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2017 Volvo XC60 T6 Inscription – Road Test Review – By Carl Malek

  With all the attention and fanfare that the revamped 2016 Volvo XC90 has received since it was unveiled to the world a year ago, it can be easy to forget about the other SUV in the Swedish automaker’s lineup the 2017 XC60. With the spotlight currently on its bigger brand sibling, does the XC60 still have what it takes to stand out in the hearts and minds of SUV buyers? Or has it fallen behind the times? The exterior styling of our Osmium Grey Metallic tester is an exercise in smoothness and elegance with Volvo designers even adding subtle …

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2016 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD 3

2016 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD – Road Test Review – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

  Mazda’s new 2016 CX-9 is the largest of their three SUV offerings, and in fact, the largest Mazda vehicle they have ever made.  The larger dimensions are put to good use, as there is ample room for driver and passenger in the front, very good leg and headroom for second row passengers, and even decent, if not spacious, room for average size adults in the third row. We had a chance to spend a week with the top of the line Signature AWD model.  Mazda threw everything it had into this one, and it came with a very un-Mazda …

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2016 INFINITI Q70L 5.6 – HD Road Test Review

How far can you get in life with a giant V8 and a hot body? That was the question we kept asking ourselves after a week  behind the wheel of this 4.7-second rocket-limo. The car is refreshingly innovative in its long-wheelbase variation — bringing what is the best-selling global choice in luxury cars to the United States for the first time.  What is this choice? Best-selling?  Allow me to explain. The long-wheelbase variants of the A6/E-Class/5 series are easily the best sellers in the Chinese car market these days.  For the most part, however, the LWB limos that luxury brands …

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2017 Hyundai ELANTRA ECO - HD Drive Video Review 2

HD First Drive – 2017 Hyundai ELANTRA ECO

    Just the HD drive video and 40 pics of this plucky little sedan. One pic for every highway MPG this advanced-tech compact can achieve?  Yes indeed.  32-mpg city and 40-mpg highway are the audited, confirmed EPA numbers on this most-efficient Elantra ever. No full review today. Our time in the car was too brief to really make many lasting impressions.  Do recall loving that seven-speed DCT and 128-pony, 1.4-liter turbo engine.  Less the stinky brakes/clutches after a fast drive and those embarrassingly tiny alloy wheels.  At least they painted up the mini alloys a discrete anthracite grey to …

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2016 Toyota PRIUS By Carl Malek 3

2016 Toyota PRIUS Four Touring – Road Test Review – By Carl Malek

When Toyota first revealed the 2016 Prius, it signaled a drastic evolution for the hybrid that helped define the green vehicle segment and also established Toyota as a prominent force in green vehicle technology. But has its latest evolution helped the Prius maintain its prominent place in the green vehicle hierarchy? Or has it lost a step or two to an ever evolving suite of green contenders? The exterior styling of our “Hypersonic Red” tester is the latest example of Toyota’s philosophy that the Prius shouldn’t look like a conventional car. While the last generation’s lines could be best described …

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Singer Vehicle Design on Car Revs Daily

David Arnouts Book Review – One More Than 10: Singer and the Porsche 911

Car Revs Daily: Essential Summer Reading One More Than 10: Singer and the Porsche 911 By David Arnouts   Most will never own a Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer Vehicle Design, but that cruel fact doesn’t mean the masses of enthusiasts, dreamers and Porschephiles can’t own a small piece of the Singer dream. Enter the second of Car Revs Daily Essential Summer Reading, “One More Than 10: Singer and the Porsche 911.” This book, which includes photo documentaries, autobiographies and essays, isn’t your traditional car book. Instead, it’s a backstage pass into the meticulous creation process of the company and its …

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2016 Volkswagen Passat CC 2.0T R-Line – Road Test Review – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

Volkswagen brought out the CC model in 2009, and it was an immediate hit styling-wise, as it separated itself from the more upright and boxy Passat that it was based on. And since that first model, the styling hasn’t changed much, which is a good thing, since it is still a striking timeless look.  The long arc of the roofline gives the CC a low, long, sleek look that reminds one of a Mercedes CLS, or Audi A-7.  Like the lines on a true coupe, the frameless doors make interesting visuals, like a four-door-coupe.  And there is enough chrome around …

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Just How Much Does it Cost to Own a Supercar? Scott Huntington Finds Out

You have the money, and the idea is slowly forming in your head — you want to buy a supercar. It doesn’t matter if it’s new or used, you just want to look amazing behind the wheel of a powerful machine. Don’t get stuck in daydream mode, though. Before you buy any supercar, you must make sure you can cover all the costs of ownership. That means oil changes, plugs, belts, clutches and the heavy hitter — insurance. Unfortunately, supercar maintenance is not too easy on the wallet. Have a look at what it costs to maintain three of the …

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2016 Toyota Prius Four Touring 7

2016 Toyota Prius Four Touring – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

The Toyota Prius hasn’t really been on the radar of auto enthusiasts. Oh sure, it’s been technically interesting – and with hybrid powertrains showing up in many supercars these days, you have to give a tip of the hat to Toyota for spearheading the effort. Of course, if you’re a diesel fan, you might not feel so warm and tingly. Where the Europeans have long felt that diesel was the way to get performance with miserly fuel economy, Americans bought into Hybrids in a big way. So big, in fact, that it forced many of the Europeans to develop both …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Toyota Rav4 SE – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

If you are in the market for a small crossover SUV there is good news, and bad news.  The good news is that virtually every auto manufacturer from Japan, America, Europe, and Korea make at least one.  The bad news is that virtually every auto manufacturer from Japan, America, Europe, and Korea make at least one.  So choosing the right one to buy will be a daunting task.  There isn’t a rotten apple in the whole bushel full of competitors. This is by far the most hotly contested segment in the industry.  And it’s not hard to see why. These …

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2016 Honda Civic 1

Road Test Review – 2016 Honda CIVIC 1.5T Sedan – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

It seems like Honda has been making Civics forever.  It could be because that from the very first one, the Civic has been an outstanding small compact car with a reputation for value, reliability, and excellent gas mileage among other virtues.  It was loved by journalists and buyers, alike. However, the last generation Civic (2011 through 2015) was received with tepid enthusiasm from the press, and from customers.  That led to a very unusual second-year update, but even that didn’t do much to help keep the Civic near the top of the competition that got fiercer every year. For 2016, …

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The Escala Concept introduces the next evolution of Cadillac des

World Debut – 2016 Cadillac ESCALA Concept

Yes, Cadillac’s new video ads are appallingly bad.  Yes, a CT6 in slow-motion down a brick street in Manhattan is ridiculous. It looks like a high-fashion version of those anti-texting PSA’s, where the beautiful couple/friends/family’s lives are shattered by a huge crash.  No overt carcrash in the Caddy ads.  But they are a trainwreck. But Cadillac does have a vision these days, even if little of the product lineup really matches that look into the future. The Escala is the third “glamour” concept from the marque, after the Ciel and the Elmiraj from 2011 and 2013, respectively. This machine is all …

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2017 Mazda3 Refresh – First Look By Anthony Fongaro

    Mazda has had an extremely successful compact car in their lineup with the Mazda3. It has won awards ranging from Car and Driver’s prestigious 10Best list to winning comparison tests for its ride quality, comfort, and interior. Since the current-generation Mazda3 has been out for three years, it is time for it to once again raise the standards in the compact class. Looking at the exterior, the 2017 Mazda3 receives minor changes to the vehicle’s KODO – Soul of Motion design. These include a bolder grille, available LED headlights and tail lights, and a redesigned bumper for the …

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2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring (6MT) – Review By Carl Malek + Fiat 124 Visual Comparo!

    When Mazda first unveiled the current generation MX-5 Miata back in 2014, it signaled a radical shift in focus, with Mazda designers breathing newfound life into a car that some thought had lost its way since it was first introduced in 1989. With bolder exterior styling, and a renewed emphasis on weight shedding, the newly rejuvenated MX-5 promises to blaze its own chapter in the sports car ranks. Our last sampling of the MX-5 was out on the track, but can it succeed out in the real world? The exterior styling of the MX-5 embraces newfound levels of …

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How to Start a Car Collection – By Scott Huntington

Thinking about collecting cars? It doesn’t just happen overnight! There are a few things to keep in mind when buying and selling cars for a collection. Here are the top seven tips for having the best collection on the block. Know the Car Market First thing’s first: you should have a solid understanding about cars. Not just the ins and outs of your favorites, though — you need to know what it will take to buy and sell the cars in your future collection. The online world has changed the game when it comes to collecting cars. A car you …

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2016 Volkswagen TIGUAN SEL 4Motion – Review By Tim Esterdahl

REVIEW: 2016 VW Tiguan AWD – Fun Drive, Boring Design In some cases cars are designed so perfectly their popularity can carry them for years and well beyond when they typically receive updates. For the 2016 VW Tiguan, this is not the case and the all-new 2018 model, set to arrive next summer, is desperately needed. The fact is there is nothing wrong with the Tiguan per se, yet there isn’t really anything that exciting either and that’s a problem. The compact crossover market these days is hot with many great models from all manufactures. Typically, these vehicles provide ample room, …

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2017 Jaguar F-Pace S – USA First Drive Review, Video and 140 All-New Photos!

    Hopping behind the wheel of SUCH a gorgeous new truck moments after the first examples hit America? A huge rush. Crowning an F-Pace arrival with top-spec engine and a hot street style?  A double win. A Lush, Plush Rush This truck is double-take inducing in any form.  So low, so lean and so new.  Yet ours is extra special.  Bright white over black everything.  Gloss-black detailing all around on the test F-Pace S extends to every inch of the car: nose, grilles, wheels, hoodvent, lower accents and the entire windowline is dripping wet gloss.  We’ve captured every angle in a …

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2016 Lexus LX570 – Road Test Review + Sport Plus DRIVE VIDEO / 100 Photos

Welcome to the shockingly good 2016 Lexus LX570! This mid-cycle upgrade brings new styling all around, a fresh cabin and a healthy new dose of F Sport-infused performance.  This all moves the Lexus flagship dramatically upmarket versus its Land Cruiser sibling from Toyota. And you are looking at more than just a crisp jawline, industry-best LEDs all around and ultra-lux cabin upgrade versus its much-cheaper sibling.  The improvements are truly substantive, despite the two trucks sharing much of their glasshouse and door shapes. First thing to note in the LX?  This bluff new face up front is gorgeous and sets …

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2017 Kia Sportage SX Turbo 2.OL FWD – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

  If you’ve read our other tests of Kia vehicles, you might remember that we’ve been noticing a distinctively German feel to these Korean Vehicles, much of it owing to the stewardship of Kia/Hyundai Honcho Peter Schreyer, who previously penned much of Audi’s goodness. When we tested the Kia Optima SX we found loads of Audi-ness in the overall feel of the car. And now with the all-new Sportage SUV, we’re tasting hints of Porsche and BMW in the mix as well. Has Kia created the Korean Kayenne? Well, from first glance, it will definitely catch Stuttgart’s attention. And a …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Limited – By Carl Malek

When the revamped Hyundai Sonata first made its appearance back in 2009, it immediately stood out thanks to its slick exterior styling which marked a noticeable departure from the more mundane styling cues that once defined older Sonatas as well as Hyundai products in general. Can the revamped 2016 Hyundai Sonata still deliver on its promises of slick styling, while also retaining the impressive levels of technology that made the last generation model a hit with buyers? The exterior styling still looks handsome and elegant but whereas the last generation model was a ground up design, this iteration shares more …

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2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Final Edition (6MT) – Road Test Review – By Carl Malek   

EVO = “the gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form.” That definition best describes the Lancer Evolution, a car that originally started out life as the mediocre Lancer compact sedan, but would gradually transform into a performance car bargain thanks to the efforts of Mitsubishi engineers. Its rivalry with its Asian arch nemesis the Subaru WRX rewrote the performance car genre, and inspired other automakers to follow suit with entries such as the Dodge Neon SRT-4 (and its horrible follow up the Caliber SRT-4) the Ford Focus ST, and the Volkswagen Golf R. Sometimes …

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2017 Chevrolet VOLT Premier – HD Drive Video + 64 Lakeside Photos

A really fun steer — and one whose urge and handling delighted the sports-car fan in all of us!  We do even make a “Corvette hybrid” reference-slash-joke while flying around the corners of Lake Lanier Island, Georgia.     2017 Chevrolet VOLT Premier – Exterior Gallery 2017 Chevrolet VOLT Premier – Interior Gallery    

David Arnouts Book Review – The Drive: Custom Cars and Their Builders

“The Drive: Custom Cars and Their Builders” By David Arnouts   For the first of our Car Revs Daily Essential Summer Reading Collection, we have “The Drive: Custom Cars and Their Builders.” This book is a formidable 400 page publication by German publisher Gestalten. It explores a wide array of vehicles, automotive enthusiasts and their respective cultures across the globe. As far as a book goes, its physical dimensions, weighty heft and matte finish paper are pleasantly tactile and indicative of its high quality. It’s a great conversation starter, whether left on the shelf or out on the coffee table. …

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