillights, washer for the reversing camera, selectable driving modes, tri-zone automatic climate control, 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, 4-way manually adjustable front passenger seat, cloth upholstery, 8-occupant seating with 60/40 split/folding second-row and third-row bench seats, Driver Easy Speak, Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, hill-start assist, Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, 8-in infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Amazon Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and a 6-speaker audio system, a powered lift gate, LED fog lights, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
XLE trim level brings a powered moonroof, roof rails, self-dimming rearview mirror, wireless charging, simulated leather upholstery for the first two seating rows, heated front seats, 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, 4-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, second-row captain's chairs (reducing the occupant count to seven), and a 7-in color gauge cluster.
XSE trim level ups the stakes even more with a sport-tuned suspension and steering system, trim-specific 20-in alloy wheels, twin exhaust tips, torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, ambient cabin lighting, black simulated leather upholstery, LED headlights with a light-strip design for the daytime running lights. There's no hybrid version of the XSE.
Limited trim level carries 20-in wheels, puddle lights, LED daytime running lights, high-output LED fog lights, hands-free lift gate operation, real leather for the first two seating rows, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, front/rear parking assistance with automatic braking, navigation, and a JBL 11-speaker premium audio system. Additional options to this trim level can also include a 360-degree camera system, and a 12.3-in touchscreen.
The 7-seater-only Platinum trim level adds adaptive self-leveling LED projector headlights, rain-sensing wipers, panoramic moonroof, digital rearview mirror, 10-in color head-up display, 12.3-inch touchscreen, and illuminated door sills up front.
Every Highlander trim level comes standard with eight airbags and Toyota's Star Safety System that integrates stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes and brake assist.
The new and improved Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 feature is inclusive to forward collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, left turn intersection support, partially autonomous emergency steering, adaptive cruise control with stop/go, lane tracing assistance, lane departure warning with steering assistance, automatic high beams, and road sign recognition.
