First Drive Photos Archives

Road Test Review – 2019 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 – By Carl Malek

June 16, 2019, 1 pm by Carl Malek

The mid-size pickup truck market is booming, but that has always not been the case. For a number of years, the segment was a very stagnant sector of the broader pickup truck market, with the Toyota Tacoma being the benchmark offering for buyers that wanted a pickup, but did not want the bulk and bigger size that often comes with a full size offering. Chevrolet is no stranger to this segment, but the company has not always had the best of luck in its prior attempts at toppling the Tacoma. The 1980’s and 1990’s were dominated by the crude but …

Road Test Review – 2019 BMW Z4 Sdrive30i – By Carl Malek

June 15, 2019, 9 pmJune 14, 2019, 10 pm by Carl Malek

When the 2020 Toyota Supra was first revealed to the world, it was no secret that a lot of its heritage was shared with BMW. From parts to even the platform and engine itself, the strong connection to BMW was very evident. While the reborn Supra was not present during the annual MAMA Spring Rally event in Elkhart, Wisconsin, we opted for the next best thing, and spent some quality time with the source material that the absent Toyota riffs from, the 2019 BMW Z4. But can the Z4 reinvent itself in a niche segment where its predecessors have tried …

Road Test Review – 2019 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury – By Carl Malek [Video]

May 31, 2019, 10 pm by Carl Malek

When it comes to bringing the pinnacle of off-road capability to affluent adventurers, few can beat the bar that has been set by Land Rover. The iconic British luxury SUV brand has always served as one of the benchmarks that many automakers look up to when they craft an off-road focused vehicle. In addition, key models have also played a big role in the company’s history over the years. A prominent player is the Land Rover Discovery which has established itself by offering lucky buyers the ability to blaze even the toughest of trails but still have enough size to …

Track Test Review – 2019 Acura NSX – By Carl Malek

May 30, 2019, 7 amMay 28, 2019, 11 pm by Carl Malek

When the Acura NSX originally made its debut back in 2016, Acura was keen on reestablishing itself as a technological leader, while also breathing new life into arguably one of its most iconic nameplates. The reborn NSX proved to be a spirited offering, and smashed any doubts that were cast on it with its impressive performance numbers, smooth hybrid technology, and being a futuristic shot of adrenaline for buyers looking for something different from the usual Porsche and even Ferrari powered tonics that were out in the marketplace at the time. But like all good things, even the NSX can …

Snake Bitten, New Fangs And Suite Of Upgrades Bring New Venom To 2019 Shelby GT350 – First Drive Review – By Carl Malek

May 14, 2019, 3 pmMay 14, 2019, 12 am by Carl Malek

You May Also Like:First Drive – 2019 Polaris Slingshot SLR – By Carl Malek February 20, 2019, 1 pm When it comes to 3-wheel cycle cars (aka “autocycles,”) these special vehicles strike a welcome and particular chord in the heart of this author. For those that aren’t familiar with this type of vehicle, it is essentially the best of both worlds between a motorcycle and a car, with each one trying to do something different depending on how much car or motorcycle DNA is in it. Autocycles were invented before traditional four wheeled cars, and for a time were a …

Road Test Review – 2018 Lexus RX350L – By Carl Malek

April 7, 2019, 11 pmApril 7, 2019, 11 pm by Carl Malek

A key adage that applies in the automotive industry is the classic saying “Build it and they will come.” Indeed, this logic has resulted in some truly impressive models such as the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, as well as tamer fare like the Toyota RAV4. However, it has also resulted in the appearance of a fair share of odds ball offerings in the past including the Nissan Murano convertible. But with crossover mania in full swing, this timeless saying has new meaning, especially with how white hot the sales race is in the all important luxury crossover segment. Lexus is …

Road Test Review – 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro – By Carl Malek

April 3, 2019, 12 pmMarch 31, 2019, 11 am by Carl Malek

When it comes to off-road vehicles, few automakers have nearly the same level of clout that Toyota has. While Jeep has Rubicon, Ford Raptor, and Chevrolet ZR2, Toyota is the only automaker to offer a full lineup of off-road vehicles under the TRD Pro moniker. While the Tacoma and 4-Runner TRD Pro variants are often seen as the de-facto ambassadors of the brand, there are other TRD Pro models behind the scenes that do their best to bring a distinctive driving experience to buyers. One of these is the vehicle featured here, the 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. With its …

Road Test Review – 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature AWD – By Carl Malek

March 22, 2019, 11 amMarch 22, 2019, 11 am by Carl Malek

It’s no secret that Mazda’s CX-5 has emerged as a very key player for the Japanese car maker for the past several years. Once known for having a very car focused lineup over 10 years ago, Mazda has been very quick to embrace the recent shift towards CUV and SUV entries, with the CX-3 and the CX-9 being just two examples of how the Hiroshima based company has responded to this abrupt shift in buyer demand. However, it is ultimately the CX-5 that has emerged as the key cog in Mazda’s plans to sharpen up its position in the utility …

First Drive – 2019 Polaris Slingshot SLR – By Carl Malek

February 25, 2019, 5 pmFebruary 20, 2019, 1 pm by Carl Malek

When it comes to 3-wheel cycle cars (aka “autocycles,”) these special vehicles strike a welcome and particular chord in the heart of this author. For those that aren’t familiar with this type of vehicle, it is essentially the best of both worlds between a motorcycle and a car, with each one trying to do something different depending on how much car or motorcycle DNA is in it. Autocycles were invented before traditional four wheeled cars, and for a time were a sales phenomenon, especially in Europe. The Morgan 3-Wheeler is arguably the most iconic and historic of these particular vehicles, …