New is fine

feet, it’s 6.2-feet wide and 5 1/2-feet tall. It has a 4.3-foot-long bed.

Offered in the front-wheel-drive, the SE Santa Cruz trim begins with a starting price of $23,990.

The SEL Activity starts at $30,460, and the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine is available in the SEL Premium and Limited, respectively priced at $35,680 and $39,720. Optional all-wheel-drive adds $1,500, and it’s the only choice on the turbocharged trim.

• Lexus IS 500 F Sport — A small sedan with a V8 engine is uncommon and it’s further rare with 472 horsepower with acceleration from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds. The new, top-model level in the IS lineup is fast, upscale and comfort-oriented.

Lexus had fun with the IS 500’s debut. It’s fitted with a sport-tuned adaptive suspension, a Torsen limitedslip differential, larger brakes and 19-inch Enkei wheels fitted with performance tires. It’s a smooth driver albeit it also has a bravado-laden exhaust note.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance is available in three trim levels: base, premium and launch edition. The premium option offers plenty with its 5.0-liter, 395 lb-ft of torque and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

• Mazda CX-9 — A family SUV/crossover with seating for seven and a luxury feel and drive and a lot of standard stuff for a decent price? That’s what the CX-9 offers for about $47,000.

The top-line Signature trim, one of six, has Nappa leather seating surfaces with diamond-patterned stitching for the first two seating rows. Santos Rosewood trim and aluminum accents give the interior a classy look for a family hauler.

All-wheel-drive is the new standard equipment for 2022, although further charges should commence since the second generation of the Mazda CX-9 debuted in 2016. The turbocharged 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine produces 227 horsepower and is fun to drive. Any notion of SUV boxiness has been dismissed for a surprising amount of spunk. The maximum cargo volume is 71.2 cubic feet, substantially smaller than competitors.