The 2023 Jeep Compass gets a healthy power bump thanks to its new engine.
While the brand has largely focused on its larger SUVs over the past couple years, it hasn’t left the small (and relatively popular) Compass out in the cold. It saw a freshened up exterior and interior for the 2022 model year — but now it gets something new under the hood for 2023. A new 2.0-liter turbocharged mill replaces the old 2.4-liter, naturally aspirated Tigershark, and that bumps the output to 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque.
Overall, it’s a fairly substantial bump compared to the 177 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque we got before. The new powertrain is a detuned version of what’s coming with the new Dodge Hornet. With the new engine also comes a new 8-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the old 9-speed unit that’s been with the Compass throughout its current generation. While you might think one fewer gear is inherently worse, that may not be the case. While I haven’t driven this updated model yet — it will be here by Q1 2023 — the Compass is one of the few cars that I feel had too many gears for such a low power output.
Other notable improvements for the Compass’ driving dynamics include a larger rear stabilizer bar, retuned electric power steering and hydraulic-filled engine mounts.
Front-wheel drive? Nope, not this time.
A gear isn’t all the 2023 Jeep Compass is dropping. The trim structure broadly remains intact — losing the Altitude, but keeping the Sport, Latitude, Latitude Lux, Limited, Trailhawk, High Altitude and the special (RED) Edition — but front-wheel drive will no longer be an option anywhere in the range. Much the same as the Renegade’s gone AWD only, so too has its bigger brother.
Jeep Active Drive comes as the standard 4×4 system across most trims, except the Trailhawk. The off-road-focused model gets the Jeep Active Low system, which locks the transmission into first gear when taking on slow-speed obstacles. The 4.1:1 first gear and 4.398 final drive give the 2023 Jeep Compass Trailhawk a 20:1 crawl ratio. Obviously, that’s not Wrangler territory by any stretch, but it is ahead of its conventional crossover competition on off-road capability.
Sport and Latitude models get new 17-inch wheels, while automatic high-beams now also come standard on the Latitude. The 2023 Jeep Compass carries on with last year’s interior tweaks and safety systems, but picks up drowsy driver detection, a rear seat reminder alert and security alarm system. Finally, the (RED) model gets an expanded color palette, but otherwise the car stays largely the same as last year.
Pricing should start right below the $30,000 mark (and most likely up by at least a few hundred from last year), topping out around $40,000 for the High Altitude.
The 2023 Honda Pilot brings a host of updates — and now we know how much each model will cost.
Pricing starts at $40,445 (including $1,245 destination) for the Sport model.
At the top end, the AWD-only 2023 Honda Pilot Elite will set you back $53,325.
Honda’s updated Pilot SUV will hit dealer lots in December.
Honda is hitting the ground running with the updated 2023 Pilot.
It hasn’t been too long since the automaker revealed its updated midsize SUV. Now, if you’re shopping around or particularly interested in the new model, we know how much the new Pilot costs. Naturally, it commands a premium over the old car, though there’s not as wide a gap as you might expect. At $40,445 to start, the base front-wheel drive Sport is $1,070 more expensive than the outgoing car.
Working your way up the trim levels, you’ll land at the EX-L, Touring, TrailSport or the top-end Elite. The last two trims are all-wheel drive only (as you’d expect), but you can still pick front-wheel drive for the first three trims. Whichever model you buy, you’ll get a slightly more powerful, yet heavily updated version of Honda’s 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6. With the update comes a slightly beefier 285 horsepower output.
On the fuel economy front, you’ll get 19 City / 27 Highway / 22 Combined mpg — the same figures as before. All-wheel drive nets the same figure in the city cycle, but you’ll lose 1-2 mpg on the highway and combined ratings. Thanks to the extra ground clearance, chunkier tires and underbody protection on the TrailSport, you’ll see the worst fuel economy of the lot with that model. Go for the TrailSport, and you can expect 18 City / 23 Highway / 20 mpg combined. It’s not substantially worse than, say, the Elite, but just something to think about.
Even the 2023 Honda Pilot Sport comes fairly well-equipped, with 20-inch alloys and standard LED lighting all around. You get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, albeit with just a 7-inch infotainment screen. All other models from the EX-L upwards get a 9-inch unit, as well as wireless charging and a power-operated liftgate. The Touring extends the luxuries even further with a panoramic sunroof and a 12-speaker Bose stereo system. Eight-passenger seating also comes standard. Finally, the 2023 Honda Pilot Elite gets a fully digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, surround view camera and ventilated seats.
Like the smaller Passport and Ridgeline pickup, you can spec the Pilot with the sportier looking $2,950 HPD package. That adds in bronze or black wheels as well as fender flares and an HPD graphics package.
2023 Honda Pilot price walk:
Sport: $40,445
EX-L: $43,245
7-passenger seating is available for $300 extra
Touring: $47,745
TrailSport: $49,645 (AWD only)
Elite: $53,325 (AWD only)
Where it’s not standard fare, AWD adds another $2,100 to the price tag.
After a little more than a week, Jay Leno has been released from the Grossman Burn Center.
News broke on November 14 that the comedian and iconic automotive enthusiast suffered burns at his LA garage. At the time, TMZ mentioned, among other outlets, that the incident occurred while he was working on a classic car. According to information that later became available, he was servicing a fuel line on a 1907 White Steam Car, and after being sprayed with gasoline, an errant spark ignited the fire.
Fortunately, a friend quickly extinguished the fire and assisted Leno in getting prompt medical attention. Leno was released from the hospital on Tuesday, with NBC4 Los Angelesreporting a statement from his doctors that he should make a full recovery. He originally received medical care at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, but was later transferred to the Grossman Burn Center. Leno reportedly underwent two procedures including a skin grafting surgery.
Shortly after the incident happened, Leno released a statement saying, “I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire. I am OK. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.”
Though the burn center suggests that timeline may need to be a bit longer, Dr. Peter Grossman said, “I do feel he will be back to work at some point soon and back to the things that he loves to do.” Of course, that includes working on his awe-inspiring collection of classic cars, as well as presenting Jay Leno’s Garage.
We’re certainly glad Jay Leno is on the mend and continue to wish him a speedy recovery.
Mazda may have a new EV platform ready by mid-decade.
On Tuesday, the Japanese automaker actually unveiled a large-scale, nearly $11 million investment strategy into electrification and launch new battery electric models over the next five to seven years. Mazda also committed to raising its EV market share, targeting up to 40% of its total global sales by 2030 (up from an earlier 25% estimate).
“We will promote the full-fledged launch of battery EVs and consider investing in battery production,” the company said in its official statement. While it’s certainly not the most aggressive plan — several brands are committing to go 100% electric within the next seven years — Mazda’s three-phase plan will see it launch new EVs by as early as 2025.
Per Automotive News, Mazda is considering U.S. production of vehicles and battery packs to successfully navigate this year’s Investment Reduction Act (IRA). That legislation redefines how an EV qualifies for a $7,500 tax credit, largely by incentivizing production within North America.
To date, the brand’s only foray into a fully electric car has been the MX-30. That car did not see mainstream sales success, mainly because of its short range and the fact that it was only available to buy in California.
Senior managing executive officer Akira Koga announced the investment would lean heavily toward R&D. However, another element of that plan (as reported by Reuters) will be to secure enough battery production to support its EV launches. Mazda announced it reached a supply agreement with battery manufacturer Envision AESC to supply packs between 2025 and 2027. It’s also planning to work with several companies to produce new electric drive units. Beyond [2027], we would like to develop a strategy on procurement and securing batteries step by step.”
As ever, Mazda isn’t giving up on internal combustion yet
While this new plan bears a much larger scope than Mazda’s previous announcements, it will continue to invest in efficiency improvements for its internal combustion engines. In a Toyota-esque statement, Mazda CEO Akira Marumoto said, “We believe a multi-solution approach will be effective.” Toyota has taken a slower approach than other automakers toward EVs, and is also continuing investment in its engine and hybrid system technology to bridge the gap toward a fully electric portfolio.
In its three-phase plan, Mazda said it would focus on launching electric models around mid-decade. Larger-scale rollouts targeting all popular segments, though, could still be a way down the road. The automaker plans to make those rollouts between 2028 and 2030.
Over-the-air updates can help keep your EV feeling fresh, but they can also be used to download at-cost upgrades.
Let’s go ahead and picture the scene, shall we? You put your name down for a brand-new Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 sedan and shell out at least $75,050 to drive one off the lot. But wait! Do you want the opportunity to “unleash enhanced performance for your car”? You’ll soon be able to do it and it won’t even require any hardware upgrades. Up to one second off the 0-60 time and a 20-24% maximum power boost are only an over-the-air update away. The catch — I’m sure you can spot it a mile away — is that you have to pay $1,200 to “unlock” the capability.
Oh, and it’s a subscription. As in, $1,200 per year. Mercedes’ EQ electric models will be able to download a power upgrade, if you cough up the cash through this webpage. According to the consumer website, it adjusts the electric motors’ power curve and offers up the extra grunt through all the “Dynamic Select” drive modes. How much extra power you get depends on the model:
Model
Stock output (hp, kW)
Upgraded output (hp, kW)
Stock 0-60 time
Upgraded 0-60 time
EQE 350 4Matic
288 hp (215 kW)
348 hp (260 kW)
6.0 seconds
5.1 seconds
EQE SUV 350 4Matic
288 hp (215 kW)
348 hp (260 kW)
6.2 seconds
5.2 seconds
EQS 450 4Matic
355 hp (265 kW)
442 hp (330 kW)
5.3 seconds
4.5 seconds
EQS SUV 450 4Matic
355 hp (265 kW)
442 hp (330 kW)
5.8 seconds
4.9 seconds
Would you be upset if you got more power at a higher price in the first place?
When you spend a major chunk of money on a new vehicle, you expect it to come with the best possible specs for that price band. However, more automakers seem to be jumping onto the subscription/live service bandwagon, putting popular features behind paywalls. That ensures a continuous stream of revenue from each customer, but buyers don’t usually sit well with the knowledge that the hardware is capable of those added features. You just have to pay extra for them.
Mercedes-Benz is certainly not the first to do this — Tesla brought in that idea a few years ago with the Model 3. Nor will the German automaker be the last, as this is an increasingly common order of business, particularly with EVs.
On a side note, though, would folks be more upset if they had to pay a fixed amount (say $3,600) to unlock the added power in the first place? Mercedes would still get the same amount of money, but it would just be up front at the point of sale. On the other hand, would you more easily accept the option to unsubscribe from the feature, or not opt into it at all if you don’t need the extra grunt?
I don’t necessarily have the answer to that question, but let me know your thoughts on the matter.
At least a dozen Rivian employees accused the automaker of overlooking crucial safety issues.
A crushed hand, broken foot, broken ribs and a sliced ear — these are some of the incidents cited in complaints with federal regulators alleging a shift in the company’s safety culture.
According to a new Bloombergreport Monday, workers at Rivian‘s Normal, Illinois manufacturing plant accused management of ignoring known hazards. Over time, lapsed safety protocols and the emphasis toward ramping up production led to some injuries and “many near misses”, including industrial vehicles nearly veering into people.
The employees in question filed complaints over the past several months.
Rivian’s manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois. (Image: Rivian)
“At first, it was really great,” said Kailey Harvey, a former UAW member who joined Rivian last year. “Slowly, as production kept climbing, the concern for safety dropped,” she continued in an interview. Among the dozen employees who complained, instances of “deprioritized safety resources” include sharing respirators during some elements of the manufacturing process. One unnamed employee noted managers retrieved damaged electrical cables from the garbage and told employees to use them.
Don Jackson, another employee who filed a complaint against Rivian, also expressed his concerns in an interview. “There’s a certain level of danger involved in manufacturing,” he said. “But I was expecting safety to be a little more prioritized.”
Rivian denies claims that it mishandles safety protocols, ignores concerns
In disputing its employees’ claims, Rivian told reporters its safety record beats that of its peers in the industry. In a statement to Bloomberg, a spokesperson said, “Creating a safe and inspiring environment is a daily practice we expect of every Rivian employee and is part of our operating procedures.” To that end, they noted the dozen complaints amount to 0.2% of the Normal plant’s 6,700-strong workforce.
The company further said in a statement that, “We are not aware of any manager directing employees to share respirators.”
All 12 employees filed their complaints with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in coordination with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. The UAW is working to organize the plant, as it had been under previous owner Mitsubishi Motors.
Rivian, for its part, said its safety data shows it outperforms other automakers on safety issues. For every 200,000 hours worked, the company says its total incident rate is 2.5 cases, against the industry average of 6.4. The company spokesperson said its incident rate had also dropped 44% since January. “Our proactive actions and activities are having a significantly positive impact on safety.”
Still, some employees and regulators alike remain unconvinced.
David Michaels, a former OSHA administrator during the Obama administration, said the claims “suggest a factory that is far from operational excellence. If workers are being hurt, it is evidence that the factory management is not doing its job in ensuring that operations are being performed properly.” He went on to state that safety incidents and poor response by management suggests a negative effect on vehicles’ build quality.
OSHA currently has seven open investigations into Rivian, and previously issued four “serious” citations against the automaker. Three of them from earlier this year ended with settlements.
Another complaint by Rivian employee Heather Barschdorf shows employees tried to notify management of their concerns before filing an OSHA complaint. In Barschdorf’s case, she reached out directly to Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe. “The fumes in my area make us sick some days even without being pregnant,” she wrote on September 23. She later added in her complaint, filed a week later, that “many people in my area have become sick with flu-like symptoms from exposure to the galvanized metal parts we are welding. I have asked for accommodation as a pregnant person including ventilation for paint fumes and respiratory protection numerous times and have been denied.” According to the filing, she received a dust mask instead of a proper respirator.
“Rivian’s not listening to us,” she said in an interview.
Scaringe never responded to her email, but human resources later brought it up in a meeting with Barschdorf. She suffered a miscarriage two weeks after filing her OSHA complaint and resigned from the company in November. Again, the Rivian spokesperson denied these claims: “There is no evidence that anything in the work environment caused or contributed to a personal miscarriage.”
A battery pack explosion in that caused a fire with 10-foot-high flames, according to Harvey’s complaint, also raised safety concerns among the Normal plant staff.
“I witnessed a person pull the fire alarm and nothing happened,” she wrote. “People were coughing and at least one worker has an asthma attack while walking through the smoke,” after evacuating and allegedly being told to return inside the building for a head count. Harvey further said that no fire drills or follow-up training have been conducted on her shift since the incident.
Rivian says it’s spent millions of dollars on safety. To date, it’s amassed a team of 70 professionals dedicated to the task, and the spokesperson further said it conducts routine trainings and safety inspections. After the battery fire, the company said it spent $70,000 to “acquire a sophisticated gas measurement device from Finland” that can assess indoor air quality after fires. That came as part of the company’s “comprehensive thermal event response plan”.
Worker complaints against EV automakers are nothing new
Rivian Automotive is far from the only fledging EV manufacturer facing scrutiny from safety authorities. As Tesla ramped up Model 3 production in 2018, it also faced a probe from California regulators.
More recently, construction workers filed several complaints against Tesla with the U.S. Department of Labor this month, citing multiple violations including withheld wages and serious safety concerns while constructing the company’s latest Gigafactory near Austin, Texas. One worker told The Guardian that, “Every day, there was a safety issue.”
It’s official. Workers just filed their cases with the @USDOL after reports of labor and employment violations during construction of the @ElonMusk-owned @Tesla Gigafactory in Austin, TX. We expect a full investigation of these allegations from the federal government. https://t.co/VyBOB06x0bpic.twitter.com/cxQAvwZcSg
The new Alfa Romeo Tonale is going PHEV-only for the U.S. market, in an effort to curb the brand’s CO2 emissions.
According to a new Automotive NewsEuropereport confirmed by Stellantis, the Alfa Romeo brand is dropping plans to market a 2.0-liter Tonale SUV here in the United States. Now, when it arrives early next year, buyers will strictly be able to buy this new model with a 272 horsepower, 1.3-liter-backed plug-in hybrid model. The move, as laid out by the automakers’ recent statements, is to cut CO2 output in “CARB” states, or those following California’s tightening emissions rules over the coming years.
Effectively, the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV sold here will be the same as what’s sold in Europe. The gasoline engine puts out 177 horsepower on its own, while the car also gets a 121-horsepower electric motor mounted on the rear axle. The 15.5-kWh battery allows more than 30 miles of pure electric driving range, while keeping the overall power figure a bit higher than what the 2.0-liter would have offered.
Per Alfa Romeo’s estimates, it should also substantially raise fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions to 26-33 grams per kilometer driven. As a more general figure, Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato contends the decision to only sell the Tonale PHEV will cut the brand’s average CO2 emissions by 40 percent.
What about the Dodge Hornet?
According to the AutoNews report, this decision only affects the Alfa Romeo Tonale. Its Dodge Hornet platform mate, built at the Pomigliano d’Arco plant in Italy alongside Alfa’s variant, will still launch with the 2.0-liter engine available on the GT.
For the time being, Dodge is making hay with internal combustion models until transitioning toward plug-in hybrid and pure EVs in the coming years. California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, proposed in August 2022 and still awaiting final approval, would require automakers to achieve 35% zero-emissions sales in the state by 2026. Beyond that, companies will have to phase out internal combustion engines in their passenger vehicles entirely by 2035.
To that end, the 2023 Dodge Hornet will be the first model in the brand’s lineup to gain a plug-in hybrid model. So, buyers will inevitably be able to choose between the Dodge Hornet R/T or Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV (price differences notwithstanding). However, if you’re keen on getting a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine on its own, you will have to go with the Hornet.
The 2.0-liter-equipped Dodge Hornet should arrive in the coming weeks.
Do the O-2-O cross country trip in a gasoline car now!
Are used car prices falling?
The first question comes from a fan who wonders if Nissan would allow a PHEV Mitsubishi pickup to be sold in our market.
Images: Jeep
Q: (Via: AskNathan@tflcar.com) Any news about Stellantis building an EV Jeep pickup of some sort?
If they are building an EV Wrangler, why can’t they build an EV Jeep pickup based on the EV Wrangler? Small pickups are hot and no one has a cheap, small EV pickup yet. So why not Jeep?
— Anonymous
Image: Jeep
A: You make a good point, but I think an EV Jeep pickup is a ways off.
Still, there are rumors about the possibility of the small Jeep Avenger EV coming to the USA in a different form. If you remember a while back, Jeep showed the world the Comanche pickup concept. We were lucky enough to drive it, and many people were showing real interest. Perhaps that’s something Jeep has kept in mind. Not only that, but Stellantis is fully aware about how popular the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz are.
While a small electric pickup seems like a great idea to you and me, it’s a daunting task for automakers. Considering what consumers expect of modern day pickup trucks, building a small one that underperformed in any way, might sink the ship. I could be wrong, but I suspect that’s why we’re only seeing large, expensive EV pickups. They are easier to package, and keep the consumers fairly happy with their performance.
I hope you’re right about an EV Jeep pickup. It could be epic!
– N
This next question comes from a fan who wants us to repeat our cross country trip – in an internal combustion vehicle.
Q: (Via Twitter@NathanAdlen) Hey guys. I don’t mean to be a total troll, but I have an issue with your cross country trip in the Hyundai.
I thought it was a really cool video, and I’m looking forward to the next one, but you left something very important out. You should’ve established how long it takes to get from those two fountains in a gasoline car. Without that compare the other component to, it doesn’t seem to be as exciting. Maybe that is something you’re going to do later on?
I really like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and I think it’s a perfect car for cities. You’ve proven that it can be driven across country in a way that’s not too bad. I figure if you decide to take it back across country with a family, you’ll have to make twice as many stops. That seems logical doesn’t it?
Anyway, I think you guys are the hardest working journalist on YouTube. I really like all of your content and all of your channels. My wife and I can’t stand the fakes out there who obviously pay for viewership. I also hate Subaru for not giving you cars. That’s about the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of. Whoever is in charge of their public relations should be fired immediately! I mean, you guys live in the Rocky Mountains for crying out loud! The one car you guys should be testing as a Subaru! Anyway, that’s enough of my rant. Take care and have a safe winter!
Bob G NYC
A: Great question!
Yes, we talked about it quite a bit, and I am keen on doing this whole run in different vehicles. If this does happen, we will be looking for one of the more fuel efficient vehicles out there. An economy car that can average over 40 mpg at speed would be ideal, and there are still a few to choose from.
The only issue for us is the resources needed to do this again. Remember: we’re a small studio – with only a handful of people available at any given time. This type of trip requires a lot of planning, expenses and time for three of us to be away from the studio for a while. Still, it’s something that I think is worth looking at.
If we try it again, we will make plenty of announcements!
– N
Here’s part two of the two part series!
The last question comes from my neighbor.
Q: I was told that used car prices are finally coming down.
Is that true?
— G
A: Indeed they are, but there’s something you should know…
Not ALL used cars are coming down in price, and not all dealers are playing nice. Also, the vehicles in question are not the most popular, like Tacomas, Wranglers, pickups and whatnot. Many of the used cars that seem to be more reasonable in price are people movers, like economy cars, small/midsize sedans and some crossovers.
I don’t think the balloon popped, but the market seems to be letting off some steam. This could be a sign of things to come, and we’ll have some comprehensive posts on the subject on TFLcar.com soon.
The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid hatchback stakes a claim as one of the most efficient and practical cars for the money — but just how good is it on a 1,200-mile road trip?
In this week’s Ask Nathan:
Comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-70 vs Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
What happened to my 1997 Ford Expedition?
This week's first...
