Month: September 2024

Road Test Review- 2025 Nissan Kicks SR – This Kicks Still Has The Stuff

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Nissan knew that it was on to something when it replaced the funky Juke crossover with the Kicks. The Kicks was supposed to appeal to younger buyers with the exterior styling shedding some of the Juke’s funky lines for a more traditional look that still came loaded with dynamic lines and creases.  The Kicks has proven to be a strong seller for the company with the SUV rapidly becoming a key player in Nissan’s sales machine. That was evident when Nissan confirmed that it sold over 53,000 of them in 2023. The outgoing 2024 model appears to be on track …

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2025 Subaru Forester Sport review by Ben Lewis

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Along with the Outback and Crosstrek, Subaru has one of the most popular SUV lineups available. So, when they announced an all-new Forester, you know we had to give it a test. Does the all-new keep the Forester at the top of the SUV pack?  Let’s find out! Familiar but Fresh While Subaru says this is an all-new design, it looks very Forester to us – no problem as we’ve always liked the sharp, capable vibe. Up front, the fascia echoes the traditional Subaru pentagon-shaped grille, which now looks further pushed out to the corners, while two-tiered LED compact headlights …

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2026 Cadillac Vistiq Shows Off Lighting In Exclusive Photos

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It has been a bit since we heard about the Cadillac Vistiq EV which was supposed to be the proverbial middle child in Cadillac’s EV lineup with the model being slotted between the smaller Lyirq and the flagship Escalade IQ. While the aforementioned Lyriq and Escalade IQ have had their time to shine in the spotlight, the Vistiq has been more camera-shy, with GM’s perfectly crafted press photos being our best glimpse at it beyond occasional sightings out in the wild by observers. We recently had a chance encounter with the Vistiq ourselves in Metro Detroit and it appears that …

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The Perfect Sunglasses for Classic Cars from James Bond Films

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With each new film, the James Bond brand introduces products that reflect its debonair image, from tailored suits to the latest luxury vehicles. A recent example of this cross-industry collaboration is the Triumph Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition motorcycle, which was launched alongside the latest Bond film No Time To Die (2021). Featuring 007 logos, Bond Edition badging, and gold accents, this bike embodies the blend of luxury and function that is central to the Bond universe.   But beyond the expensive motorcycles, the James Bond films are best known for their stunning array of classic cars, which often take center …

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2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 review by Ben Lewis

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As we noted recently with the test  of the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe and Lexus GX550, big blocky SUV’s are back. The rugged, squared-off looks really are resonating with buyers, and the truckish, ultra-capable vibe is catching fire. So, it makes sense that one of the original boxy SUVs would return to its roots, and we were thrilled when we found out we’d be testing the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser. While the Land Cruiser has evolved over the years to a large luxury SUV, with excellent off-road capability, it also became quite expensive. With the all-new model Toyota promises the …

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Ford Engineering Lab Celebrates 100 Years, Promises To Be A Beacon of The Future

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Ford is throwing a party as the company celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Ford Engineering Lab with the historic facility getting a full renovation that breathes new life into the space while also maintaining its strong links to the past. It’s these links to the past that not only help inspire a new generation of Ford’s brightest engineers but also shows that Ford is ready to accelerate into the future. Don’t judge a book by its cover At first glance, you would be hard-pressed to think that any such renovation even happened with the building keeping its classic Albert …

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Chevrolet Equinox EV Owners Face Massive Repair Delays

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The Chevrolet Equinox EV was supposed to be the spearhead of a broader stab at the mass market for the brand with the Equinox and the Blazer EV attempting to lure in more buyers that would feel comfortable making the jump to an EV, but were turned away by high price tags and an initial emphasis on the luxury vehicle segment. The Equinox EV in particular has proven to be a steady seller for the brand, but is there a problem brewing under the surface? A growing number of Equinox EV repair delays raises concerns According to a new report …

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Lotus Theory 1 Concept Boasts Wild Doors, Central Seating Position

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Lotus is embarking on a new chapter in its history with the British automaker preparing to move on from ICE-powered models like the Emira into a future where EVs like the Eletre will become the new normal. However, the company still has a wild side and it has decided to show off that bold spirit with its latest concept the all-new Theory 1 Concept. Theory 1 highlights future Lotus design Lotus says the Theory 1 is supposed to represent the brand’s design future with reports saying that it was partially inspired by the Esprit. The concept has a bold wedge-shaped …

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2025 Mini Countryman S ALL4 review by Ben Lewis

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It’s big news at Mini with an all-new Countryman! We’ve always been fans of the Mini brand. Since 2003, it’s brought charm, style and joy to buyers in a cheeky, fun-size package. Along the way, (and along with just about every other brand) vehicles have gotten larger. And now we have the all-new 2025 Mini Countryman, a small SUV that is the largest the brand has made. So, while it’s the biggest and most powerful Mini ever, does it still have that Mini charm? Let’s find out! Bigger, Bolder, Cheekier Even from the first glance you know this is something …

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First Production Cadillac Escalade IQ to Cross The Block At Barrett Jackson

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Cadillac’s Escalade IQ sent a strong message that the brand was serious about embracing an all-electric future with the flagship EV SUV also teasing a shift in direction for the Escalade lineup as a whole once the refreshed ICE-powered model ends its production cycle. However, what if you’re looking to buy one and have perhaps seen an IQ or two cruising the grounds near a GM development facility?  Cadillac says that a chance to buy one will be happening but only if you have plenty of cash in your wallet and are willing to make the trip to the Barrett …

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2024 Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD Review – A luxury crossover with sports sedan vibes

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Does anyone here remember the original Infiniti FX35? Launched more than 20 years ago, it was a bold statement from Nissan’s luxury brand and was considered a radical new take on the SUV. A crossover before crossovers were even a thing, the original FX took the engine and rear-wheel drive platform from a G35/350Z, gave it a hatch and some ground clearance, and wrapped it in a shell that was clearly more car than truck. It was a tall luxury sports sedan with some added utility, and its success is directly responsible for the luxury vehicle market as we know …

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2025 Bentley Flying Spur Speed Embraces PHEV Performance

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Bentley is embarking on a gradual transition towards an EV-only lineup with the brand still moving full speed ahead on its attempt to redefine its future. However, the British ultra-luxury brand also knows that a gradual move into EVs is needed to help their customers not feel rushed into an electrified vehicle and that’s why it has been focusing on adding more hybrid options to its existing lineup of ICE-powered vehicles. The latest model to get the treatment is the 2025 Bentley Flying Spur Speed which attempts to blend performance with efficiency to create a bespoke unified package.   Light changes …

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Lucid Teases Cheaper SUV to be Sold Below Gravity

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Lucid’s Gravity SUV is shaping up to be a key entry for the brand. The Gravity is the first time that the EV company has attempted to penetrate the EV segment and will help Lucid expand its sales. However, the company also knows that a smaller model will be needed in order for it to truly capitalize on the segment. The company has confirmed that such a model is indeed under development and even released a lone teaser image to provide interested buyers a glimpse of what’s to come. New SUV promises to deliver on style it’s not known what …

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Jeep Promises ‘Perfect Quality’ for Wagoneer S EV

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Jeep is leaving no stone unturned as the company prepares to launch its first U.S. EV model. While the Wagoneer S was beaten to the punch by the Avenger EV, that model is for the international market only, as a result, Jeep will be facing a big test when it begins production of the Wagoneer S. To help ensure it makes the grade, Jeep revealed that the new EV will have ‘Perfect Quality’ and buyers will notice this promise in full force when deliveries begin this fall. Wagoneer S deliveries could be pushed back When we last heard about the …

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Road Test Review – 2024 Subaru BRZ tS – Sharper Suspension Makes This BRZ Dance

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The Subaru BRZ and its mechanical twin the Toyota GR86 have had a long history with the two coupes providing buyers an entry-level performance alternative that can deliver the core essentials but without going overboard in the pursuit of performance and the seemingly accompanying rise in prices. It doesn’t hurt either that the BRZ in particular looks very stylish and does a good job of delivering the goods when it comes to showing off its personality. However, the quest for performance is never-ending, and the company is always open to finding new ways to build on its performance DNA. That …

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2025 Nissan Armada Ups The Ante on Luxury and Capability

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Nissan is finally giving the Nissan Armada the attention that it rightfully deserves with the 2025 Armada. The 2025 model gives the SUV a proper makeover with the SUV getting a revamped exterior, interior, and even an updated powertrain to try and make it fit in with many of its updated rivals. With the dust settling on its debut, are all of these changes enough to finally help the SUV shed its reputation of being a dated entry in a broader segment that’s seeing strong growth and demand? We wanted to find out. Armada’s exterior styling expected to draw plenty …

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2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus review by Ben Lewis

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We recently tested the Acura MDX Type S and were impressed with the 3-row SUV’s style, performance and room. It seems like 3-row SUV’s are big again. But they’re not for everyone. So were very interested to hear about the all-new Mazda CX-70, which looks to be a 5-passenger version of the three-row CX-90 which we love. So, does the lack of a third row change our opinion? Let’s take a look! A Bit More Muscle While they certainly look like siblings, Mazda did take some effort to make the CX-70 look different, and we especially like the front end. …

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2024 Genesis G90 AWD 3.5T E-Supercharger Review – This is a luxury sedan for the driven.

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It’s easy to say that words have meanings, but that ignores the reality that words are in an ever-changing state of flux. Those of you old enough to remember the sitcoms of the 1980s are familiar with the trope of the out-of-touch old-timer pondering if a kid’s use of the word “bad” actually meant “good,” or if said kid meant things are bad-bad. And let’s not get into a debate as to whether or not no cap, fr fr or skibidi toilet even qualify as language. What I’m trying to get at, I guess, is that luxury–both as a word …

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Road Test Review – 2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Bespoke Series – Bespoke Never Looked So Lovely

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The Lexus LC continues to be one of the most underrated GTs on the market today. While the V8-powered Lexus often blends into the background when compared with rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and even higher-grade models like the Maserati GranCabrio and its coupe counterpart the GranTurismo. It has inner charms that beg to be explored if you’re willing to get to know it better. That includes the 2024 LC 500 Bespoke Series which adds a pinch of custom flavor to the LC experience. Copper Crest paint draws plenty of stares to the LC The 2024 Lexus LC lineup doesn’t change …

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2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT Goes Off The Beaten Path

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Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 EV has proven to not only be a popular choice among EV buyers but also a flexible canvas when it comes to specialty models with the Ioniq N serving as a small glimpse of what the Ioniq 5 can do when allowed to roam out on the race track. This time around, the Korean car giant is focusing on the road less traveled with the introduction of the trail-ready XRT model which will spearhead the broader updates that the company has applied to the refreshed model for 2025. Ioniq 5 XRT is trail-ready for any occasion The …

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2025 Aston Martin Vanquish Brings V12 Flagship Power To The Supercar Party

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When Aston Martin unleashed the DB12, the lack of a V12 option broke tradition and it caused a considerable amount of uproar from buyers who still wanted a V12 even if the V8 is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter that makes over 600 horsepower. As they say, greed is good and the need for more power inspired Aston Martin to dig into the vault and bring back the 2025 Vanquish which will be its new flagship model. Vanquish goes back to its roots When we last saw a production Vanquish it was six years ago with the sleek coupe being the pinnacle …

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Road Test Review – 2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail – The Billy Goat Is Back

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Lexus is typically known for being a top-selling luxury brand with the brand making great strides since it originally appeared in the U.S. in 1989. When it’s not coddling passengers in luxury with their products, the brand is also known for occasionally exploring new segments and trends. That included the off-road segment with the original GX starting life as a slightly less capable version of the Toyota 4Runner before finding their purpose on the trail in later years. The 2024 GX 550 attempts to solidify its trail credentials with a wave of new updates that bring more poise and capability …

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