Crossovers

2018 VW Tiguan S 2.0T FWD 7 Seater – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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We recently tested the new Mini Countryman, and determined that while it’s the largest Mini yet, it still is Mini, in brand and spirit. So, now we have the all-new 2018 VW Tiguan, a big step forward in size over the previous model. Big enough to squeeze in a 3rd row of seats. But it leaves us wondering: Has the Tiguan gotten too big for its britches? One look and you know the new Tiguan is shopping at the big and tall SUV store. 10.6 inches longer, and riding on a wheelbase 7.3 longer, it’s not only a much larger …

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2017 Mini Cooper Countryman ALL4 – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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It’s no fun being judged by your name. Even if it’s a good one. Take Mini, for example. Around since the 60’s, it stood for diminutive cars that surprised and delighted, in part to their snug external dimensions, and their larger-than-life performance. When the Mini Cooper was reintroduced in the US in 2003, it was much larger than the original, but still a lot smaller than just about everything else for sale. And in the past 14 years, we’ve seen the Mini product expand into larger vehicles like the Clubman and small crossovers like the Mini Countryman. And now with …

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2017 Jeep COMPASS Trailhawk 4×4 – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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If you like small crossover/SUV’s, you’re living in the golden age. Where most manufacturers were once happy to offer one model, it seems like many are doubling – or tripling – down, to give you your own perfect blend of goodness. And that includes Jeep. Here we have an all-new Jeep Compass. Originally introduced in 2007, the Compass was sort of a slapped-together version based on the Dodge Caliber. More tall wagon than true ‘ute, it still proved to be very popular with buyers, but kind of felt out of place with the Jeep Brand. Fast forward 10 years, and …

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2017 Nissan ROGUE SPORT SV AWD – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Over the years there have been plenty of words used to keep certain brand names high on the sales charts, and to use the halo of well-earned reputations to promote the latest and greatest. Think Grand Cherokee, Camry Solara, Mustang II. Some more successful than others. And now we have a spinoff of Nissan’s exceptionally popular Rogue. The Nissan Rogue Sport. What’s up, Sport? Sport fits the smaller, more aggressive looking Rogue, being a good foot shorter than its big brother. Designed to compete against such city funsters as Mazda’s CX-3, Honda HR-V, and Toyota’s CH-R, it’s still a handy …

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2019 Lamborghini URUS – World Premiere of SSUV – Son of a Rambo Lambo

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The idea of a supercar Lambo SUV is not that far-fetched.  The firm is at pains to show its provenance in this arena by dusting off its LM002 Lambo Rambo from the storage vault.  Even the LM002 Cheetah variant is joining the URUS debut party! LM002 and LM002 Cheetah variant While the first Lambo SUV was a giant bruiser that crushed scales at above 5000 pounds, this new ~650HP URUS is actually pretty tiny.  Its four doors and extremely racy roofline actually wrap a Macan or Q5 sized platform.  But this time with absolutely gigantic rubber and AWD system almost right …

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Road Test Review – 2017 Kia Soul Turbo – By Carl Malek

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In a world where CUVs are slowly becoming the dominant species in the automotive world, one particular entry has always stood out for offering a unique yet successful approach to this often rehashed segment of the market, the Kia Soul. The Soul arrived when boxy was in, and it competed with mainly with its equally square counterparts the Nissan Cube, and the Scion xB. Both the Cube and the xB have entered automotive retirement, but the Soul has managed to soldier on, and transform itself into a solid competitor for a new wave of CUV entries. But can a dash …

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2018 Hyundai KONA – Arrives February to Clamoring US Shoppers

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The Kona is a pretty big deal for Hyundai.  It will be expected to shift more than 100,000 units a year, we estimate, to be considered a success for the brand’s SUV mission. In a perfect world, this machine might even kiss 200,000 units in 2019!?   Can you imagine? Hilarious. Or is it? When you think of the future as seen in movies, Kona’s design will fit right in.  It is a post-apocalyptic surivor — navigating the ruins of cities with enough ground clearance not to scrape.  Or to have those pesky gravel cuts in the paint — thanks to …

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2017 Mazda CX-5 GT Premium AWD – HD Road Test Review

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The compact crossover segment has a ‘masculinity gap.’  There are more than a dozen of these cute utes on the market, but none of them really looks or drives manly.  Yes, the Audi Q3 and Honda CR-V are good cars. But do they increase or decrease their driver’s sex appeal? Among the dudes of the world coming up from econoboxes and blah mid-size sedans, CUVs are theoretically perfect machines.  A bit of all-weather ability here, a dash of extra practicality there. Like it or not, people buy cars based on strange psychology.  Men and women are usually both fine with …

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Old vs New – 2018 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2017 Chevrolet Equinox – By Carl Malek

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When an automobile is extensively redesigned and or updated for the new model year, it really makes you wonder if it can indeed be better than the model it replaced? That question compelled us to take a closer look at one of Chevrolet’s strongest selling crossover entries, the venerable Chevrolet Equinox. When the second generation model was introduced in time for the 2010 model year, it proved to be popular with a wide swath of buyers, and as a result, they are a common sight on the roads of Metro Detroit. The 2018 model aims to continue this tradition of …

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2017 Jeep Compass 4×4 Limited – HD Road Test Review

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Guess who does not love compact crossovers, generally, for their woeful speed and handling?  This guy. So the 2017 Compass really had its work cut out for it when it came to CRD for a review.  We were pre-biased and would’ve been tossed from a jury trial for inability to be impartial. Our personal disdain for micro-SUVs is dead wrong based on vehicle sales charts, though. Mini crossovers are the hottest segment of the car business these days.  They are replacing huge chunks of traditional compact and midsize car sales – through their combination of coolness and capability. Jeep is …

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2017 VW Golf Alltrack S w/ 4Motion – HD Road Test Review

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Wagons are back! Have you heard? Small families and bachelors alike are rediscovering how easy, smooth and practical they are versus the endless line of mini SUVs.  Wagons have better mileage, handling and — sometimes — even long-roof style. There are places where the Golf Sportwagen’s low ride height is simply not ideal — even with that car’s optional 4Motion AWD system.  For mountain states like Colorado or Vermont, there can never be enough tall, 4×4 wagons to choose from. Subaru has had this market on lock for decades now with their big Outback and smaller Crosstrek wagons. VW is …

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VIDEO – 2017 Jeep Compass Limited 4×4 Finds Bomb-Crater Lake

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    How awful are those posts on sites that just open to a video.  No words really, just a giant play button.  And you never really want to watch the video that second, right? We try to spare you those posts here.  But there are exceptions. When a video production approaches true The Grand Tour production values.  When a drone-cam tracks your Jeep romping in tall grass and from over water.  When dual GoPro’s with different cabin angles was ridiculous but still tolerated by the talent. When you’ve found a peachy dirt road to mimic rally speeds around corners — tail …

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2017 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4×4 – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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A long time ago, the SUV was a truck. In fact, many of our SUV-owning friends used to call them trucks. It was a badge of pride. Tough, no-nonsense. Go anywhere. The anti-Minivan in every sense of the word. But we got seduced. Today, nearly everyone wants car-like comfort, luxuries, swank styling. Rugged capability? Who cares. Well, if you’ve seen the weather lately, or watch the hot TV shows, you know, it might not be such a bad idea to have a little go-anywhere in your garage. Which leads us to today’s question: What vehicle do you want when the …

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Meet The Devils G-Wagen – 888HP, 3.9s BRABUS 900 G65

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  Any mortal senses when something just isn’t right in this world.  Mutant formations, though, can sometimes pack superpowers beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. This Brabus 900 is an unholy abonination.  In perhaps the most insane special-ops offroad supercar form ever. The G65 Widestar here is called the One of Ten and delivers absolutely ungodly thrust and speed.  V12TT stoked with gold-lined shields, bored-out cylinders and red-hot turbo boost.  8-piston calipers and 23-inch rubber help stick 1106 pound-feet of torque to the ground.  And will happily drift unlike any other Galendewagen in the world!  [Except maybe this one we rendered a …

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STARTECH Murders Out the Bentley BENTAYGA

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Updated 9.1.17 with two additional examples of the StarTech Brabus program for the Bentayga. Finally, a tuned Bentayga that will not embarrass the hell out of its driver!  We highly recommend the monochrome finish versus two-tone.    A very nice stage one mod pack for the new Bentayga just arrived!  Brabus’s StarTech division is leading the effort with custom carbon exterior upgrades, giant 23s and a remote-operated sport exhaust that bellows far louder than stock. The engine output appears to stay the same on this first upgrade.  The press release below discusses the V12 at length… but of course, the …

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ALFA-ROMEO Wine & Cheese at Folktale Winery – Monterey Car Week 2017

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Does Pebble Beach feel like eons ago?  Less than a week since $300-million in cars were sold at auction.  And about the same value of collectibles driving all around town. Alfa Romeo had a strong presence at 2017 Monterey Car Week.  Always a favorite on the lawn on Sunday, the brand is now heavily promoting their new Stelvio SUV and Giulia sport sedan. Both have pricing from about $50k and look a million times more special than their BMW rivals. Here are a few dozen of our favorite Alfa Romeos from Pebble Beach and beyond.  Special access to a Stelvio …

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2017 MANSORY BENTAYGA Introduces Forged-Carbon Widebody

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Mansory has a huge variety of customization options for the first-evert Bentley SUV.  They split it into the main kit and the ‘soft kit,’ with the softie just upgrading the lower splitters and bodywork details. The full fat Mansory makeover brings a totally new set of bumpers front/back, a reverse-scooped hood and some seriously wide fender extensions.  Hard to say whether the new Lambo-like forged exposed carbon, standard exposed-weave carbon or painted carbon panels are the sexiest.  They all dramatically up the visual drama of a three-ton Flying B. The x-piped sport exhaust and sport lowering suspension are highly recommended …

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4.5s 2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 – First Drive Video + 50 Photos

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  Every SUV with a sprint time near the 6’s feels monster fast. Being up that high amplifies G-forces, making even Escalade and a few other big SUVs feel fairly quick. But what about a 4.5-second time?  Even BETTER! This GLC43’s major advantages over rivals are its air-ride suspension with varying levels of firmness.  From pillow soft to fudgey firm – the GLC43 has impeccable ride qualities.  The handling balance of this SUV is also notable.  It really just takes to corners like a fast wagon more than a proper truck. But this silhouyette looks amazingly practical, and the cabin …

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2017 Ford Escape Titanium – Road Test Review

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How time flies! Ford launched this platform for the Escape around 2012 and it was a revelation for the compact crossover segment.  Handling and engine shared with the Range Rover Evoque, but with pricing $20k less?  Sign us up. Five years later and this newly-refreshed 2017 model is not nearly as appealing.  Is this lightest-of-light refreshes for 2017 enough to keep Escape competitive with its arch-rivals RAV4 and CR-V?  How about the dozens of other new CUVs with the same $25-$40k pricerange? We spent a week with the new Escape Titanium EcoBoost 4WD – the tippy top drivetrain and trim …

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Road Test Review – 2017 Lexus RX350 F Sport – By Carl Malek

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With the crossover segment quickly transforming into a key battleground for the worlds automakers, the pressure is on for these companies to create a compelling crossover that’s a perfect fit for a wide range of customer tastes. Lexus aims to establish itself as a top player in the luxury crossover segment with the 2017 RX350. The RX first appeared back in 1998, and quickly made a name for itself not only because of its approachable price tag, but also its slick for the period styling elements. But can the 2017 RX continue its winning ways? Or has it become a …

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2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring FWD – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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It’s tough being Mazda. After all, in the automotive world, you’re a small company, up against giants like Toyota, Ford, and Nissan. And even though you’re a famous sports car maker, you need to compete in the big-money segments like small crossovers to survive. But Mazda did more than just compete. With the original CX-5, Mazda made one of the best, most fun to drive small crossovers on the market. But time moves on, and Mazda has to as well. Will Mazda’s new CX-5 be another winner, or will it suffer from sophomore slump? Well, first of all, it’s not …

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2018 Toyota C-HR – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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There’s a lot of talk lately that the small car is on its last legs. And you-know-who is to blame…the crossover. It started quite a while ago with SUVs swaying the public, with their rugged looks, great versatility, and comfy, tall seating position. Then came the small SUV wave, and it’s become a Tsunami – the Nissan Rogue is currently the best selling non-pickup vehicle (full-size pickups are still big business) in the country, with a passel of CR-V’s, RAV4’s, and CX-5’s and more not far behind. Still, the smallest of the small cars felt safe until recently, when the …

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2018 Land Rover DISCOVERY – Off-Road First Drive

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When the truck that gets stuck — metal to rock — in front of you on an offroad course is a 2017 Raptor, you start to wonder if your truck will make it through the same obstacle. Except when it is a Land Rover? We found out just how incredible the 2018 Disco was offroad the other week.  And documented the experience thoroughly! Not totally fair to call this a review of any sort.  Seat time was less than an hour, while we never touched pavement.  So these observations are nearly static impressions. But here goes. WOW! The most ultramodern …

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2017 KIA Soul Turbo – HD Road Test Review + Video

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The Kia Soul is a runaway  success. It is the best-selling global Kia vehicle in the brand’s history.  And it has outlasted its Nissan Cube or the Scion xB box-car rivals in the marketplace by being better. This acclaim is perhaps why the Soul still wears its original sheetmetal — albeit revamped slightly for the exterior of this latest iteration.  Fresh LEDs, bumpers and trim details are all this car needs to be fresh in 2017. If the core package was so right-sized and right-priced, it does make sense to keep it humming along nicely with the same look. Beneath …

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2018 Jaguar E-Pace – 300HP CUV Pricing and USA Launch Details!

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Jumping for joy! This new Jaguar E-Pace compact SUV is the perfect model for Jag right now.  Hot on the heels of the F-Pace SUV’s knockout launch, this E-Pace is firmly on the way for the 2018 model-year — and even has USA pricing in full included below!  Spoiler alert: it runs from $39k to about $55k. While the I-Pace name has been linked to a full EV concept from the big cat, this new E-Pace is a close relative.  Sharing a platform and much design and tech, they are both starting assembly in the next six months. Jaguar is …

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Novitec Debuts Tesla Model X Stage One Bodykit, Vossen 22s and CCBs

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Welcome to Hell! Electric cars heading to the supertuning boutique? Yes, the day has come, folks. Just kidding. The Tesla X is already over $100k easily and rips to 100-mph like a stabbed rat.  So why not upgrade its style and stance to match? If you’re like us, you loathe the Tesla roofline and bloated surfaces.  But realize: the looks outside, and the glasshouse in particular, are basically just there to create ridiculously airy cabins.  The same reason there is a double-height windshield — to make the X feel like a legit spaceship.  Once you accept that — and know …

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2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid – Road Test Review – by Ben Lewis

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Hybrids are everywhere. And with the rare exception, while they offer improved fuel efficiency, they rarely offer the enthusiast excitement. Now an Acura hybrid? Well that might be something. After all, the new NSX supercar qualifies as a hybrid. Then again, so does the Accord Hybrid, from Acura’s sibling Honda. So the question is, is the MDX Hybrid a sleeper supercar, or just a snooze? Well the looks don’t give anything away. This is the same large 3-row SUV we’ve known for some time. Acura has been honing the design for 2017, with a new “Diamond Pentagon” grille, “Jewel Eye” …

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2017 Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum (AWD) – Road Test Review – By Carl Malek

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Three row SUVs have always possessed a special spot in the minds of many family buyers. With enough seating for a whole family, as well as tremendous amounts of cargo space, these bruisers have become a must have tool for many families. The Toyota Highlander is one of the top entries in this class, but can the updated 2017 Highlander allow Toyota to continue its winning ways? Or have they caused the Highlander to lose some ground to a growing crop of SUV rivals?   The exterior styling of the Highlander was lightly revised for the 2017 model year, and …

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2017 Kia NIRO Touring Hybrid – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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As auto journalists, we’re constantly asked about what’s new, what we like, what we’re driving. So, it’s surprising that the vehicle we’re talking a bunch about lately is the exciting Kia Niro hybrid. Kia? Hybrid? Exciting? Yes, Yes, and really… Yes. And we’re just as surprised as you. We were expecting a decent little vehicle – probably more of a penalty box – in the pursuit of all elusive high mpg numbers, at the expense of everything else. But it ain’t so. The Niro is a stylish, well-equipped, little hatch/crossover that happens to be great fun to drive. And fun …

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2017 Lexus RX450h F Sport – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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The world is clamoring for hybrids. Especially since VW has probably signed the death warrant on Diesel, at least in the U.S. Luckily for Lexus and Toyota, their brands have been THE place to go for Hybrids selling the funky and agrarian Prius sedan here since 2000. And hybrids have come a long way, in performance, livability, and technology. So if you’re looking for a luxury SUV, but still want to feel good about yourself among your eco-conscious friends, where to go? Ahem… right here. The 2017 Lexus RX450h. Feel good is what the RX450h is all about. Partly, because Lexus …

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Best of Shanghai – 2017 Chevrolet FNR-X Concept [18 Photos]

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Chevrolet’s new FNR-X concept for the Shanghai auto show is incredibly sexy.  In fact, it is one of the coolest SUVs in a show absolutely packed with one-off showpieces.  Most of these are a million miles from the production cars on that same brand.  Is the FNR-X? Perhaps only a half-million miles.  It actually seems feasible for these design themes to come to life, as well as the Volt-inspired PHEV drivetrain. The reasons we love the FNR-X design are its gorgeous proportions, low roof and sharply carved surfaces.  Check out the three-dimensionality of the tailgate!  Or the slimline LED lamps …

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2018 Chevrolet EQUINOX Premier – Road Test Review – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

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Car manufacturers apparently do not use the same calendar as the rest of the world. I know this because I found myself in Asheville, North Carolina last month — before the end of the first quarter of 2017 — road testing the new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. I’m not sure why they time-shift like this, but I guess the folks at Chevy thought this new groundup re-make was so good, they just couldn’t wait to get it into customer’s garages.  And after spending the day with the new Equinox, I can say that they’ll have a lot of happy customers. In 2016, compact crossover …

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2018 Citroen C5 AIRCROSS On Sale Late Summer

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Vague headline alert! On sale where, exactly?  The best-looking and biggest Citroen SUV ever brings hydaulic suspension for that ultra smooth ride.  Part of why the Citroen DS was so legendary was its hydraulic ride.  Same for the MB 600 Pullman and all modern McLarens. Good tech peers for hydraulics, then. And brands the C5 Aircross will meet when it hits showrooms in Europe around November of 2017.  The model will bow in China a few months earlier, though the production location is unknown at this time. The C5 Aircross really appeals with a bluff, tall hood edge but a …

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2017 VW ID Crozz Concept – Goofy Preview of Future E-SUV

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The tsunami of EV crossovers in development from all brands is starting to worry us.  Where will demand for these E-SUVs (trademark!:) come from when these all arrive together in late 2018?! Automakers near and far are sure that these vehicles are the way forward.  Expensive vehicles as a way to offset the giant costs of the battery packs needed for 300 miles.  The same size batteries would be needed for a compact size car, but who would buy that?  As such, EV crossovers do make some sense, and will let carmakers in the US keep selling a load of …

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Update1 – 2017 Audi e-Tron Sportback Concept – Previews Q5-Sized 2019 EV

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Audi’s astounding sales growth is slowing to a near halt lately.  The firm needs to expand its range horizontally as well as vertically with new model sizes.  The horizontal expansion will add hybrid variants and EVs to similar sizes of Audi’s we know and love today. Unlike just swapping engines, these e-tron models require to be unique platforms from the ground up. There is simply no other way to incorporate flat-pack batteries (a la Tesla) in a conventional chassis. A fresh hint at Audi’s new mission is the 2017 E-Tron Sportback concept.  This full EV just bowed in Shanghai with …

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4.0s, 400HP Jaguar I-PACE Concept – Design Analysis: Is It Sexy?

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The Jaguar I-Pace has a hard name to overcome.  And when it was first shown in silver, it had a mountain to climb for good style, too. Too generic EV, they said. FastForward two months and the I-Pace is back in striking red paint with dark details.  More fitting, perhaps, for the first credible Model X rival. Going full electric for the i-pace means the proportions are radically rethought.  Yes, this is crossover territory, but with a chopped (and hard to digest) nose and nonexistent overhangs.  A lower roof and much lower ride height than F-Pace.  But looking wide as XJ and …

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2017 Nissan ROGUE ONE Star Wars Edition – Review By Ben Lewis

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  We had mixed feelings about testing the 2017 Rogue One Star Wars Limited Edition Rogue. Nissan has made some notable improvements on its popular crossover, and we were looking forward to testing it. Then they announced the Rogue One Star Wars Limited Edition model. Since they both had the name “Rogue” it kind of smacked of opportunism. Cue rolling of eyes. So, the question becomes, is The Force with the new Rogue, or just the farce? Well, since we don’t want to spoil the ending, let’s start with what’s new for Rogue. Already a crisp design, we have a …

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2017 Genesis GV80 SUV Concept Makes Surprise NY Debut

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Genesis is engineering a fleet of SUVs to rival the best in the world.   This is our first look at their vision for a $50k midsize SUV about the size of an X5. The GV80 is mostly a design study and showcase of what is coming to the realworld.  For that purpose, its design outside … needs further study.  We can’t get a sense of its details in these preview renderings.  What is clear is that the truck has an awesome, F-Pace-ish stance and low roofline.  The bodysides show interesting firmness and strong lines.  This also shows up in …

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Best of NYIAS – 2017 Toyota FT-4X Concept

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Welcome to Toyota getting hip with the kids! Since Scion was politely folded into the Big T proper, there are many products in the pipeline that still embody that wacky Scion spirit. The FT-4X is one of those, and looks set for arrival to showrooms within about a year at the most.  This machine is a heavily redesigned and off-road-optimized version of the sexy new C-HR subcompact crossover.  The FT-4X is far more than just a tall-roof variant.  (Although that is its core nature). From a tread perspective, the FT-4X rides far higher, with grippier rubber and longer-travel suspension.  Likely-standard …

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2017 Subaru ASCENT Concept is Jumbo, 7-Seater Outback Headed to Showrooms Next Year

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Subaru has been hinting and teasing its 3-row intentions for years now.  Since the Tribeca bowed out gracefully, in fact, we’ve seen VIZIV concepts galore.  We lost track. Maybe six concepts on that Viziv badge.  Refining what a seven-seat Subaru might be. A new approach was needed, and we now have a 98-percent look at the finished, production product.  The high roofline adds nearly a half-foot of air inside the cabin versus the 5-seat Outback.   An all-new platform drops the floor dramatically in the second row too, giving what looks like amble wayback access and big captains chairs for …

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Audi Q8 Confirmed for 2019 Modelyear [22 New Photos]

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We love the designs of both Q8 concepts seen so far: the original in blue at Detroit and this new Q8 Sport Concept from Geneva and NY auto shows.  The bodycolor intake flares in front are gorgeous, the new nose and tail are shockingly cool and fender flares always win friends.  We only dislike its slightly nerdy roofline in profile. After the deeply dull A4/A5 and Q5/Q7 refreshes lately, Audi is showing some design elan with their new Q8 concepts.  This four-seat plugin hybrid (Q8) promises supreme comfort for four.  A platform share with the Q7 moves the back seat …

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2018 VW Golfs Debut USA Facelift For Six-Strong Model Line

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The new Golf is bringing the global model upgrades to the USA at last!  In fact, the lead time/delay between the Euro debut and the USA arrival is actually much shorter than before.  [It took almost three years for the Golf 7 to arrive in USA.] The six-strong 2018 Golf lineup arrives stateside around September of 2017 as 2018 models.  The e-Golf is on a slightly different timetable but also adds these revisions. The freshening includes standard LED DRLs, full LED tail lights new wheels and upgraded cabin infotainment.  The Golf R brings a fresh 7-speed DSG versus the current …

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3.7s 2018 Mercedes-AMG GLC63-S – Ready To Stomp Macan?

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Who’s got two thumbs and an evolving supercar dream ride? This-guy!  For my dream daily, the vision has gone from a four-door coupe to a proper fast wagon over my 20s as a car enthusiast.  Into my 30s, the evolved dream knows a CUV of some kind is right.  Something F-Pace ish that will fit my dogs in the back seat, and tolerate brief soft-roading. The temptation to offroad my old and very-low Subaru Legacy GT wagon led to countless new wheels and body damage.  I am a guy who loves a fast gravel path to anywhere. I also really …

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NOVITEC Tridente Launches Maserati Levante Upgrades

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This is a seriously sexy custom SUV!  Carbon aero pieces might blend in with this dark bronze paintwork, but are incredibly cool up close.  The nose splitter, side sills and rear spoilers are naked carbon for this stage one mod, but can be painted to suit. A performance ECU reflash takes the twin turbo Levante to 494HP without getting any hands dirty.  Same goes for the air suspension module that allows the truck to lower itself much farther than stock.  Yet another high-tech module brings Levante by Novitec an active exhaust baffle. Capping off this stunner are 22-inch wheels that …

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2017 Hyundai SANTA FE Ultimate – Road Test Review – By Tim Esterdahl

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  Overlooked by many consumers, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe is the sleeper pick by many journalists as the best full-size CUV on the market. Why the disconnect between consumers and critics? No idea, it is really that good. The Hyundai Santa Fe has been around for years and in 2012 a longer-wheel base model called the Limited hit the sales rooms. As opposed to the smaller Sport model, the Limited offers a third-row – a key item for family shoppers. It also received a different grille design, optional 19 inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust tips and its overall shape …

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2017 GMC Acadia DENALI – Road Test Review – By Tim Esterdahl

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  GMC angling to be a “premium brand” these days — a long way from their trucks’ deserved reputation as rebadged Chevrolets.  GMC has definitely changed, but not everything makes sense. The 2017 GMC Acadia Denali is a perfect example of this. It is essentially a rebadged Chevrolet Traverse with upgraded features and luxury. Do these luxury features push it to another level above the Traverse? Absolutely, yet they may do more harm than good. The 2017 GMC Acadia is one of several SUV models offered by GMC these days as the brand works to find complements to its better-selling Yukon Denali and Sierra …

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2017 Maserati LEVANTE at Amelia Island Concours [22 Photos]

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The new Levante in Blu Emozione paintwork is gorgeous and quite unique in its design.  We love its serious, toothy nose and sharky hood/grille edge.  Not as sure about the rear three-quarter angle or the slightly narrow-looking rubber. The truck is even more special on the inside, where it is lined with Zegna cashmere, leathers and suedes from roof to floor.  Quite pretty.  Not a huge back seat but decent trunk room versus F-Pace or the Cayenne/Macan. The Levante starts from $74k  with 350HP while the S kicks off from $84k with a tuned V6TT making 424 ponies.  2017 Maserati …

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2017 Ford Explorer Platinum 4×4 – HD Road Test Review

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As recently as ten years ago, all you had to ask for was a seven-seat SUV. The options were pretty limited and you found your way into various full-size Suburbans or Expeditions. These days, car shoppers have to get a lot more specific.  There are over 50 SUV and crossover models capable of seating seven.  But they are certainly not all equally capable. The Ford Explorer aims to be one of the largest mid-size SUVs out there – one with real seating in the third row and decent luggage room with all seats up.  The Explorer is very-much an SUV versus a …

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Road Test Review: 2017 Kia Niro EX – By Carl Malek

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Its not too often that we encounter a new vehicle that manages to hit that proverbial sweet spot between practicality, efficiency, and, style. While many vehicles out on the market strive to achieve this deceptively difficult feat, very few succeed. Kia aims to change all that with the 2017 Kia Niro a CUV that not only aims to bring style to the green vehicle segment, but also underpins an all new green car platform for both Kia and Hyundai.     The exterior styling of our Metal Stream hued EX grade tester was a tasteful blend of style and practicality. …

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2018 Alfa Romeo STELVIO – 70 Dynamic Pics On Namesake Road

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Feeling like every day there is a brand-new SUV from a luxury brand? You’re right.  Bentayga and Levante join F-Pace and even a Maybach G-Class for 2017. The class of 2018 includes this stunner: the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The big press launch just took place in Europe and offers a great look at the truck in the wild. Certainly a wild look! Ultra rounded fenders, nose and hood lead to a very-low and bubbly hardtop shape.  Big wheels and fenders enforce the machine’s performance credentials — if the giant Alfa V grille didn’t do it! The top model matches the …

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2017 Citroen DS7 Crossback – Yay or Nay?

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And now… for something completely different! Citroen is a favorite around here thanks to its wild designs, brave vision and often-odd product lineups.  Long a hero of urban France, the brand actually has great reach into central/south America and much of Asia.  One place in Asia, in particular.  No prizes for knowing it! The CHinese market has embraced Citroen’s designer flair and euro drive manners.  Especially its upscale DS brand. This new DS7 Crossback is the closest thing to a globally-competitive flagship SUV from any of the French brands.  This five-seater is stunningly luxurious, high-tech and high-style. A 300HP plugin-hybrid …

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2017 Maserati LEVANTE By Brabus-StarTech

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Levante is pretty intense in the flesh.  A macho chin and shark nose up front, but ultra low roof tapering to nothing in the back. But how to take some of Maserati’s trim and style choices up a few big notches? StarTech to the rescue.  This Brabus brand has a full line of Levante parts available for shipping worldwide.  Pick a few or go for the works…! Granted, finding tires for the 23s on this Geneva showtruck might be tricky.  Such is life… in the fastlane.   Scratch that: this truck runs centerlock 21s.  More info below the gallery. 2017 …

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2018 Range Rover VELAR World Debut w/Video

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Hey handsome! Check out the latest and greatest Range Rover in history: the new VELAR!  The RR Velar is another genius product that fits the five-seat super-sport SUV niche.  Yes, there was open space for new customers above the Evoque bu below the seven-sear Range Rover Sport. This Velar is set to hoover them up.  Next-gen powertrains and tech abound – but there’ll be time for all that later.  First things first: how gorgeous is it? VERY!     An ultra-streamlined new aesthetic for the bodywork hugs the ground like no Land Rover before.  The ultra wide track appears straight …

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2017 KIA Soul Turbo – Road Test Review – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

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Kia sells a full lineup of excellent vehicles, from small economy sedans and crossovers, to mid and full size sedans and Suv’s . They even build a luxury sedan rivaling some of the best from Japan and Europe.  They have many hybrid models, and even a fully electric car.  But their best-selling model is the Soul. This compact crossover is designed to appeal to the young Millennial generation, but even this old greybeard find it an engaging vehicle that provides a lot of features, roomy interior, gas mileage economy in a fun package. For 2017, Kia has upped the fun …

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2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC By VAETH – Not Quite GLC500 But Style Is Hot

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Slammed stance, great grip and pipes… annnnd it’s a diesel.  Wham.  Slight disappointment but an interesting look regardless. For example, why not remove the 220d from the trunk?  And why with this deeply lowered suspension… are there running boards?  The hood is definitely open in these pics, by the way. Oh well.  The power bump is modest but also well-priced for an ECU reflash. 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC By VAETH VÄTH LAUNCHED A GLC Photos: Jordi Miranda VÄTH in Hösbach near Aschaffenburg gained worldwide recognition with their two business segments, automobile technology and engine technology. Vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and AMG are …

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2017 Lexus RX350 – Design Analysis Video with 40 New Photos

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Here are some very pretty photos and an informative video walkaround of the best-selling Lexus RX.  Count the vehicle as a solid follow-up to the smooth, comfy and quiet Lexus crossover hero.  As dull/proven as the powertrains are, it is really the exterior design of the new RX350 that future-proofs such a familiar machine. The cabin will seal the deal among previous owners not wild about the new full-frame grille!  It is much more luxurious and one of the smoothest-riding SUVs we’ve ever driven. For a half-dozen more articles and drive reviews of the Lexus RX, be sure to check …

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2017 Jeep Cherokee TRAILHAWK – HD Road Test Review Plus 2 Videos

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True or False: The Cherokee Trailhawk is just as serious an upgrade as any M car from BMW — but tailored to making the Jeep unstoppable offroad versus chopping its track laptimes. Preposterous comparison?  M car versus Trailhawk package? We might have thought so too until spending a week in the Trailhawk and testing out its off-road drive systems (on video below!) on some deep mud/clay here in South Carolina. The transformation of the Cherokee in off-road beastmode is as dramatic as any Sport Plus on a high-performance car.  Perhaps even more-so for how intense the drivetrain becomes in its 4Low …

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2017 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WD – Road Test Review + New Photos!

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  The new Pathfinder is quite the looker in this flashy Sandstone paintwork! It is quite unusual for a family crossover to attract as much attention as this beauty received in our care for a week.  The facelift definitely works at reinvigorating the Pathfinder’s style, then. But the 2017 refresh for the Pathfinder is actually more than skin-deep. An all-new 3.5-liter V6 is the big news under the redesigned hood – upping the tow rating to 6000-pounds and juicing the 0-60 times as well. Is the refresh enough to make the Pathfinder top of the class with the Toyota Highlander, …

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2017 GMC Acadia SLT-1 FWD – HD Road Test Review

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You know the shorthand details on the all-new 2017 Acadia from GMC:  it is 700-pounds lighter and overall far more carlike than its predecessor. While still seating six or seven with its three-row seating. Another few changes slipped out of the big news, though: the Acadia is gorgeous now, and runs a gorgeous 26-mpg highway via its standard front-drive, four-cylinder power. This is pretty huge news versus the Acadia’s at the top of the range with their big V6 engine and ubiquiotus AWD and huge wheels.  A rarity in the car-reviews business, then. We have ourselves an entry-level model to …

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2017 Infiniti QX30 Premium AWD – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Is the best new Mercedes an Infiniti? It might be. Because sneaky folks that they are, Infiniti started with a fine small SUV, the Mercedes GLA250, and then kept the good bits, massaged some of the other bits, and did a pretty major overhaul of the exterior and interior. The result is a unique blend of performance and style.  But is it enough to lure buyers of the three-pointed star to the sideways Pac Man? Well on looks alone, yes. While the GLA has that Euro-sensible look, like a taller hatchier version of the CLA sedan, the QX30 in comparison, …

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2017 Honda CR-V 1.5T AWD Touring – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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  An exciting new twist with the 2017 CR-V.  Five of them, in fact!~ Honda’s really got us spinning with the all-new CR-V. And while it already was one of the very best, they’ve done a lot of things – big and small – to make sure it keeps its leadership position.   Twist 1: It will turn heads: CR-V’s have always been modern, contemporary vehicles, but not Wowzers. Until now. First of all, the new CR-V looks noticeably bigger, and it is. Give partial credit to the smaller HR-V being offered so its big brother can stretch out. The …

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2016 INFINITI QX60 3.5 AWD – HD Road Test Review – By Tom Burkart

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  Is carlike handling and seating for seven too much to ask for in the luxury car market?  Mainstream brands seem to have this formula pretty well nailed with the Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot. But name a three-row, car-based crossover from a luxury brand that really delivers easy access, kid-friendly tech and a price less than $75k! Sure, there is the Mercedes-Benz GLS or the Audi Q7.  But both of those big, heavy trucks drive like forklifts around town and in carpool lanes.  Yes, you have the Lexus GX460 or Range Rover Sport to consider.  But those third rows …

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2017 Audi Q8 Concept – Near-Production SUV Limo Shows Face in Detroit

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  Finally!  Some fresh design from Audi! After the deeply dull A4/A5 and Q5/Q7 refreshes lately, Audi is showing some design elan with their new Q8 concept.  This four-seat plugin hybrid limo promises supreme comfort for four.  A platform share with the Q7 moves the back seat rearward and focused on backseat comfort for just the second row.  No third row, then. A stonking 516 pound-feet of torque ensure a rapid getaway for the lucky four-some.  And a silent one too!  The machine promises 37-miles of pure EV driving range. What this limo indicates is that Audi’s model expansion has …

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2017 KIA SOUL! Turbo DCT – HD Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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The Kia Soul has been one of the most successful small ‘utes in history.  Those engaging Hamster commercials did a great job of renting some space in our minds. When the Soul was redesigned, we saw the hamsters hit the gym, slim down, and start dressing like Daniel Craig in the Bond films. But what happens when the carmaker introduces the turbo, double-clutch 2017 Kia Soul! (pronounced “exclamation”)? Hamsters on steroids! And we have to give Kia credit for putting the loveable Soul on the juice, because they could probably sell every one they make already. It’s a great little …

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2018 VW Atlas R-Line First Look – Arrives May 2017 to USA Showrooms!

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No big power bump on the Atlas yet, but this R-Line upgrade is the sportiest we’ve seen yet! Available as a style and grip tweak to the 235HP turbo four or 276-pony V6, the R-Line adds unique 20-inch alloys and a very chic new appearance front and rear.  Baby steps! The Atlas itself is en route to production and a showroom arrival by around April of 2017 in the USA.  Yes! It is true.  The truck is on the way! In fact, based on these pics… we’d say it is already in pre-production as we speak!  It cannot come soon …

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2017 Faraday Future FF91 – Updated with Live Photos/Video

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The saga of Faraday Future has been a roller coaster ride ever since the company was first formed especially with the recent defections of several top Faraday executives. However, the company chose to put these rumors to the wayside with the unveiling of the FF91 EV. The FF91 is a key offering for the mysterious upstart company, and on paper at least, the crossover-esque vehicle is a potent beast. The car will come equipped with a 200 kW fast charging capacity, which works in tandem with the 130 kWh battery pack to deliver a 378 mile driving range with the …

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2017 Ford ESCAPE Titanium FWD – Road Test Review – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

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A third of the auto industry’s sales last year were SUV’s. That means that about 5 million of them were sold here.  At Ford, their leading SUV model is the Escape. Over 300,000 units were sold last year alone, making the Escape the number 2 selling Ford model, behind only the Ford F-150 pickup truck.  The Escape debuted way back in the year 2000, and they have sold more than 2.4 million of them.  After spending a week with the 2017 Escape, it’s not hard to understand why. For 2017, the Escape gets a mid-cycle refresh, bringing some significant changes to the …

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2016 Fiat 500L Trekking – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Are you taking things too seriously? Been following politics? Fighting holiday crowds? Dreading a New Year’s resolution? We have a cure for you. The Fiat 500L. While it is a real SUV, capable of meeting your daily needs, there’s just enough slightly wacky, off-the-beaten-path, Euro-quirkiness to help take you out of the doldrums and put a smile on your face. It started out with the cute as a bug’s ear 500. Enthusiasts rejoiced when the brand added the Mighty Mouse 500 Abarth. And we have many frugal friends enjoying the super-green 500e electric vehicle (especially at the $99/month lease!). For those …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Kia Soul + – By Carl Malek

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When Kia first unleashed the Soul back in 2008, the funky CUV was a bold gamble for the Korean car giant. Boasting boxy styling, youthful vigor, and an ad campaign featuring cute hamsters, the Soul proved to be a hit with CUV buyers, and prompted the company to release numerous variants including the recently launched Soul Turbo model. But has its mid-cycle update helped the Soul stay relevant among millennials? or has it lost a few steps against a new wave of CUV entries that are all vying for their piece of the greater CUV sales pie.     The exterior …

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First Drive Photos – 2017 BMW X4 M40i – Widescreen Gallery

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The briefest of brief spins in the sexy 2017 BMW X4 M40i! How does this all-new turbo six feel versus the previous X4 xDrive35i M Sport? Far more focused, to be honest.  The new motor series is not just up 20HP/30-pound-feet of torque.  It also gains a biting new exhaust bark in all forms.  That back-bellow and M-style popping on the overrun is cranked to the max in the X4 M40i.  And we adore it. The exterior is also quite sexy with its dark-tinted badges, chrome-free appearance and overall sinister-ness. The grey mirror caps and blocky alloys reinforce this impression …

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2016 Volkswagen TIGUAN R-Line 4Motion – Road Test Review – By Tom Burkart       

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Our reviews here on Car-Revs-Daily.com generally try to be upbeat and playfully informative.  With insightful observations galore and a few critiques along the way. It is usually because the cars manufacturers send our way are all fairly loveable, newsworthy and generally pretty fresh on the market.  We put ourselves in the position of the buyers in that market segment for a week.  A week of driving later.. we’re usually gushing with some form of praise. This Tiguan review will have many of those characteristics, but with a darker edge. The 2016 Tiguan is woefully outclassed by nearly any compact crossover …

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2017 Nissan Armada Platinum – Road Test Review – By Lyndon Johnson

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The big news with the second-generation Nissan Armada is this: We finally got a Nissan Patrol in America! Perhaps bigger news still is that the 2017 Nissan Armada, Nissan’s largest SUV, doesn’t drive nearly so large as it is. Nissan does the SUV — bigly Riding on a 121.1-inch wheelbase, the 6,000-lb. Armada measures 208.9 inches from bumper-to-bumper and straddles a piece of ground 79.9 inches wide. It stands 75.8 inches tall. It’s a large beast — not quite as large as the also new-for-2017 Nissan Titan, but close. Maneuvering in tight quarters may require your full, undivided attention. Thankfully, …

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2016 Ford EDGE Titanium – Road Test Review – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

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  The wife and I picked up our friends to go out to dinner in the Ford Edge. They weren’t in the car more than 60 seconds before they both said (almost in unison) “Wow, there’s a lot of room back here.”  A few minutes later, “these seat warmers are really nice.”  I then suggested they recline the seatbacks a little bit, and they were delighted with that feature, too. Ten minutes later, I heard, “Boy, this car rides really smoothly, even better than our Lexus RX. What is it?” They were surprised to learn that it was a Ford.  …

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2016 Mazda CX-9 Signature – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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  Is the Mazda CX-9 a Miata for 7? It’s an interesting thing. Used to be, you had needs, you bought a vehicle that fit those needs. Things changed when SUV’s got popular. Suddenly, if you needed a minivan, but didn’t want to be seen in a minivan, you could get something cooler. No more settling. Well, that opened the floodgates. Pickup truck that’s decked out like a luxury sedan? You can get them with more cow on the inside than you can tow on the outside. EV’s that will stomp all over supercars? Here’s your Tesla. Convertible Crossovers? How …

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2017 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring – Marketplace Comparison – By Carl Malek

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When we last met the Mazda CX-3, we praised its ability to bring Mazda style fun and flair to a segment that is steadily getting more and more crowded with entries from various automakers. With the segment also booming in sales and overall demand, choosing the right CUV for your driveway can be the most important decision many growing families face. With that said, does the Mazda CX-3 still have what it takes to win a spot in your driveway? To find out we went behind the wheel of a second CX-3, and crunched the numbers to see how it …

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2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SPORT 2.0T AWD – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Is this sexy new Sante Fe SPORT ready to play in the big leagues? Both Hyundai and Kia have been huge success stories lately, but we still get comments from buyers that hadn’t considered “one of those brands.” Which is sort of understandable, if you only buy a new vehicle every 8-10 years, you might have missed out on the great turnaround of the Korean automaker. And you might be surprised how many crossovers and SUV’s are out there vying for your dollar – even if you’re the cheapskate that only parts with the greenbacks every decade or so. So let us …

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2017 Volvo XC90 – Road Test Review – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

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  It has been a very long time since I’ve reviewed a Volvo. So I was anxious to get my hands on the 2017 XC90 T6 Inscription with AWD.  As I did a quick walk around of the vehicle, the styling showed a fairly generic shape, especially when viewed from the side.  It doesn’t have a long front overhand, nor a steeply raked windshield.  The front end shows the traditional Volvo grill, which in my youth looked outdated, as it was mostly seen on boxy shaped boring sedans. But on the XC90 it looks more stately, sitting between the headlights …

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2016 Lexus NX200t F SPORT AWD – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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If the NX200t did one of those TV Ancestry tests, what would show up? Platform sharing today makes it difficult to figure out what is a real brand anymore. You’ve got rebadged Mercedes posing as Infiniti’s. Jeeps driving around on Fiat underpinnings. Fiats driving around on Mazda bits. Subaru’s, Scions. And more.  Oh my. Then we have intermingling within the automakers as well, and they can be very well disguised. Case in point, Lexus and Toyota. There’s a lot of sharing going on. In all honesty, though, it always felt like the downscale Toyota models were getting Lexus goodness, rather …

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505HP, 3.9s 2018 Alfa Romeo STELVIO – High-Performance SUV Wows LA, World

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Very big day today out in elle-lay! The new Alfa Romeo Stelvio is the latest big debut for the left coast — and it is a doosey! Meet the new 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio: the range-topping, 505-horsepower SUV that delivers some seriously stonking numbers right out of the gate.  It is named after the knotted Stelvio Pass mountain road made so famous from Top Gear.  And that means Alfa are more than confident about how well this machine can corner! The Stelvio will rival the Maserati Levante, Jaguar F-Pace, BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe up and down the range.  Starting at the …

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2017 VW Beetle DUNE Cabriolet – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Is the Beetle Dune ragtop just what the doctor ordered? Back in September, we tested a VW Beetle Dune, and decided it could be the answer to VW’s Diesel-inspired tummy troubles. While the folks at VW may (still) be reaching for a Super Gulp-size Pepto, we found a much better choice for quick relief. The 2017 VW Beetle DUNE Cabrio. The recipe for the convertible is pretty similar to the Dune hardtop. Based as an homage to the Baja Bugs of yore, all Dune models get a notable bump in the macho department, with a slightly taller ride height (half …

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2017 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum AWD – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Nissan and the Pathfinder are working hard to give you the SUV you really want. Which is really pretty admirable. Along with Toyota’s 4Runner, the Pathfinder is one of the most storied names in SUV-dom. But unlike the Toy, which has soldiered on being rugged and truckish – with pros and cons attached – in 2013, Nissan took the Pathfinder into the meat of the SUV marketplace with a unibody, 3-row family vehicle. OK, this was tough for some to swallow; the rugged little Nissan that drove all the way to the Amazon (memorialized in a series of commercials in …

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2016 Volkswagen Tiguan 4Motion – Road Test Review – By Lyndon Johnson

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The Volkswagen Tiguan was early to the party of compact crossovers, debuting in 2006 during a period of high gas prices. One would think it was great timing to introduce a small SUV to consumers concerned with conserving fuel. But in fact, by the time it got here in 2009, the gasser Tiguan was rated at 19 MPG city, 26 MPG highway by EPA. That didn’t get MPG-conscious consumers beating down the doors of their nearest VW dealer, and falling gas prices did little to boost Tiguan sales. Fact is, the VW Tiguan has stayed right there at an EPA …

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2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL–E – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Is the Honda Ridgeline too good for most truck buyers? I mean after all, when the first Ridgeline appeared in 2005, it was revolutionary. Where trucks had trundled on for decades on separate chassis and bodies, the Honda re-envisioned the pickup with a unibody design. Much in the way the SUV’s and crossovers were dramatically improved with car-like comfort and manners, the Ridgeline should have been the standard bearer for pickups. Instead, after making a small splash, the majority of truck buyers went back to the harsh riding, less fuel efficient, but perceived tougher and more durable traditional trucks. They …

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2017 Cadillac XT5 Platinum – Road Test Review – By Tim Esterdahl

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Is the XT5 ready for the runway, or still a work in progress?  The mid-size luxury SUV segment has exploded in recent years and the rush to bring new products to market has forced many companies to expedite development plans. Unfortunately, this means some products are released before they really deliver the wow factor consumers are looking for. Such is the case with the 2017 Cadillac XT5. It fails to stand out in a crowded market and feels like a work in progress. Before we get too far along, it is worth noting there is nothing wrong with the 2017 Cadillac …

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2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland 4×4 V6 – Road Test Review

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Welcome to the most luxurious Jeep Cherokee of all time. Dubbed the Overland as this new-for-2016 trim, the Cherokee now packs its feature lists to overflowing proportions. You name the luxury feature, and this truck has it. Along the way, the Cherokee Overland 4×4 V6 has almost grown out of its Ford Escape and Honda CR-V competitive set.  In power, safety and premium elements, this Cherokee Overland competes much more closely against the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. The problem with those much-tougher rivals is easy to imagine: they are great little trucks that handle well, have speedy turbo powertrains and …

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2017 Jaguar F-PACE – SUV of the Year Review + Video

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The Jaguar F-Pace absolutely rocks our world.  This SUV is a masterclass whose strength will power the brand’s rapid evolution.  New market segments and new sales records will keep coming rapidly with cars as strong as the F-Pace in the big cat range. How could Jag’s first-ever SUV out-do the premium entries from BMW, Mercedes and Lexus right out of the gate? It comes down to driver engagement, value and style.  We’ll continue to touch on these themes throughout this HD Review and its standard headings of Exterior, Interior, Performance and Price. Kicking things off is this very speedy HD video …

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2017 Honda CR-V – Turbo-powered Redesign Continues March Upmarket

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You know those statistics that say California is a top-10 economy, ranked worldwide versus entire countries? The CR-V is a similar story for Honda.  It is an absolute mint. This car makes money like you would not believe, and single-handedly pulls in revenue many automakers can’t achieve with their entire lineups. CR-V is a profit-center extraordinaire. As a result, the model has received careful pruning over the last few years to make up for the missing total redesign.  Even while the compact crossover market has grown to the second-best-selling in all of automobile-dom —- behind pickups and neck/neck with midsize sedans …

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2017 Honda HR-V 6MT – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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A Honda HR-V with 2WD and manual transmission. ! Rare barely begins to describe the 6MT on Honda lots nationwide. Perhaps this is an auto-reviewer special!? It’s certainly possible. In the craze for small crossovers, it seems like an automatic is de rigueur, and most buyers are finding the added grip and confidence of All-Wheel Drive (AWD to you and me) a temptation too hard to resist. A while ago, we tested an AWD, CVT, HR-V (OK, it’s alphabet soup) and really liked it. A bit slow perhaps, but with all the brilliant simplicity of design that we think would …

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2016 Jeep RENEGADE Trailhawk – Road Test Review – By Lyndon Johnson

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When I took delivery of the 2016 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk for testing, a colleague told me, “The little Jeep is surprisingly capable.” Those two words — “surprisingly capable” — came to define my experience with the Renegade Trailhawk as I took it down some deep, difficult rock-and-mud-and-gravel trails in the hills of eastern Middle Tennessee. Design Notes There’s no denying the Jeep Renegade has a definite cute factor. That’s probably the first reason many Jeep purists scoff at the littlest Jeep in the lineup. It doesn’t look like a chiseled-jawed Wrangler. That notwithstanding, there’s no mistaking the Renegade for anything …

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2016 Lexus RX450h F Sport AWD – Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

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Way back in 1998 Lexus introduced the RX model, and it was an instant hit.  In those days it was a unique blend of car and truck. It featured a high seating position for a command of the road, along with the cargo capacity of a large station wagon. The RX offered the smooth quiet ride of a Lexus sedan, along with the luxury interior appointments they’d come to expect from the Lexus brand, and better gas mileage than any truck based vehicle. The public snapped them up like hotcakes. In fact it became the first Lexus model to sell …

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2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland EcoDiesel – Review – By Tim Esterdahl

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For the last several years, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been the leader among mid-size, off-road SUVs. Legendary Jeep off-road equipment, luxury-like interior finishes, sharp exterior styling and powerful V8 engines have enhanced the appeal of this trusty truck significantly. With the pump-busting 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel engine now available too, the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee is at a level where competitors don’t dare to go. It is pricey, yet so, so good. Styling Sets It Apart From the first day I received the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland as a press loan, I remarked at how stylish it was. This isn’t always …

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2016 Jeep RENEGADE Trailhawk 4×4 – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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  You say you want a small crossover/SUV? We can’t blame you. It’s just about the hottest-selling segment in the industry, and it looks like the small family sedan is taking a firm backseat because of it. And while there are a lot of nice choices out there, there is a problem. They all sort of look alike. There are notable exceptions like the mutant amphibian Nissan Juke. And the squat-and-squashed Mini Clubman. But in general, and HRV, CRV, CX-3, CX-5, RAV4, Forester, Rogue all look – and function – like relatives at a family reunion. Is the Jeep Renegade the cure …

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EQ Concept Mercedes-Benz – Paris Launch Party

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Zaps? Zips? Forgive the silly electric-themed headline!  This EV concept is no laughing matter.  A serious, Mercedes-Benz style take on a full EV performance SUV. With sizing around the new GLC, the GLE, if a bit wider, the EQ concept promises big power and big range.  Will big speed be in the mix?  We hope so! The looks are fairly chic and intriguing from all but the nose angle.  A bit hard to look dead in the eyes, this EQ. But the inductive charging capability and its broad, sexy shoulder chisels?  Bring it on!   2016 Mercedes-Benz EQ Concept Paris/Stuttgart. With “Generation …

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2016 BMW X2 Concept – Live Paris Photos/Analysis of Intriguing New Design Language

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Interesting new look for the 2016 BMW X2 Concept today in Paris!  The X2 is smoother and softer than the traditional X3/X5 design feel, but is still quite macho and aggressive.  We love the nose detailing, long and low roofline like a fastback, and the pert rump. This concept X2 hopes to broaden the crossover appeal of cars in the VW Golf size class, with minimal tradeoffs when scaling skyward.  As such, it appears about half-way between the normal BMW aesthetic and the latest X-model appearance. This becomes clear with the ultra smooth bodysides and minimal fender flaring, in contrast to …

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2018 Audi Q5 – Paris Debut for Fresh Facelift

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A fairly light facelift here for the Q5 upgrades the design outside and in, plus relocates its production to Mexico for the first time.  Neither the new look nor the new factory is exactly promising, if we’re honest. 2018 Audi Q5 – Paris Debut PRESENTING THE ALL-NEW Q5 – THE FIFTH ELEMENT FOR AUDI AT PARIS 29/09/16   New Q5 sets standards in connectivity, ride comfort, handling dynamics, efficiency and driver assistance All-new version of the best-selling Audi SUV worldwide Up to 90kg lighter than its predecessor Luggage capacity increase of 10 litres Increased interior space, headroom and rear kneeroom One …

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Updated with Live Photos – 2016 Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration Concept

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Second look at the Infiniti QX Sport concept — but the first time outside of its debut in Asia! This stylish number is widely thought to preview an upcoming QX70 replacement.  Or perhaps a pair of them! A long-wheelbase, seven-seat variant of the model is likely. We’re unclear on the basis for this vehicle.  It may be an evolution of the Q50 platform, or could share its underpinnings with the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.  If the latter, this would be the second deep partnership between Infiniti and MB — after the just-launched Q30 and QX30 models. 2016 Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration Concept …

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Land Rover Unveils All-New 2018 Discovery

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Following a host of teaser videos and images, Land Rover has formally unveiled the 2017 Land Rover Discovery ahead of its official debut at the Paris Motor Show. Once known for its squarish lines, Land Rover designers decided to take a radical approach with this new Discovery pitching the four corners theme in lieu of a more streamlined look. The front end takes much of its inspiration from the current Range Rover, and even carrys over that model’s headlight design. Meanwhile the rear styling takes inspiration from the smaller Discovery Sport, and features slick LED taillights. The end result is …

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2016 Bentley BENTAYGA By StarTech Adds Remote Exhaust + 23s

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A very nice stage one mod pack for the new Bentayga just arrived!  Brabus’s StarTech division is leading the effort with custom carbon exterior upgrades, giant 23s and a remote-operated sport exhaust that bellows far louder than stock. The engine output appears to stay the same on this first upgrade.  The press release below discusses the V12 at length… but of course, the Bentayga runs a W12!  =] 2016 Bentley BENTAYGA By StarTech The first further refined Bentley Bentayga comes from STARTECH   Sporty-elegant widebody version, 23-inch forged wheels, sport exhaust with sound management, and exclusive interior   The new …

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2017 Honda Ridgeline AWD RTL-E – Road Test Review – By Carl Malek

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Mid-size trucks are gaining sales a wild rate in 2016. With the revitalization of the mid-size truck segment over the past two years, this is now a hotly-contested battlefield. Once defined by wheezy entries such as the Ford Ranger, as well as older iterations of the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma, the second generation Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon have set the current benchmark for the segment, and pushed their Asian rivals out of the mix in the process. Honda looks to reverse this trend with the 2017 Honda Ridgeline, but can this revamped entry standout in a crowded segment while …

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