Autotrader’s Best New Cars for 2023 award winners

The 2023 Integra represents the return of the entry-level luxury sport compact to the Acura lineup, featuring a 200-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) or a 6-speed manual transmission. Autotrader’s editors note that Acura has done a terrific job keeping the car true to its roots while differentiating it from its Civic sibling.

Rumors of the death of the full-size sedan are premature, a fact proven by the 2023 BMW 7 Series which got a total redesign this year. Autotrader’s editors were impressed, calling it the pinnacle of executive sedans with a high-performance flair and a striking example of modern art on wheels.

The Z06 always has been the Corvette model enthusiasts wait for, and the eigth-generation Corvette finally delivers one for 2023 boasting 670-horsepower and a 0 – 60 mph time of 2.6 seconds. Autotrader’s editors call the new Z06 the real deal, noting that it removes any doubt about this supercar’s pedigree.

The only all-electric vehicle on this year’s list, the GV60 SUV debuts this year and expands the Genesis design language with a sleek exterior and more. However, currently it is for sale only in nine states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Utah and Washington). Autotrader’s editors comment that the GV60 turns heads in every way, boasting loads of character, an elegant interior and a spirited driving experience that does not disappoint.

The 2023 Civic Type R is the fastest Civic ever, boasting a 315-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter VTEC engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. A throwback pocket rocket sedan aimed squarely at the hearts of enthusiasts, Autotrader’s editors say the new Civic Type R finds a just-right balance of thrilling performance, ostentatious styling and modern technology.

While the CR-V has been near the top of the U.S. sales charts since the car was introduced in 1997, it has come a long way from its ”cute ute” roots, growing and maturing into quite a respectable compact crossover SUV. The new 2023 CR-V regains a touch of ruggedness inside and out, along with a choice of gasoline-only or hybrid powertrain options. Autotrader’s editors say the new CR-V is everything it should be, blending quality with practicality and affordability while featuring more space, a nicer drive and better tech than the outgoing model.

The 2023 Palisade’s mid-cycle refresh touched both its interior and exterior, moving it ever closer to the luxury category while retaining its competitive mid-$30,000s starting price. Autotrader’s editors point out that the 2023 update is more than just a facelift, with a new rugged-looking XRT trim offered and more luxury options like a massaging driver’s seat and heated third-row seats.

The 2023 Sportage is the start of the fifth generation of Sportage models sold in the U.S. since 1995, and the new model is available with a gasoline-only or hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain. Autotrader’s editors call the new Sportage the best yet, saying it’s hard to express what a dramatic improvement the new Sportage is – a quantum leap over the past model – and calling it another Cinderella story for Kia as a highly alluring competitor in the red-hot compact SUV segment.

The 2023 Z is an attainable update of a classic, taking over the lineage that began with the Datson 240Z in 1970 and ran through the Nissan 370Z that left production last year. The new model shares a chassis with the outgoing model but wears a new skin, new interior and a 400-hp twin-turbo V6 under its long hood. Autotrader’s editors comment that the new Z has just enough retro and just enough modern to make it stand out, calling it an excellent sports car all around.

While the Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car in history, few have mistaken it for a sports car – until now. The 2023 GR Corolla takes the subcompact 5-door hatchback concept to the extreme, with a retuned 300-hp 3-cylinder turbo, all-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual transmission – not to mention high-performance brakes, a circuit-tuned suspension and a big wing on the back. Autotrader’s editors claim the GR Corolla is a genuine performer, with one editor saying the GR Corolla is the most fun he’s had behind the wheel of a new car in recent years.

With the new 2023 Prius, Toyota sheds the utilitarian looks and sluggish performance that past iterations have been known for and replaces it with a sleek, modern, fun-to-drive hybrid sure to awaken the masses again – demonstrating that a pure EV is not the only way. Autotrader’s editors claim the Prius has never looked as good as it does now, saying the Prius design glow-up is one of the most impressive stories in the automotive world from the past year.