Trims Topic Hub

2018 Toyota CAMRY – First Drives of LE, XLE and XSE – By Zeid Nasser

[Parts of this post originally appeared on TheIntelligentDriver.com] Toyota knows how valuable the Camry is. It’s known as one of the most reliable, efficient and safe vehicles on today’s roadways. But times are changing, and many of today’s vehicles ace those hallmark Camry qualities. Toyota wants to keep their customers happy and maintain their sales lead with emotional design, leading tech and an engaging (gasp) driving experience. Did they accomplish it? Well, first some background info. Back in 2006 when I earned my license, I convinced my mother that the newest generation 2007 Camry was the way to go. I …

Jul 18, 2017 Read more

2017 Lexus LC500 COLORS Visualizer + Black Chrome Looks [150 Shades]

This post goes out to the bastards at Comcast Xfinity! Why? It was the ongoing eight-hour LAN outage today that spurred a moment of creativity in photoshop. With whom? Our new favorite subject: the 2017 Lexus LC500! After many hours and nearly 150 shades of future super-Lexus… we are thrilled by the idea of a possible BMW collaboration under these delicious panels. The cabio also seems only a snip and slice away! The floating roof and minimal pillars all around the back glass of the LC500 make clear this machine was designed. HARD! The tumblehome — or that area between …

Jan 25, 2016 Read more

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

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 …

Nov 21, 2015 Read more

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

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 …

Nov 12, 2015 Read more

2016 Renault TALISMAN – Pricing and Trims from €27,900

Updated 11.1.15 with French prices and new photos. Welcome to the top of the Renault range: the new Talisman sedan. This fresh D-segment saloon is a larger and more plush big brother to the Laguna — promising world-class comfort, design, luxury and technology. All with a completely fresh design and dimensions to compete with the BMW 5 series. A total length of 4.85-metres is fairly gigantic for a front-drive luxury sedan in France. As the segment’s built-in government and livery driver pool looks to Germany for their fleets, the large car market in France is fairly …

Oct 31, 2015 Read more

2016 Mazda MX-5 Spec Secret + Prices, Colors and Options Guide

The new MX-5 is in your area! The launch is in full swing – so a perfect time to explore the trims, prices, colors and options! The configurator is almost a two-click affair. Just a few key choices to make it yours from $25k: transmission, trim and cabin color. (All these prices include the $820 delivery charge, by the way.) Sport kicks things off, followed by Club, and up to the top-line GT. With an automatic and every option checked, the new MX-5 GT is almost $33,000 exactly. A Club with the Brembo/BBS pack is within a few hundred bucks, …

Aug 27, 2015 Read more

2016 JAGUAR XE USA Launch Details: XE35t Making 340HP or XE20d Ingenium Diesel

The XE is looking very sharp in the latest photos from Spain. But when is it coming to America, and which will we get? Jaguar USA has the details for us down toward the bottom of this massive configurator demo post…. But here is the skinny: US launch cars will arrive in Spring 2016 as the XE 20d or the XE 35t with the 340HP V6 from the F-Type. The other engine is set to be a diesel! Fantastic news. We we’re sure if JLR would bring it over in a Jag as well as the new Land Rovers …

Aug 18, 2015 Read more

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 …

Aug 09, 2015 Read more

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

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 …

Aug 06, 2015 Read more

2016 GMC SIERRA Reveals Facelift + LED Lighting Upgrade in SLT, Denali and All Terrain Trims

Let this facelift be a great reward for all who wished the Silverado and Sierra had LEDs to match the new F-150! A full makeover for all three major trims changes the look of the nose pretty dramatically. These new-shape LEDs bring an updated group of grille and bumper designs, plus LED fogs to boot. Around back, LED C-shaped lamps share their cool look with the Yukon Denali. The Silverado is also fresh-faced for the 2016 model year, with just one preview rendering to go on so far. 2016 GMC SIERRA 2016 GMC Sierra Unveiled 2015-07-15 DETROIT …

Jul 15, 2015 Read more

2016 Nissan MAXIMA SR Midnight Is Official! Revealed At BET Experience Festival

Updated 6.26.15 The 2015 Maxima black pack is official! The entire upgrade detailed below can now be ordered as the Maxima SR Midnight edition. Launched at the BET Experience, the key difference between the Maxima SR Midnight and a DIY black pack via Nissan accessories is that the Midnight comes exclusively in Super Black exterior paintwork. However you get to these 19-inch black alloys and sport bodywork upgrades, the results speak for themselves! 2016 Nissan MAXIMA SR Midnight The 2016 Maxima is finally arriving! The new 4DSC is one of Nissan’s biggest launches for 2015 — and the company is …

Jun 26, 2015 Read more

2016 Nissan MAXIMA SR Black Pack Details, Track Test Video and 99 New Photos

The 2016 Maxima is finally arriving! The new 4DSC is one of Nissan’s biggest launches for 2015 — and the company is going all-out to rev up excitement among loyalists. Nissan just revealed its sport styling parts, and they are right up our alley. Gloss-black 19-inch wheels with matching black diffuser and trunk spoiler are deeply cool. The side sills are a contrast metallic grey and really help deliver some concept-car stance to the sportiest Maximas. Pricing from $32k to around $39k is detailed in the animated configurator mid-way down the page, along with colors and tech specs. 2016 …

Jun 19, 2015 Read more

$20k 2016 Honda HR-V Arriving Now! Trims, Pricing + All Colors in Animated Turntables

Welcome to the ultimate Honda HR-V colors guide! 300-plus images, eight turntable animations and even the full pricing and trims list. The first HR-V’s are rolling into dealerships this week, but will be snapped up almost instantly by other eager shoppers. Why? Great style and design, posh cabin with cool new tech, plus pricing from a base of just $19,000 for the LX model. The EX-L Navi with AWD and an automatic transmission tops out the model range around $27,000. Our pick? The most-loaded manual transmission model in EX FWD form. With the cool available machined alloys and the Sport …

May 27, 2015 Read more

4DSC Returns! 2016 Nissan MAXIMA Bringing Hot Style, Tech and Paddle-Shifted 300HP From $32k!

The all-new Nissan Maxima made its global debut this morning at the NY auto show with a standard 300-horsepower V6, premium cabin design and details, and a special offer for first adopters! Almost as important — it looks phenomenal inside and out! From the pure nose and tail views, the Maxima just shot to the top of the full-size sedan desirability charts with its low, wide stance and memorable details. How does the nose look so cool? Let’s look at the DRL’s at night and as an X-ray, via some photoshop. What do you get out of that? We …

Apr 02, 2015 Read more

Best of Awards – 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack in B5 Blue Is Goliath Giant-Killer

The 2015 Dodge Charger is a focused update and improvement — maintaining the giant cabin, huge power options and enhancing it up and down the nine-model range. The SRT Hellcat and its 707HP supercharged HEMI is hoovering up most of the headlines so far, buttwo questions before lusting after just the Hellcat: — Is that engine the biggest upgrade in creating such a comfortable and tech-savvy new full-size car? — And more importantly, is the Hellcat and its $64,000 base price, 204-mph Vmax and 3.7-second sprint to 60-mph the true sweet spot of the range? First, the biggest advantage of …

Mar 29, 2015 Read more

Houston Auto Show – 2015 GMC Sierra Elevation Edition in 20 New Photos + Pricing From $35k

Updated 1.23.15 With Pricing and 20 New Photos The Sierra Elevation Edition is one cool black 1500 on the Houston Auto Show floor! Just as we snapped these 35 new photos, GMC revealed the pricing of this new factory custom– with an enticing $34,865 base for the rear-drive V6. It is great to see the double-decker LED lights as standard on the Sierra Elevation, despite them not being lit in these photos. 2015 GMC Sierra Elevation Edition Pricing: 4.3L 2WD: $34,865 4.3L 4WD: $38,795 5.3L 2WD: $35,960 5.3L 4WD: $39,890 2015 GMC Sierra Elevation Edition PREVIOUS …

Jan 23, 2015 Read more

2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Trim Is Mid-Size Raptor-Hunter

Lots of action in the new 2016 Tacoma range this year. Along with the leather-seated Limited trim come two new TRD packages, with this TRD Off-Road trim level particularly captivating. Huge 35-inch tires, mud-friendly detailing and the AccessCab shown here are all very new and cool indeed. The lift and suspension tweaks for the special-wheeled TRD Off-Road package make it the only mid-size truck capable of going everywhere a Ford Raptor can on the rough stuff. The sandy Moab color help reinforce the Tacoma TRD’s Moab credibility, as do the fender flares and unique grille versus the Limited. A new …

Jan 12, 2015 Read more

30 New Photos! 2016 Toyota Tacoma Delivers Big Tech Upgrades, LED DRLs + New Limited and TRD Trims

Updated 1.12.2015 Thrilled to share the full details of the upcoming Toyota Tacoma, which packs all-new engines and transmissions, a full redesign outside and in, and even a new range-topping Limited trim level. The biggest news for the best-selling Tacoma is the addition of six-speed automatics for the base four-cylinder trucks and the top 3.5-liter V6. The new transmission promises a quicker sprint time as well as a near 15-percent jump in fuel economy all by itself. But it is not working solo. The new V6 is very special indeed, with a truck-first combination of direct and port fuel injection …

Jan 12, 2015 Read more

2015 Toyota GT86 Brings Aero and Giallo Range-Topping Trims

Toyota GB is eager to keep up the GT86 momentum and magic into the 2015 model-year. The rear-drive sportscar carries a cheaper sticker price on the base Primo trim, with an on-the-road total of £23,000. From £27k, buyers have a choice between the Aero or Giallo manual, with the Aero automatic coming in at £28,500. The difference is really a choice between a loaded exterior on the Aero, and a loaded cabin on the Giallo. The bodykit and Supra-style spoiler of the Aero are very cool upgrades indeed, with the charcoal-metallic multi-spoke alloys also a nice treat. The Giallo is …

Jan 11, 2015 Read more

2015 Lexus NX Colors, Trims and Cabin Visualizer + Prices for NX200t vs F Sport vs NX300h

The 2015 Lexus NX is one of the most hotly-researched new crossovers. Its nationwide rollout is in full swing, with three models that all look extremely fresh, modern and premium. The performance of the NX200t, NX200t F Sport and NX300h Hybrid are all respectable, and AWD is available across the board for $1500 extra. Base prices start from just under $35,000 — which is great value for a vehicle that is larger than the BMW X3 inside. The NX is very, very close to the current RX in size, as the next-gen RX350 is expected to grow a bit and …

Dec 31, 2014 Read more

HD Track Drive Review – 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Is Powerful But Huge And Floaty

HD Track Drive Review – 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Updated 12.3.14 With Additional Photos We were slightly embarrassed to come back from Chicago the other month with zero in-focus photos of the Challenger R/T we took for hot track laps. Luckily, another chance presented itself. Certainly a cool machine in the flesh — but the R/T is a luxury car without the sharp handling of the latest Mustangs and Camaro’s. It takes a few ticks toward the Hellcat for the Challenger to add suspension composure to this menacing muscle-coupe style. PREVIOUS We were thrilled to get in the new Challenger …

Dec 03, 2014 Read more

2015 Nissan JUKE Color Studio Offers 4000+ Unique Trims Via 12 Customizable Areas

The new 2015 Nissan Juke Color Studio is a fantastic step forward for Nissan – with MINI-besting combinations of trims that total at least 4000 unique variations. How? Over the eight base Juke coolors for 2015, shoppers can custom-color 12 sections of the body in unique accent shades. Everything from matte black wheels to carbon-fiber-effect wraps creates a mind-boggling level of one-of-a-kind Jukes. Once a shopper has picked their ideal Juke Color Studio combination, the results can be sent right to the local Nissan dealer to be fitted to a new Juke on arrival. The styling of the new …

Dec 02, 2014 Read more

HD Track Drive Review – 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Is Powerful But Huge And Floaty

Updated 10.28.14 With Track Drive Video We were thrilled to get in the new Challenger for some hot laps around Autobahn Country Club — and extra happy it was a V8! But despite being near the top of the range of many Challengers for 2015, this R/T automatic was greatly outclassed by serious sports cars. The R/T felt fast, but also enormously floaty and very heavy around all corners. There was an odd sense of height in the car at all times – like it was riding too high and had a lofty center of gravity as well. In corners, …

Oct 28, 2014 Read more

HD Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Camry XSE Is FAST and QUIET!

Fast and Quiet? Yep. A variation on Fast ‘n’ Loud is what most sedan shoppers actually prefer in their daily drivers, and the Camry XSE nails these benchmarks better than any other mid-size sedan. INTRO Can you imagine how tough the Camry is on competing cars like the Accord and Fusion? As far as we see it, the Camry gets better and better every year — without one slot in the armor of this best-seller to sneak an arrow through? The only area where the previous Camry let its competition get some ideas was with the overall exterior design, …

Oct 28, 2014 Read more

3.2s 2015 Tesla Model D Arriving in February With AWD and AutoPilot in 60D, 85D and 85D Performance Trims

Pretty exciting news last night from Tesla! The Model S is now available with a dual-mode AWD system that boosts mileage by 10-percent and is a $4,500 option on all three battery sizes of the Model S. Few changes outside except a small radar box in the lower nose of the Model D, along with new badges out back. Inside, updated systems integrate a new AutoPilot automated drive mode — but we are still awaiting official details from Tesla on the functionality of the system. Overall, we expect lane-keeping assist, full-speed cruise control with city braking as new convenience and …

Oct 10, 2014 Read more

2016 JAGUAR XE Configurator Is Live! Buyers Guide To Colors, Wheels, Options and Trims

Updated 10.5.14 We’ve spent a few hours with the all-new Jaguar XE configurator today, and are blown away by the amount of customization available on this hot new executive sedan. Far below are are prices for the various trim levels, and included here are the major configurations for Colors, Wheels, Exterior Options, Interior Options and cool accessories. Most of the features are organized into tiled Tallpapers or animations, but the base images are included mid-way down. My final XE R Sport with the 240-horsepower turbo four is viewable at this link – where you can work backwords and change …

Oct 05, 2014 Read more

2015 GMC Sierra ELEVATION and CARBON Editions Bring Top-Flight LEDs and Stylish Black Wheels

Two great options announced today from GMC for those without the $40,000-plus for the Denali: the 2015 Elevation Edition and 2015 Carbon 20 and Carbon 22 Editions. Available on the entry-level engine or the 5.3-liter V8, the Elevation Edition offers GMC Sierra shoppers much of the clean and contemporary style of the F-150 Lariat Sport. This means a largely chrome-free exterior, with body-color grilles, bumpers, mirrors, door handles and other detailing. Pricing for the Carbon 20 Edition starts from $34,000, while the Carbon 22 Edition starts closer to $40,000. Pricing for the Elevation Edition is not yet available, but is …

Sep 19, 2014 Read more

Update1 – 2015 FORD F-150 Style Guide to Trims and Option Packages

A huge volume of new photos and the trim specifics for the new F-150! In a brilliant move, the various trim levels are available in three finishes: standard, Sport and Chrome. This brings a huge level of variety in the lineup — beyond the dozens of engine and cab configurations. The new King Ranch is also looking mighty sexy, but the Lariat Sport would be out choice for the coolest trim style (below the Platinum, that is….) 2015 FORD F-150 Trims 2015 FORD F-150 King Ranch 2015 FORD F-150 XL 2015 FORD F-150 XLT …

Sep 16, 2014 Read more

Updated With Pricing: 2015 Toyota Camry Preview

UPDATED 9.3.14 With Pricing Prices are here for the new Camry! 2015 Toyota Camry – Pricing The Camry LE receives a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $22,970 while the SE will carry a base price of $23,840. The XSE and XLE models will carry identical MSRP’s of $26,150 for models equipped with the four-cylinder and $31,370 for the V6 versions. Pricing for the Camry Hybrid will start at $26,790 for the LE model, $27,995 for the SE, and $29,980 for the premium XLE. The MSRP for the 2015 Camry does not include the delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee …

Sep 02, 2014 Read more

2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Rally Edition Adds Gloss-Black 22-inch Wheels and Black Bowtie/Trims

There are persistent rumors of a big 2015 Silverado upgrade outside as well as with the new eight-speed automatic that joins the fun with this Rally Edition announcement. But the changes may be more under the hood and inside until 2016 or so, based on this latest Rally Edition upgrade. Available on the 1500 Crew Cab V6 or V8, the Rally Edition brings black side steps, black bow-ties, black mirror caps and the hottest gloss-black, 22-inch alloy wheels. A body-color grille and racing stripes complete the accessory makeover on the red truck shown here, but limited updates to the styling …

Aug 21, 2014 Read more

Is Now The Smartest Time To Buy a 2014 Ford F-150? New Truck This Winter Bringing BEST DEALS EVER on Current Models

This is somewhat counter-intuitive for a car news writer to ask – but I’m sure the thought has crossed your mind at some point as well. Here is the scenario: You want and need a new truck. New F-150 looks awesome, so you have been waiting to see it come out before you decide whether to buy one. But here is an alternative scenario: Save yourself $10,000 or more buy snapping up one of the 2014-model-year trucks — loaded to the gills and priced to move. Tempting, right? As new as the 2015 F-150 is, the 2014 truck is still …

Jul 13, 2014 Read more

2015 Dodge Challenger Is Sporty At All Levels – 6.4L Scat Pack, 5.7L V8 RT and Even V6 Super Track Pak!

The biggest news for the 2015 Challenger is thew engine/powertrain advancement in all trim levels — not least the 707-horsepower SRT Hellcat supercharged. But there are huge, huge benefits inside the cabin to close deals with shoppers. While the exterior is barely-altered in the sheetmetal shapes of the body – the cabin is completely fresh in every way. Big upgrades to drive-ability come with the latest eight-speed ZF automatic up and down the range, which will help with the sometimes-lungy downshift style of the existing model. Perhaps even more notable than the Shaker, 392 and SRT is how great the …

Jul 11, 2014 Read more

2015 Lincoln MKC Arriving in Showrooms Now – 2.0L EcoBoost from $34k, 2.3L WIth 285HP from $40k

The new MKC is huge news for Lincoln – at a time when this is the exact product the company needs. Lincoln needs the MKC to really enjoy some of the sales gains being logged by Audi and even Cadillac. Speaking of Cadillac, the MKC hits a big hole in this cross-town rival’s product portfolio. A mid-size premium crossover is an exploding segment, and the MKC is right atop the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 on size and price. The pricing is a bit more ambitious than expected – with the $34,000 base price for the 2.0-liter EcoBoost climbing up …

Jul 01, 2014 Read more

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class in 40 New Photos – C300 and C400 Both 4Matic As Standard

Update 6.20.14 The new C-Class is looking very sharp in these photos from London and the English countryside! Please disregard the engine badges and driving position of these photos – our American-market launch cars are the C300 4Matic and C400 4Matic — both with standard all-wheel-drive to start. Down the road there is likely to be a rear-drive C250 model as well. The C400 4Matic is set to be one of the year’s best cars – it brings air suspension to the mid-size luxury class for the first time ever. Air springs are heavenly on the latest crop of Mercedes …

Jun 20, 2014 Read more

2014 Jeep Wrangler Visual Buyers Guide to Trims, Tops, Colors and Options

The Jeep Wrangler lineup is larger and more inviting than ever for 2014. 2014 Jeep Wrangler Standard V6 power and a new six-speed manual start things off in the two-door trucks from about $23,000 — which is an excellent driver’s package versus previous entry-level Wranglers. The Wrangler with the four-cylinder and automatic in the 1990s (of my high school days) was a very fun truck to ride around town in. Truly one for those who want to see and be seen doing the coolest things with the coolest people. But at anything over 50mph, the soft-top Wranglers of the …

Jun 18, 2014 Read more

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Grows Larger, More Rapid, and More Plush with C300/C400 4Matic

The current C-Class Mercedes-Benz is a consistent seller for the brand, but not quite the desirable and aspirational model that the BMW 3 series is among young executives. Mercedes has taken this to heart, with the American market set to receive two all-new models that are both turbocharged, all-wheel-drive, and much larger inside. Power figures for the C300 4Matic are 235 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of toque via a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, while the new C400 4Matic brings 329 horsepower and a whopping 354 pound-feet of torque. The C400 is powered by a next-gen turbocharged V6 engine, ensuring efficiency at or …

May 01, 2014 Read more

Building My 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 – Buyers Guide to Colors, Wheels and Must-Have Options

If you only read this one sentence– there are only two major CLA250 options you need to check to make your new Merc (said as: ‘Merk’) the coolest kid on the block: — Sport pack: $2,200 – New sills, front and rear bumpers, and overall styling enhancement versus the standard car — Bi-xenon + LED pack: $850 – Halogen headlights? No thanks! These also bring cool LED accents front and back. The CLA250 is fresh off the boats this year, and looks amazing in the flesh. It really does. With a $29,900 price attached for the base models, …

Apr 23, 2014 Read more

2015 FORD F-150 Trims, Colors and Tech Features – LED vs Halogen Headlights

LED TECH DETAILS The LED low and high-beam headlights of this Platinum model are quite refreshing, especially when parked next to the also-new 2015 Expedition and its projector beams. The latest lighting of the F-150 instantly makes everything else seem very outmoded — when when the lights are not switched on. When they are, forget-about-it… Competing for style or energy efficiency via halogen or even HID lamps will be impossible. The LED theme continues in the blinker setup as well, with that subtle outline illuminating for turn indicators. In an ultra-cool touch, the amber portion is only colored when the …

Apr 19, 2014 Read more

3.8s 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible — MEGA Buyers Guide — Pricing, Specs, Equipment, Interiors, Colors, Wheels and Options

INTRO: You do not see 150-image buyers guides in any car magazine or magazine iPad app, that is for sure! Why? It takes sooooo, soooo loooong to put something like this together. I hope it is helpful and entertaining to those with — or without — a Stingray ragtop in their future! There is fresh content all the way down to the bottom of this page. =] A few insights after a very deep dive into the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible’s specs, pricing and configuration options. — In my opinion, the drop-top looks even better than the hardtop…. but, the …

Apr 02, 2014 Read more

2015 Range Rover Evoque Autobiography Adds New Trims and 40HP, But US Arrival Unknown

The Geneva press days are about to be in full swing, so please accept less-thorough articles while all this hot new metal breaks cover. The 2015 Evoque Autobiography Dynamic trim is a welcome addition to the remarkably-stale Evoque in U.S. showrooms. Is it just me? This car was endlessly lauded in the UK as the ‘second coming’ — but as a result the company did not manage to get it on American roads until nearly two years later. (By which time it had lost most of its impressive launch momentum, and only faced hard critiques here of its $50,000 pricing …

Mar 03, 2014 Read more

Buyers Guide — 2014 Jeep Wrangler — Doors, Trims, Tops and Options + All Colors Visualized

The Jeep Wrangler lineup is larger and more inviting than ever for 2014. Standard V6 power and a new six-speed manual start things off in the two-door trucks from about $23,000 — which is an excellent driver’s package versus previous entry-level Wranglers. The Wrangler with the four-cylinder and automatic in the 1990s (of my high school days) was a very fun truck to ride around town in. Truly one for those who want to see and be seen doing the coolest things with the coolest people. But at anything over 50mph, the soft-top Wranglers of the 1990s lost me …

Feb 22, 2014 Read more

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee – Buyers Guide to Engines, Suspensions and Top Trims: Summit, Altitude and Overland

The 2014 Grand Cherokee is a hugely versatile truck – both in terms of its on-road/off-road skill set and the numerous configurations available. The base Jeep GC Laredo comes in at just $29,000 – and even this 4×2 truck has the latest 3.6-liter engine and eight-speed automatic. In other words, it is no slouch and a solid handler in corners from that light nose. But many buyers will have major engine envy if they stick with the V6. Why? The Three other optional engines catapult the Grand Cherokee from competing with the Ford Explorer — and on to competing with …

Jan 28, 2014 Read more

Hot New Wagons: 2014 Volvo V60 Coming to U.S. with R-Design and Polestar Trims

The Volvo V60 is an exciting new entrant for the Swedish luxury brand. This core Volvo model was initially left off the American price sheets in favor of the much larger V70 and XC70 Cross Country, but Volvo has now come to its senses! What the V60 offers is the mid-size package from the S60 sedan, including all the latest styling updates and tech enhancements inside. The R-Design’s new T6 engine promises about 304 horsepower and a ~5.7-second sprint to 60 mph, while the Polestar could bring up to 375 horsepower for a sub-5-second sprint time. Polestars come with AWD …

Dec 09, 2013 Read more