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SUPERCAR of the YEAR - 2016 Jaguar F-Type R AWD Coupe 75

SUPERCAR of the YEAR – 2016 Jaguar F-Type R AWD Coupe

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It seems like just yesterday that the arrival of the F-Type R out front of CRD brought literal tears to my eyes. Even before seeing it, we heard it rumbling up the road and immediately got weak in the knees. As the third review article of this stunning machine, we’re going to switch up for format dramatically.  Into a list — as there are so many reasons to love the F-Type R AWD, we’re struggling to even vocalize the feelings. In short, this vehicle is not just a Car of the Year contender in 2016.  That seems like too small …

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MEGA Gallery – 2016 JAGUAR F-Type R AWD Coupe – 300 Photos + 4 HD Videos

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It’s happening again! The moment I get my paws on a seriously stellar machine, I spend the week moving from photo location to photo location.  Running psuedo-errands like I just got my license. And a shooting rush of serotonin at every M16-rifle blast of exhaust noise and 1.5-G of pressure to my internal accelerometer. Fighting a smile is impossible.  Muffling a laugh is always a challenge too, for this, my favorite machine of all time. BEST.  CAR.   EVER. Already in quotes saying the F-Type R AWD Coupe is “the fastest, most beautiful vehicle I’ve ever driven…” And that feeling …

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Review + Videos – 2016 Nissan TITAN XD 5.0L Cummins TDV8 – The CRUSHER is HD Truck of the Year!

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As you may have noticed, there is usually lead time for these full reviews after the cars leave the CRD speed fleet.  Time to process and refine the review content is usually really helpful, despite that seeming counterintuitive. Not in this case.  Titan XD jumps the line, and is firmly top-of-mind a day after its departure. The Titan XD blew us away so thoroughly with its unique skills and capabilities that we’re tempted to name it HD Truck of the Year.  Not just tempted, it’s done. This is our HD TOTY for 2016. Diving in deep yesterday for the drive videos helped crack …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Nissan Altima SL – Fresh Face for World’s-Smoothest Sedan

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One of comedian Amy Schumer’s bits comes to mind as we sit down to write up this Altima review. “You’d bang me, but you wouldn’t blog about it…” The Altima is fresh for 2016 with a mini nip/tuck front and rear, updated tech and even more efficiency for the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This update is a light refresh, and is part of the new automaker strategy of lowering product cycle times from around five years before to less than three now.  Technology and style trends are moving so rapidly that a four-year-old car is easily one of the most …

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Update2 – Road Test Review – 2016 Volvo S60 T5 Inscription

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Update1 – Additional info from Volvo Cars US in Performance article section.  Update2 – Clarifies that S60 Inscription is the new LWB model, and the only one imported from China.   Solid experience in any business can make you a bit cocky.  You know your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats intimately. A brilliant skillset for any field. One that helps you achieve results faster and better than others. In the car reviews business, that often means you think you know a car pretty well… without even driving it.  From other models in the brand’s lineup, from previous generations and from reviews you have read.. …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Ferrari California T

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Any chance to drive an all-new Ferrari is enough for an epic day off.  What fantastic fortune! The 2016 California T is the facelifted and engine-swapped update of Modena’s only 2+2 cabrio.  Its $205k base price actually makes it the cheapest model in the 488, F12 and GTC4Lusso range. The numbers and noise coming from the twin-turbo 3.9-liter V8’s quad central pipes are definitely not entry-level, however! The new turbo drivetrain definitely delivers warp speed… but in a slightly delayed way that betrays this car’s split soul. Love-at-first-drive in the Ferrari California T? Sadly, no. Let’s find out why this car’s conflicted …

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2016 Dodge Charger SRT392 – Road Test Mega Gallery

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Extension of the glowing review just published:  all these stunning photos (and crazy-fun launch videos!) all by themselves. The photos below are still a gallery lightbox on click, but using a single column layout to give you a close look without any clicking.  Cheers. Thanks Dodge.  May I please have some more? =] Drive Video 1       Drive Video 2 2016 Dodge Charger SRT392 – Road Test Mega Gallery http://www.dodge.com/en/  

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Dodge Charger SRT392 – Balls Deep in the 4.2s ThunderCat!

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World Class FAST! The 2016 Dodge Charger SRT392 is a life-changing machine. Normal drives become the highlight of your day.  The remote start is a thunderous event in itself!  Waking the 6.4-liter, 485-horsepower HEMI V8 happens with pure raging fury. Hence, our loving ThunderCat nickname! The 2016 Charger is an instant Best-of Award winner.  A week in this car is enough to make anyone feel like a man’s man.  Women included.  It puts hair on your chest and a baritone in your throat. Full review here with standard headings of Exterior, Interior, Performance, Pricing and Summary.  Two HD drive videos …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Nissan Maxima SR – Bonneville GT-R is Ace

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We had a pet name for the Maxima SR during its awesome week in the speed fleet. But like some nicknames are, it is hauntingly accurate and also slightly insulting… Resisting it in this review created major writer’s block.  How to clear the logjam? Tell you our nickname for the 2016 Maxima SR, and then explain why it is actually a loving salute to the car’s awesome, Dodge Charger-rivalling handling and machismo on the road. So what is it? We referred to the Maxima SR as… The Bonneville GT-R. Now, that might not sound too bad.  But among car enthusiasts, any mention of …

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2016 Infiniti QX50 Review 34

Road Test Review – 2016 Infiniti QX50

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The QX50 is a crossover that every single carmaker in the world would love to have in their lineup. Just think about its core package: a standard 3.7-liter V6 making 325HP, to the back wheels, through a 7-speed automatic. A balanced chassis, and roaring Z-car-like performance from a base price of just under $35k!  Sign me up. Is the QX50’s rare offering the one you want leading your fleet, though?  Let’s find out… The QX50 is the kind of anti-minivan, performance SUV that typically carries pricing in the 50s as a BMW X4, Mercedes GLC or perhaps Dodge Durango R/T.  What else can be purely rear-drive and …

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2016 Nissan FRONTIER Pro-4X V6 AWD 72

HD Road Test Review + Videos – 2016 Nissan FRONTIER Pro-4X V6 4×4 Automatic

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Is newer better? That is the fundamental question many car shoppers ask themselves, and roundly find that Yes is the answer. But for truck owners, newer is far less likely to be automatically better. For the 2016 Nissan Frontier, the proven mechanicals, extra-tough frame and V6 4×4 setup is as trusty as your best friend. And luckily, it is almost as fun! We threw the Frontier into a few wild off-road donuts just minutes after its arrival… and came out that cloud of dust and dirt with rekindled love for the Nissan mid-size truck in 2016. Yes, even more than …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Acura ILX Tech Plus – Hawkeye Drives!

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  2016 Acura ILX Tech Plus Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman Acura describes the ILX as a “Gateway” product that allows a customer to enter the world of Acura at a lower price point, in the hopes that more expensive move-up models will be in their future.  Perhaps that will prove true, but there is a lot of competition in the “Near Luxury” segment, loosely defined by sticker prices in the low to mid $30,000 range, and cars like the Buick Verano, or Audi A3 might be better choices, among others. The 2016 ILX is a mid-cycle updated vehicle, with …

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HD Pre-Review! 550HP, 3.5s 2016 JAGUAR F-Type R AWD – First 120 Photos + 3 HD Drive Videos

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It’s happening again! The moment I get my paws on a seriously stellar machine, I spend the week moving from photo location to photo location.  Running psuedo-errands like I just got my license. And a shooting rush of serotonin at every M16-rifle blast of exhaust noise and 1.5-G of pressure to my internal accelerometer. Fighting a smile is impossible.  Muffling a laugh is always a challenge too, for this, my favorite machine of all time. BEST.  CAR.   EVER. Already in quotes saying the F-Type R AWD Coupe is “the fastest, most beautiful vehicle I’ve ever driven…” And that feeling …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Audi A6 2.0T Quattro – 5.8s, 550-Mile Time-Traveler

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No scoffing at my 2.0T badge! It only takes a block of driving to know: this Audi is a time machine. It takes us into a future of downsized, forced-induction engines that hold their own beside V8s.   And cruise onward while others take the exit ramp to refuel. Power, speed, efficiency and value come standard on the 2016 A6 2.0T.  There are a few option boxes omitted on the test car that we think you will enjoy, however. And one bombshell performance secret to why the 32-MPG A6 quattro is a *must* over the 35-MPG A6 2.0T in its $46k, front-drive guise. The …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Hyundai GENESIS Ultimate V6 RWD

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Our love affair with the “impossibly good” Hyundai Genesis just got stronger for 2016! Testing out a rear-drive version of the 2016 V6 is a nice counter-point to the V6 AWD we fell so hard for a few months ago as a 2015 model. The 2016 Genesis has a few very notable updates to the V6 model lineup: standard HID headlights and available LED foglamps for the V6 — lamps that were previously a V8 exclusive. And even better, the Genesis now runs its gorgeous — and standard — LED headlamp accents as the main DRLs for normal driving.  This …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Buick REGAL GS

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  We want to love the Regal GS. Its looks are crisply European, as is its dashing corner grip and unflappable high-speed poise.  But remember the old Pirelli slogan “Power is nothing without Control” ? Well, the Regal GS inspires a flip in that phrase: Control is nothing without powerrrrr. Since writing up our first test impressions of the 2015 Regal GS with “Deeply Disappointing” in the headline, we have had more than ample chances to change our tune. An invite to a Buick Regal GS track day appeared out of thin air, and then a fresh 2016 model for …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Hyundai Veloster RALLY Turbo 6-Speed Manual

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Welcome to the hottest Hyundai Veloster ever! Huge news for the 2016 model brings an all-new handling tune and available twin-clutch automatic option for the R-Spec, Turbo and Veloster Rally like our test car. And the changes are SERIOUSLY good!  After a week of grins and hooning at full throttle, the Veloster Rally Edition even moves up an entire competitive class in our eyes.  From before battling the Ford Fiesta ST or Nissan Juke NISMO, and up to being a credible threat to the VW GTI, Ford Focus ST and even Subaru WRX. Seriously?  How!? The 2016 Veloster is not perfect …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 GMC Terrain DENALI AWD V6 – Swanky Refresh for Right-Sized SUV

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GMC’s best-seller has been tearing up the sales rulebooks since its launch in 2009. We’ve admired its huge back seat and very affordable $24k base price from afar, but never from behind the wheel. The GMC Terrain welcomes a light refresh for 2016: new styling outside and new tech in the cabin helps the family favorite be even more competitive in the mid-size SUV class. And while the upgrades outside are fairly light for most trims, the new LED DRLs up front do wonders for the truck’s appeal on the road. The biggest news for the 2016 Terrain is the …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Land Rover LR4 HSE Black Pack

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  Wheel time in the 2016 LR4 with its sexy new Black Package has turned my frown upside down.  We really thought the car was outflanked in 2016 by the exploding market for seven seat crossovers, let alone the new three-row varieties of Range Rover Sport and Discovery Sport also in the American lineup. The LR4’s familiar silhouette hides an all-new — and SUPERB — standard powertrain, all-new LEDs all around and even the dripping-wet hotness of dark 20s and a full blackout of every exterior detail.  All this is either new since 2015 or fresh for the new model …

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ESCORT Max360 Radar Detector – Test Review + HD Videos!

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This post brought to you by Escort Radar + Laser Detectors. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Car-Revs-Daily.com. HD Review – ESCORT Max360 Radar Detector Escort 360 Welcome to the future of driving! After spending a few weeks with the MAX360 radar detector, we are deeply sold on its features and benefits for all drivers.  To the point where normal driving without the Max360 now feels strangely brazen and risky?!  And that is the surprising theme throughout the Max360: intelligent tech and features give Max360 drivers a trove of otherwise nonexistent situational data on highways and city …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Lexus NX300h – Future-Proof Cruiser

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By now you have definitely done a double-take on seeing the 2015 Lexus NX on the road. At first, another of the RX cavalry. Then new creases, new LED graphics and a sleek and low roofline make clear this is no RX. With the lean and chic nose look off the RC and IS, the NX is a deeply stylish crossover in all three of its trimlines: NS200t, NX F Sport and the NX300h tested here.  Both the base turbo four and this uplevel Hybrid model share their appearances, with only the F Sport getting the aggressive front chin spoiler, …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack

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2015 Dodge Challenger RT Scat Pack Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman The Dodge Challenger RT Scat Pack is an outstanding car. It competes with the Mustang and Camaro in the marketplace, but in my mind, it stands apart on a few points. They’re all retro sport cars, but while the Mustang and Camaro are much porkier than their 60’s and 70’s versions, the Challenger seems to be a much more svelte looking and feeling car. Both the Ford and Chevy cars can be equipped with powerful engines, but the Challenger is a bit more boisterous and raucous. The driver gets …

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2016 Lexus RX – Reviews Roundup + 150 All-New RX350 F Sport Photos in Ultra White

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Yet more all-new and exclusive photos of the 2016 Lexus RX? Yes indeed!  This is the last batch: the RX350 F Sport. We have full reviews of the RX350 and RX450h over at the below links, plus drive videos of the F Sport versions of both engines. This F Sport RX350 is a nice sweet-spot in the RX range, priced between the $42k RX350 and $58k RX450h F Sport. The RX350 F Sport is also the one most enhanced by its F Sport-exclusive adaptive suspension and Sport Plus drive modes. We also really enjoyed the F Sport seats and shift …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Lexus RX450h F Sport AWD – A Plush Rush?!

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The new Lexus RX is one of the most eagerly-anticipated new SUVs for 2016.  This redesign proves the RX can be a style leader even while outselling entire luxury brands like Volvo and Jaguar in the USA. So far, the RX has been so ubiquitous on the roads that any sense of chic sexiness was seriously diluted.  The 2016 model wears all-new styles and new trimlines to bring variety to the efficiency, lux ride comfort and versatility its 2-million owners love so much. The upgrades for 2016 are extensive — with the entire cabin, exterior and some drivetrain parts refreshed …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Range Rover Sport SVR – Porsche-Beating YESSS Machine?

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It is hard to drive any 550HP car and come away unimpressed.  We worried this Range Rover might be the first. Nope.  In fact, it is so awesome, we’d pick it over the Cayenne Turbo.  How?  Why? Read on: 100 new photos and two HD videos to get you onboard.   HD Drive Video – 2016 Range Rover Sport SVR The Range Rover Sport SVR is proudly the fastest, quickest and sportiest Landie ever to wear the green badge. And after the first few hard corners, you almost wonder what took them so long. The SVR is absolutely heaven to …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Lincoln MKX – Tops New Lexus RX with Style, Power and Panache

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Lincoln MKX beats Lexus RX. You read it here first! True story. As one of the only car reviewers to have driven both 2016 models, we are surprised to report that the MKX is the better machine. First Drive Review – 2016 Lincoln MKX What a difference a few years can make! If you had told me in 2005 that Lincoln would be making globally-competitive cars, four SUVs and debuting exclusive tech like the new 3.0-liter V6TT making 400HP in the 2017 MKZ, we would have laughed right in your face. Sure, Lincolns have been “okay” for a while now …

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HD Track Drive Review – 2016 Dodge VIPER GT – LOVE at Full Throttle

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2016 Dodge Viper – HD Track Drive Video It is pretty fashionable to hate on the Viper right now. Its latest generation took a big leap in price, dropped its ragtop bodystyle option, and lacks the sheer, effortless sprint times so adored in the Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 Turbo, and even the Hellcat twins. We have heaped a bit of scorn on the Viper as well, and after an oh-so-brief drive last year came away confused. This hulking beast of a car felt heavy, uncomfortable and hopelessly one-dimensional versus the STELLAR Corvette Z06 and even Z51 base engines. Even that …

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2016 Mazda CX-3 GT Review 3

2016 Mazda CX-3 GT – HD First Drive Video + Photoshoot

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The CX-3 looks incredible in person and drives very nicely as well. The matching LED projectors, DRLs and foglamps are a particular highlight in this compact crossover segment. The cabin, while narrow and slightly tight in back, delivers an excellent drive position and effective Eco/Normal/Sport drive modes. We have major gripes with Mazda USA at the moment, so are holding off recommending the CX-3 beyond this video brief. 2016 Mazda CX-3 GT – HD First Drive Video 2016 Mazda CX-3 GT Review

2016 Lexus RX350 Colors Gallery Inside and Out + 80 New Pics of New Eminent White Pearl Paint

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Best exterior color for the new 2016 Lexus RX?  Eminent White Pearl! Devoted an insane amount of hours today editing just half of the RX photos we have to share — and eager to show off this gorgeous set of the RX350 in new colors inside and out. Eminent White Pearl is the name of this breathtakingly beautiful new white. The semi-gloss finish really brings all the curves and creases of the RX’s new bodywork to life. Inside, this RX350 features the new Noble Brown leather choice, paired with the Grey Sapele woodwork. These are just one choice among the …

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First Drive Review – 2016 Lexus RX350 FWD Luxury Package + Pricing and 100 New Photos

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  The 2016 RX is huge news: an ultra-modern makeover adds style, tech and efficiency to the all-star crossover from Lexus. We had a chance to drive all five trimlines last week, and have some great news to report about the handling crispness, exterior design and cabin comfort. But also some fairly important gripes about the performance and style execution of the new RX — which can leave you slightly confused versus the BMW X5. Let’s start with the highest-volume model: the RX350 front-wheel-drive. As we can see in the pricing charts below, this $42k base price is the most …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Sienna XLE Premium AWD

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2015 Toyota Sienna XLE Premium AWD Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman Let’s just get this out of the way right at the beginning . . . nobody wants to drive a minivan. There, I said it. No matter what manufacturers do, they are all pretty ugly and ungainly to look at. And they have a stigma attached to it. Either it’s a “Soccer Mom” image, or an old fart image of Grandma and Grampa snowbirds driving it back and forth each winter from cold climates to Florida or Arizona with a cargo full of luggage. Either way, there’s not a …

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2016 Mitsubishi Outlander 3

HD First Drive Video + Photoshoot – 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander 3.0 GT S-AWC

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  The new Outlander is arriving and looks outstanding!  The Mitsubishi seven-seater wears all-new and very premium styling for its loaded 3.0 GT trimline, including some very flashy nose chrome, LED DRLs and even quad-LED low-beam projectors. The contrast versus the fairly humdrum 2015 Outlander is striking in the flesh— particularly from the nose and tail. In profile and from a few quarter angles, the Outlander still shows some massive overhangs and slightly underwhelming design elements. But overall — a massive improvement and one that will help the Outlander to deliver its three-row space to buyers who’d only get two …

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2016 Hyundai TUCSON Limited 1

First Drive Review, Video and Pricing – 2016 Hyundai TUCSON Limited 1.6T AWD DCT

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First spin in the new Tucson and verrrry impressed!  The loaded test car ran a superb turbo 1.6 through a new dual-clutch 7-speed automatic — creating a bit of a GTI in a crossover shell. Granted, as you can see in the pricing by trimline below, the Tucson does get a bet pricey with the upgraded engine and automatic, plus another grand for AWD. Base for the Tucson Limited is $32k. Which would seem crazy for the old Tucson. But this new model is completely redone — now becoming the widest car in its class and one that feels massive …

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Car of the Year Review – 2015 Lexus RC-F

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The RC-F was a true highlight among all the cars tested in 2015. And in the weeks since the Lexus sports flagship spent time in my garage, the deep longing and feelings for the car have not subsided. The first week was deep mourning at its absense, and the other seven stages of grief have passed over the CRD team like the eye of a hurricane. Finally, a bit of a light at the end of this tunnel: we must crown the RC-F the Car of the Year. In doing so, we honor its incredible strengths and the legacy it …

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First Drive Review – 2016 Honda HR-V – Looks Cool, Drives Poorly with Zero Power

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    Really wanted to love the new HR-V as an emblem of new Honda mojo. But after a brief drive, the HR-V is a huge letdown and not in the top five cars in the compact-crossover segment. How to go from excitement to extreme aversion in just an hour on the road? The HR-V is perhaps not as bad as it seems when I end this drive video with “Hate It.” But Honda desperately needs to ace at least four big criteria for its next-gen models, this HR-V and new Civic included: — Design — Drive — Cabin tech …

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First Drive Videos! 2016 Lexus RX350 and RX450h F Sport

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Huge drive day with the all-new 2016 Lexus RX lineup!  Very, very impressive design upgrades create a sexy and macho look, while the chiseled panels and floating glasshouse make the new RX look dramatically lower and wider than ever before. The new masculinity of the RX outside is reflected inside and on full throttle as well. Huge batch of photos and observations to share in the full reviews — but these three videos and 20 preview images are cool enough to share on the same day!  Near realtime media coverage! =] The drive videos below include a drive of the …

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HD Track Drive Review – 2016 Cadillac CTS-V is BOSS – PDR + Exhaust Note Videos

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Speechless. Muttering “ermahgerd” over and over as the 2016 CTS-V whipped into the pits of Autobahn Country Club following a five-pack of fast lead-follow laps. Smile plastered on, hands tingling and throttle foot twitching involuntary for more. This is a super-sedan of the absolute first order. M5, E63 and CTS-V are now as closely matched as any three assassins in history. 640HP from the CTS-V comes on strong, of course, but it is how clean and balanced the Cadillac is on power that really sticks with you. The CTS-V’s massive engine upgrade to a supercharged V8 has done nothing to …

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2016 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe 15

2016 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe – V. Cool, V. FAST! HD Track Drive + 120-Photo Flyaround

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This is one of those cars that absolutely craves abuse!  Absolutely savage is the best way to describe the 464-horsepower V6TT in the new ATS-V coupe. The test car wore a very-subtle Phantom Grey and standard painted alloys — but those Q-car looks hide a beast of an upgrade. The most enticing and perhaps ideal Cadillac V-Series powertrain, optional eight-speed auto, plus the choice of four doors or two!? That hotness shines through even the Armani-style relaxed color outside. Firing the ATS-V around the first few corners is like getting past third base for the first time. It is a …

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2016 Ford Focus ST Kona Blue ST1 Flyaround in 120 Pics + HD Video

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    Really had a ball flogging the Focus ST on track the other week. GoPro video came back as a photo-set by accident, so left with *just* these gorgeous 120 photos of the new slugger. Kona Blue is the color, with minimal options and an as-tested price very close to the $25k base. Versus the $36k of the RS, the ST really earned its keep out there in the twisties. Strong brakes, awesome front diff grip that felt totally understeer-proof, plus a snorty throttle intake and shouty new exhaust. The stick is as feelsome and snicky as ever — …

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2015 Chevrolet SS Green 1

Track Drive Video – 2015 Chevrolet SS 6-Speed is Rare, Special and Features Dual-Mode Exhaust for 2016

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The Chevy SS is SERIOUSLY rare! This Australian-built performance sedan was always destined to appeal to a slim audience: those seeking Camaro or Corvette powertrains, plus four doors and rear-drive. A stick or automatic is nearly the only spec choice to make for this everything-standard flagship for Chevrolet — and a three-lap blast of the Autobahn  Country Club racetrack showed the purity and fun of driving such a macho-man sedan. This test car seen in the video above is the 2015 model, lacking the (virtually imperceptible) nose/grille revamps for the 2016 model year, as well as the updated infotainment and …

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Track Drive Review – 2016 Buick Regal GS – Flypaper Handling Is Now $3k Cheaper!

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Autobahn Country Club might be my “Happy Place.” Recalling this track’s frisky bends, howling tires and full-throttle straightaways brings a smile instantly. Buick invited us to flog their performance flagship, the 2016 Regal GS, around the Illinois track and autocross to show off the machine’s latest updates: new colors and a price that is much more approachable. How approachable!?  A cool $3,300 off the base price for the GS takes the entry level to $35k versus near $38k before.  Three drivetrains continue for 2016: FWD auto, FWD manual and AWD automatic. The GS AWD we tested out still comes in …

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2016 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat – Video Blast-Off and 130 New Photos

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707-horsepower really brightens your day. As the first dry-weather drive of the Challenger Hellcat, we could hardly help the ear-to-ear grin in the video below. Blasting out of the parking lot and up to highway speed is a near-religious experience in the SRT Challenger. Until you try a 30-to-80-mph passing move — as we do shortly into the brief GoPro vid here. There are no words for the sublime, stomach-turning power of this musclecar BSD. Another acronym?   Oh yes.  But this one is totally NSFW… and stands for Big Swinging D***! The Challenger SRT is one of the most joyful …

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HD Road Test Review - 2015 Lincoln NAVIGATOR 4x4 Reserve 25

HD Road Test Review – 2015 Lincoln NAVIGATOR 4×4 Reserve – Best Full-Size SUV?

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We’ve loved the new Navigator since a brief drive back-to-back with an Escalade. The design might not be as flashy as the new GM trucks, but initial comparisons leaned heavily in favor of the Lincoln for ride, handling and performance. After many miles in Yukons, Suburbans and Escalades since that first drive, there is clearly much to love about their utility and V8 power. The new eight-speed automatics for the 6.2-liter V8s in Escalade and Denali are particularly impressive. But do they beat the anytime surge of turbo torque in the Navigator? Or the easy cabin tech controls? Same scenario …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 FIAT 500X Trekking is Bei Bei-Cute but Drives Euro-Sharp

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INTRO Really wanted to incorporate Best of Awards  into the headline for this new Fiat 500X — but just ran out of space. What a stellar machine! With a drive experience recalling BMW’s and Audi’s, plus a cabin with fantastic Euro feel, the 2016 500X is an absolute gem from its $20k base price. Over a week of flogging the 500X Trekking in full sport mode glory, we fell hard for the 500X’s charms. To the point that even the design of the nose started to feel familiar and cute! As cute as Bei Bei the Panda cub at the …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Buick Encore AWD Premium with Ken Glassman

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2015 Buick Encore AWD Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman   The marketing folks at Buick have identified a large group of auto buyers who are looking for cars that have a prestige image, contemporary styling, and nicely appointed comfortable cabins. These shoppers want luxury amenities, but are also environmentally conscious and don’t require strong gas guzzling performance. The 2015 Buick Encore was designed with those attributes in mind. The handsome, rugged exterior styling features sculpted lines from the front clip and steeply raked hood (complete with Buicks iconic Venti-ports) to the character lines running just above the beltline, and door …

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HD Track Drive Review – 2016 Mazda MX-5 Is INCREDIBLE!

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Freshly back from a track drive with the 2016 MX-5 Experience tour — and have some serious vehicular brilliance to report! As you might know already, or simply expect, this latest MX-5 is an absolutely breathtaking evolution on the light/rear-drive roadster theme. Improving upon a genre the Miata defines conclusively? Not easy to do — especially with firm price and power caps limiting headline performance numbers. Yet the latest engineering, style and handling excellence from Mazda has done wonders for the MX-5. After all, if Mazda can make the CX-5 into a lively steer, the SkyActiv mantra should really make …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Buick ENCORE – Drives Like an Audi, Priced Like a Kia?

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Compact crossovers could not be hotter right now. They avoid the depressing drive experience of small sedans, no matter how tight they might be inside. The flipside is that carmakers can be tempted to overprice the mini-SUVs — with options taking the ultra small machines deep into real SUV territory.  This is certainly the case with the $48k BMW X1 sDrive28i we tested last year. Or how about the $67k AMG GLA45? Clearly the temptation of luxury features, equipment and options is powerful for both the brands and to buyers, though. The compact SUV is therefore quite perplexing at times: …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Automatic is 5.5-Second Hero!

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Fantastic speed has never felt so bittersweet. Guard Green with the standard 18-inch alloys help the 2015 Mustang EcoBoost blend into traffic nicely. Humming along the highway with 32-mpg, you might forget what a honed sportscar the new Mustang is. But when alone with an endless stretch of road ahead of you, this Mustang turbo delivers excellent results. A 5.5-second sprint to 60-mph was a hugely gratifying time. Keep it nailed and the EcoBoost Mustang roars ahead at speeds to make the WRX and Scion FR-S blush with embarrassment. Why all about that pace? It proves the 2.3-liter, 310-horsepower EcoBoost …

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4K Drive Video 4-Pack – 2015 Lexus RC-F Hits State Park Twisties HARD!

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At one point declaring the RC-F the 2015 Car-Revs-Daily.com Car of the Year… these videos are dynamic evidence of a terrific car. And it speaks for itself more than ever. Direct correlation between YouTube video likes and less narration from your scribe?!  Perhaps! But works best when hanging the tail out on this 4.4-second stallion. Or running 0-100-mph sprints on desolate state park roads. Just you, the car and a GoPro! Watch this space for the full RC-F drive review in the coming weeks. Until then, the car does a mighty fine job making a case for a $73k Lexus …

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2015 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ Z71 4WD Custom Sport Edition 9

Road Test Review – 2015 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ Z71 4WD Custom Sport Edition

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Imagine a grinning face with a smile so big it put dimples on my cheeks. It was an August Wednesday — my change day for press drive vehicles — and I learned it would be a double week. And not just two polar-opposites; this week would be a head-to-head battle between a bright blue 2015 F-150 and a Diamond White Silverado. You might think you know what to expect of a different trim level of a car you’ve driven before. A Camry is a Camry is a Camry, right? But these trucks are different. Exponentially large configuration choices in the …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Lincoln MKC AWD with Ken Glassman

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2015 Lincoln MKC AWD Review by Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman The Lincoln brand has been trying to find itself and find its place in the market for years now. They have produced some fine vehicles, but their focus has been a bit blurry. They need to appeal to younger buyers who for years have only considered German or Japanese luxury brands as being the real deal. But this compact crossover may be just the vehicle to boost the Lincoln cachet, and puts the brand on a path to growth and prosperity. The MKC has handsome, sophisticated exterior styling, performs well , …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Ford F-150 XLT 4×4 SuperCab 2.7L EcoBoost – Goldilocks Lost

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      The all-new 2015 Ford F-150 is a truck we have gushed over and raved about since the moment it rolled on stage at the Detroit show in 2014. Our drive opportunities so far have confirmed this future-tech masterclass is the most advanced pickup truck ever made. Loaded spec levels, LED lighting galore and prices above $50k have been our taste of the truck to date — so it was fantastic to spend a week of intensive driving the most-popular XLT with the mid-range 2.7-liter EcoBoost. What we found left us scratching our foreheads. There are a few …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Highlander AWD Limited – Fave Family Truckster Is Tahoe-Tough but Lexus-Smooth

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2015 Toyota Highlander AWD Limited Review There is a huge rationality shake-out in the large SUV segment. Buyers are no longer willing to shoulder enormous fuel bills and big-rig parking manners in order to seat seven. Nor are they up for joining the minivan clan — typically using the AWD or all-weather argument to avoid that blatant admission of parenthood. The 2015 Highlander is right at the center of a new SUV ideal for millions of post-van, post-SUV buyers. Why can’t there be a car-based crossover with jumbo cabin space, but AWD and enough ground clearance to glide over gravel …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Nissan JUKE Nismo RS Manual

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Imagine a core group of Nissan GT-R engineers, drivers and designers set loose on the Nissan Juke NISMO. Task? Take the quickest and most performance-focused crossover, and make it truly track-tight in every way. That is how the Juke Nismo RS came into this world — with astounding results. The speed, style and drive experience of the Nismo RS is absolutely incredible versus its $28k competitors — and even versus pricier cars like the AMG GLA45, WRX or Mustang EcoBoost. The Juke Nismo RS is incredibly focused from first sitting in its racing Recaro hard-back bucket seats. A pair of …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Lexus IS250 Nails Apex-Carver Fundamentals

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  The 2015 Lexus IS250 nails the sport-sedan fundamentals so hard, you forget all about mainstream mid-size cars after a block in the driver’s seat. That is a fact. A pure-cornering, rev-loving fact. Drive position in the Daytona GTB/4-style tan seats is instantly flawless, as are the major pedal anc control inputs. Crank up the SXM, rotate to sport mode…. and never look back. 4K Drive Video – 2015 Lexus IS250 Review INTRO The 2015 IS250 is such a fantastic sports sedan that we wanted to drive a 320i right afterward to confirm the RWD love for this Lexus was …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Buick Regal GS AWD

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Hot Buicks are some of the most adored American cars of all time. So when Buick decided to bring over the European Opel/Vauxhall Insignia to the US market for the first time, the excitement over receiving their OPC/VXR performance variant was palpable. Confirmation that the big brushed-alloy fangs would make it across the pond to US buyers for the first time brought many GNX rumbles to the surface. Would this hot Buick be able to inherit the Banker’s Hotrod legacy? A turbo engine and all the autobahn-ready handling seemed like a perfect statement of intent for Buick at the time. …

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2015 Dodge CHARGER RT 45

4K Road Test Review – 2015 Dodge CHARGER R/T Is Four-Door Musclecar Dream From $34k

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The 2015 Dodge Charger is a real favorite. So much so… that it might have ruined me for other cars. Since balling around Charleston this summer in the Redline Red HEMI R/T, it has been hard to get back into my normal groove of turbo stickshifts. Why? 370HP for 37k. That is a power and price combo that can’t be beat from any manufacturer, nor are others close to the excellence of the eight-speed ZF auto. Or the cabin comfort, room and tech. Or the style outside — which is eye-poppingly cool. Driving the Charger R/T redefines effortless speed, and …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Lexus ES350 with Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

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2015 Lexus ES350 Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman Lexus has been making fine luxury cars for decades now. It’s what they are known for, and why the brand has been remarkably successful. They put high quality materials in their car’s interiors, and a long list of optional amenities to add to cabin comfort and entertainment. They provide smooth, quiet, soft, comfortable ride qualities, and smooth engines and transmissions. The big car magazine and web site journalists think they were Formula 1 drivers in a past life, so while they give Lexus props for those qualities, they always seem to temper …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Scion iM Is Sporty and Uber-Practical New Focus-Fighter

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The all-new 2016 Scion iM is part of a big new-product push from Scion: the iM hatchback and much smaller iA sedan replace the boxy xD and xB. Why so normal and conventional from Toyota’s youth brand this year? Following buyer trends, of course!  Extensive research on how to resonate with today’s 35-and-under car shoppers shows a big shift in preferences. Perhaps feeling the crunch of a slower global economy on their hipster jeans, first-time new car buyers want a car with more evergreen appeal than the once-trendy Scion box cars. The iM hopes to ace the 2016 buyer mood …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Nissan Altima 2.5SL is a Serene, Mile-Munching Machine!

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Midsize sedans might not be the sexiest or most desirable segment of the new car market, but they are the gasoline for the American automobile market’s engine. Taken together with pickup trucks, these two body styles of vehicle make up more than a third of all sales annually. The Altima is a big player in this mix: ranking number three behind the Camry and Accord for a whopping 2014 total of 335,000 sold. However you slice it, that is a huge chunk of influence, and a car that many will consider when seeking their next ride. And to wrap up …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Camry XSE 2.5L – Sportier Handling + Surprising Four-Cylinder Pace

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2015 Toyota Camry XSE 2.5L Review America’s sweetheart is heavily redesigned inside and out for 2015, so you are forgiven for missing a few trim-level additions for this year: an XSE four-cylinder and even an SE Hybrid. What’s the rationale behind Toyota’s move to bring flagship style and handling upgrades to all powertrains? — pretty low take rate for the V6 dramatically limited the previous V6 SE’s possible market share. This also cut the number of people who benefited from its crisper steering, handling and design outside — the new XSE upgrades outside, in the suspension/tire setup and cabin are …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL 4×4 with New 8-Speed Automatic

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Denali lovers have never had it so good: this swanky trimline now extends beyond the Yukon and into the full range from GMC. But for many shoppers, the sweet spot of the General Motors truck range is the Denali XL. Nearly all the tech and luxury of the Escalade, with a less shouty overall presence on the roads. This paradox of the Denali being more humble, yet costing similar to the Caddy is plain for all to see. The idea is that everyone knows the Denali is Caddy-plush, and costs about as much, too. For a big swath of buyers, …

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2016 Scion iA Review – Best Compact Sedan… Ever? 55 Pics + HD Drive Video

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Quick: what are the biggest issues with compact cars? — They are typically a total snooze outside — And alarmingly depressing to drive Is that just an unbreakable curse, or can Scion engineer and design its way to greatness on its first attempt? INTRO Scion has a double threat of new compacts for 2016: the all-new iA sedan and iM hatchback take over for the discontinued iQ, xD and xB. After years of wild niche models, Scion is refocusing its mission to speak to 2015 buyer wants and needs via far more traditional body styles. The iM is a tC-based …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 INFINITI QX80 Limited AWD

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In the global Renault-Nissan portfolio, the QX80 Limited lives among greats like the R35 GT-R or RenaultSport Megane Trophy. Being such an event car and flagship has always been a core part of the massive truck’s appeal among owners. With all the class of a Range Rover, but all the guts of a Denali — the QX80 is famous worldwide for its bomb-proof chassis toughness married to a standard 400HP V8. The QX80 is fresh for 2015 with new nose detailing, LEDs and an extra-swanky new Limited option pack. Fabulous opulence inside this cabin rivals any superlux mark worldwide, and …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Dodge Charger R/T 392 Scat Pack with Ken Glassman

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2015 Dodge Charger R/T 392 Scat Pack By Ken Glassman As soon as the bright blue Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack was delivered to my driveway, my heart began to race. Paperwork was quickly signed, and returning phone calls went to the bottom of my “to-do” list. I immediately jumped in the super-sport sedan, and gazed out onto that long hood with its mean looking dual air scoops.  Usually, I’ll spend 20 minutes acclimating myself to the switches, seats, mirrors, and setting preferences, and radio stations – but not this time. When you’ve got 485 Scat Pack horsepower from the …

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Best of Awards – 2015 Porsche MACAN TURBO – 4K Videos + 200 New Pics

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Love at first drive! The Macan Turbo is your humble scribe’s ideal new machine in a fantasy 2015 new-car hunt. Everything to all men and women, the 400HP V6TT, AWD, 7-Speed DSG are a solid base for a German GT-R SUV. But then we add PTV, Sport Chrono and PASM Air Suspension… 21-inch Turbo alloys and all the carbon options available? You land sideways, grinning your face off around corners, and loving the unstoppable torque rush at all times. The Yays As the videos show, the Macan Turbo covers ground like a low-flying jet fighter. This is a truck that …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Jeep RENEGADE Trailhawk Is Fun, Stylish and Smart!?

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    INTRO – 2016 Jeep RENEGADE Trailhawk Review HD Off-Road Drive Video 1 Nearly everyone has a great Jeep Wrangler memory from their youth. You were thin and gorgeous, laughing and loving the top-down lifestyle. Hanging a foot out the doorframe on a sunny afternoon. Tunes were playing, and exploring the world around you took on new meaning. Or you were discovering the huge straight-six torque that defined the truck for decades. Or just pining from the sidewalk at your sexy crush driving away. That collective memory is a core element of the brand’s appeal — and always has …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Hyundai GENESIS 3.8 AWD Is Impossibly Good

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2015 Hyundai GENESIS Review   The 2015 Hyundai Genesis sets a skyhigh bar for luxury sedan excellence. This V6 AWD version is the best-driving and most joyful four-door we’ve driven in years. Why? The Genesis feels inherently right behind the wheel, diving into and out of corners, and singing up to its redline. There is a terrific analog feel to the Genesis at speed — you instantly trust the car implicitly and fall head over heels. We’d even wager most performance sedan owners would prefer the Genesis to the new 535i or E350. Versus the A6 or Cadillac CTS?! No …

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4K Road Test Review – 2015 Nissan Murano SL – Ultra-Modern Crossover Is World’s Smoothest SUV?

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The all-new 2015 Nissan Murano takes the five-seat crossover market to a luxurious and stylish new peak. Among mainstream brands, the Murano’s $30k-$40k price range is typically occupied by either loaded compact crossovers like the CR-V and RAV4, or even tinier premium vehicles like the new Mercedes-Benz GLA and fresh 2016 BMW X1. Moving up a price class generally adds seven seats among mainstream brands (see Ford Explorer or Toyota Highlander.) The Pathfinder owns this family space quite nicely for Nissan, leaving the Murano with a meaty slice of buyer wants all to itself.  What about versus two-row SUVs like …

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4K HD Drive Review – 2016 Mazda6 GT is FANTASTIC! (90 Pics)

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The best-looking and best-driving midsize sedan in the world? The 2016 Mazda6! The new programming for the transmission and Sport drive modes resolves our only previous concern about the Mazda6: that it should be quicker. But now– we have no weaknesses to report. The GT trim here with its gorgeous anthracite 19-inch alloys is a masterpiece of design appeal, only reinforced by the newly-luxurious cabin materials and playful road manners. Please enjoy the below 4K drive video, plus 90 photos of this 4K HD Drive Review Video – 2016 Mazda6 Grand Touring 2016 Mazda6 Grand Touring INTERIOR 2016 Mazda6 Grand …

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Road Test Review – 2015 BMW 228i Convertible with Ken Glassman

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  2015 BMW 228i Convertible Review By Ken Glassman The 2015 BMW 228i convertible replaces the 1-Series as the company’s entry level rag top. This version has a 1.2-inch-longer wheelbase, has 2.5 inches of additional length, and extra inch of width. And that helps to make it less stubby looking than the 1-Series cars. The better proportions, along with sharp character lines along the sides, and sleek front end, means that this 2-Series is a great looking car. It is also a really fun car to drive. The 228i is powered by a 2-liter, TwinPower Turbo inline 4, direct fuel …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Hyundai AZERA Limited Vastly Outhandles and Outcomforts Avalon, LaCrosse + 300

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Few automotive market segments have such a tightly defined target market as full-size sedans. And unlike minivans, SUVs and even musclecars, the real-life buyer profile of large cars is almost always this core set of consumers. The full-size sedan buyer is in their mid-50s, seeks limo-large back-seat space, and wants the latest premium tech. All with a price cap of $40,000. For their cash, full-size sedans typically deliver a huge bump in roominess versus their mid-size siblings, but sometimes with unintended consequences. After all, it is extremely tough for even the best carmakers to pack S-Class tech into a half-price …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Honda CR-V Touring AWD is Stylish Top Trim

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The best-selling Honda CR-V is many things. Efficient, roomy, practical and safe are traits all closely linked to Honda’s mid-size SUV. Stylish and luxurious, though? The 2015 CR-V Touring is the best-looking and most premium CR-V Honda has ever made. EXTERIOR   You will see the new CR-V coming from afar. Gorgeous LED lighting up front glows for miles with a ribbon of white light around the headlamp edges, with the lower edge extra bright for LED DRL functionality. These LEDs are standard for EX, EX-L and Touring trims. Only the base LX with its $24k price and steel wheels …

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2015 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ 1/2 Ton 4WD Review

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    American brand icons do not come much more glorious than Chevy. In the automotive realm, Chevrolet has been a constant throughout the last 100 years. A powerhouse in the General Motors stable, Chevrolet has seen off dozens of business lines and market segments. Divested in favor of keeping Chevy healthy, GM left the heavy trucks business altogether and dropped half its brand portfolio in the last ten years. Thus, the recent history of the firm has been shaken up more this century than the ten preceding decades. But the results speak for themselves. Never in my lifetime has …

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HD Video Drive Review – 2015 Hyundai Sonata ECO Introduces 1.6T and 7-Sp DCT

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The 2015 Sonata ECO is the perfect blend of the base Sonata and the loaded Sonata Sport 2.oT. With styling inside and out that is darker and sexier than the base model, the Sonata ECO wears a tasty black chrome for its grille that really moves the car’s look upmarket. At least from the front. From the side and in profile, the ECO is a bit more humble. 17-inch low-rolling resistance tires look a bit silly and undersized, while a single exhaust pipe out back is down by half versus the Sonata Sport 2.0T. But where the ECO really pulls …

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4K Video Drive Review – 2015 Dodge Durango Citadel V6 AWD (77 Photos)

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   A few animated flyarounds of this sexy and low Durango to go along with the 4K drive vid.   4K Video Drive Review – 2015 Dodge Durango Citadel V6 AWD 2015 Dodge Durango Citadel V6 AWD    

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Update1 – VOSSEN BMW i8 Trio On 22s At Port of Miami – 200-Pic Mega Gallery

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  Wonderful collection of photos to share here. Three styles of Vossen 22-inch forged alloys showcased here — with all creating very unique and distinct moods for the BMW supercar. These giant wheels work wonders for the i8’s street presence and curb appeal. They are just the final twist of exotic flavor needed to help the i8 fit in with the Ferrari, Lambo and McLaren crowds of South Beach. Before the main event of shimmery crimson wheels over white bodywork… a moody mountain set of the i8 on Vossen VPS-309 forged alloys. VOSSEN BMW i8 – VPS-309 Wheels VOSSEN BMW …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Chrysler 200C V6 Is Quickest Mid-Size Sedan!

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INTRO – 2015 Chrysler 200C V6 Review This is likely not the first Chrysler 200 review you have read. And in fact, it is not the first we have written. But keep reading, because this 200C is a completely transformed machine with the optional 3.6-liter V6. The top trim level with the top engine, the 200C we tested lacked only the dual-pane moonroof and AWD from the options list. Besides those two elements, this 200C is a match for the Maserati Ghibli feature-for-feature. The Maserati comparison rings true many more times during a week of driving and a road trip …

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2016 Mazda CX-5 – Colors Guide – All 8 Shades From Every Angle!

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  2016 Mazda CX-5 Colors   Crystal White   Titanium Flash Soul Red Jet Black Meteor Grey Blue Reflex Crystal Blue Sonic Silver        

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Best of Awards – 2016 Mazda CX-5 GT Is Real-Deal BMW X1 and Audi Q3 Competitor

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Love at first drive … in the Mazda CX-5! First things first: what are the Best of Awards? That is our highlight for cars and trucks of the year – but given out as-needed whenever we get behind the wheel of a truly fantastic new vehicle. The Mazda3 won this acclaim last year, and the 2016 Mazda6 is on track to nab one as well. In order to rise up to the title, a car needs to be so excellent that it really knocks your socks off outside, inside and on the road. But mostly on the road, at full …

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2015 Ford F-150 Platinum 4x4 Supercrew Review 34

HD Video Review + Walkaround – 2015 Ford F-150 Platinum 4×4 Supercrew

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Two HD drive videos, three animated flyarounds and 110 photos of the new F-150 Platinum! This truck is incredible in every way. It is easier to focus on areas where the Platinum F-150 does not feel as special or sporty as a Range Rover Sport. From behind the wheel, any similarity with that sweet super-truck is a huge asset for the full-size 4×4 market. The Platinum is really convincing in its design and tech upgrades outside, if a bit less so inside. The tacky wood accents are a low point, as is the lack of lateral support in the somewhat …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited AWD With Ken Glassman

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    2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited AWD Review By Ken Glassman These days, it seems like everyone loves the sport utility vehicle, and it’s the most hotly contested segment in the car market. Whether it’s the compact, midsize, or large version, the family hauler is now usually some form of SUV. And Hyundai’s Santa Fe models are serious players in that segment. For those looking for a smaller midsize SUV, the Santa Fe Sport is Hyundai’s entry ticket. It seats five adults and their cargo comfortably and offers a choice of two different 4-cyclindar gas engines — a 2.4 …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Lexus NX200t F Sport AWD With Ken Glassman

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2015 Lexus NX200t F Sport AWD Review By Ken Glassman Lexus is breaking ground by introducing their first compact SUV crossover, and by putting their first turbocharged engine in it. And with engine technology improving, and stricter gas mileage rules fast approaching, I’m sure we’ll see a lot more turbos in the Lexus lineup soon. Lexus is certainly no stranger to SUV’s. Their landmark RX mid-size is the best selling luxury vehicle in the country with over 100,000 units sold each year. Only time will tell if the NX 200 will be able to match that, and if it does, …

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HD First Drive Review – 2015 VW Golf SportWagen TDI SE 6-Speed Manual

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Listen to that TDI growl through the gears!   A first drive of VW’s new Golf Sportwagen TDI shows that this new vehicle brings all the Euro manners you could imagine — all at a great price. What? About a Volkswagen!? Yes, the VW Golf range is all pretty fantastic, but pricing can feel ambitious on the GTI and Golf R. At first sight, we worried the Golf Sportwagen would kill its appeal with a $38,000 price. Nope. $28k base with $1000 lighting pack and $700 driver assist pack takes us to just $30,505. True value-oriented pricing on the six-speed …

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2015 Hyundai Santa Fe LWB Ultimate 7

Road Test Review – 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe LWB Ultimate

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The seven-seat crossover market is a cut-throat place for carmakers. These fairly wealthy families are the bulls-eye for more than three dozen unique SUV models in 2015 — and earning big sales and market share is extremely difficult for even the best new machines. With so many choices, three-row SUVs have become the new wild west of the car biz. Explorer vs Highlander becomes the modern equivalent of a pistol duel at high noon. As such, Hyundai threw a huge amount of resources at its redesigned 2015 Santa Fe — thinking through every step of the consideration and ownership process …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Nissan Rogue SV FWD 7-Seater

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Some cars take a steep learning curve to learn their tech and driving merits. Modes and settings and menus can unlock driving modes and goodies that make the vehicle feel more in-tune with expectations and performance needs. The Nissan Rogue excels by being just perfect right out of the box. The Rogue is simply a solid, stylish and useful crossover that is well-priced and well-done from the first time you slip it into Drive. But if it is right from moment one, how does it feel after a week at the wheel? Let’s dive in to the full review of …

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2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI S Review 3

Road Test Review – 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI S with Ken Glassman

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2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI S Review By Ken Glassman   Set your way-back machine to 1983. Volkswagen introduces a new car that is designed for “drivers”, not just people who drive cars. The Golf GTI was meant to be a small, stylish (which was debatable) car that had good power, combined with excellent handling, a slick gearbox, basic interior appointments, and would still get excellent gas mileage. It had to fit four people (albeit a bit tight) and have the flexibility of a hatchback, which has always been popular in Europe. But built into everyone was the most important feature: …

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Fast Drive Video Review – 2016 Acura ILX Is Shockingly Fun and Fast With New 8-Sp DCT

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2016 Acura ILX Review HD Drive Video We’d wager that no auto writer has been harder on Acura over the years than Car-Revs-Daily.com. A headline for some TLX renders last year wondered aloud: “How Much More Wood Can Acura Woodchuck Chuck.” That is seriously harsh. But as the TLX was revealed with the same much-hated shield grille… we could not help but vent some frustration. Fast forward to driving the TLX and its new ILX kid brother. We have to correct the record. Acura is on a mission, folks. Its two latest cars introduce exceptional new drivetrain tech and the …

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2015 Range Rover Supercharged LWB 5

Road Test Review – 2015 RANGE ROVER Supercharged LWB – Royal Plush on HD Video + 75 Photos

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2015 Range Rover Supercharged LWB Review       As we discuss in the video above, there is a grand tradition in long-wheelbase Range Rovers making the shorties obsolete. Once the first-gen Range Rover Vogue LWB was included in the US lineup for 1993, it was quickly curtains for the standard-length ‘County’ models. The big jump in length on that first-gen truck helped balance the looks nicely, with almost no downsides to the performance or price of the truck. In fact, there was only upside to be had. More rear legroom, a less pinched ingress and egress process, and an …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Chevrolet Trax LT on HD Video + Colors, Wheels and Pricing

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  As you move up in the world, there are certain luxuries in life that are total game-changers. Things that make it impossible to go back once you have experienced their brilliance. As a young buck moving from the college dorms into a small first apartment, you have a hard gig in life overall. You might not even have a dishwasher or a washer and dryer in your unit. Typing this now in my 30’s, the idea of living without such modern conveniences is almost unfathomable. Going back to a laundromat two blocks away or a musty basement of half-functional …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota 4Runner Trail Premium 4×4 with KDSS Suspension

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The whole SUV world of has gone soft. Crossovers from near and far have ditched their rugged truck frames in favor of cushy third rows and lazy AWD. What is a real off-roader to do for an SUV with 2015 tech and features alongside totally invincible traction and durability?! You can pick up a Wrangler Unlimited with its four-door hardtop giving year-round thrills, or perhaps the Nissan xTerra? Or you can stick with the one you know delivers: the Toyota 4Runner. This is a truck that maintains the greatest parts of its core appeal for 30 years of US sales, …

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Rainy First Drive Review – 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT on HD Video!

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  The spooky thing about the 475-horsepower Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is not its deep rumble from the twin pipes in back. Nor is it the 4.8-second sprint to 60-mph and a 0-30-mph pace to rival a 911 Turbo. Not even the heavily upgraded exterior and loaded, sport-seat-equipped cabin. Nope, the thing that really sticks with you after driving the Grand Cherokee SRT is that it changes direction like a shark on the hunt. This is a machine that will seriously pivot and dive toward corners like a track car. The steering has a real biting precision that lets you …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Chrysler 300 Limited – Great Box, So-So Rack

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The Chrysler 300 is fresh for 2015 with more than half of its parts either all-new or redesigned. The upgrade list is massive — and even includes the American full-size icon’s exterior. But the changes outside are far more subtle than those under the skin and in the cabin. Chrysler is keeping the original 300 style alive for 2015 — hoping to ignite the same huge swell of passion that surrounded the original 2005 model. What a launch that was. Makes you smile to recall the full-size American car reclaiming its former glory as gigantic, affordable wheels. This segment of …

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First Drive Mega Gallery – 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT HELLCAT in 67 All-New Photos

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Lots of incredible Hellcat Challenger coverage on the site lately, including this black/black stunner from the Houston Auto show, plus a Charger Hellcat drive review over here. There are no words to describe the power available to your right foot in the Challenger. On a rainy day like this, the 707HP of America’s most-powerful car spins away in split-second torrents of wheelspin. Trying, and failing, to be able to hit full throttle in the Hellcat is like a never-ending game. That drivetrain will make a grown man giggle! We love the Hellcat Challenger with a stickshift not offered to Charger …

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LEDetails - 2015 Lexus NX300h Triple LED Lights 68

LEDetails – 2015 Lexus NX300h – Up Close with the Triple-Beam LED Lights

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Met up with another sexy black Lexus NX recently, and spent some time starting deep into its LED eyeballs! Just kidding. Nothing weird here. The Lexus style has just taken a huge leap with these ultra-cool triple LED headlamp style. It is stunning on the roads as an option on the new RC and NX, as well as the upcoming RX replacement. Here is a very close look at the lights in real life. The interplay between the actual light output and my Nikon’s sensors is fairly interesting. The Nikon goes dark when the Lexus lights are shining right into …

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First Drive Review – 2015 Ford Focus ST in HD Video + 150 Photos!

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Loved meeting the 2015 Focus ST in the flesh recently for a fast blast around Texas Motor Speedway. Not high in the banked oval, unfortunately. Just a bit of on-camera hooning in the roads nearby. The town name of “No Limits” seemed applicable to flying past dozens of vacant track parking lots. The changes for the 252-horsepower 2015 model are perfect updates. A new nose with a low and mean style, standard LED headlight accent blades, HID headlights for the ST2 and ST3 trim packs, and standard Rado Grey wheels. The tail is also revised with a new rear window …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport FWD 2.0T Ultimate

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INTRO – 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Review Think of the new Hyundai Santa Fe siblings like the Nissan Murano/Pathfinder. The Santa Fe Sport is a five-seater with a wheelbase five inches shorter than the big seven-seat Santa Fe. The Santa Fe Sport and Santa Fe deviate from the Nissan offering with custom powertrains by vehicle size: the Sport’s uplevel engine is a 2.0-liter turbo, while the jumbo Santa Fe offers a V6 powertrain as a step up from the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder. Spending time in both SUVs helps shed light on the differences the Sport’s new engine and chassis …

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2015 Dodge Journey Crossroad AWD

Road Test Review – 2015 Dodge Journey Crossroad AWD By Ken Glassman

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  2015 Dodge Journey Crossroad AWD Review By Ken Glassman The Dodge Journey is a bit of a sleeper in the conversation about compact SUV’s. Some of that may be due to the fact that it’s larger than the likes of the Nissan Rogue, Honda CRV, or Toyota Rav 4, yet still not up to the size of full sized SUV’s, like the Highlander, Pathfinder, or Pilot.  But this Dodge “tweener” has some good features, and for those looking for a larger family vehicle, which can be had with a third row seat, there’s a lot to look at. There …

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