Running on all cylinders: This fall’s fastest and fanciest cars

It’s not a secret to listeners that WTOP morning anchor John Aaron is a big car aficionado. So when the Washington Automotive Press Association held its annual rally — giving reporters and reviewers a chance to sample numerous new cars, from the Lexus RZ to the Mazda Miata Club — it was like Christmas had come early.

Like a kid in a candy store, Aaron managed to hop into 16 different vehicles in one day and took them for a test drive near Chesapeake Beach, Maryland.

Highlights include a snarling Italian sedan, roaring German offerings, more affordable throwback performance cars that still offer manual transmissions, solid choices from the SUV world and a model with an EV sunroof that goes from opaque to clear with the press of a button.

Buckle up and see the video below. Check out the the full review on WTOP’s YouTube page.

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WTOP’s John Aaron tried out the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio at the Washington Automotive Press Association’s annual rally. “There are all sorts of bits to remind you that this car is made to go fast from the red ‘stop, start’ button on the steering wheel to the race-mode selector on the center console,” Aaron said. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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The Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron has a boost mode that Aaron said he’s “afraid to use.” (WTOP/John Aaron)

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The Ford Bronco Sport is a step smaller than the “main” Bronco. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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The Toyota Crown is a car with some features like an SUV — it sits high and has some body cladding on the side. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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The Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring gets 37 MPG, making it a practical purchase. (WTOP/John Aaron)

the dashboard of the Mercedes EQE 500 4MATIC SUV

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The Mercedes EQE 500 4MATIC SUV is a luxurious vehicle with white and brown accents throughout the interior. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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The Dodge Hornet GT makes the brand’s entrance into the small SUV category. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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The Subaru Impreza R5 is about approachable power, a brand spokesperson told WTOP. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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The Acura Integra Type S is a four-door hatchback. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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This model of the Lexus RZ has a sunroof that the driver can leave opaque or change to be transparent by the click of a button. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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The Mazda CX-90 might be the best three-row SUV, Aaron said. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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An electric SUV, the Nissan ARIYA has up to 289 miles of range. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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The latest Toyota Prius has some striking, swooping lines on the exterior of the car. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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Aaron said the Mazda MX-5 Miata Club is a “hoot to drive.” (WTOP/John Aaron)

John Aaron

John Aaron is a news anchor and reporter for WTOP. After starting his professional broadcast career as an anchor and reporter for WGET and WGTY in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he went on to spend several years in the world of sports media, working for Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network Radio, and WTOP.