2020 Lexus ES300h – Road Test Review – By Matt Barnes

The Lexus ES is moving upmarket. Can it step up to the task? The seventh generation ES was new for 2019 with the 2020 model receiving a few minor updates. Moving forward, the ES will have to cover for its traditionally sportier sibling with Car and Driver, reporting that the GS is going out of production.   Exterior You’d be forgiven for mistaking the Lexus ES for a sports sedan. The updated design is beautiful, sporty, and luxurious. The ES is longer and lower than the previous generation with the wheels pushed out to the corners. It is a gorgeous …

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2020 Jeep “JLUR” Wrangler Rubicon EcoDiesel – Off-Road Test Review – By Matt Barnes

After four years off, FCA brought back the 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel. This time they’ve decided to add it to the Jeep Wrangler. Enthusiasts call the newest Wrangler the JL.  If it’s the four-door version they, add a “U,” and for the Rubicon trim they add an R. Our test model was a 2020 JLUR EcoDiesel. Video Intro   Overview Arguably America’s most rugged vehicle, the newest Jeep Wrangler has been modernized without compromise to off-road ability. The Jeep brand is FCA’s top seller in the U.S., and the Wrangler is a big portion of that. In order to please a wider …

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2020 Cadillac XT6 Drive Review – By Matt Barnes – An Almost Excellent 3-Row Crossover

The XT6 is a front wheel drive luxury crossover from Cadillac using the same platform as the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Chevy Traverse. While the quadruplets are based on the same platform, the XT6 looks significantly different. The XT6 is more upscale and sportier than the other three. It appears nimbler and more luxurious yet retains the same 310 hp 3.6-liter V6 used in the others. Exterior When compared to its siblings, the XT6 has sharper lines, a lower body, and more chrome. The headlights are unique from all other Cadillac vehicles, but the grill, bumper, and fog lights …

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2020 Genesis G70 Sport RWD V6TT – Road Test Review + Drive Video

Every midsize premium sport sedan thinks it can dethrone the 3 series.   Beat BMW at their own game with the best engineering they can muster to make a relatively practical four-door sedan as playful and fun as the best sport coupes in the world. The 3 series might be king of the comparison tests but in truth all sedans in this price and size category are also chasing another prize: the top-selling Tesla Model 3.  It comfortably outsells the Euro premium brand sedans this size – combined.   But electric performance and the blob-like design of the Model 3 mean it’s …

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2020 Toyota C-HR – Road Test Review – By Matt Barnes

For decades, Toyota has been known for having bland vehicle styling. To change that reputation, they have recently made an effort to modernize their vehicles and add exciting features to the body work. From the new Camry to the Tacoma, we’d say that it’s working. Continuing that trend, Toyota has updated the 2020 C-HR with a restyled front end, bold new colors, and attention-grabbing wheel designs. Toyota sent us a 2020 C-HR Limited trim to test for a week.   Exterior The most common colors on vehicles sold in the US today are white, black, and every shade of grey …

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2020 SHELBY GT500 Ford Mustang – Covid-Safe(r) Track Drive Event

The launch rollout of the rockstar Mustang GT500 took a bit of a hiatus over the springtime for obvious reasons but it’s back on!   Covid-safe wit masks, lots of cleaning, disinfectant mister guns, helmet oven sanitizer and many other precautions were in place. Meeting the 760HP, 625-pound-foot GT500 on the track really is the perfect way to stretch its legs and test its limits.  Make no mistake, the rumors of #BestMustangEver are very true here. The car is so good that it even wears the famed Shelby Cobra snake logos all over — something we missed a bit on the …

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2020 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro – Off-Road Review – By Matt Barnes

Like nearly all other body-on-frame vehicles Toyota makes, the Sequoia is getting old. The current generation came out for the 2008 model year. Of course, there have been updates here and there over time, but there hasn’t been a major redesign in 12 years. For 2020, Toyota has introduced the TRD Pro trim level to the Sequoia. Like all other TRD Pro vehicles, the Sequoia has upgraded suspension components and a few unique color and trim items. Exterior No matter how you look at it, the Sequoia is a beast. Nearly everything about it is big. The front greets you …

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2020 RAV4 TRD Off-Road – Off-Pavement Drive Review – By Matt Barnes

The RAV4 is a tent-pole for Toyota USA with nearly half a million sales in 2019 and as the top-selling SUV in the United States. The RAV4 was updated in 2019 to be better in almost every way. Toyota moved away from the bland styling of yesteryear to create a more athletic and polarizing vehicle with more Tacoma and 4Runner design cues. Toyota is offering a new trim level for the RAV4, the TRD Off-Road for 2020 to match this newly masculine and athletic theme. On-Road For on road driving, the TRD Off-Road handles similarly to all other RAV4’s we’ve …

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Road Rage: Getting To Grips With This Common Driving Problem

Many of us have been guilty of road rage at some point in our lives, and a lot of us will have experienced the wrath of another driver too. When we look at recent road rage statistics in the US, many of us will be able to relate to the findings by the researchers behind the stats. According to the study, 82% of drivers in the US have admitted to having road rage over the last twelve months. Many of the people admitting to road rage have retaliated by honking their horn, shouting aggressively at other drivers, and using obscene …

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2020 Kia Telluride – Off-Road Test Review – By Matt Barnes

Kia has created a winner with the all-new three-row Telluride. It has won many industry awards for best in class. Is it actually as wonderful as it seems? Outside If you have seen any of Kia’s advertising for the Telluride, you will have likely seen it wading through water or plowing through mud. Kia is pushing the Telluride as a capable, go anywhere family hauler. To push this idea even further, Kia has given the exterior design of the Telluride a boxy off-roader look. Kia has done an excellent job of separating the Telluride from the Palisade, which shares the …

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2020 BMW X6 40i – Off-Road Test Review – By Matt Barnes

Sports Car in a Crossover’s Clothes: the New BMX X6 German vehicle manufacturers have recently been flooding the US market with a variety of crossovers; Audi offers six, Mercedes offers eight, and BMW offers seven. For BMW, they offer their SUVs as wagons and coupes. The X1 is the wagon and X2 the coupe riding on the same platforms. This goes for the X3 and X4, and the X5 and X6. The only wagon without a coupe is the new X7 as there is no X8 available yet. BMW was kind enough to give us a week with an X6 …

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Twin Test: 2020 Hyundai Kona Turbo FWD – Cheaper, But Much Less Grip

In the first part of this twin test we crowned the Kona Turbo AWD a best-of-2020 winner and clearly the superior Kona Turbo for performance enthusiasts.  This segment takes a look at what the differences are via a drive review and a new photoset of the 2020 Kona 1.6T front-wheel-drive. The upcoming Kona N performance model makes perfect sense to anyone who has driven the turbo version of these cars.  (The base Kona trims have significantly worse more affordable mechanicals beyond the engine so the boosted upgrade is very worthwhile.) But once you have sprung for the turbo, should you …

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Auto Insider: 7 Digital Tools You Need for Your Auto Shop – Featuring C8.R

Digital technology can be a real struggle for auto shops—curse that evil “Yelp” website for exposing your systematic overcharging of maintenance checks! Really though, there are plenty of great digital tools that can help your auto shop be more efficient and market itself better. Here are 7 digital tools you need to use at your auto repair business. 1.     Social Media So far as business goes, social media is a tool that’s easy to use but difficult to master. You should definitely set up pages for your auto shop on all major social media platforms, like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. …

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2019 Audi RS5 Sportback Review by Ben Lewis – Green with Energy

To paraphrase a famous SNL sketch, Audi been very, very, good to us. Looking back, we spent quality time with the beautiful A5 coupe, the potent S5 Sportback, and now we’re driving the Uber-fast (not to be confused with Uber, fast) RS 5 Sportback. It’s a nice progression, as each one has built on the other, but you’re never really prepared for the jaw-dropping performance an Audi RS model can provide. Green, with Energy The first thing that hit us about our tester was its Sonoma Green Metallic paint. We loved it. Audi has a tradition of bringing some awesome …

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2020 Infiniti QX80 Edition 30 – Off-Road Test Review By Matt Barnes

Like Lexus and Acura, Infiniti has been around for quite a while now and they are no longer new players in the game. What does thirty years of experience building luxury vehicles stack up in the new Infiniti QX80? To celebrate 30 years of Infiniti for 2020, Infiniti is offering an Edition 30 Package throughout its lineup. In the case of the QX80 Luxe we received for review, the package includes 22-inch forged dark aluminum alloy wheels, black mesh grill, dark chrome exterior trim, black mirror caps, additional badges, graphite headliner, and 1st row illuminated EDITION 30 kick plates. When …

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Auto Insider: The Best Accessories to Add to Your New Sportscar

There are two ways to buy a sportscar. You can either order one, where you can pay for all the upgrades and aesthetic changes you want and it will be custom-made just for you. This is the way to go if money isn’t an object, but it isn’t an option for many who have always dreamed of owning a sportscar. The second option is to buy a sportscar as-is. You can either get great deals from the dealership, or buy used. The other bonus is that you can pay for the upgrades your vehicle so desperately needs as you can. …

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Apollo Intensa Emozione at 2020 Amelia Island Concours

For hypercar fans the Apollos at this year’s Amelia Island Concours were undoubted stars of the show.  The gorgeous pair that the Apollo crew brought had a packed audience all week as everyone entering or leaving the Ritz stopped to gasp and stand in awe. The design is so shockingly aggressive and gorgeous that it seriously one-upped the McLarens parked just steps away.  Even the Senna looks tame beside this wild pair of painted dragons.  The dragon vibes are strong in the nose and especially in the tail.  You can easily imagine this machine spitting fire and hitting speeds you …

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2020 Chevrolet Blazer Premier AWD – Off-Road Test Review – By Matt Barnes

Chevy released the Blazer one year ago and has already done a complete renaming of it’s trim levels for the 2020 model along with a few other trim and package updates. Chevy added a new mid level engine option with the 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder. Trim level names have changed from L, 2.5L, 3.6L cloth, 3.6L leather, RS, and Premier to L, LT, 2LT, 3LT, RS, and Premier. They have also added an auto start stop override button, three new exterior colors and a new redline edition. For our testing Chevy sent us a top-of-the-line 2020 Blazer Premier AWD …

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2020 Lexus NX300 F Sport – Review By Matt Barnes

Lexus tries to keep a model as long as possible before they make any major updates. This holds true for the NX which is largely unchanged since its debut in 2014. So what, if anything, is new for 2020? Outside there are a few color changes with Silver Lining Metallic and Autumn Shimmer no longer available and Cadmium Orange being added. Inside the infotainment system now has Android Auto (for all NXs built after October 1st 2019) which joins Apple CarPlay that became available last year. There is an optional Mark Levinson audio system. The steering wheel now includes power …

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2020 Honda Civic Si 4-door by Ben Lewis

Normally, when a carmaker does a few mid-lifecycle tweaks to keep things fresh, it’s not a big deal. Maybe the looks get a little update, the electronics get brought up to speed, and if you’re lucky, they squeeze out a couple horsepower. So, when Honda offered us a 2020 Civic Si, we were happy to see it – we love the current-gen Si – but not really expecting much. But hold the phone! Those little things add up to be a big change. Fresh Face There was some moaning and groaning about the Civics’ exuberant styling when it first came …

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2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4×4 EcoDiesel by Ben Lewis

We recently tested the all-new Jeep Gladiator and came away extremely impressed. The Glad was an intriguing combination of Jeep, pickup truck, and convertible. But that’s not the only surprise coming to us from Jeep this year – there’s an all-new EcoDiesel model that’s been long awaited, and we were lucky enough to get our hands on one. Dive Right In Well that’s easy enough as our tester came in a beautiful blue Jeep calls Ocean Blue. From the front it could be any Jeep – and that’s good – we love the round headlamps, the seven-slot grille, and the …

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2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

We’ve had our share of exciting new vehicles lately. Ones that drew crowds, from the Honda Civic Type R, to the Lexus LC500. Thing is, it’s usually of interest to a certain kind of buyer. The hi-po import guys for the Civic, the luxury buyers for the LC. But with the 2020 Jeep Gladiator, we’ve had tons of interest – not just from Jeep loyalists – but folks from all different backgrounds and interests. It’s the people’s vehicle! (Sorry VW) Friendly Looks The first thing that draws them in is the Gladiator’s exterior design. From the front, it’s pure Jeep …

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2020 Lexus RC F – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

For a long time, Lexus has stood for really wonderful cars. Beautifully built, wonderfully smooth, but it’s been the rare Lexus model that could turn the heads of buyers who pony up serious dough for Mercedes’ AMG, BMW’s M Division, and Porsche. Well, there was the Lexus LFA. And it was sensational, but priced new at $400,000 and going for mid-400’s to 600’s (yes, thousands) now, it was always a halo car that was going to be out of reach of almost all of us. (We do still buy Lottery tickets and dream, though). For the rest of us, Lexus …

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2019 BMW Z4 M40i – Road Test Review & Drive Video

It was a BMW fun-fest at Car-Revs-Daily.com this Fall and we loved every minute of it. Driving the new Z4 let us experience the amazing torque-rush of the B58 “M40” motor we loved so much in the X4 in a lighter and far more aerodynamic package.  One with the wind in your hair and sun on your face.  There are quite a few contrasts in the new Z4’s mission: to be both more luxurious while still keeping its playful and sporty appeal intact. We came away thrilled with the machine for so many reasons — and only mention the Supra …

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Polaris SlingShot Teased Again In Pair Of New Videos [Videos]

Last week, Polaris teased the next iteration of its hot selling Slingshot with a brief teaser video, as well as a lone teaser image showcasing its reworked front fascia on its consumer website. Understandably, we were eager to see more details, and Polaris has delivered the goods (sorta) with a pair of all new teaser videos that highlight some of the finer aspects of the 2020 Polaris Slingshot. Like in the first round of teasers, we get a chance to once again see the new front fascia, which pitches its rounded headlights for a new set that are a better …

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2020 Kia Soul GT-Line Review by Ben Lewis

The Kia Soul has long been one of our favorite vehicles – cool style, hip vibe, strong performance, loads of tech at a reasonable price. What’s not to love? And we were equally thrilled when we recently tested the all-new 2020 X-Line, we came away very impressed. Except we kind of missed the Hamsters that Kia has killed from their ad campaign. What Kia didn’t kill was the available turbo-engined model, which has always been the enthusiast’s choice. But with the new 2.0-liter, non-turbo we tested we didn’t miss the turbo rush as much as we he had remembered. So, …

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Sony shocks with Vision-S Concept Preview.

Watch out Tesla! Apple beaten to the punch! Sony previews their entry into the future of the automobile. Doing what only a true electronics giant can, Sony touches every aspect of the modern automobile with its legacy of moving electrons to provide customers with style and substance. In the age where many automobile analysts espouse that people don’t want to drive their cars, they want to drive their iPhones, it appears that Sony has embraced that and lined every nook and cranny with portable device feature goodness. DriveMan or “Drive your Walk-Man”, perhaps? Sony Vision-S Official Page Quick Specs (More …

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2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500 6.6L Gas V8 – Off-Road Review + Video – By Matt Barnes

Chevy has updated the 2500 and 3500 Silverados for 2020. The grill is even bigger than before, the cab is longer and more spacious, the bed is wider and longer, and they are now offering a bigger V8 gas engine. Chevy has used the 6.0 gas V8 for over a decade now, and it’s long past due for a major update. We found the new 6.6-liter V8 gas engine to be more than adequate for most uses. With a towing capacity of up to 16,600 pounds most weekend warriors will be able to take their boats to the lake or …

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2020 Subaru Outback Limited – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

If there’s a company that epitomizes the “You Don’t Mess with Success” mantra, it’s Subaru. You rarely get a revolutionary, all-new, blow-your-mind model from the automaker. And we’re fine with that. Everything’s so good already, they prefer to perfect what they got. Introducing the all-new 2020 Outback! You didn’t notice? Well, it does look very familiar to anyone who has loved the previous five generations of Subie’s tall wagon. The size is about the same – 1.4” longer and 0.6 wider than the previous model. The lines look a bit crisper, with a large hexagonal grille, LED fogs and front …

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Road Test Review – 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque First Edition – By Carl Malek

When Land Rover first unveiled the Range Rover Evoque a few years ago, it represented a bold and key step for the British SUV maker. Penned with input from controversial style and music figure Victoria Beckham, the Evoque straddled the line between being a stylish accessory, and a go anywhere bruiser that promised higher levels of capability and ruggedness for the chic clientele that chose to welcome it into their homes. The Evoque proved to be a big seller for the company, but it was admittedly a bit rough around the edges in some aspects, especially in engine and infotainment …

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2020 Hyundai Palisade SEL FWD Review by Ben Lewis

We recently tested the all-new Kia Telluride, and came away mightily impressed. So, we couldn’t wait to try its sibling, the Hyundai Palisade. We were surprised in a couple ways. They’re very different, and yet both deserve your consideration. And Hyundai’s flagship SUV even has a surprising accent. (Not to be confused with the Hyundai Accent) Swedish Fish Many times we’ve pointed out that Kia design feels very European, thanks in part to putting Peter Schreyer the head of Audi design in charge. Hyundai has never felt that way, until now. Well, except for the front. Here we have a …

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2020 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350, GT350R Gain All New Heritage Edition Package

Back in August, Ford showcased the suite of exterior and mechanical enhancements that the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and the GT350R received for the 2020 model year. We even had a chance to sample the duo on the winding twists and turns of the M1 Concourse. But while we had a blast seeing what these capable serpents could do out on the track, as well as hearing the sweet soundtrack from the 5.2 liter V8. There was a sense that the pair were missing a noticeable link to their rich past. Ford and Shelby embarked on fixing that, and revealed …

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2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison Duramax Diesel Review

The ZR2 Bison is unstoppable!! Never thought I’d find a factory off-road pickup that can hang with the Raptor, but the Colorado’s slimmer width is a big plus on narrow trails. The diesel engine is packing a wallop at 365 pound-feet of torque and so you can tow an extra 700 pounds (up to 7700). However, the 0-60-mph time drops 3 seconds from 6.5 to 9.5. It feels pretty glacial on the road until you adjust to its power delivery style. But then you start to love how it just surges forward without a gear change, or pops off the …

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2020 Toyota 86 Hakone Review by Ben Lewis

You have to give Toyota credit. After all, with home runs like the RAV4 (best-selling SUV in America) Camry (best-selling car in America 18 out of 19 years) Tacoma (best-selling mid-size pickup), they really don’t have to go out and sell sports cars. But they do. In fact, this year they’ve got not one, but two, the 86, and the all-new Supra. OK, you can argue the big T doesn’t go it alone – the 86 is a cooperative effort with Subaru that markets its near twin the BR-Z, and the Supra shares a great deal with the new BMW …

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2020 Dodge Charger GT Brings Four Season Capability To Dodge’s Musclecar Entry

When it comes to making lemonade out of squeezed lemons, few can top Dodge and their incredible ability to do just that with some of their models. One prominent example is the Dodge Charger, with the model last receiving a major refresh in 2015, with the updated platform tracing its roots back to 2011. While this makes the Charger an aging grizzled veteran in a sea of decidedly younger competitors. The Charger is defying the trend of slumping sedan sales, with the model actually recording a noticeable double digit increase in sales. This is the best sales performance in a …

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2020 Honda Accord Touring 2.0T Review by Ben Lewis

We’ve mentioned before that car years are kind of like dog years. Two years in people time can be a long time on the showroom. Take the Honda Accord. When it was introduced as a 2018, it was the new hotness. One of, if not the best reasonably-priced family sedan. Time flies, though, and an all-new Toyota Camry and more recently Nissan Altima are vying to steal the Accord’s steak off the grille while it’s still sizzling. So, is the Honda Accord still hot? Bring Your Oven Mitts Well, in the ficklest of all areas – exterior style – the …

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2019 BMW M850i Convertible Review and Drive Video – The Richmaker

What is it like spending a week behind the wheel of the new M850i?  There are barely words to capture how amazing it is, but we will try. This reborn 8 series continues the essence of that original shark-nosed executive supercoupe perfectly — updating and evolving it into the present and future. How well?  After a few days behind the wheel, this M850i will make you feel ridiculously rich. Tax haven rich. City, beach and Tahoe ski house rich. Capital gains tax rich. So rich you stop calling it money and start calling it wealth. So rich you can barely …

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2020 Acura RDX SH-AWD A-SPEC – Review by Ben Lewis

Acura has been on the move lately. We’ve been continuously impressed with vehicles like the fun and agile ILX, the luxurious and swift RLX, and the MDX Hybrid, which was a tech tour de force. But of all the nice products, the best may be the all-new RDX. The RDX has had an interesting life. The original model was ahead of its time, coming in   2007 with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and a very sporty chassis. For the second gen, the 2013 model featured a V6 engine, and was much more of a scaled down MDX. A very nice mainstream …

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2019 Lexus ES350 Ultra Luxury – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

For 2019, Lexus introduced an all-new ES350, and it’s a radical step up from the previous model. Due in part to the all-new Camry which the ES shares a chassis, it was the last sedan to get some bona fide’s in terms of performance and pizzazz. There may some though, that kind of liked the previous models focus on the luxury and away from sport. What to do for them?  Enter the ES350 Ultra Luxury. Sleek and Sexy Okay, there’s really not much difference exterior-wise between the Ultra Luxury and other ES350’s, but we don’t mind Lexus not being shouty …

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2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe – Road Test Review + Drive Video

The C43 had huge shoes to fill when it arrived out front for its review recently. The car it replaced was none other than a flagship from its top rival BMW in the M850i.  Though not size or price rivals at all, the level of excellence as my benchmark for comparisons was sky-high. So it is a shock to say that this car exceeded all expectations of what a hot exec sports coupe can and should be. The AMG C43 is a scalpel for slicing apexes on track, dicing with rivals in long straights, and icing its competitors with brick-wall …

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2019 BMW X4 M40i Review and Drive Video – A Love-Bug Passion Play

There are some cars you just click with right away as a reviewer, and the rest of the week with that ride just makes you love it more and more. I sometimes refer to these as “first-block” cars.  Vehicles that enchant you moments after putting them in Drive and rolling away for the very first time.  These are machines that sell themselves better than any salesperson ever could.  For me, the X4 M40i is one of those cars and is actually one of my top-three SUV drives of 2019.  (Behind Levante Trofeo and X7 M50i). X4 is an amazing machine …

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2019 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport Review by Ben Lewis

We used to go to a movie theater that had catchy phrases on the popcorn containers. On the largest size was the especially memorable: BIG IS MORE. Well, there’s no arguing that in popcorn. Or full-size SUV’s. Which brings us to the 2019 Toyota Sequoia. If an SUV ever deserved that motto on the side, this would be it. But there’s plenty to talk about outside of the big and tall dimensions. Big is Beautiful The 2019 Sequoia is a good-looking beast. Unlike the new RAV4 (that we loved) that’s dressed up to look rugged, the big Toy bowls you …

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Finding Its Inner Potential, 2020 Shelby Mustang GT350R Brings New Moves To Its Track Slaying Mission

When we last met the Shelby GT350 Mustang, it was in its base form, and while the GT350 certainly proved to be a very track ready offering, the feeling that it had more lurking underneath its imposing bodywork was hard to ignore. The intoxicating snarl of its 5.2 liter 526 horsepower V8 certainly does its best to distract you from thinking such things, but despite its attempts at luring you into its charms, the feeling of more still permeates the overall driving experience. Ford engineers have felt the same way too, and have unleashed a new iteration of the Shelby …

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2020 Hyundai Palisade – Road Test Review + POV Video in All Seats

Our first outing the the Palisade was up at the beautiful Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC and the surrounding mountains.  As you can read and watch, we hauled our butts up a mountain then did some off-roading in a mad caravan of Palisades.  We looked like a villain’s entourage with so many black luxury SUVs in convoy form! This follow-up was much more down to earth.  When the villains go home for the weekend, perhaps, and take on normal parenting and lifestyle duties. This involved a boring commute in traffic, jaunts around town running errands and lots of everyday life …

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Chevrolet Drops The Top On 2020 Chevrolet Corvette

When we last saw the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette in July, it shocked the world by finally bringing the mid-engine format to a production Chevrolet Corvette after a 50 year wait. But amid all the pomp and circumstance, the absence of the equally long awaited convertible was noticed by many attendees. While there wasn’t as much flash and pomp this time around, the unique magic that the 2020 Corvette convertible brings to the table cannot be ignored. The exterior styling at its basic core elements remains mostly unchanged from the coupe that preceded it, but the droptop variant does bring some …

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2020 Buick Enclave ST – Road Test Review + Drive Video

The new-for-2020 Enclave ST looks amazing!  It is shocking how much the body-color grille edge and new gloss-black inner mesh changes the look of this jumbo crossover. Nowhere near as shocking as the resounding praise you’re about the read, though!  Believe me, this car will make anyone who drives or rides inside into a Buick fan. This coming from the kid who truly believed the 1990s Skylark was the most hideous vehicle ever made, and had disgusted reactions to every element of LeSabre and Century. This is a new era though, and this Buick is the best ever. ST stands …

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Honda Unveils 2020 CRV Hybrid, Brings All-Wheel Drive To Hybrid Lineup For First Time Ever

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid already made its debut in Europe earlier this year, but with the U.S. version of the CR-V due for an update. Honda has unveiled our version of the 2020 CR-V Hybrid, which will be the third hybrid model that Honda will have for sale alongside the Accord and Insight sedans, as well as the first light utility on sale here to benefit from hybrid technology.   Tweaked Exterior And Interior Styling Defines Light Refresh: Honda knows that when it comes to sales, the 2019 CR-V is a very potent winning formula for the Japanese auto …

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2019 Lexus UX 250h Luxury – Review by Ben Lewis

There is an age-old conundrum in vehicles. At a certain price, should you buy the top of the line of a mainstream manufacturer, or go into the entry-level of a premium brand? And here is a perfect example – the Lexus UX 250h.  You’ll pay a premium in price over, say a RAV4 hybrid, but is it worth it? We think so. Why? It Looks Like a Lexus This is a second time we’ve tested the UX. We previously had the UX 200, and we really liked the lines of the vehicle. While it is the baby in the family, …

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2020 Kia Telluride SX V6 AWD – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

Kia has been on a roll. Every vehicle we’ve tested lately, from the 2020 Kia Soul X-Line to the K900 has been a gem, and now we have the all-new Kia Telluride – a full-size, 3-row, 8-passenger SUV, and it may be the best Kia yet. And that’s saying something. The Bold and the Beautiful The Telluride is the largest vehicle Kia offers, and it’s also the first Kia designed specifically for the U.S. Kia itself calls the Telly big, bold and boxy, but this is one handsome box, looking more like a cross between a Ranger Rover and a …

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2019 Ford F-150 Raptor – On and Off-Road Test Review + Video

The Raptor Returns! Raptor in summertime seems to be a tradition here at CRD and we’re not taking one minute for granted this time!  Last year we were too busy to take the beast into its off-road element and (gasp) barely discovered its drive modes until the last day or so. Not happening this time. The 2019 refresh of the coolest and most capable factory off-roader ever made got a thorough test and a great drive video too!  We savored every moment during this Raptor visit and have some awesome insights, highs and lows to share with you, loyal readers. …

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2019 BMW X2 M35i – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

Every time there’s a new small BMW, we hear the talk about the “Spiritual Successor to the BMW 2002.” This was BMW’s small 2-door that around 1970 took the quite pleasant 1600 2-door and stuffed a larger 2.0-liter 4-cylinder motor in it – classic hot-rodding, actually – and basically turned the automotive world on its ear. With the 2002, you had a totally practical, roomy and innocuous little sedan that outperformed the traditional sports cars of the day, and when the later fuel-injected 2002tii appeared, it was hunting down bigger game – including expensive European cars and powerful domestics, too. …

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2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross – Road Test Review + Performance Drive Video

Eclipse Cross is such a class-leading vehicle that it instantly moves Mitsubishi to the A-list of car brands.  It is that well-equipped, feels like it has stellar build quality, and just leapfrogs most of its rivals on drive manners. Mitsubishi gone from worst to first!!? Perhaps we should take a step back and explain what makes the new Eclipse Cross so great. Yes, let’s take a more mature approach to detailing how Eclipse Cross’s build quality, tech and drive manners make it one of the most sophisticated supermini SUVs available.  Kick things off by watching the performance drive review video …

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2019 Kia K900 Luxury – Review by Ben Lewis

If you’re shopping for a super luxury sedan, you’re probably thinking about Mercedes, BMW and most certainly, Lexus. But don’t forget about Kia. No, we haven’t overdosed on the goodness of the new 2020 Kia Soul that we enjoyed so much. There’s a Kia sedan – all-new – that takes on the likes of the Lexus LS, and does it a fraction of the cost, too. Enter the 2019 Kia K900. The what? The K900. Let’s take a step back. Remember the wonderful Genesis G90 sedan we tested a little while ago? Well peek underneath the Kia’s sheet metal and …

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2019 Mazda3 AWD Sedan Review by Ben Lewis

A lot of people love European vehicles. The quality, the ride, the design, the feeling that you’re in something special – it’s all good, and it’s all there. So, we often get asked, “what’s a good entry-level European sedan?” Well, the best Euro sedan for the money right now is… the 2019 Mazda 3. Yes, the Mazda 3. We’ve just spent a week in the all-new Mazda 3 sedan (a hatchback is available, too), and it is impressive. Now we’ve always liked the 3 – a lot of enthusiasts we know who’d like a BMW or an Audi end up …

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2020 Toyota Corolla SE 6-Speed Manual Sedan – Review by Ben Lewis

If I tell you there’s a 4-door compact sedan that’s got hot styling, some real attitude, and is lots of fun to drive thanks to a 6-speed manual transmission, what would you say? Civic? Mazda 3, Elantra? How about a Toyota Corolla? Yes, the Corolla. Okay, we can’t blame you if it didn’t pop in your mind. Although there have been the occasional performance versions including the hot-hatch 1988 Corolla FX16, and the 2005 Corolla XRS sedan (8,000 rpm redline!), most of the model’s reputation has been built on solid, sensible and reliable transportation over flash. And it’s been a …

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2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature (Turbo) – Road Test Review with Performance Drive Video

Is there anything that a huge lump of horsepower cannot solve?!   The 2019 Mazda CX-5 went from a top-5 crossover in our books to the best of the best.  All thanks to a generous dollop of turbo horsepower – and especially torque! Mazda’s goal for 2019 is to keep the CX-5 sales party going at full steam. They are achieving this via not one but two new engine options in addition to the base 2.5-liter with 187 horsepower. There is a 2.2-liter turbodiesel offered in the USA for the first time and then this all-new turbo gas powerplant we so …

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2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD – First Drive – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

For 10 straight months, sales of Hyundai’s SUV’s have increased sales. Kona, Tucson, and Santa Fe are models leading the way. Now the Korean manufacturer has just launched their largest SUV to date, the Palisade.  At a recent press event with the Midwest Automotive Media Association, outside of Chicago, we had a chance to spend several hours behind the wheel of the top level Palisade Limited.  It’s a special vehicle with a lot to offer anyone looking for a mid-size luxury SUV. The Palisade has standard 3-row seating that can seat 7 people or 8, if you choose a second …

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2020 Kia Soul X-Line – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

First, a moment of silence. Today we mourn The Hamster. Well, not a real Hamster, but the special-FX rodents that came to be identified with the Kia Soul, thanks to their great commercials. For the all-new 2020 Soul, it looks like the furry funmakers have been tossed in the proverbial dustbin. (At least they could have been buried in the backyard, no?) Shed no tears, though, because this is an all-new Kia Soul, and while it keeps the, errr…Soul of the previous model, it sports a lot of great improvements that keep it one of the most enjoyable and endearing …

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2020 BMW 330i M Sport xDrive – First Drive Review Video & Photo Gallery

A rainy morning in hilly northern Wisconsin was the perfect time and place to try out the new BMW 3 series with AWD.  This redesign was sure to be pretty excellent – focused on the interior roominess and luxury, and maintaining the excellent pace and agility that the sedan perfected generations ago. We flogged its turbo four to really feel the 5.3-second sprint to 60-mph and came out grinning.The xDrive AWD models have the same turbo four as the rear-drive models but this time tuned with about 80 extra pound-feet of torque. BMW has done this for years and it …

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Design Talent Showcase – 2025 McLaren Monaco – Front-Engine GT By Nathan Malinick

On the eve of McLaren’s latest road car reveal at Villa d’Este tomorrow — here is a masters-thesis design project from a rising star of the car business. Its premise? A front-engine GT car from McLaren.  Named the Monaco, nearby where Macca will unveil their cushiest road car yet. But this concept is no strategic counterpoint. This design was finalized last year so it is just a delightful convergence of ideas in the motor universe.  From the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, to Woking, and back. “I finished this project before the release of the McLaren Speedtail last fall …

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Toyota Brings More Refinement, Technology To the 2020 Highlander CUV

Remember when the Toyota Highlander was stylish and refined? If you said no to either of these, it’s completely understandable considering how past iterations of the venerable Highlander embraced the functionality and purposeful lines that defined it as a perennial favorite among family buyers, but at the cost of losing ground to more design centric family haulers. Toyota is out to completely change the way people perceive the big Highlander, and has given it a very massive makeover for the 2020 model year. The exterior of the 2020 Highlander will certainly draw plenty of stares thanks to its rebooted styling …

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2019 Kia Niro EV – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

Cynics that we are, we are slowly becoming fans of Electric Vehicles. While we still love the sound of a good engine, there’s a lot to love about the newest wave of fully electric and plug-in hybrid models. Our favorite plug-in may be the Honda Clarity,  whose futuristic good looks and reasonable 47 miles of EV mode range won us over. More important was the Hyundai Kona Electric, with an amazing 258-mile Tesla-baiting range, and great fun-to-drive spirit. We could easily drive it every day. Maybe the Kona is a little too small? Good news, we now have the Kia …

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Cadillac Unveils CT5 Sedan, Replaces CTS and ATS In Sedan Lineup

Ahead of its debut at the 2019 New York Auto Show, Cadillac has formally unveiled the 2020 CT5 sedan online, with the new model showing how commited Cadillac really is to simplifying its sedan lineup in the wake of increasing CUV demand. This step towards simplifying the lineup means that the CT5 will resurrect its role as a tweener offering for buyers, with the car replacing both the 3-Series sized ATS sedan, as well as the bigger CTS, which also initally performed this same duty when the second generation version first debuted back in 2008. We are still scratching our …

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2020 Shelby GT500 Embraces The St. Patricks Day Spirit With All New Grabber Lime Hue

With all the hype and buzz that the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has generated since its debut at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in January, Ford has just recently begun to unleash some of the finer details that help define the performance oriented mission that is infused into this potent serpent. When we last met the 2020 GT500, it was in a wind tunnel where we had the opportunity to learn about some of the lengths that Ford went to maximize the GT500’s aerodynamic potential. This time however, Ford has a neat surprise that arrives just in …

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2019 Ginetta Akula – Underdog Debut Pips Geneva Hypercar Elite

We’re fans of underdog supercar maker Ginetta for a few reasons.  First of all is that they are actual racers. Most of the supercars that debut today will not have bona-fide tracktime in their futures, while this Akula certainly does. And secondly, for the functionality of their approach to sports cars. The spirit of the new Akula’s design vaguely recalls TVR from the wild old days.  This is not a machine that went  through dozens of focus groups and design evolutions.  This is a murderous slasher film in CFRP — all vents and intakes and outlets throughout the entire lower …

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2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo Shows Sharp Aero Brutalism is Back

There are a hell of a lot of very soft and rounded corners on the new F8 Tributo to call it a sharp or brutal design. But that is what it is — the first appearance of flat-plane angles and crisp aero detailing since perhaps the F40.  Slices of horizontal white LEDs for main lighting are intense and so serious it hurts. A jutting chin-piece cuts the air up even before it reaches the sharky hood edge. Swirls of intake shaping like a waterslide shove air into lower edge intakes to feed additional radiators and supply the brakes with cold …

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2019 RAM HD Lineup Boasts 1,000 lb ft of Torque Among Suite Of Updates

Ahead of its highly anticipated debut at the 2019 North American International Auto Show tomorrow, Ram has released images and information regarding the 2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 HD lineup, and after having a chance to look over some of the specs that Ram has posted in its press release. It’s clear that Ram engineers are truly going for broke when it comes to outdoing their domestic rivals in sheer capability, technology, and refinement. Before we get into some of the other aspects that define the 2019 lineup, lets take a moment to look at arguably the most defining thing …

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Cadillac Unveils Three Row 2020 XT6 CUV Ahead of NAIAS

With the ferocity unseen by the brand in recent years, the once car focused Cadillac has rapidly revamped and expanded its lineup of utility offerings. Once territory that was occupied most successfully by the Cadillac Escalade (review pending,) the luxury brand has added the XT4 and the XT5 in its arsenal to try and allow it to expand its reach in the hotly contested CUV segment. But a void always existed between the XT5 and the Escalade, and Cadillac has addressed this by unveiling its newest XT badged offering, the 2020 Cadillac XT6. When its exterior styling is looked over …

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2020 Toyota Supra Spied Camo Free And Ready For Detroit

As mentioned in our prior coverage surrounding the 2020 Toyota Supra, it has become perhaps the worst kept secret in automotive history. A figurative torrent of leaks and spy photos has unleashed various aspects of the upcoming sports car to the masses (much to Toyota’s displeasure.) But amid all of this, the Supra always managed to keep its production sheet metal away from prying eyes, until now, with a lone photo prematurely revealing the final front fascia design of the revamped, and vastly improved Toyota Supra ahead of its Detroit debut in January.   Enthusiasts that were wondering whether the …

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Lexus Teases Hotter RC F Track Edition Ahead of NAIAS

Toyota and Lexus are pulling out all the stops when it comes to performance vehicles at the 2019 North American International Auto Show. In addtion to the worst kept secret in the industry today (the revived Toyota Supra,) Lexus has teased its own performance king, the 2020 RC F Track Edition ahead of the glitz and glamor that will descend on the Motor City in 2019.   Unlike the Supra, the upcoming RC F Track Edition has done a much better job eluding detection, thus fine details surrounding the bulk of its exterior styling are still unknown. What we do …

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2020 Kia Soul Teaser Shows Familiar Shape Ahead of L.A. Debut

Kia is keen on getting into the spirit of things ahead of the L.A. Auto Show later this month, and with Hyundai preparing a big reveal of their own, the youthful Korean car brand wanted to make sure the revamped Soul did not get lost in the all the glitz and glamour that the L.A. Auto Show is expected to bring when it kicks off later this month.   The lone teaser that Kia released earlier today may not reveal very much at first glance, but the image does reveal that the Soul’s trademark boxy shape will largely be retained, …

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Hyundai Confirms Palisade Name For New Three Row SUV Ahead of LA Auto Show Debut

Hyundai has so far kept a very tight veil of secrecy surrounding its new 3-row flagship SUV with only a few light teasers, and a preceding concept hinting at its existence, but with LA fast approaching, the Korean car giant has finally confirmed a small slice of information, and revealed the official name for this very important utility offering, Palisade.   Depending on who you ask, the Palisade moniker is derived from a whole swath of inspiration. According to Hyundai, the name is inspired not only by a series of coastal cliffs, but also the strength of an ancient fortress. …

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2018 Nissan GTR50 Concept By ItalDesign – Goodwood FoS 2018 Debut

Very interesting collaboration here where ItalDesign was tasked with a re-skin a Nissan GT-R fully, inside and out, as a celebration of the car’s 50-year legacy. More than a reskin, even. Re-imagining? Reboot? Yes. Possible hints at next-gen model expected for the 2020 model year?  Yes of course.  But mostly this exercise just celebrates the GT-R’s essence and moves the vehicle noticeably upmarket.  Even as a $100k car the GT-R does lack the class and panache of true supercars, in some respects, with the current model’s workmanlike exterior and interior. How to go high-fashion without dulling the GT-R’s ace in …

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HD Design Analysis – 2020 Volkswagen GT Ge by Eli Shala – Biplane Aero Theory, Negative Space Define EV Supercar

Imagine your senior year in college.  Did any of your final projects merit global attention, countless strategy meetings and even full-scale models? Your ideas, and how you expressed them, drawing attention from one of the largest and most-influential carmakers in the world? We’d bet not. But then, you are not the design whiz that is Eljesah “Eli” Shala, and you did not create the 2020 VW GT Ge “Ground Effect” design study. The start of a exceptionally promising career for Eli began long ago, but is picking up momentum rapidly in 2016.  All thanks to the extreme sportiness + eco principles …

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Standalone GENESIS Luxury Division Is Official! New G90 Sketches Preview 2017 Equus Replacement

Hyundai confirmed earlier this week that the Genesis luxury car will blossom into a full premium brand, distinct from its origins with Hyundai. Six new models are promised before 2020, with the first look today at the design direction and future name scheme for Genesis. This first look at the G90 shows the way for the next-generation Equus limousine, making its debut in early December 2015 in Seoul. The Equus sedan itself has been a massive hit in its home market, where it is currently named EQ900. The upgrade to a new Genesis brand is aimed as a springboard to …

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Design Talent Showcase – 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL PURE Concept by Matthias Böttcher

Emerging designers are fascinating. They provide a relatively uncluttered look at the next generation of automobile design, usually five to ten years away from hitting the streets. Students of industrial design are well-prepped for the world of making dream shapes and sketches come to life — in panels and 4D forms that could, in theory, be produced some day. Their vision and style for final thesis projects, like the SL Pure by Mattias Bottcher of Germany, can be a powerful catalyst. Pulling forward the future with new ideas unfettered by corporate speak, layers of hundreds of other designers, or the …

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ARES Modena Renders 4-Pack of 2019 Megabuck SUVS: RR Ghost II, Mulsanne and Spur SUV + G63 Vision

ARES Modena just opened a flagship showroom in London to showcase their fabulous custom supercar upgrades. Nearly a dozen vehicles are in the current atelier customs catalog — fully revamped inside and out. A deeper look at the firm uncovers some serious design talent that goes above and beyond the typical wheels and bodykits of many premium tuners. Flawless and intriguing Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Mercedes-AMG SUV concepts show the depth of skill in the ARES toolbox. They are some of the best looks into the future of these sure-thing SUVs based on the Ghost II and Bentley Flying Spur. The …

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2019 McLaren-Honda F1 Racer Rendered With Gorgeous Closed-Cockpit Canopy

  Andries Van Overbeeke’s third set of future F1 car designs is his most intriguing yet — thanks to a subtle tweak up top and a revolution down below. Up top in the Overbeeke F1 McLaren-Honda we have a closed cockpit for the first time. No F1 car has run enclosed in the history or the event. Shaped like a fighter jet canopy, this forward-hinged cockpit promises smoother aero at high speeds and enhanced safety in any accident. F1 cars have typically been open for practical reasons. Venting exhaust fumes at first, then allowing drivers to be ejected or extracted …

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Design Talent Showcase – 2020 Puma Boulevard Racer by Sabino Leerentveld

LocalMotors.com is not just the hub of a budding OEM manufacturer of trucks, motorcycles and trikes — but actually a full-fledged design community. Collaborative engineering and project management takes a huge hive of intellectual capital. It is fun to browse around the design section of the site to find exciting ideas, fantastic renderings of the future, and draft design projects that will make you gag in horror. Buried deep in the pages, however, you can find some really exciting achievements in design. Stuff that no company or even Gran Turismo concept is doing yet. Such is the Puma Boulevard Racer …

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