As the year comes to a close, it's time to look back on the premium mid-sized SUVs that wowed the test team in 2024. or signup to continue reading A host of new electric models have entered the market, while established luxury brands made meaningful improvements to standing ICE models. The result was a crop of upmarket SUVs that scored elite ratings from our test team. These are the five that topped our score charts over the calendar year. Some of these models have been reviewed on multiple occasions this year – in that scenario, we've featured the variant that achieved the highest rating. These models all compete in the medium SUV over $60,000 category, as defined by VFACTS sales statistics published by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). Prices are based on each manufacturer's configurators for a Victorian postcode, which should give you a representative estimate of what the average buyer will end up paying. Not only was the Hyundai our top rating premium mid-sized SUV, it was our top rated car, period. Scoring 9.0 out of 10, the electric was awarded near-perfect ratings for performance, handling dynamics, technology infotainment, and fit for purpose. Hyundai N's three pillars are Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability and Everyday Sportscar. Just like the , and before it, the Ioniq 5 N delivers. It's a great evolution of the 'hot hatch' formula, even if it's more of a crossover. It's silly fast and fun to drive, comfortable and practical enough to daily, while offering zero local emissions, usable driving range (if with a measured right foot), as well as fast to charge. Power comes from a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, combining a 166kW front and 282kW rear motor for total system outputs of 448kW of power and 740Nm of torque. The electric motors, which Hyundai says can rev up to 21,000rpm, are powered by a new 84kWh lithium-ion battery, with enhanced thermal management and a claimed peak charging speed of 350kW. Since its launch in 2021, the has been a standout choice in the super-competitive mid-sized luxury SUV segment, and the latest update scored 8.8 out of 10 in our ratings. A perfect score for cost of ownership underpinned that rating – Genesis provides free scheduled servicing for the first five years, a real point-of-difference when compared to premium rivals. We also praised the GV70 for its interior design and quality – there is not a surface that feels cheap or plasticky. On the road, the GV70 feels and drives like a proper premium product. The engine and transmission work harmoniously for both powertrain options, and it it rides beautifully if you prioritise comfort over unnecessary rigidity. Two engines are offered – a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and a 3.5-litre turbocharged six-cylinder. Both offer more than 200kW of power, although they can be a little thirsty. Rounding out the podium is the electric , which scored 8.6 out of 10 in our latest test. Now priced from just $55,900 before on-road costs, discounts have improved the value of an already well-priced vehicle, and it remains a top choice for EV buyers. The Model Y is very minimalist inside and out, with a spacious and practical interior. It's incredibly safe, and shouldn't cost much to run given Tesla's condition-based servicing policy. When it comes to the driving experience, the Model Y is mostly inoffensive with plentiful power on tap and the quiet ambience of a large, insulated electric car. However, question marks over values remain. Tesla is constantly tinkering with pricing, and hurting resale values as a result. Consistent ratings across the board saw the sporty, sexy scored 8.4 out of 10 back in February. Featuring a drivetrain closely related to the , the top-spec Formentor absolutely rips when you put your foot down. It's also a mature commuter, with light steering, a comfortable ride from the adaptive dampers, and a solid (but not standout) sound system. Inside, bucket-style seats and a sporty steering wheel featuring start and drive mode buttons make the Formentor VZx feel meaningfully sportier than any other SUV for the same money. Sporty thrills don't come at the cost of practicality either – the Formentor packs more space inside than you'd expect given its angular, overgrown hatchback proportions. Our main criticism? The optional Akrapovic exhaust is very expensive, and just doesn't sound special enough, enough of the time to justify the spend. Kia's latest electric car in Australia was a hit with our test team at launch, scoring 8.4 out of 10. In particular, the stood out in the areas of interior practicality (9) and value for money (8.8). It's a much better-rounded package than both the EV6 and EV9, while also coming in cheaper than the similar Niro EV. If you're coming from an older car, it offers a much less intimidating setup than its rivals. The interior of the EV5 may be modern, but it isn't quite at the 'spaceship' level that can be a dealbreaker for many EV buyers. The EV5 is an easy car to drive too, with plenty of range and a comfortable ride. Three electric powertrains are available, but we'd recommend the base variants that feature a single motor producing 160kW and 310Nm. Content originally sourced from: Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . AdvertisementCity for sale: why the London takeover bonanza is ringing alarm bells
Innofactor Plc Stock Exchange release, on November 25, 2024, at 20:00 Finnish time Innofactor's Board of Directors has appointed Anni Wahlroos as Debuty CEO for Innofactor Group as of November 25, 2025. She will continue as the Chief People Officer of the Innofactor Group and as a member of the Group's Executive Board, reporting to CEO Sami Ensio. Wahlroos has been with Innofactor since 2015 and has been a member of the Group’s Executive Board since 2022. "I am grateful and humbled by the trust placed in me. At Innofactor, we have the most amazing professionals and clients in the Nordic countries, and it has been a joy and an honor to do my dream job with them for the past ten years. Innofactor's new strategy, the rapidly changing world, and artificial intelligence bring exciting opportunities for the future as well," says Anni Wahlroos. "I am very pleased with Anni's appointment as our Deputy CEO. Over the past ten years at Innofactor, Anni has demonstrated exceptional expertise and commitment to the company and her work. A skilled and motivated staff is at the core of Innofactor's operations – PeopleFirst. I am confident that Anni will continue to develop Innofactor and help the company achieve its growth targets also in the future," says CEO Sami Ensio. Espoo, November 25, 2024 INNOFACTOR PLC Board of Directors Additional information: Sami Ensio, CEO Innofactor Plc Tel. +358 50 584 2029 sami.ensio@innofactor.com Distribution: NASDAQ Helsinki Main media www.innofactor.com Innofactor Innofactor is the leading driver of the modern digital organization in the Nordic Countries for its about 1,000 customers in commercial and public sector. Innofactor has the widest solution offering and leading know-how in the Microsoft ecosystem in the Nordics. Innofactor has about 600 enthusiastic and motivated top specialists in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. The Innofactor Plc share is listed in the technology section of the main list of NASDAQ Helsinki Oy. www.innofactor.com #ModernDigitalOrganization #PeopleFirst #CreatingSmiles #BeTheRealYouThe post-Juan Soto pivot for the Yankees rolled on in spectacular fashion Friday, as in exchange for left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. and infield prospect Caleb Durbin. As following the superstar outfielder’s introductory New York Mets news conference on Thursday in Queens, Brian Cashman and Co. plowed ahead in a crucial winter for the storied franchise and successfully landed one of the biggest names on the trade market in Williams. Cortes and Williams share the unfortunate distinction of having allowed two of the more memorable home runs of this past postseason: Pete Alonso’s go-ahead blast in the decisive Game 3 of the wild-card series in Milwaukee (Williams) and Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series in Los Angeles (Cortes). The heartbreaking homers were allowed under drastically different circumstances, with the all-world closer Williams trying to nail down a save like countless times before, compared to a starting pitcher in Cortes being thrust into the highest-leverage situation of his career in a rare relief appearance after an elbow injury sidelined him for several weeks. While both pitchers’ seasons ended on sour notes, those flashbulb moments shouldn’t cloud our perception of them as they prepare to contribute to their new clubs. Part of why Alonso’s home run was so remarkable is that such impactful swings against Williams have been exceedingly rare over the course of the right-hander’s career. His career 1.83 ERA and .157 batting average against paint an accurate picture of a venerable game-ender who has dominated opposing lineups in high-leverage scenarios with his fantastic fastball and otherworldly changeup for more than a half-decade. His control remains shaky, with walk rates hovering around 12% annually, but few relievers possess such an overpowering combo of offerings. Williams missed the first half of the 2024 season due to a back injury but hardly skipped a beat upon return and was utterly dominant down the stretch — until Alonso’s untimely home run. He immediately slots into the ninth-inning role for New York, joining Luke Weaver as the Yankees’ go-to bullpen arms and representing a crucial addition in the wake of . As if Alonso’s homer off Williams weren't dramatic enough, Cortes’ low point against Freeman in the 10th inning of World Series Game 1 will be replayed for decades to come. But unlike Williams, who will be asked to secure the game’s final outs moving forward, don’t expect to see Cortes trotting in from the Milwaukee bullpen anytime soon. Although he finished the regular season on the injured list due to a left elbow flexor strain, Cortes amassed a career-high 174 1/3 innings for New York in 2024 — more than any Brewers starting pitcher. Cortes' plus command of a deep arsenal did not yield quite as sterling results as we saw during his breakout All-Star campaign in 2022, but he posted a 3.77 ERA that equated to a park-adjusted 109 ERA+, comfortably above league average. He adds a much-needed left-handed element to a Brewers rotation that previously projected to feature exclusively righties, with Freddy Peralta, Tobias Myers, Aaron Civale and Brandon Woodruff (returning from shoulder surgery) looking like Cortes’ peers on the starting staff. For New York, this is a tremendous follow-up to the . The Yankees strengthened their rotation with one of the best southpaw starters in the league in Fried and now fortify their bullpen with one of the best closers in baseball in Williams. While there is still ample work to be done to address the position-player group, the Yankees correctly identified that replacing Soto’s impact on offense would be difficult — if not impossible — given the options available and Soto’s unique ability. Instead, they have thus far pursued high-end talent on the mound in hopes of forming an elite pitching staff that can serve as the backbone of the team’s success. This is also an impressive example of how player identification and development can enable teams to land top-tier talent via trade without hampering the overall strength of their roster. Cortes blossomed in his late-20s as a legitimate mid-rotation starter under the tutelage of New York’s renowned pitching development apparatus. But following the emergence of young right-handers Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil, plus the addition of Fried, Cortes was expendable for New York yet still valuable to a contending club such as Milwaukee. Durbin, meanwhile, was acquired from Atlanta two winters ago in exchange for a veteran reliever in Lucas Luetge and subsequently developed in New York’s minor-league system into a prospect other teams strongly coveted. He appeared primed to contribute in the Yankees’ infield in some form in 2025, but he was also no sure thing as a rising rookie. That made him an ideal trade chip in a deal for a proven bullpen weapon such as Williams, while the Yankees still have plenty of time to address their infield through other means. Milwaukee has run this playbook before, having traded star closer Josh Hader before the end of his contract and dealt ace Corbin Burnes with one year remaining on his deal. While Williams was injured in 2024, the Brewers demonstrated that they can conjure up viable high-leverage relief arms as well as any organization in baseball, and there are several candidates who could emerge in 2025 as the next great Milwaukee closer. Gigantic flamethrower Trevor Megill, who quietly collected 21 saves in 2024, is the heir apparent as things stand, though he’ll need to prove that he can hold up over the course of a full season. His 48 appearances and 46 1/3 innings in 2024 both marked career highs at the big-league level. Had Milwaukee been strictly focused on shedding Williams’ salary, this likely would’ve been a deal built around prospects and/or pre-arbitration players. But MLB Trade Rumors projected both Williams and Cortes to earn approximately $7.7M in their final year of arbitration, meaning Milwaukee’s payroll won’t shift dramatically with this move. (The Yankees are reportedly sending $2M to Milwaukee as part of the trade.) The acquisition of Cortes signals the Brewers’ intention to reallocate resources to their thin rotation and serves as a reminder that they are still in win-now mode, despite dealing away their celebrated closer. With free agency looming next winter, Cortes might be only a short-term solution, but for a team in severe need of quality innings in bulk, the left-hander could prove immensely valuable as manager Pat Murphy’s squad attempts to defend its NL Central crown. It’s not just about swapping a year of a closer for a year of a starter, though. Durbin is the third and final piece of this deal — and hardly an insignificant one at that. The soon-to-be-25-year-old infielder’s unlikely baseball journey continues to unfold in fascinating ways, with this marking the second time he has been traded since the Braves drafted him in the 14th round in 2021. What makes Durbin uncommon , as the Chicago-area native played collegiately at Washington University in St. Louis, a renowned program at the Division III level. Getting drafted out of a Div. III school is rare, especially as a position player. But Durbin’s uncanny bat-to-ball skills (he struck out twice in 190 plate appearances as a junior at WashU), impressive athleticism and defensive versatility despite his size (he is listed at 5-foot-6) attracted scouts and analysts alike to consider him a viable prospect. He has since continued to perform at a high level at each stop in the minor leagues, most recently as a breakout star in the prospect-laden Arizona Fall League. Previously slated to factor into the Yankees’ infield, Durbin now shifts to a Brewers team that requires some reshuffling after star shortstop Willy Adames left in free agency and will join Joey Ortiz and Brice Turang as promising chess pieces for Murphy to move around the infield.
Quinn Ewers plans to enter NFL Draft, clearing way for Arch Manning at TexasMany in the Tesla and electric vehicle (EV) community have eagerly awaited the company’s rollout of a driverless ride-hailing service, and recent reports and statements suggest that the company may be considering multiple U.S. cities for early pilot programs. Tesla is in talks with Austin, Texas officials about rolling out early pilot programs for its self-driving robotaxis as early as next year, according to a report from Bloomberg earlier this month. As detailed in emails acquired by the publication through public record requests, a Tesla employee has already been discussing the deployment of such fleets since at least May, though the company was also considering pilot deployment in other Texas cities. “Tesla is still working to strategically find a city within Texas to deploy... The city of Austin is obviously on our roadmap, but has not yet been decided where we will deploy first as we have many options available,” wrote an employee in one email from November. The report also said that Tesla reached out to the city of Austin ahead of its October 10 “We, Robot” event, during which it unveiled the Cybercab , and the employee expressed hopes to meet safety expectations in the city of Austin, along with training first responders on how to interact with autonomous vehicles. Earlier this month, Tesla held an event at its Gigafactory in Austin to help train first responders on its autonomous vehicle technology, though the employee said it wouldn’t yet be used on public roads and would let officials know of any changes to that. Watch Tesla’s FSD v13.2 navigate away from park in a tricky situation READ MORE: Tesla is ramping its Cybercab testing sessions at Giga Texas During the company’s Q3 earnings call in October, Elon Musk also said that its employees in the Bay Area, California were already testing ride-hailing services internally. Using the company’s development app, Tesla employees can already request rides and be taken to any point in the Bay, according to the CEO. Both Texas and California cities make sense for Tesla’s initial rollout of commercial robotaxi services, especially given that Musk also said the company aims to debut ride-hailing services and “Unsupervised” Full Self-Driving (FSD) approval in both of these states in 2025, dependent upon regulatory approval. Musk also said that the current internal ride-hailing tests in the Bay Area utilize safety drivers initially, though it isn’t required to do so. Earlier this month, a Deutsche Bank report noted that Head of Investor Relations Travis Axelrod said also said Tesla plans to utilize teleoperation during initial rollout of autonomous ride-hailing efforts, as a safety and redundancy measure. This will likely play a role wherever the company first deploys commercial ride-hailing efforts. Tesla also teased a ride-hailing mobile app in its Q1 Shareholder Deck earlier this year, showing a summon button to order ride-hails, an estimated wait time, climate controls for during the ride, navigation details, and even the ability to select and cycle through music or other media options. Credit: Tesla The mobile app avatar showed a Model Y, highlighting the ability for Tesla’s other vehicles to be eligible for ride-hailing operations through the Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) program, which is available to any owner who purchases the software through a subscription or one-time purchase. We also learned in October that the Cybercab features a large touchscreen, in addition to excluding a steering wheel or pedals. You can catch our first ride in the Cybercab below, as captured during Tesla’s October 10 “We, Robot” event in Southern California. 🎥: Our FULL first ride in the @Tesla Cybercab pic.twitter.com/6gR7OgKRCz — TESLARATI (@Teslarati) October 11, 2024 Both Texas and California make sense as locations Tesla would deploy early ride-hailing services, especially given its Fremont factory, Palo Alto engineering headquarters, and its competitor Waymo, which already operates paid driverless ride-hailing in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Although Tesla isn’t expected to enter production with the Cybercab until 2026, the company’s other vehicles could be used to operate commercial self-driving at some point, though it also faces multiple competitors aiming to deploy these services. Meanwhile, Waymo, the commercial robotaxi company backed by Google parent company Alphabet , has already been operating paid driverless ride-hailing in San Francisco since last year, and it has expanded services to Los Angeles, and Phoenix, Arizona throughout this year. This week, the company said it’s now giving over 150,000 paid driverless rides per week. Amazon owns the driverless ride-hailing company Zoox, which has recently also gained some ground in deploying commercial self-driving ride-hailing vehicles in the Bay Area. With General Motors (GM) recently announcing the end of its self-driving arm Cruise , one less future competitor remains for Tesla in the commercial robotaxi space. Musk joining the administration of incoming President Donald Trump is also widely expected to accelerate regulation efforts in the rollout of self-driving technology , though the urgency of the emerging market is quickly becoming clearer. Still, Musk and Tesla supporters have argued that the company’s FSD will be more scalable than companies like Waymo utilizing geo-mapping efforts, due to its AI neural network model being trained on video footage from real-time drivers across the company’s ownership network. With added safety measures like teleoperation and safety drivers in its early rollout of commercial robotaxi services, Tesla may yet be able to gain enough public and regulatory trust to start deploying these services in the coming months. What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com , find me on X at @zacharyvisconti , or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com . Waymo leads robotaxi industry, at least for now Need accessories for your Tesla? Check out the Teslarati Marketplace:Ahmad Robinson scores 21 in near triple-double and Mercer beats Georgia State 71-68