Yahoo Autos Editors’ Picks April 2023 | New X1, a Bentley and some luxury EVs
This month of Editors' Picks features a smattering of luxury vehicles in both sedan and SUV body styles. The new BMW i7 was a big surprise, and the Mercedes-Benz EQE is a lovely enough electric sedan to get our recommendation, too. We've given every other Bentley model an Editors' Pick before, and the Bentayga follows suit. Lastly, BMW nabs a second in April with the newly redesigned X1 subcompact crossover.
In case you missed our previous Editors' Picks posts, here’s a quick refresher on what’s going on here. We rate all the new cars we drive with a 1-10 score. Cars that are exemplary in their respective segments get an Editors’ Pick designation. Those are the ones we’d recommend to our friends, family and anybody who’s curious and asks the question. The list that you’ll find below consists of every car we rated in January that earned an Editors’ Pick.
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE
Quick take: The EQE offers all the niceties of a traditional E-Class in an electric form. Its design is simplistic and bland to a fault, but everything else about it is executed well.
Score: 7.5
What it competes with: Porsche Taycan, Audi E-Tron GT, Tesla Model S, BMW i4
Pros: Gorgeous interior, big backseat, advanced tech, excellent driving AMG variant
Cons: Bland design, average range/charging speed, questionable value
From the editors:
Road Test Editor Zac Palmer — "I drove the AMG version of the EQE, and while it's a rocketship of an EV, it lacked the ne'er-do-well nature of the gasoline-powered AMG versions of the E-Class. The interior is beautiful, but I can't say the same for the exterior, even with the AMG add-ons. The AMG EQE is a perfect Benz, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it the perfect AMG product."
In-depth analysis: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE Sedan Review: A smaller, less expensive EQS
2023 BMW X1
Quick take: The BMW X1 is the driver's choice in the subcompact luxury SUV segment. Its size and abundance of tech makes it a great all-rounder for anybody's taste, though.
Score: 8.0
What it competes with: Volvo XC40, Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLB, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Jaguar E-Pace, Lexus UX, Land Rover Discovery Sport,
Pros: Fun to drive, great utility, traditional and handsome design
Cons: Interior feels spartan, value is questionable
From the editors:
Senior Editor, Green John Beltz Snyder — "This segment is a competitive one, but the X1 sets itself apart as the driver’s car. Its nimble handling gives it a leg up, but it doesn’t sacrifice comfort in the meantime. Also, say what you will about the evolution of BMW’s kidney grille, but I think it looks sharp here on the X1’s sculpted nose. This subcompact crossover is attractive inside and out, and the experience only gets better from behind the steering wheel, pointed down a winding back road."
