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2018 Lexus GS350 F Sport RWD – Road Test Review – By Tom Burkart

In an age now where mid-size luxury sedans are stronger, faster and better than ever before…. How come they aren’t the kings of the family fleet any more? Way back in the 90s when your scribe grew up, we had a quick way of telling whether the cars lined up for a party in the neighborhood were from parents or the kids.  If it was all 4Runners and Explorers, then it was definitely a kid party and time to get wild! But if it was stately 740iL’s, XJ’s and Lexus LS sedans… then we knew it was a parent party …

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2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

You know those commercials for Overstock.com? (no, we’re not getting a free couch for this). The ones where people are judged – sometimes unfairly – for their names. Well, the Corolla has the same problem. We say Corolla, and you probably think, small, supremely reliable, pleasant, good value. But exciting? Meh.  One small step for a Corolla and One giant step for Corolla-kind. Previously, the formerly known as Scion iM was renamed, and the stylish little hatchback became the Corolla IM. And it was a nice looking, decent performing hatch with loads of features – typical Scion. A nice start. …

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Luxury Flagship Comparison – 3rd Place – 2018 Lexus LS 500 F-Sport – By Carl Malek [Video]

With the recent swath of new luxury flagship sedans that have entered the marketplace, it can be very difficult to find which one is indeed the best fit for you and your budget. This tough choice helped serve as inspiration for our inaugural three way international luxury car comparison test. We assembled three of the most popular luxury flagship sedans and drove them side by side to help find which one is indeed best. The German benchmarks (BMW 7-Series, Mercedes S-Class, and Audi A8) were excluded, and instead we focused our attention on two new players (the Genesis G90 3.3T …

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2018 Mazda3 GT 5-Door – Road Test Review w/ Perf Drive Video

Want to know the true reason why nobody should suffer driving a car they don’t love? And also the reason why car shoppers are fools to make up their mind online instead of on the test drives? The shining example for both is the delightful 2018 Mazda3 GT.  Here is a car that will hit 35-mpg on the highway and keep your payments easily below $300 a month.  All while having truly fun performance and actual torque to keep you ahead of traffic! Driving the Mazda3 for a week is like a slap in the face or a dunk in …

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2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

Have you noticed this great resurgence in family sedans lately? The all-new Accord and Camrys that we’ve tested are really pushing the limits of design, performance and technology – fighting back against the rising tides of crossovers and suvs. And who do we have to thank for the sedan revival?  Hyundai. A few years back, it seemed like the sedan had settled in for a nice long snooze, content to be shopped by those who wanted 4 doors and a trunk – but not interested in grabbing customers by the collar and saying “Hey check me out”. At the same …

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Review: 2017.5 Mazda6 Delights With Handling, Styling and Features – By Tim Esterdahl

Admittedly, I’m not much a mid-size car guy. I like pickups and SUVs with 4×4. However, driving around in the 2017.5 Mazda6 Grand Touring edition, it didn’t take me long to understand why I keep hearing good things about this car. The 2017.5 Mazda6 is one of two cars Mazda offers with the Mazda3 being the smaller of the two. It competes with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and other mid-size cars. Mazda offers the 6 in three models: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring and all the models share a 2.5L 184 horsepower inline-four engine. This model year is also …

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2018 Honda Accord Touring 2.0T – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

While crossovers are the big thing, we think it’s great to see the sedan isn’t ready to roll over and die. In fact, with the all-new Camry, and coming soon, All-new Altima, carmakers are stepping up their game – each of these new sedans is on the edge of style, technology, and best of all, performance. Leading the renaissance is the 2018 Honda Accord. Super Stylish It must be tough being Audi. You come up with a gorgeous design, and next thing you know, other manufacturers seem to be dipping in the same inkwell. Take the new Audi A7 – …

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Road Test Review – 2018 Honda Accord Touring (1.5 liter) – By Carl Malek

When updating a classic that has withstood the test of time, the unenviable task of creating a distinctive entry without tarnishing the reputation of the nameplate can be a daunting endeavor. It’s especially challenging when that nameplate happens to be the venerable Honda Accord. First arriving in the U.S. market during the advent of 8-track tapes, disco music, and pet rocks, the Accord immediately stood out to buyers not only due to its exceptional build quality, but also its impeccable fuel economy. As the decades passed and 8-tracks transitioned to CDs, and ultimately the MP3 file. The Accord remained a …

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Lotus Says Farewell To 3-Eleven With Wild Limited Edition 3-Eleven 430

When Lotus first unveiled the 3-Eleven, it was supposed to be the proven sequel to the legendary 2-Eleven which scorched track records and managed to set a pretty unique legacy for Lotus in the process. Lotus did not want buyers to forget how potent the 3-Eleven is, and has unleashed a pretty formidable reminder with the all new limited edition Lotus 3-Eleven 430. The standard 3-Eleven is already a formidable track weapon, and Lotus engineers have unleashed some pretty novel trickery to make it slip through the air as efficiently as possible. The 430 then can be best described as …

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How to Add New Tech to Your Car

There are few pieces of technology that we bond with more than our cars. Sometimes you keep a car because it has sentimental value, or to be economical. Sometimes you’ve found a special connection to that one model you can’t buy anymore. Old cars are great, but when your friend pulls up in a brand-new ride, you might come away with a case of tech envy. That’s OK, because adding technology to your vintage car is completely doable, and will make it even more your own. Here are a few of our favorite methods to modernize your low-tech car. Upgrade …

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2018 Acura TLX A-Spec V6 SH AWD – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

It’s about time Acura got some credit. After all, it was the first Japanese automaker (via parent company Honda) to enter the luxury division that was owned by Europeans. It created a supercar (NSX) that could hang with the world’s best, and still it was as reliable as a Prelude. Somehow along the way, though, the brand earned a reputation as nice, well turned-out cars, but a little bland for the enthusiast. Now if you want to point out the new NSX, that’s fine – but at a starting price of $156,000 it’s more of a dream car for most …

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2018 VW Passat SE 2.0T w/ Technology – Road Test Review

The USA-made and optimized Passat is now in its second generation on American roads.  The refresh for 2016 brought optional LEDs that are Audi-tastic, new infotainment tech and a few other tweaks. For 2018, Passat gains an all-new 2.0T engine as standard versus the 1.8-liter turbo from the previous four-cylinder models.  The extra pony count is pretty modest – just four extra for a total of 174. As ever, VW’s turbo models punch above their stats when it comes to real-world pace.  This motor is no different – and cuts the sprint time to 60-mph down to one of the …

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2018 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L Limited – Road Test Review

Not everyone drives their car like an escaped felon. More accurately, the vast majority of midsize sedan shoppers have little to no interest in 0-60-mph times, lateral grip or brake feel. These concerns are just totally alien to their transportation needs. Your average midsize sedan buyer wants tons of cabin space, low monthly payments and easy-to-operate tech features. So why drive like a madman? We took a relaxed, more realistic, approach to this Sonata Limited review.  The video is thick with minutes and minutes of walk-arounds inside and out; back seat and front.  Totally sedate throttle inputs – enjoying the …

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

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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2017 Nissan Maxima SR – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

Recently we tested the all-new 2018 Camry. Ours was the sportiest V6, XSE and it managed to clear the $40,000 hurdle with optional equipment. It’s certainly a great evolution in Camry-dom, but it had us thinking, for 40-large you’re treading on some well-established toes. Including the self-proclaimed 4-Door Sports Car, the Nissan Maxima. So, is the Maxima still the sport/luxury sedan of choice for value conscious buyers? Well, it’s certainly aging well. While competitors like the Camry are handsome, the Maxima still lives in a league above. It looks long, low, and wide, full of serious intent. Also tying in …

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2018 Hyundai SONATA Limited 2.0T – Road Test Review w/ Video!

The 2018 Sonata is quite a looker on the roads!  There is no lag time in the Genesis G80 Sport’s design trickle-down: both wear very similar shield grilles, darkened with glossy mesh and black chrome for a sinister and sexy style. Usually it takes a few years for the 7 series M Sport style to make it to a 3 series (for example), so Hyundai is definitely plugged into style trends. This review comes from a man whose middle name might be Sonata this fall.  We started with the Sport 2.0T and now are in the Limited 2.0T, which has …

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2017 VW Passat 1.8T R-Line – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

Hankering for a sporty European performance sedan, but stunned by the high prices? Never fear – we’ve found a sweet sedan that ticks all the right boxes and even surprised us with its sensible pricing: the 2017 VW Passat. Now you have to be a smart shopper, or you could get carried away and end up dropping a fair amount of loot on some maxed-out model. You have to know the magic word. The magic word is R-Line. VW actually serves up 6 different models, but the R-Line gives you a nice dollop of sporty goodness in its second-to-lowest priced …

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2018 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T – First Drive Review w/ Video

This heavily revised Sonata arrives in the nick of time. Its two core rivals in Camry and Accord have just undergone dramatic redesigns – bringing the latest tech, style and efficiency to their legions of devoted owners. Staying competitive on the design front means every panel besides the doors and roof of Sonata are fresh for 2018.  All wear a very Genesis-like ‘cascading’ front grille for the first time, as well as a brand new tail with longer and sharper detailing. It really works in the flesh.  Pulling the visuals of the car’s nose downward and the tail further back …

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Honda Unveils 2018 Accord, Promises New Levels Of Refinement And Performance

With the Honda Accord entering its 10th generation, Honda engineers had a big challenge when it came to updating the venerable sedan. They had to achieve it in a way that would make the Accord embrace the future, but without alienating the basic virtues that have made the company’s bread and butter model a household name among car buyers. With the unveiling of the 2018 Honda Accord earlier today in Detroit, Michigan (following on the heels of a prior teaser sketch,) it appears that Honda is pulling out all the stops to achieve this lofty goal.     It all …

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2017 KIA Cadenza Limited – Road Test Review + 2 Videos

There is real buzz around the brand-new 2017 Kia Cadenza. Car reviewers near and far have been shocked by its lux feel and right-priced tech. Are they right? We spent a week in the loaded Cadenza Limited to find out.  Hard on throttle and chucking it around corners… and honestly expecting the worst.  After all, it is a hard time for near-luxury sedans.  Cars like the Maxima, Avalon, Lacrosse or Chrysler 300 are suffering from low sales and a crowded marketplace.  Meanwhile, the deeply unfun Lexus ES still hoovers up sales for reasons no one truly understands. How can Cadenza …

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7 Great Careers If You Love Cars and Driving

If you were playing with Hot Wheels and model race cars back when the other kids were focused on action figures and video games, you’re probably looking forward to a career in the automotive world. It would be great if we could all race cars for a living, but not everyone can be the next Jeff Gordon or Sebastian Vettel. Many professions that don’t involve racing will allow you to explore your love of cars, and your parents will feel much better about your prospects of backing into a wall at 190mph. Here are some of the best career choices …

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2017 Toyota Prius PRIME – HD Road Test Review

Our hopes about Prius Prime were through the roof.  Gorgeous new looks.  A battery pack 10X as large as the most thrifty standard Prius.  Luxed-up cabin and 20 miles of EV range? It seemed like a winning formula on paper, and it is a winner in the flesh on the road. We spent a happy week in the Prime to see how this Super Prius compares versus young gun Hyundai Ioniq as well as full EVs like the eGolf, Focus Electric or even a pre-owned Tesla.  ANd how about the upcoming Honda Clarity Plugin? There is great and less-great news to …

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2017 VW Jetta GLI DSG Automatic – HD Road Test Review

The Jetta GLI is the ultimate humble brag. For those in the know, the GLI is clearly a joyous drive and a frisky friend. A car that majors in FUN while never really showing much effort.  But as you pull up to stoplights, it will take a car-guy/gal to appreciate that this a sweet sports car.  Wrapped in mild-mannered and supremely practical four-door form. We spent a week with the throttle floored to learn if GLI’s charm can make up for its extremely subtle design and brand worries. Two videos and 60 photos accompany section headings of Exterior, Interior, Performance and …

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2017 Mazda6 Grand Touring – HD Road Test Review w/ 2 Videos

The 2017 Mazda6 is an affordable midsize car for those seeking something better.  A car with premium handling, design and cabin feel.  Yet with pricing that undercuts its spiritual Audi and BMW rivals by tens of thousands. We’ve been a big fan of the Mazda6 for years now.   Our reco of the car has even led more than a few friends and neighbors to buy one. And for most of those people, the car was not even on their radar. So to answer the question of ‘Why don’t more people buy the Mazda6?‘ the answer is a lack of …

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~1936 Delahaye 135 S Competition Roadster at Amelia [35 Photos]

There is something really spectacular about “finding” a priceless exotic car just parked silently.  Slid into a space like any Camry, locked and left alone for however long.  The location helps.  This back lot is behind the Amelia Island Ritz residences.  On Concours weekend.  Which does tend to help the selection. WHen the car in question is the stunningly fast, low and lean Delahaye 135S Competition Roadster!? The patina of this car — its dull paintwork, its myriad road rash scars, and its unpolished brass grille details — shows it is likely authentic.  Sick, perhaps, but we thought it might …

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2017 Lexus ES350 – HD Road Test Review w/ 2 Videos – By Tom Burkart

The Lexus ES was refreshed for the 2016 model-year to enhance its styling and luxury equipment, along with a new build location as the first Lexus to be made in the USA. Its upgrades are fairly skin-deep, however, so we worried this car would be left behind by all the new midsize luxury models.  Vehicles like the Lincoln Continental or C-Class are all significantly fresher than the ES350 outside and in.  The ES has a huge target on its back — even from upstarts like the latest Avalon, Acura TLX and even Kia Cadenza. These rivals often have the latest turbo …

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2017 Nissan Maxima SR Midnight Edition – HD Road Test Review

Is the coolest Maxima in ages also the best? We found out over a week of driving the 2017 Maxima SR Midnight and came away impressed, if full of caveats.  And understanding some of the fanboy hate for the Maxima’s drivetrain these days. We didn’t get too bogged down by worries about how true a 4DSC the Maxima really is in this generation.  You see, describing Maxima as a four-door sports car sets some pretty unrealistic performance expectations. Let’s explore this complex car for what it is: a stylish and comfortable full-size sedan that is blessed with a standard 300-horse V6. Breaking …

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2017 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T SEL Premium – Road Test Review – By Lyndon Johnson

  In Europe, they make fun of the Volkswagen Passat Americans drive. Their suspension and materials are superior, they argue. OK, fine. Relish that superiority, Europe. That doesn’t change the fact the ‘Merican Passat remains one of the best all-around midsize family sedans in ‘Merica. Family values I spent a week with a 2017 VW Passat and pretty much fell in love with its practicality and handsome good looks — but mostly its practicality. Some people have criticized this generation of the Passat for being too understated. It takes on Volkswagen’s corporate low-and-wide styling, so the grille and headlights aren’t …

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2017 Subaru Legacy 2.5i SPORT – HD Road Test Review

The trusty midsize sedan segment of the car business has found itself in an unusual spot these days. SUVs and low gas prices mean the old days where Camrys and Accords sold by the dozen are long gone.  They are now fighting to be a purchase not of necessity, but one of desire. Subaru has stepped up with a serious rival in this high-stakes game.  A car that is still easy to buy and own, but with added pizzazz to make it pop versus the onslaught of new, high-riding competition. Subie’s answer? The new-for-2017 Subaru Legacy SPORT trimline.  The car is …

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2017 Audi A4 Quattro – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

  We recently read a comment that the Audi A4 has become so refined and smooth – perhaps overly so – that why not just pocket the cash and get a Toyota Camry? This is a shopping decision that faces us in many places in modern life. Is that fancy artisanal sprouted bread really worth three times the price of the generic loaf at the local grocery? The freshly barista-poured Peaberry better than smudgy carafe of regular at the neighborhood donut house? And now we have an all-new Audi A4. Are we buying? Well, this may not be as easy …

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2016 Volkswagen Passat CC 2.0T R-Line – Road Test Review – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

Volkswagen brought out the CC model in 2009, and it was an immediate hit styling-wise, as it separated itself from the more upright and boxy Passat that it was based on. And since that first model, the styling hasn’t changed much, which is a good thing, since it is still a striking timeless look.  The long arc of the roofline gives the CC a low, long, sleek look that reminds one of a Mercedes CLS, or Audi A-7.  Like the lines on a true coupe, the frameless doors make interesting visuals, like a four-door-coupe.  And there is enough chrome around …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Limited – By Carl Malek

When the revamped Hyundai Sonata first made its appearance back in 2009, it immediately stood out thanks to its slick exterior styling which marked a noticeable departure from the more mundane styling cues that once defined older Sonatas as well as Hyundai products in general. Can the revamped 2016 Hyundai Sonata still deliver on its promises of slick styling, while also retaining the impressive levels of technology that made the last generation model a hit with buyers? The exterior styling still looks handsome and elegant but whereas the last generation model was a ground up design, this iteration shares more …

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Drive Review – 2016 GMC CANYON DuraMax SLT 4WD – By Ben Lewis

    We recently tested the all-new 2016 RAV4 Hybrid. What does this have to do with the GMC Canyon Diesel? Nothing, except it does point to a trend. Fresh powertrain choices in well-established vehicles. In the case of the Canyon – ok, just this once – the 2016 GMC Canyon 4WD SLT Short Box with 2.8L DURAMAX turbo diesel 4-cylinder – it means that the mid-size pickup buyer now has the opportunity to  enjoy the diesel goodness they’ve long been denied. Diesel has always been the go-to for the big rigs, and for the heavy-duty, 250-series size pickups as …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Chevrolet MALIBU LT – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

Since seeing the new Chevy Malibu way back in February at the Chicago Auto Show, I was anxious to test drive.  I thought it looked outstanding, and the leather interior was both handsome and inviting.  So I was delighted to see the Silver Ice Metallic Malibu dropped off in my driveway for a week. I was disappointed that the model I got was the LT, rather than the top line 2LT or Premier trim levels.  The LT comes with a 1.5 liter turbocharged engine rather than the 2.0 liter turbo.  Heck, I’ve owned motorcycles with larger displacement engines.  In fact …

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First Drive Review – 2016 Kia Optima SX 2.0T – By Ben Lewis

You might have guessed by now, we’re big fans of German cars here at Car-Revs-Daily.com. The quality, performance, and balance of these vehicles always impress. On the other hand, we’re glad we’re not a German carmaker right now, because there are a lot of brands nipping at your heels – and they are coming a lot closer –sometimes, even surpassing those hallowed brands. Take for example, our recent test vehicle the 2016 Kia Optima SX 2.0T. It may just be the best entry level Audi you can buy. Yes, we said Kia, and yes we said Audi. How did this …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Hyundai SONATA SPORT 2.0T (+Drive Video)

The new Sonata generation has not been universally loved.  It largely abandons the previous swirling design and CLS-style low roof in favor of a longer wheelbase and larger rump.  Backseaters will be thrilled: it is now truly jumbo back there and in the trunk. The benefit of this move is a much larger, and technically full-size, cabin versus its mid-size rivals.  What was lost, however, was the near-premium appeal of the Sonata on the roads versus identical Accords and Camrys. We’re into the second year of this new Sonata generation, and the range is filling out to meet many buyer …

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2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 SR – HD Road Test Review + Drive Video

The Nissan Altima is a favorite around here.  Even drivers coming from exotic cars would be astounded by the compentence of this vehicle for 2016. We recently dubbed it the ‘world’s smoothest sedan’ in 2.5SL form.  That smoothness is from effortless drive manners, the infinite-ratio Xtronic automatic and, of course, the pillowy ride quality of the mid-spec Altima. This SR trimline is new for the 2016 model-year on the four-cylinder engine.  An effective nose darkening with smoked headlamp lenses and optics sets a great mood from the start.   Larger wheels and sport-suspension and cabin are added bonii. All good, …

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

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

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

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 Toyota GAZOO Racecars & Series Preview – New TS050 LMP1 Revamp, WRC Yarii + New C-HR Racing and RC GT3

  Toyota Motorsport GmbH is now Toyota GAZOO Racing — with the new Euro-based entity bringing much of Toyota and Lexus’ racing efforts under one roof. The 2016 season outline is mindboggling!  Lots of new racecars and globetrotting race series.  We have a look at new rally cars: — Land Cruiser rally truck — Yaris WRC — Yaris GRMN — GT86 And new endurance racers in the form of two upgraded Lexus RC’s, a GT86 and even a new Nurbirgring entry for this year: the C-HR Racing.  No sight of this production version of the concept seen in 2015, nor …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Buick REGAL GS

  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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325HP, V6TT 2017 Ford FUSION SPORT Leads Refreshed Midsize Sedan Lineup

A fresh look and new tech throughout the Fusion for 2017! Three EcoBoost engines, a new V6 Sport powertrain is the most powerful midsize Ford sedan in ages — delivering its 325-horsepower and 350-pound-feet of torque through an AWD chassis. All in search of a ~5.5-second sprint to 60-mph — a class-quickest sprint speed! This is huge news versus the previous 240-horsepower EcoBoost that tops out the current Fusion lineup. New nose and tail designs integrate the latest LEDs for a fairly chic look on all sides — if a bit too Focus-like up front in these initial teasers. Very cool …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Kia Optima SX Turbo

2016 Kia Optima SX Turbo Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman Midsize family sedans are a huge segment of the automobile business, and it’s a hotly contested space.  The Kia Optima is a strong player, and getting stronger each year, with improvements and even more standard content.  It has to keep improving in order to compete with the likes of a Toyota Camry & Avalon, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Mazda 6, or Nissan’s Altima. The 2016 Optima has been redesigned inside and out, and the result is an outstanding automobile, that ranks right up there with the best in the class. …

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

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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2016 Chevrolet MALIBU 2.0T – Pre-production First Look Inside and Out

  Busy travel week with lots of incredible first drives, track blasts and world premieres to share! One highlight in a packed lot of all-new 2016 models? One we could not actually drive… but were thrilled to photograph inside and out. You’re looking at a knockout style that is premium, wide and low in the flesh. The Malibu shown here is deeply sexy from all sides — something we have never uttered about the current car or even the big-hit 2007 model. Yep, this all-new ‘Bu is quite a looker. A grey and overcast early AM for photos darkened some …

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2016 Tesla Model X – Mouth-Watering Tech and Speed; Sleeker Nose for $140k 7-Seater

Watch this on The Scene. WIRED drive video embed alpha Tesla unveiled the Model X last night with some seriously impressive tech specs, cabin features and range estimates. But first: the nose. This is the biggest and most dramatic change versus the near-production models previewed at SEMA and elsewhere over the last three years. Replacing the gloss-black grille shell is a smooth one-piece painted bumper. Just a sliver of black grille remains up at the hood edge. This black grille houses the sharp Tesla T badge, making a point into the bodycolored bumper below. EXTERIOR The look is quite unique …

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2016 Volkswagen Passat USA Shows Boss New R-Line, Tech Updates at NYC Reveal

Clearly not the greatest time to roll out a new vehicle, but the 2016 Passat is welcome anyway. These are the premium and sexy upgrades we have wished for to set the Passat apart from normal Camrys in the mid-size sedan segment. Available LED head and taillamps are suitably Audi-esque in their execution quality. And even with carry-over panels, the larger wheels and fresh nose is a bit eye-catching. This nose is new from the A-pillar forward, but might take a VW fan to recognize over the current US PAssat nose. Crucially, the vehicle now looks its size — a …

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

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

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

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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2016 Honda Accord Sedan Touring

2016 Honda Accord SPORT in 120 New Pics + Animated CarPlay and Android Auto Demos

Updated 8.11.15 The Accord Sport is where it’s at for anyone who loves driving. The Sport trim level adds the Coupe’s suspension tune and powertrain tweaks to the standard bodystyle with impressive results. We have a mega pack of new photos to share, primarily of this fire-engine-red Accord Sport cruising around some scenic mountain roads. On this mid-priced example, the lack of the new LED lamps on the loaded Touring line speaks to the low entry prices of the Sport overall. Versus the much more luxury-focused other variants, the Sport is by far the most entertaining steer. The Sport appears …

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2016 Honda Accord Coupe Touring

2016 Honda Accord COUPE Shows its Fresh, Sexy Design in 50 New Photos

Updated 8.11.15 The Coupe joins the Accord reveal today! Did you do a double take on first sight?? We did… perhaps for the first time in years for an Accord Coupe. Shown in the top-spec V6 Touring trim level, the new Accord Coupe is vastly more attractive than the frisky and fast — but dull-looking — existing model. The Coupe looks really striking with all its new LEDs and styling upgrades – especially up front, where it is far more serious with black chrome in place of the sedan’s normal brightwork. The nose look is similar to the Accord Sport …

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

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

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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2016 Honda Accord

2016 Honda Accord Bringing Tech-Tastic LED and Infotainment Updates

The 2016 Accord refresh is out and looking fantastic! Shown here on the loaded V6 Touring trim, the 2016 Accord is quite a looker with its new 19-inch alloys, standard LED taillights and a very fresh face up front. Packing LED foglights and LED DRLs on Sport or Touring trims, these special Acura-like lighting designs will really set the loaded Accord apart on the roads. The Touring flagship trim is now available on the Coupe, which also packs LED headlamps for the first time. The engines specs are not yet out, but the 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6 are set …

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2015 Chrysler 200C V6 3

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

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 CHevy Malibu Hybrid 12

Wow! 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Is Sexy Redesign With LWB Back-Seat Comfort + Hybrid Option

  Is there a 2016 Malibu LWB!? That back seat was our main reservation in recommending the current car to anyone, even the 5.9-second turbo. The current cabin is unbelievably small and uncomfortable compared with Camry, Legacy, Accord and Mazda6. The materials and exterior style are also fairly blah for the current model. Chevy knows all this by heart. They have heard it exhaustively from shoppers over the last few years. Well, they have listened and taken action! Outside, the Malibu is all-new with a design that is a cool and fresh blend of Camaro and Impala. There is a dash …

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highlander hybrid

Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD – By Ken Glassman

  2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review   By Ken Glassman Last year the Toyota Highlander underwent its third major makeover, and not much has changed for this year. While the Highlander is technically a crossover vehicle, based upon a car platform, it looks and feels very much more truck-like, and seems more akin to the Toyota 4Runner than a Camry. It is a large vehicle, which seats 7 or 8 depending upon the interior choices, and has more cargo space than the last generation. It is also better looking, with a bold front end and brawny, bulging fenders. The base …

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2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited Review

Road Test Review – 2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited – By Ken Glassman

2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited Review By Ken Glassman The first Hyundai Sonata appeared on the scene way back in 1988. It was a small, homely looking sedan, but a capable, economical car with a lot of content found only on cars costing a few thousand dollars more. And it may be best remembered for having a five year bumper to bumper warranty, and 10 years on the powertrain. Hyundai in those years were trying to impress the buying public that their cars were ready for prime time, and they were willing to back them up with the best warranty in …

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sienna se

Road Test Review – 2014 Toyota Sienna SE Is The Ultimate High-Speed Q-Ship

When you think of minivans, the sportiest one available might seem like a dumb question. I mean, what is the point of having huge power on demand when you are likely to have a car full of kids? After a week rocking the 2014 Sienna SE to Ponte Vedra, Florida and back for the Camry rollout, we became seriously attached to the Sienna’s easy highway manners and friendly city maneuverability. Without a variety of kids and 1000-pounds of toys in the eight-passenger Sienna SE, we can tell you that this is the sportiest van of them all. Standard format of …

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mazda6

Top 10 Midsize Sedans – 2016 Mazda6 Is Best, Subaru Legacy Second

The Mazda6 is the best-looking, best-handling and most refined mid-size sedan available even before these updates. But two areas kept the car from being a world-beater: the cabin design and a slightly unexciting exterior in the lower and cheaper trim levels. Yes, the Grand Touring had big wheels and LED accents, making the most of the absolutely gorgeous core design. The Mazda6 in every trim now looks like it should costs $50,000, versus only the GT giving that impression before. Both issues are resolved for 2015 with a sweeping enhancement to the design and content of a long-time favorite family …

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2015 Toyota Prius C Is Fresh With New Cabin Tech + Revised Nose/Tail LED Lighting

 Officially one of the most LED-intensive compact vehicles on the market for 2015, the new Prius C is becoming quite a looker in its own light. The big news is all about the bright new design themes in front and inside with a huge new Entune touchpanel inside. Wild colors are part of the section for 2015 for this ultra-economical Prius hatchback. But the biggest news perhaps? The C in Prius C now officially stands for City versus Compact. 2015 Toyota Prius C 2015 Toyota Prius c: Light, Tight, Bright and the Highest City Fuel Economy of Any Vehicle Without …

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2015 Chrysler 300C and 300S Bring Stylish and Functional Improvements (120 Photos!)

  How to refine an icon? Porsche has struggled with this for more than 50 years of 911’s at this point – and Chrysler is learning the fine art with its bold and butch 300 sedan. As a real touchstone vehicle for Chrysler since its reveal in 2005, the rear-drive, 120-inch-wheelbase of the Chrysler 300 has languished a bit in recent years while the auto world has rapidly progressed around it. This changes for 2015 – with updates to the cabin and powertrain that bring the 300C and 300S bang up-to-date with the latest from Cadillac in the CTS, Hyundai …

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Speculative Rendering – 2016 Lexus ES350 F Design

The latest Lexus ES is an all-star for the company – and time in the seat tells you why. The car is simply astounding in how comfortable and smooth it makes even the worst roads, or the most tedious errands. Lexus is not likely to mess with the core competency of this perennial best-seller, but the ES could use an exterior refresh these days. Its xenon low-beams and halogen high-beams were once slim, but now look gaping and too-large versus the coolest cars out there. And what are these cool cars? Many of them are right in the Lexus showroom …

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Year 1 Debrief: Most Popular 150 Articles Ranked and Linked!

Some surprising cars pop to the top of this list of Car-Revs-Daily.com’s top articles over the past year. Yep, we just celebrated our one-year anniversary a few days ago —  and things are moving along very nicely indeed! Are the top-ranked articles our favorites, or the ones that took the most time and effort? Not really. But they do prove that content is the golden principle, with timely or exclusive content the real king-maker, from a traffic and therefore ad revenue perspective. Overall stats from 11.1.13 – 11.4.14: Total Articles: 1671 Total Images:  93,899 Average Articles Per Day (7 Days …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Avalon Hybrid

Like any project, the ones you are passionate about are far easier to do quickly and with great results. Alternatively, the ones where there is tough news to deliver can sit on the back burner for far longer than is ideal. And so it is with car reviews – even week-long press loaner reviews that are usually top-priority. There are great updates to the latest Avalon and Avalon Hybrid, including the exterior style, interior tech and great efficiency. But there are also serious areas where the new Avalon Hybrid neither delivers the cushy ride of the old model — nor …

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2015 Toyota Sienna Brings Refreshed Touchscreens + Dark New Nose with LED Low-Beams and LED DRLs

The AWD and FWD Toyota Sienna is a huge player in the lux van segment. New competition in the form of the 2015 Kia Sedona might eat into either the Sienna or Odyssey’s honeypot — so the Sienna updates to compete. The changes are very, very subtle on the exterior. SE and Limited models bring the body-color accent package as before, with a remodeled nose and grille design in dark gunmetal. The headlamps themselves are a bit darker-tinted overall, completing the refresh nicely. Lighting-wise, up front the Sienna’s all now have LED Daytime Running Lights as a slash of white …

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Junkyard Jems – The Japanese – Datsun 240Z, 280Z, Toyota FJ40, 1978 Celica Supra, RX-7 and XT6

PART THREE: The Japanese finds This is the last part of this little series of articles – featuring some of the collectable or rare Japanese cars discovered in American junkyards over the last few years. My advice is not to weep for the cars seen here. They all had good runs, and are likely missed by their owners and remembered fondly.   Junkyard Jems – The Japanese – Datsun 240Z, 280Z, Toyota FJ40, 1978 Celica Supra, RX-7 and XT6  

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MEGA Road Test Review – 2015 Hyundai Sonata Is Like A Value-Added Audi A6 – Choice Between Lux or Sport Dynamics

MEGA Road Test Review – 2015 Hyundai Sonata Is Like A Value-Added Audi A6 – Choice Between Lux or Sport Dynamics   If you are keeping track, this is perhaps the fifth article in a series covering the 2015 Sonata’s launch. We were fortunate enough to attend the big event the other week and have been working up to this: the definitive review! After much consideration, the new Sonata reminds me most of the Audi A6 2.0T – in size, what it offers buyers, and in overall appeal. Shocking, right? Especially with the Sonata’s base pricing in the $20,000’s that …

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Road Test Review - 2015 Hyundai Sonata - INTERIOR Focus - 2

Road Test Review – 2015 Hyundai Sonata – INTERIOR Focus – 2.4L Limited vs 2.0T Sport

  Thrilled to report that the 2015 Hyundai Sonata is an outstanding drive and a very compelling entry into the mid-size sedan marketplace. Midsize? It is huge in here! Yes, mid-size in price but a Large Car by EPA cabin volume — where the new Sonata is comfortably close to the scale of large luxury cars. Over the next few days, we will cover the 2015 Sonata extensively – but segmented out by theme and topic due to the extensive first-hand impressions driving the Eco, 2.4L Limited and the Sport 2.0T trim levels. There are noticeable differences between the trims …

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2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T – 160 Photos From National Media Launch!

Lovely days in Montgomery, Alabama visiting the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing America plant for the national media launch of the 2015 Sonata! Full drive impressions and reviews of the various models have to wait until next week when the press embargo is up on 12:01am on Monday — but these photos are fair game… The car looks outstanding in person versus my initial impressions when the car debuted at the New York Auto Show earlier this year. The new Sonata is very distinct across its standard, Eco and Sport trims – with the Sport my obvious preference due to its dark …

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SHOCK! Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Banned NASCAR Mustang Prototype… Actually Looks Like a Mustang

Confession time: I have not been an active NASCAR fan in more than 20 years. But I am definitely a fan of the cars’ outright speed, power and the bravery needed to take one to victory over near-identical others on the grid. This extremely homogenized approach to racing rules is epitomized outside by what NASCAR calls the “Car of Tomorrow” bodyshell. It makes all the cars the exact same shape, excluding stickers. This seems like a huge error in judgment versus what fans want to see: actual rivalries among not just drivers, but the car manufacturers’ racing technology and expertise. …

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2015 Chrysler 200 Aims For the Middle, But Design and Cabin Undeniably Much-Improved

By Special Contributor Anthony Alaniz   There is little doubt that the forthcoming 2015 Chrysler 200 is important. The mid-sized car segment has been virtually void of any credible Chrysler product for some time—lest we forget about Eminem and that commercial. As maligned the Chrysler 200 is, it is hard to forget the 200 first appeared on showroom floors just a few years ago as a 2010 model, replacing the worst-car-on-the-market Sebring sedan. See a pattern here? For 2015, Chrysler has finally found the fire necessary to produce something competitive, or at least inoffensive and of a quality high enough …

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Fixing the Acura Woodchuck Nose Is Easy – Speculative Design Renderings Without Shield Nose Piece

It is not fun to review a car that … is … not living up to its potential. Many cars that should be good are not. Design is important from my vantage because I have not been wined/dined on some swanky launch event. Those types of personal relationships with the people behind the car tend to water down most of the harsh critiques. But your humble scribe must share these views on behalf of you, the little guy! Little guy? C’mon now. Big Boss Hog is more like it! Car buyers make or break any brand — not the writing …

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2014 LeMans LMP1 – Toyota TS040 Hybrid – A Dark Horse in Audi vs. Porsche Battle

The TS040 Hybrid is looking mighty rapid this year, with a huge increase in stamina and budget for the Toyota Motorsports Group based in Cologne, Germany. Training with past winners and local talent can only be considered a huge new asset in the Toyota WEC racing ambition for its LMP1 cars. TS040 Hybrid running from ToyotaGB on Vimeo. So, is the TS040 fast and powerful enough to outwit the Porsche 919 Hybrid and Audi R18 trio? Fast enough remains to be seen, but the Toyota effort in LMP1 has garnered five race victories since 2012, which is certainly nothing to …

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2015 Subaru Legacy Sedan -- More Lux and Tech in Cabin -- Finally Some Exterior Style -- Even 36MPG Highway  12

2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i and 3.6R Sedans — Much Quieter — Far More Tech Inside — Finally Some Exterior Style — Even 36MPG Highway!

The all-new 2015 Legacy launched today in Chicago, with great news all around for Subaru fans. And even enough unique features to entice those curious about the cult-like following of these AWD cars. Subaru’s are fantastic and very rewarding to drive — with handling balance and sure-footed-ness no Camry can ever match. 2015 Legacy Summary points: — This is the Legacy Sedan only, in 2.5i and 3.6R flavors (equipment lists detailed below). — A future Outback is a sure thing, but is not part of today’s big Legacy launch. — A future Legacy GT may join the fun eventually, but …

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2014 CLS45 AMG

Race Start Video: 2014 CLA45 AMG Shows Impressive Launch Drama + 4.5s to 60mph

Mercedes-Benz is evolving its marketing and product positioning drastically. Executive rumblings from a few years ago indicated the brand was making serious changes to lower its perceived demographic – but it all just seemed like lip service at the time. Well, the arrival of the CLA-Class surely confirms that they were very serious. Serious… about getting playful. The CLA is launching in the American market as the front-drive CLA250 and the all-wheel-drive CLA45 AMG. Both run a highly advanced new platform, engine, transmission and electronic architecture. What perhaps previously took 0.002 milliseconds to transfer info from rear ABS sensors on …

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JUST Animated GIFs Page – Updated 5.28.15

JUST Animated GIFs Page – 5.28.15   This is a multi-page post, with a clickable ‘next page’ icon living below the post and related article thumbnails. The page icons are on the left-hand side just above the footer text.   Continues on NEXT PAGE

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2014 Mazda6 i Touring – 40 All-New, High-Res Images

2014 Mazda6 i Touring – 40 All-New, High-Res Images   Hopefully the Mazda6’s stunning lines can do some of the talking for us. Enjoy! The 2014 Mazda6 is an amazing achievement – a sports car within reach of Camry buyers. 2014 Mazda6 i Touring – Exterior Gallery       2014 Mazda6 i Touring – Interior Gallery