Month: December 2021

2021 Lexus RC 350 F SPORT review by Ben Lewis

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We recently tested and loved the all-new Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance, with a massively powerful and sonorous 5.0-liter V8. It was a fantastic sport sedan. But maybe you like the svelte lines of a coupe. And don’t really need all that power, but still want something quick and sporty – and with all that luxury and goodness of Toyota’s premium division? Well have we got a car for you! The Lexus RC 350 F SPORT. Let’s take a look. Sporty, Smooth and Sophisticated The RC has been with us for several years now, yet it still turns head …

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Rolls Royce Cullinan Black And Bright Editions Pay Homage To Moscow, Display Wild Colors

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Rolls Royce is never a stranger whne it comes to producing special edition versions of its models, and we have seen the British ultra-luxury automaker embark on a number of diffrent themes over the years. This time, Rolls Royce has chosen to pay tribute to the night skies of Moscow, Russia with the all new Black and Bright Collection Cullinan.   Russia Is Key Market For Rolls Royce While the city that was once the cradle of communisim and the Cold War might not seem like a key market for the company at first glance, modern Russia has become a …

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Toyota Avalon Enters Final Model Year With All New XSE Hybrid Nightshade Model

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It wasn’t too long ago that Toyota revealed that the Avalon would not live beyond the 2022 model year. We recently had one final chance to check out the recently axed TRD model and the Japanese auto giant has now confirmed that not only an additional trim level will go away, but that the final run of Avalons will also be the latest recipient of the Nightshade appearance package.   XSE Hybrid Embraces The Night Like other Nightshade-equipped Toyotas, the dark motif for the Avalon is purely a styling package that aims to bring the Avalon into the dark side. …

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Hyundai Puts Hydrogen Program On Ice, Cites Hurdles And Marketability [Update]

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Hydrogen fuel cell technology has always existed as an outlier when compared with the traditional EV technology that has rapidly become more prominent in recent years. Despite this, several automakers still championed the technology. However, hydrogen has just lost a key supporter, with Hyundai revealing that it has frozen all development into its hydrogen-electric powertrains.   Feasibility And Hurdles Dogged Hyundai Program The news comes from a report that was published by the South Korean publication Chosunbiz who revealed that execs pulled the plug after seeing the results of a feasibility study. Hyundai’s South Korea offices have so far not …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Volvo S90 Recharge T8 Inscription – Suave Green Filled Sophistication In Sedan Form

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With Volvo‘s reputation so entrenched in vehicle safety, it can be easy to forget that the Swedish luxury carmaker is also trying to build a name for itself in the green vehicle market. The Recharge series is an attempt to introduce customers to electrification gradually, and we enjoyed our last exposure to the Recharge when we had a chance to drive the XC90 Recharge. But with the XC90 sharing a platform with the S90 sedan, it was only a matter of time before it too received the electrification treatment. But will it deliver the same positive vibes that the XC90 …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition – Not Quite TRD Grade But An Interesting Detour

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It has been over a decade since the current generation Toyota 4Runner made its debut. The spunky 4Runner has always been a potent sales force for Toyota, and not only has it greatly benefitted from the recent surge in SUV demand, but it has also even managed to blunt encroachment by EV offerings. But it’s no secret that the 4Runner is also aging and that it’s up against a fresher crop of rivals. Can it still be a new face, or is it time for it to slink off to retirement?   Unchanged 4Runner Canvas Flaunts Its Wrinkles With Pride …

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2022 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD review by Ben Lewis

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Well, we’re spending the holidays in Kona. No, not the balmy town on the Big Island of Hawaii (we wish) but something nearly as fun – the heavily revised 2022 Hyundai Kona. It’s long been one of our favorite small SUV’s – especially if you pony up for the turbocharged model. So, does it remain a vacation from other sleepy small SUVs? Let’s take a look. Go For the Bold The exterior has gotten a major freshening, and while we were frankly pretty happy with previous design, we’ve got no complaints with the new duds. Up front, a larger split …

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Aston Martin Teases V12 Vantage Again, Confirms Wild Bodywork Is Coming To Aston’s Sports Hero

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When Aston Martin first confirmed that the V12 Vantage was returning to the marketplace, the company made it clear that not only would this be the final chapter of the V12, but that it would be the most hardcore iteration of the Vantage yet. A new teaser gives us a glimpse of the rear end and it appears that the new model will have the beauty to back up its brawn.   Vantage F1 Edition Donates To The Cause Do not go gentle into that good night.#AstonMartin #V12Vantage #NeverLeaveQuietly — Aston Martin (@astonmartin) December 21, 2021   At first glance, …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Mercedes-AMG A35 4MATIC – A35 AMG Leaves Our Shores With A Bang

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Mercedes-Benz and their AMG sub-brand are on a quest to lure in more customers thanks in part to a revamped model lineup and some new thinking in the way they promote their models. Unfortunately, part of this new thinking involves some shuffling in the lineup with Mercedes axing the A35 AMG from our shores in the process of writing this review. What will we miss out on with the model gone from our shores?   Spunky Character Defines A35 Formula For starters, we’ll no longer get to see the A35’s design-focused personality. The standard A-Class already has some impressive design …

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Maserati Teases MC20 Cabrio, Supercar Loses Its Top For More Style

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Winter may have much of the United States in its winter clutches, but as they say, it’s always summer somewhere and Maserati is attempting to make consumers flashback to warmer weather and even driving through curvy coastal roads with the all-new MC20 Cabrio which is set to add a new flavor of fun to the lineup.   Dropping The Top In The Name Of MC20 Style As the name implies, the MC20 Cabrio is at its core, an MC20 convertible with the performance-packed two-door now having the ability to generate open-aired driving thrills on-demand. Like other recent Maserati products, the …

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2022 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance review by Ben Lewis

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We recently tested the 2021 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT and were frankly wowed by the enhancements to the looks and performance, taking a really good car and making it great. And it reinforced all the talk from Lexus and Toyota being serious about performance was the real deal. How real? Well Lexus has slapped the gorgeous naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 from the luscious LC IS 500 in the IS sedan, creating a new trim – F SPORT Performance – which is above F SPORT but below F models. Ok, a little confusing, but it sounds like a marriage made in …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Lexus RC F Fuji Edition – Track Potential Soured By Flaws

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It’s not often that a track-focused limited edition model visits the office, but we always look forward to learning more about it. That was precisely the case when the 2021 Lexus RC F Fuji Edition came to visit. But while the slick carbon fiber visuals, burbly V8, and elegant interior made an excellent first impression, it ended up falling just short of being the right mix of track performance and street capability.   An Artist Known By A New Name If the introductory visual presentation looks familiar, it’s because the newly renamed Fuji Edition was once known as the RC …

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GMC Reaches Hummer EV Milestone, Announces First Deliveries Of Edition 1 Hummer

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GMC promised to make a big splash for the Hummer EV pickup. But while we get to wait a while to see the upcoming Sierra EV pickup, GM’s truck division revealed that it has formally completed the first few production Hummer EVs, which beat the Ford F-150 Lightning for second place and has the Rivian R1T firmly in its sights.   A Well-Heeled Rig For Early Adopters The first few Hummer pickups rolling off the assembly line are the limited production Edition 1 models. These rigs will temporarily serve as the range-topping model in the Hummer family and start at …

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2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4x Review + Off-Road Videos

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Finally updated! Nissan has updated the Frontier Pro-4x significantly for the 2022 model year. Getting the most they could out of their tooling, Nissan kept the Frontier running for 17 years in one single generation. At last we have received a new generation Frontier for 2022, albeit with an old frame. Be sure to check out the video reviews at the end! Outside Everything is different on the exterior of the truck from the previous generation. Up front the grill is bigger and bolder than ever before. Of course the Pro-4x has red accents in the badges and tow hooks …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL – Bigger, Better, Is It Finally Worth It?

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When we last saw the Mitsubishi Outlander, it was a few years ago; it reflected the dire shape that Mitsubishi was in at the time. The company suffered from declining sales and the lingering effects of a fuel economy scandal that revealed that it falsified fuel economy ratings for several of its models. The resulting fallout saw the company enter an alliance with Nissan, which helped it avoid complete collapse. However, it also helped the company revamp its model lineup, and the first to benefit from the part sharing was the all-new 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. The Outlander was once considered …

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2022 Acura RDX A-SPEC ADVANCE Review by Ben Lewis

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2 years ago, we reviewed the then all-new RDX and were mightily impressed with both the SUV, but also direction the brand had been going. This was before the massive upgrade we saw on the TLX, and the introduction of the soon-coming, Integra 4-door. But if you thought Acura would catch a breather, you’re wrong. We’ve just tested the 2022 model, and there are significant upgrades all around. Re-test one of our favorites? You bet! Bolder = Better The RDX was one of the first to get a hunk of love from the brand’s new design language, taking what was …

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GMC Teases Sierra EV Pickup, Will Debut In Denali Trim Only

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Sequels can be a tricky thing to get right. The sequel is tasked with following on the heels of a famous movie or book, and most of the time, it often falls short of expectations. GMC is hoping that the proverbial sequel to the Hummer EV doesn’t miss the mark and has officially teased the upcoming Sierra EV pickup ahead of its official debut.   Sierra EV Woos The Masses With Technology GMC didn’t reveal too much information in its brief teaser video, but it preferred to let images speak louder than words with a first look at the truck’s …

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Auto Industry Insider: Don’t Enjoy Driving? Here’s How to Change Things

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Driving is great fun for some people. They love to get behind the wheel, maybe put some music on, and drive wherever they need or want to go. But it’s not such a pleasurable experience for a lot of drivers. Driving can be boring and some people can even find the experience nerve-wracking and frightening. When you don’t enjoy driving, you might try and limit how often you have to get in your vehicle. But this can affect various parts of your life, including your social life and your career. If you want to start enjoying driving more, there are …

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Lexus Officially Teases Electric Hypercar, Claims To Have LFA Legacy In Its DNA

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There was a wave of EVs that Toyota unleashed on the world today, but if you took a moment to glance over Lexus and their army of future EV offerings, chances are that you might have noticed this sleek-looking hypercar lurking among the more mundane utility-based EVs. While it may look like a pure concept fever dream, Lexus has confirmed that this model will indeed be going into production.   Don’t Let Lame Moniker Fool You, This Coupe’s Got Moves Like the rest of the EV fleet that Toyota rolled out at its overseas press conference, the Lexus Electrified Sport …

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Toyota Previews 17 Upcoming EV Models, Promises More Are On The Way

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Toyota has never been a company known for underdelivering on its promises. The Japanese auto giant was one of the pioneers of modern green vehicle technology when it launched the Toyota Prius several decades ago. But with the market rapidly evolving and electrification becoming a dominant motivator for sales, the company had to go big to solidify its green vehicle status. Toyota execs did just that in a big way, with the company previewing 16 different electric vehicle concepts while also promising more are on the way.   Diverse Field Of EV Concepts Previews Wide Segment Reach We could spend …

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Ultra Luxury SUV Mega Comparision Round 1 – 2021 Alpina XB7 vs 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS600

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Ever wondered which ultra-luxury SUV would reign supreme in an all-out comparison battle? Typically we would use this time of the year to reflect on 2021 and give you our picks for the best and worst cars of the year. But with the Michigan office receiving a bountiful supply of ultra-luxury SUVs to review, we decided to do something unique. Over the next few days, we will be doing a three-part comparison challenge. The rules are simple, each of our four contenders (Aston Martin DBX, Bentley Bentayga, Alpina XB7, and The Mercedes-Maybach GLS600) will go head to head in comparison …

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GM Set To Expand Product Portfolio With More EVs, Declines Comment On Deep Sea Nodule Mining

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General Motors is preparing to make waves in the industry when it comes to EV vehicles and some of the finer things that go into them. GM CEO Mary Barra recently took part in an Automotive Press Association event in Detroit where she not only provided a deep dive into some of the company’s long-term plans for the EV segment but also new initiatives that aim to help it become a key player in the segment.   Barra Declines Comment On Whether Company Is Considering Deep Sea Mining A conversation that’s been gaining steam in recent years is the act …

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Insider: Car Buying Secrets That Dealers Don’t Want You to Know

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Most people don’t really enjoy the process of being a car from a car dealership. In fact, used car salesmen and women are some of the least trusted professionals in the country. So how can you avoid being ripped off by one? Asking ‘What Is Your Best Price?’ Doesn’t Work The best way to approach the salesman in your local car dealership is to be up front. Tell them what you want, as asking questions like ‘what is your best price’ doesn’t work. At that point, the best price they can do is the one of the sticker. Keep in …

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2022 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door Review by Ben Lewis

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Porsche used to have an ad campaign that said, “There is no substitute”. But when you look at a lot of the company’s latest SUV’s and the like, well…there are plenty of substitutes. No, we think if you want something really unique – and somewhat affordable – you look at the MINI. We were especially excited to drive the base model, 3-door hatchback. For 2022, the MINIs have gotten a new look and some added features to keep things fresh, and we like the idea of getting into the brand’s most affordable model. Let’s Motor! (Ok, that’s their ad campaign). …

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Insider: How to Make a Living Using Your Car (Without Uber or Doordash)

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Having your own car is, for many people, the quickest way to have your own business and this is why if you are looking for extra cash, you could use your car in numerous ways. Here’s a few ideas to get you brainstorming.   Wrapping Your Car in Advertising If you are not keen on becoming a taxi driver, there are many ways for you to promote items as you go. If you have a newer vehicle and a long commute, you may be the ideal candidate to wrap up advertising decals. There are a number of car wrapping companies …

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Morgan Shows Off First Completed Plus 8 GTR, Will Only Build Nine Models

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It wasn’t too long ago that Morgan revealed that it was reviving the Plus 8 GTR using leftover components including several vehicle chassis that were found years after the original Plus 8 ended its production run. Unfortunately, at the time Morgan kept silent on the key details surrounding this repurposed model, but the British sports car maker has confirmed the final production number and even unveiled the first completed GTR in a set of new images.  Morgan Shows Off Flexible Customization Options Before we get into the actual production numbers, we might as well take a moment to talk about …

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Ford Bronco Sport Becomes First Production Vehicle To Use Ocean Plastic

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An increasing number of automakers are using recycled plastics in their automobiles as part of broader goals of reducing their environmental impact. Ford is one of the companies that has embarked on this initiative, but the company revealed that it’s taking a step that no other automaker has done before, and that’s using recycled ocean plastic in production vehicles, with the Bronco Sport SUV taking the lead.   Small Part In Bronco Sport Represents Major Engineering Milestone The parts that Ford is talking about are not large visually obvious pieces like bumpers, panels, or even interior pieces. Instead, they are …

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Hyundai Drops Range Numbers For Ioniq 5 EV, Confirms 303 Mile Range

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Hyundai has shared plenty about the upcoming Ioniq 5 EV ever since it was formally revealed several years ago. The EV will play a key role in Hyundai’s attempts at supercharging its quest towards EV dominance, and it will be an innovative offering thanks to a few slices of new technology. But the one thing that we haven’t heard is range, but that’s changing with Hyundai revealing the final range numbers for the EV.   Two Range Ratings Points To Future Ioniq 5 Variant The big surprise here is that Hyundai chose to reveal two range numbers for the model, …

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Hyundai Tucson Next SUV To Get XRT Treatment, Gains Rugged Style

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As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that’s especially true when it comes to some of the styling packages that Hyundai has cooked up for its SUVs over the past few years. When we last saw the XRT edition, it was being modeled by the Hyundai Santa Fe, and it was meant to help give the large family hauler a more rugged look. Hyundai has decided to spread the love and has given the hot-selling Tucson the XRT treatment for the new model year.   Reading The Same Script If some elements of the Tucson’s …

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Honda Tweaks Passport Pricing For 2022, Base Model Gone And Price Increases

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Honda has released pricing for the 2022 Passport lineup and it appears that the cost of entry is about to go up. However, this is more than just a simple price increase and is in fact a response to current sales demands as Honda prepares to ratchet up its online presence.   Base Passport Trim Axed For More Equipment Unlike some other price increases that we have seen in recent years, Honda’s is not a traditional one and instead involves the axing of the base Sport model. The elimination of the Sport model means that the base trim is now …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Nissan Titan PRO-4X – A Legit Alternative To Established Truck Brands?

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The 2021 Nissan Titan has emerged as a very interesting alternative to rivals like the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, and the Ram 1500. However, you might not have the opportunity to realize that at first glance, which is thanks in part to the Titan consistently being on the short end of the advertising stick and being behind the domestic big three in a few categories. But that’s not stopping Nissan, with the Japanese auto giant making minor tweaks to the Titan for the new model year. But are they enough to help finally launch the Titan into the limelight?   …

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2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited Review by Ben Lewis

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The compact SUV segment remains on fire, even if dealers are scrambling to find inventory to sell, and some are packing ridiculous markups on the sticker. And Outside of a few full-size pickup trucks, the number one selling vehicle is the RAV4. So, we know Toyota knows what it’s doing, and it’s also probably in the crosshairs of every other carmaker. We recently tested the new Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 and they all are excellent, and none of them are standing still, with everything from small changes to all-new vehicles being touted in front of buyers to …

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Maserati Ghibli Slated To Be Axed In 2023, 2022 Model Rumored To Be Swan Song

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The Maserati Ghibli promised to be a whole new beginning for Maserati when it made its appearance in 2013. The Ghibli was supposed to be a smaller sedan alternative to the Quattroporte and allow Maserati to target the BMW 5-Series, Audi A6, and the Mercedes E-Class while reaping the rewards of higher sales at the same time. But it appears that the Ghibli experiment will be ending with a report suggesting that Maserati will not make a 2023 version and will use the 2022 model to play its proverbial swan song.   Ghibli, What Happened? The report comes from the …

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Mercedes-AMG A35 Latest Sedan To Leave U.S. Market, Poor Sales Possible Factor

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The lumps keep coming for Mercedes-Benz and AMG. First, the ongoing pandemic forced Mercedes-AMG to not ship V8 engines into the U.S. for the 2022 model year, and it now appears that poor sales are potentially forcing the spunky A35 AMG sedan to bail from our shores after 2021.   A35 AMG Receives Neuralzyer Treatment Fans that have followed the Men In Black film series will undoubtedly remember scenes where agents use a neuralyzer to wipe and alter the memories of those pointing at it to cover up their activities. While Mercedes reps aren’t planting new memories into buyers, they …

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2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Goes For Muddy Stroll In New Video

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When we last saw the upcoming Ford Bronco Raptor, Ford reps released a few still images of the Raptor chilling at an undisclosed off-road track. But while we welcomed the minimal amount of camouflage, there’s no substitute for raw video footage of this beefed-up Bronco slogging its way through the muck. Thankfully, Ford (via Bronco Nation) has delivered the goods and has now released a teaser video that offers a dynamic glimpse into some of the Bronco Raptor’s capabilities.   Turbocharging Will Highlight Trail Adventures The nearly three-minute video helps shine a spotlight on some of the Bronco Raptor’s finer …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Toyota Avalon TRD – The Last Word In Avalon Performance?

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When you think of the soon to be axed 2021 Toyota Avalon, chances are that you don’t necessarily think of it as a performance-focused offering. Part of that was due to how Toyota sold the model for years, with the company preferring to highlight its long list of comfort and entry-level luxury features. The Avalon is the latest victim of the U.S. market’s recent push towards SUV and CUV models. Still, before it goes away, Toyota decided to create an Avalon that could be a passable machine for weekend track work thanks to the addition of TRD goodies. But is …

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Lexus Teases RZ BEV Crossover, Will Share Platform With Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra

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The Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra are two pieces of a broader green vehicle puzzle as Toyota aims to expand its green vehicle operations far beyond the existing Prius brand. But Lexus was always conspicuously absent when it came to what they would bring to the table. Lexus has finally raised its voice and has revealed a brief teaser video documenting the RZ BEV, which will help complete a three-piece sales strategy for Toyota.   Angular Styling Will be Built On Familiar Underpinnings The brief video Lexus released didn’t reveal too much of the BEV, with a bright glare …

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Nissan Ariya Single Seat Roadster Is EV Halo Of The Future, Signals Other Ambition 2030 PLans

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When we first saw Nissan’s Ambition 2030 Plan, it represented the most ambitious EV-focused plan that Nissan ever undertook. However, the one item that was missing was an attention-grabbing halo vehicle that could gravitate eyeballs to the plan and show the full imagination of Nissan’s designers. The Japanese car giant has addressed that void and has revealed the all-new Ariya single-seat roadster concept.   The Performance Car Of The Future This Ariya (not to be confused with the CUV of the same name) is designed to be a performance star and while it only exists as digital sketches for now, …

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2022 Hyundai Kona N Pricing Announced, Will Start At $36,650

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Hyundai promised to keep the upcoming Kona N a juicy value-focused play for CUV buyers looking to add some track-ready capability to their daily commute. We have learned other details surrounding the Kona N but pricing remained an elusive slice of information, until now. Hyundai confirmed final pricing for the 2022 Kona N and it appears that they have kept their promise.   Kona N Firmly In $30,000 Range, Will Be Unique CUV Offering A big selling point of any Kona is the combination of value and features that come packed into it. It appears that the N model follows …

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Aston Martin Teases Vantage V12, Is It The Final Swan Song For The Twelve-Cylinder?

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Ever since the current generation Aston Martin Vantage made its way into dealerships a few years ago, rumors have swirled about whether it will once again receive a V12 engine. Aston Martin denied the rumors at first claiming that it wouldn’t fit (we didn’t believe them) and it appears that our suspicions were proven correct, with the British sports car maker revealing that it will indeed be putting a V12 into the new Vantage, but it appears that it will be the last time the Vantage will be paired with it.   Cryptic Teaser Video Points To Swan Song The …

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Bentley Continental GT Mulliner Blackline Embraces Noir Vibes, Expands Customization

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The Bentley Continental GT and GT Convertible are still a very luxurious way to celebrate the finer things of life, especially when equipped with the Mulliner Package. But what if you’re a discerning buyer that wants to blend all of this world-class performance and luxury with the noir styling that can only come from sinister black accents. The British luxury carmaker thinks it has found a perfect balance with the all-new Mulliner Blackline edition.   Noir Is In Style Like other blackout packages that we have seen from other automakers, this one takes the existing chrome pieces and replaces them …

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LightFox 20″ LED Light Bar and 4″ Pods Review

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LightFox LED Light Bars Vic Offroad sent us a few LightFox LED light bars to test. The items they sent are the LightFox Rigel Series 20 Inch LED light bar with a combo beam and the LightFox 4 Inch LED light bar 2 Pack. We tested them in comparison to the factory headlights on an upcoming project vehicle and found them to be significantly brighter. Even the little 4″ pods put out more light than the headlights. Overall we found them to be very bright and well built. There are many budget LED lights on the market, but we are …

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