The Porsche 911 Carrera T is back for 2023, revived now for the current 992 generation. It slots in above the base Carrera and below the Carrera S, preserving its touring car roots in the best ways possible: it’s fun, sporty, and cool; and it does it in a purist drivers’ package.

Instead of just hitting the streets of LA, we left the city for the Angeles Crest Highway. It was here where the rear-mounted twin-turbo six-cylinder came to life, displacing 379 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a standard seven-speed manual transmission. According to Porsche, a Carrera T manual can do 0-60 sprints in 4.3 seconds.

But as a touring car, I almost feel like the 0-60 stuff and top speed– 181 mph, by the way– is less important. It’s about how it feels on the road. And this engine is perfect for the Carrera T’s job. Smooth acceleration, accurate response and harmonics you just can’t get enough of. The transmission is slick, and the clutch is firm in actuation without being a burden.

Sticking to the road was easy thanks to the mechanical limited slip differential with Porsche Torque Vectoring– a standard feature on the Carrera S trickled down to the T. The Porsche Active Suspension Management system and Sport Chrono Package are also included, though rear-axle steering, which my car had, is an option.

After some time driving, I had a realization– thinking back to another T I drove on similar roads…

“You know, it’s kinda funny. I was out here with the Macan T not that long ago, and I made a comment then about how the Macan T was a little sportier without going full-bore. That’s exactly the case with the Carrera T. It’s meant to be sort of a sportier ride, a very– almost like a purist kind of experience without going all-out, right? Now, they accomplish this first and foremost by being a 911, right? It’s going to sport. But, uh, standard you get a seven-speed manual and you get a rear-seat delete. Now, you can opt for an 8-speed PDK and you can also throw those rear seats back in if you so choose, and that’s fine, but I think the way I have this one optioned is just perfect. Like, this is how I would want it. So that, along with the lightweight glass, less sound deadening to let all the good noises in, um, and the Porsche Active Suspension– all those things, it all culminates into yeah, exactly that: a purist, just totally fun experience.”

So, the Carrera T brings in some of the more driver-focused amenities and also does it while saving a little weight in the process, but it does so without stripping away all the premium features you’d realistically still want. 4-way power sport seats are standard, as are the digital gauge cluster and infotainment screen; the latter of which I used for Apple CarPlay.  My car’s seats were the optional 18-way Adaptive Sport Seats– very comfortable, and stylish with the 911 name embroidered up top.

The Carrera T stands apart from the crowd in some obvious ways, like the big side profile designations and rear badging, but it also accentuates the exterior with various trimmings in Agate Gray. The wheels are finished in Titanium Grey and carry the theme well. All in all, it’s nice to have something a little bespoke in a near-entry trim.

Now, I understand that an “entry level Carrera” may sound like an oxymoron to some, but that’s what it is, starting around $118,000 with delivery. My Guards Red tester ultimately optioned out to $137,480, so you can get a little gung-ho with the options– some of which I highly recommend for that driver’s experience, like rear axle steering.

So, to reiterate my opener: the 2023 Porsche Carrera T is a fine addition in the lineup, slotting in perfectly above the Carrera and below the Carrera S. It’s fun, sporty, and– at least in my opinion– undeniably cool.

And we’ll have plenty more cool cars soon, right here on MotorWeek.

The IONIQ 5’s arrival for 2022 signaled that Hyundai was serious about EVs. Last year’s IONIQ 5 N showed they were also serious about making them seriously fun. And now, we’ve just returned from a Southern California Quick Spin in an updated 2025 IONIQ 5 that’s seriously better.

First and foremost, the IONIQ 5 is now built in Georgia and is the first Hyundai to come equipped with a North American Charging Standard port that will give it access to over 17,000 Tesla Superchargers.

Though potentially you’ll be making fewer stops at charging stations, as battery capacity has been increased for both Standard and Long Range models; boosting range to as much as 318 miles.

Power numbers remain the same, stretching from 168 horsepower in the Standard Range rear-wheel drive to 320 horsepower with dual-motor all-wheel drive.

LOGAN MCCOMBS: “I have spent some time today driving around in the IONIQ 5 Limited and I can tell you that the experience in that is very good; it’s super comfortable and enjoyable, though I will say the suspension is a little on the stiff side.”

The IONIQ 5 also joins Hyundai’s XRT family of off-road inspired rides for ’25. That means all-wheel drive, increased ground clearance, unique 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and some pseudo-camo trim on the fascias and lower body. Non-XRT models get some subtle improvements focused on enhancing aerodynamics. That includes reshaped bumpers, a new rear spoiler, smoother wheels and flush-mounted roof rails. All IONIQ 5s get a boost inside with more standard content, redesigned HVAC controls, a new steering wheel, reconfigured center console and additional safety features.

Updated 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5s are available now, with prices starting around $43,000.