Three fast comparisons of automobiles as seen at this nice media-only occasion.
Yearly, the Midwest Automotive Media Affiliation (MAMA) hosts two ride-and-drive occasions for native media. The flagship one is held within the spring at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin’s, Highway America racetrack, the place this 12 months we put three luxurious off-roaders via their paces. Within the fall is a smaller, lower-key program usually hosted within the Chicago suburbs. It’s a possibility for affiliation members to take quick drives in merchandise that won’t have in any other case been obtainable at Elkhart Lake or within the native press fleet. Regardless of the lesser variety of automobiles, the occasion offered some fascinating factors of comparability throughout completely different market segments.
MAMA’s Favorites Fall Fest
Honda Civic Si vs. Hyundai Elantra N
In an automotive panorama dominated by vans and SUVs, it’s refreshing to see producers persevering with to provide small, fun-to-drive sedans. The Civic Si has been a staple of Honda’s lineup for many years. For 2025, it will get up to date styling, new infotainment tech with Google built-in companies, and a revised suspension designed to enhance journey high quality. Unchanged is its 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. Energy will get to the entrance wheels solely via a 6-speed guide transmission.
Hyundai’s reply to the Civic Si is the Elantra N, which noticed its personal mid-lifecycle freshening for the 2024 mannequin 12 months. As such, the 2025 version sees no modifications to styling or content material. Below its sharply designed hood is a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder that outputs 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. Right here, consumers can select between a 6-speed guide or 8-speed dual-clutch automated transmission.
Primarily based on our fast drives, the Elantra’s further energy is noticeable in all conditions. We additionally favor Hyundai by the slimmest of margins for steering and dealing with response. The Civic will get the nod for every day drivability, with superior journey management, transmission really feel, and inside ergonomics.
Winner
You, the buyer. These are excellent sporty vehicles, and whereas we expect the Honda is a little more well-rounded, we perceive not everyone seems to be prepared or capable of drive a stick. For these people, you received’t go fallacious selecting the Elantra N.
Acura MDX vs. Buick Enclave
It is a skirmish between two premium-class SUVs that provide three rows of seating. In a single nook is Acura’s stalwart MDX, which sees styling and expertise updates for model-year 2025. It stays one of many final midsize SUVs of any stripe to incorporate a V6 engine. Most variations have a 3.5-liter unit that produces 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The mannequin we drove was the flagship Sort S Advance, which has a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Each engines pair with a 10-speed automated transmission.
Its rival is the Buick Enclave, which has been totally redesigned for 2025. Longer, wider, and taller than the outgoing mannequin, this new-generation SUV adopts the model’s present exterior design language, which we’re seeing on all its different automobiles. The revamped inside boasts a normal 30-inch diagonal ultra-wide show for the devices and infotainment system. Enclave can be the primary Buick to be obtainable with Basic Motors’ Tremendous Cruise semi-autonomous driving tech. Its beforehand normal V6 engine has been changed by a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 328 horsepower and 326-pound-feet of torque mated to an 8-speed automated transmission. Our check car was the mid-level Sport Touring grade, which is extra of a trim bundle than one that gives any efficiency upgrades.
Whereas the MDX and Enclave occupy the identical basic measurement and value class, they’re surprisingly completely different by way of the driving expertise. The Acura wins the dynamic portion of this comparability. Consider it as a Civic Si that you could share with 6 of your mates or can carry as much as 95 cubic toes of cargo. Whereas the Buick is extra highly effective than its speedy predecessor, the turbo 4-cylinder feels a bit flat whenever you need to decide up velocity in situations corresponding to merging onto a freeway.
The place the Enclave excels is in total refinement. It’s exceptionally quiet on the street. The large dashboard display is visually spectacular, and the infotainment system is intuitive to handle. Availability of the superb Tremendous Cruise system is the proverbial cherry on high.
Winner
You, the buyer, once more. As with the earlier comparability, these are two wonderful automobiles. This time, the choices are extra clear-cut relying in your private priorities. If an attractive drive is excessive in your record, select the MDX. For those who favor sophistication above all else, the Enclave is for you. Once more, neither will lead you astray.
Chevrolet Equinox EV vs. Honda Prologue
Our ultimate comparability pits a pair of recent totally electrical SUVs head-to-head. Up first is Chevrolet’s Equinox EV, which debuted for the 2024 mannequin 12 months. You’ll be able to see the electrical mannequin’s design affect on its gas-powered sibling, which acquired a clean-sheet re-do for 2025. Primarily based on Basic Motors’ well-received Ultium EV expertise, the Equinox EV boasts as much as 319 miles of vary with front-wheel drive and 285 with the non-obligatory all-wheel-drive system.
Honda’s providing is the Prologue, its first totally electrical SUV. Sporting a boxier form than the Equinox, the Japanese automaker touts room and luxury as highlights, together with most driving ranges of 296 miles with front-wheel drive and 281 with AWD.
This comparability isn’t solely apples-to-apples because the Equinox EV was the mid-range 2LT mannequin with front-wheel drive whereas the Prologue was the flagship Elite grade, which is AWD solely. Nonetheless, we have been capable of study lots about these automobiles. The Prologue’s extra squared-off stance made the inside really feel bigger and airier than its bodily dimensions would in any other case counsel. The again seat was particularly comfy.
On the street is the place the Honda fell quick. Whereas definitely fast as anticipated from a dual-motor EV, the Prologue’s regenerative braking felt very unrefined. No quantity of adjustment might match the Equinox EV’s way more pure system. We additionally most popular the Equinox’s ergonomics, highlighted by its large 17.7-inch infotainment display.
Winner
Equinox. Chevy’s mainstream electrical SUV impressed all-around with its modern styling, good street manners, and spectacular infotainment tech. Its further vary and decrease pricing versus the Prologue additional cemented it because the winner of this comparability.
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
MAMA’s Favorites Fall Fest Footage
Click on under for enlarged photographs
MAMA’s Favorites Fall Fest
