First Drive Photos Archives

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, …

2019 Chevrolet Blazer RS – First Drive Gallery

February 19, 2019, 3 pmFebruary 5, 2019, 11 am by Tom Burkart

The new Blazer is easily the best-looking SUV to be launched in recent years. Just because we are not on the charmed list for the US media launch does not mean we can’t celebrate a sexy design with a full photo gallery! And like most GM cars and crossovers in the last year — that all drive with exactly the same level of non-feel and non-fun — the Blazer is likely to be a deep snooze behind the wheel. Until you get to the top motor, which also skyrockets the price into the $40s. Tough call. The LT and Premier trims …

Road Test Review – 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – By Carl Malek

February 19, 2019, 3 pmDecember 24, 2018, 5 pm by Carl Malek

When we last met the Mitsubishi Outlander, it was in its base 2.4 liter form and it proved to be a very reliable steed, with the one we had impressing us with its Prius like fuel economy on a summer road trip from our Metro Detroit office to Wisconsin for a press association event. But what if your an SUV buyer who thinks even this insane display of fuel economy isn’t enough for your needs? Mitsubishi has you covered with the all new Outlander PHEV. But does it retain some of the subtle charms that allowed its four cylinder counterpart …

2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4×4 – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

February 19, 2019, 3 pmDecember 11, 2018, 5 pm by Ben Lewis

It’s amazing what legendary heritage can do for your ride. We had some rain this last week – actual, pouring rain in SoCal! – that created floods, mudslides, and nasty driving conditions. But we weren’t worried in the least. We were driving a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. Yes, there are probably lots of capable foul-weather,crappy-condition vehicles, but when the going gets tough, it’s reassuring to be behind the brand that’s always meant “I’ll get you there”. And when you advertise that you’re “The Most Capable SUV” in your segment, you should have the goods to back it up. A Grander Cherokee …

Road Test Review – 2018 Lincoln Navigator Black Label – By Carl Malek

February 19, 2019, 3 pmDecember 9, 2018, 5 pm by Carl Malek

When Lincoln revamped the Navigator full-sized SUV for 2018, they had a lot of ground to make up. Once an innovator in the full size luxury SUV segment when it first made its debut in 1998, the big Lincoln generated a lot of attention, and even inspired Cadillac to make its own entry, the Cadillac Escalade. However, the Navigators that followed failed to maintain this initial momentum, with the situation growing increasingly dire in 2015 when the refreshed third generation Navigator appeared. Lacking the precision and attention to detail that had become a staple of the fore-mentioned Escalade, that iteration …