Genesis X Convertible Soaks Up The Sun In L.A. Sharpens Brand’s Focus On Electrification

Genesis promised something special for the third concept in its “X” series of show cars, and the upstart luxury brand has managed to deliver the goods in spades with the L.A. reveal of the Genesis X Convertible concept.   X Convertible Is The Droptop Version Of The Speedium We Never Knew We Wanted At first glance, the X convertible looks like the Speedium concept, but unlike the coupe, chopping off the roof allowed designers to go further with the design. The front fascia still features a grille less panel with the lighting elements wrapping from fender to fender while also …

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2023 Honda Accord Brings New Style, Technology, and Green Tech To Iconic Sedan

Updating an iconic vehicle like the Honda Accord is a task that many folks would be glad to not undertake. The challenge of updating an icon without altering the fundamental DNA that makes it a sales success is a formidable task for any design team. But Honda thinks it has the right formula in place for the 2023 Honda Accord which brings more technology, style, and better hybrid technology to the long-running four door.   Accord Styling Comes With Higher Civic Content Honda designers gave the Accord new styling for 2023 with the front fascia featuring new headlights and a …

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2023 Honda Pilot Brings More Rugged DNA and Poise To SUV Wars

The Honda Pilot has always served as the ultimate example of what bad timing can do to a model. While the first generation model was one of the pioneering models responsible for ushering in the current SUV sales race, fate would not be kind to it for its second generation. Honda decided to go for a boxier look, but an increase in fuel prices and pedestrian exterior styling helped blunt demand. The third generation tried to return to its roots, but the same styling woes didn’t help. Honda is hoping that the 2023 Pilot will be the one that helps …

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Dodge Claims Inline-Six Can Fit In EV Charger, Could It Hint At Hybrid Model?

When we last saw the next-generation Dodge Charger, it was during the 2022 Woodward Dream Cruise that the brand used it to headline its celebration of horsepower and the end of the road for the current generation Charger and Challenger models. Dodge reps claim that the Charger (and we assume the Challenger) will be all-electric for now, but a new comment from brand boss Tim Kuniskis appears to perhaps leave open the possibility of a gasoline-powered version of the model in the near future.   Inline-Six Can Fit In Sleek Muscle Car The comment came during an interview that Kuniskis …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Genesis G80 – Latest G80 Moves Even Closer To German Rivals

The Genesis G80 has always been our favorite whenever it visits the office. It was already an exceptional value lay in the luxury segment when it was known as the Hyundai Genesis. The second generation G80 pivoted closer to the brand’s core mission, but there was no denying that it was still a Hyundai underneath. Genesis has listened to these complaints and has launched the revamped 2022 G80. But is this radical refresh finally enough to make the G80 a true threat to German mainstay models?   Elegant Styling Makes G80 Look Like Jewelry As mentioned, a prominent complaint of …

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Barbie Gets New Wheels With Maserati Grecale Barbie Edition, Only Two Will Be Built

Mattel and its lineup of Barbie dolls have had a long and very storied career of global success. But when Barbie is not moonlighting as the ultimate freelance worker for hire (remember when she was an astronaut?) She also has the toy car market covered, with numerous Jeeps, RVs, and even a few Corvettes adorned with the Barbie logo over the years. However, the iconic doll is about to get her most exotic ride yet, thanks to a new partnership between Maserati and Mattel that involves the all-new Grecale Barbie Edition.   Grecale Barbie Edition Looks Pretty In Pink, Moves …

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2023 Honda Accord Teased, New Styling And A Reworked Interior Are In The Pipe For Family Sedan

The Honda Accord is still one of the Japanese auto giant’s strongest sellers, and the current generation model has received rave reviews for its interior as well as the potent 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder lurking under the hood. However, its Acura-esque lines make it blend into traffic a bit too well, but Honda appears to have a solution to that first-world problem, with the first teaser images of the 2023 Accord pointing to a much more potent package that’s in the works.   Accord Takes Civic Inspiration And Adds Its Own DNA To It Honda claims that the 2023 Accord …

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2023 Escape Debuts With New Styling, ST-Line Model, And SYNC 4, Promises More Value Too

The Ford Escape has been the perfect foot soldier for Ford ever since it first appeared in the early 2000s. Strong sales have been a hallmark of the popular CUV, and the 2019 version brought welcome changes to the model for CUV buyers. It’s now time for its first major mid-cycle update, and Ford is dialing in a few pages from Lincoln’s playbook while also adding some polish to the exterior and interior for the 2023 Ford Escape.   Buttoned-Down Styling Helps Escape Embrace Luxury Side Of Life The 2019 model’s exterior styling had a look that was an interesting …

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2024 GMC Sierra Denali Edition 1 EV Plugs In For More Capability And Performance, Other Trims To Follow

The GMC Sierra and the Chevrolet Silverado have always followed a pendulum-like motion regarding major updates or new models. What one gets is ultimately shared with the other, and that includes the electrification side of the coin. With the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV serving as the opening salvo, GM has unveiled the other piece of the puzzle, the 2024 GMC Sierra Denali Edition 1 EV, which mixes similar traits with a distinctly different approach to electrification to bring the fight to Ford and other rivals.   Sierra EV And Silverado Similarities Are Only Skin Deep At first glance, the Sierra …

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Rolls Royce Debuts All-Electric Spectre, Bespoke EV Boasts 260 Miles Of Range

When Rolls Royce first announced plans for the Spectre it appeared to go against everything that Rolls Royce stood for. For countless decades, Rolls Royce was proud to promote its twelve-cylinder powered heritage and dismissed any notion of electrification in its lineup (except for the occasional experimental concept.) But the gloves are now off, and Rolls Royce has finally unveiled its entry into the EV wars, the 2023 Rolls Royce Spectre.   The Spectre Is A Prelude To A New Era While the 2023 Rolls Royce SPectre continues the long-running tradition of being named after various aspects of the paranormal, …

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2025 Cadillac Celestiq Rewrites The Rules of EV Luxury, Will Be Most Important Cadillac Yet

Cadillac has made it clear that they intend to take the EV market very seriously as the luxury brand continues its transformation into an all-electric brand. We got a small slice of this impending future when we had the chance to get behind the wheel of the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq all-electric SUV. However, Cadillac is now about to embark in a rather ambitious direction with its second EV offering, the 2025 Cadillac Celestiq.   Sleek Celestiq Bodywork Hides State Of The Art Structure   The exterior styling of the Celestiq has changed little from when we last saw it as …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Jaguar F-Pace SVR – This Cat Still Has Claws

The auto industry is rapidly changing, and no brand serves as a better example of this fact of life than Jaguar. It wasn’t too long ago that Jaguar was once a brand defined by car-based offerings (SUVs were left to corporate sibling Land Rover.) In recent years, sluggish sales and the strong surge in SUV demand forced Jaguar to change its core identity and embrace the utility vehicle with the debut of the F-Pace and the smaller E-Pace. The standard F-Pace is already an impressive luxury SUV that delivers luxury and spirited performance in a balanced package. But what if …

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Chevrolet Proves That Size Is Indeed Better With 2024 Chevrolet Trax, Bigger Than Trailblazer

We might not be betting men here at Car-Revs-Daily , but if you told us that the Chevrolet Trax was coming back for 2024, we would’ve scoffed at the notion. When we last saw it in the market, the Trax was being upstaged by the Chevrolet Trailblazer, a bigger model that packed more interior technology into its compact frame. As a result, the Trax was axed, but the surprise appearance of the 2024 Trax not only helps the proverbial underdog bettor cash in on their bet but also expands GM’s sales pie to include another CUV-sub-segment.   Bigger Trax Offers More …

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2024 GMC Sierra Family Makes Global Debut, Denali Ultimate And AT4X Highlight Revisions

GMC has been rapidly moving towards solidifying its position in the premium pickup market while also preparing for an all-EV future with the Hummer family and the all-electric Sierra 1500, which will debut soon. In the meantime, the brand also understands that the bulk of its customers use their trucks for extreme amounts of work and has followed Chevrolet’s lead by unveiling the revamped 2024 Sierra HD lineup, which introduces new technologies and two new models to the HD ranks.   Refreshed Styling And Identity Define Sierra HD Styling Tweaks Like the 2024 Silverado HD, GMC designers gave the Sierra …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Volkswagen Jetta SEL – The Jetta For The Masses?

Volkswagen may be rapidly expanding its presence in the utility vehicle market, but it also understands that the compact sedan segment is still hotly contested in the broader sales sphere. The Jetta has certainly gone through its ups and downs, but while the GLI we recently reviewed provides budget enthusiasts with a pinch of GTI-inspired performance flavor, we wanted to see how the Jetta does as a vehicle of the masses and we decided to spend some time with a 2022 Jetta SEL to see how it fares in this role.   Jetta’s Exterior Styling Blends In With The Masses, …

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Road Test Review – 2023 Hyundai Palisade – A Nip And A Tuck Make This SUV A Better Companion

It’s tough to build on something that’s already proven to be a sales winner, and that was certainly the case when Hyundai made the 2023 Hyundai Palisade. The hot-selling three-row SUV is a very popular choice with consumers. Still, while we were impressed with the interior and some of the design choices Hyundai made, it was balanced out by some odd omissions as well as a range-topping model that did little to tell you that you were at the top of the range. The Korean car giant set out to fix all that with the 2023 Palisade, but have they …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge – The Perfect Balance Of Usability And Electrification?

Electrification is rapidly becoming a production inevitability with more automakers pledging to have all-electric lineups in the next few years. However, it’s also well known that not everyone is willing to embrace the cord just yet. As such a middle ground is needed, and Volvo thinks its Recharge lineup of plug-in hybrid models strike the perfect balance, but does it really serve as the perfect entry point for green customers? We went for a spin in the 2022 Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge to see if it succeeds in doing just that.   XC60 Recharge Strives To Create Perfect Balance When …

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2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost Pays Homage To Iconic Motor City Legend, Only 300 To Be Built

We are nearing the end of Dodge’s Last Call model series. While some have been mere style packages, others have packed some serious performance under their chiseled hoods. The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is the latter and not only does it ay homage to a Detroit racing legend, but also ups the horsepower ante too.   Black Ghost Story Goes Back Seven Decades The story of the original Black Ghost begins back in the 1970s, long before Woodward Avenue became known for the Woodward Dream Cruise and the swarms of Royal Oak Police department officers that often accompany it. …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Toyota Tundra Platinum – Toyota Aims For The Luxury Benchmarks, Is It Enough?

To say that the previous generation Toyota Tundra pickup was a relic from a bygone time was no understatement. With styling that dated all the way back to 2006 (when this author was in high school) and a one-size fits all V8 engine, the Tundra was an old-school model that was rapidly losing ground to many full-size rivals. That included the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, and the Ram 1500, which all have received multiple updates and smaller engines to appeal to a more fuel-conscious consumer base. The 2022 Tundra finally pushes the Tundra into the modern age, but is it …

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2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Emerges As New Range Topper, Sinister Pony Promises 500 Plus Horsepower

The 2024 Ford Mustang certainly made plenty of waves when it made its debut in the heart of the Motor City. It turns out that Ford had a surprise up its sleeve with the debut of the all-new Dark Horse model which will not only be the new range topping model in the main Mustang family, but it will also be the most powerful model too.   Three Year Dark Horse Project Produces A Performance Filled Monster Ford revealed that the Dark Horse was a three year project in the making and was designed to redefine the level of performance …

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2024 Ford Mustang Embraces New Technology And Beefier Performance In Quest For Muscle Car Supremacy

It’s not often that we get to see the debut of an all-new Ford Mustang. The last time we saw an all-new Mustang was back in 2015 when the sixth generation Mustang made its global debut (minus the heavily camouflaged one we saw at Woodward.) The model has aged well since then, but the steady march of technology and progress has begun to expose a few wrinkles in its muscle car ambitions. Ford is out to show that the Mustang still has youth and vigor and it has done so with the unveiling of the 2024 Ford Mustang, which leaps …

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Chrysler Reveals 2023 Chrysler 300C, Scat Pack Infused 300 To Serve As Swan Song For Model

Chrysler promised that something powerful was coming to the brand for 2023. While it’s unfortunately not a Hellcat powered creation, Chrysler instead chose to dust off an old but very potent formula with the unveiling of the 2023 Chrysler 300C which brings potent V8 power to the venerable 300 for one final time.   Familiarity Plays Big Role In 2023 300C If you feel like you have seen this script play out before you’re not wrong, and that’s because the 2023 Chrysler 300C is roughly a rebadged version of the international market 300 SRT and is also a sequel to …

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Jeep Eyes The EV Wars With 2023 Recon, Small EV Promises Wrangler Capability In Tidy Compact Package

Jeep’s 4xe day has begun, and the brand not only used the occasion to elaborate on its EV plans but also show the spearhead of this offensive with three all-new Jeep EVs that aim to shake the very foundation of Jeep to its core. While the Jeep Avenger will be a Europe-only offering, the off-road brand showed us one of two U.S.-bound models, the 2023 Jeep Recon.   Recon Provides Glimpse Into Trail Slaying Strategy The 2023 Recon was the surprise unveiling of 4xe day, and while it may look like an all-electric Wrangler replacement, Jeep assures us that it …

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2023 Toyota GR Corolla Pricing Revealed, Starts At $36,996 And Promises Budget Fun

The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla certainly did a good job catching our attention when Toyota unveiled it earlier this year. It caught our attention so much that this author is actually planning to buy one (no joke) thanks to its all-wheel drive system, turbocharged three cylinder engine, and its potent exterior styling. But while Toyota talked a good game about the GR Corolla being budget friendly, we didn’t hear anything about formal pricing for the fire breathing compact. Until now, with the Japanese auto giant revealing that elusive figure in an announcement earlier this morning  Core Model Leads The Way …

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2023 Bentley Flying Spur Speed Is Luxury Lined Rocket, Retains 626 hp W12

While the Bentley Bentayga and Bentley’s upcoming electrification strategy have undoubtedly taken the bulk of the world’s attention, it can be easy to forget that the company also has the venerable Flying Spur sedan. When we last experienced the luxury-lined borderline limousine, it was in a smaller V8 package, and it certainly delivered a solid first impression. But what if you’re a business tycoon, world leader, or enthusiast that prefers to have a pinch of speed to your limo experience? Bentley has the answer to that very question with the 2023 Bentley Flying Spur Speed.   More Performance And Flying …

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Could The World Be In For A Longer Wait For Full Auto Autonomy? Toyota Pumps The Brakes On Rumors

The prospect of a world where automobiles drive themselves may seem like science fiction, and in the minds of some in politicians and the industry as a whole, it’s a logical goal to strive for. However is the world truly ready for fully autonomous vehicles? If statements from Toyota reps are to be believed, then the answer is hazier then perhaps many expected. Toyota Sheds New Light On AV Plans, Clarifies Details Toyota’s remarks came during a day of presentations both at the Toyota Research and Development Center outside Ann Arbor and the nearby American Center for Mobility (ACM.) While …

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Road Test Review-2022 Subaru WRX Limited – Is It Still The Budget Rally King?

It wasn’t too long ago when the world of rally cars had a significant influence in the automotive world. Subaru and Mitsubishi were the two titans in this war with the two Japanese firms always traying to outdo one another with the Impreza and the Lancer. However, these times have long since faded away, and with the Lancer gone and the WRX STI also pushed to the proverbial dustbin. Can the 2022 Impreza WRX still deliver fun to drivers while also complying with the changing times?   Half Baked WRX Styling A Far Cry From The Old Days @carlmalek #highschool …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Maserati Levante Trofeo – Ferrari Power In A Maserati Badged Designer Suit

A Maserati is a rare treat, an Italian-themed slice of perfection that’s supposed to show that you made it in the high-paced society that we all live in. That said, it’s no secret that the marque has had a turbulent history recently, especially in the decades before it ended up in the fold of the juggernaut now known as Stellantis. Maserati has greatly benefitted from this arraignment and even used it to help prepare its first-ever SUV model, the Levante. While lesser Levantes are known for coddling occupants in world-class comfort, the Trofeo model serves to satiate buyers looking for …

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Ford Teams Up With Jay Leno And Walmart To Recreate Sam Walton’s F Series Truck In Lightning Form

The 2022 Woodward Dream Cruise might’ve had a soggy end to the festivities due to rain squalls in the area, but before the heavens unleashed buckets of rain, the sun and blue skies held out long enough for celebrity and everyone’s favorite car enthusiast Jay Leno to unveil a brand new Ford F-150 Lightning project truck that not only pays homage to Sam Walton’s original F-150 pickup but also celebrates a collaboration between the star and Walmart.   F-150 Lightning Paying Homage To Frugality Of A Classic   Walmart is a robust shopping juggernaut these days, but it can be …

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Dodge Announces Challenger Drag Pak Bodies, Confirms Carbon Fiber Charger Bodies Too

Dodge had plenty to talk about the past few days; from the Challenger Droptop to the recently unveiled Dodge Hornet, it’s clear that Dodge is trying to boldly transition to a new era. But what if you’re a drag racer looking to build the track-slaying monster of your dreams but want to go about things your own way? Dodge has the answer with a new wave of rolling bodies that will allow you to do just that.    A Pair Of Options For Any Budget Modifying and creating a drag racer can be a very pricey and intensive headache, but …

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Dodge Confirms Droptop Challenger, Simplifies The Order Process Too

As long as we can remember, Dodge loyalists have clamored for the brand to produce a droptop version of the firebreathing Challenger coupe, and for roughly the same amount of time, Dodge said no, and other than releasing a concept or two, the brand didn’t send any signals about a production version that emulated classics from the 1970s. That forced buyers to go to the aftermarket and torpedo their warranty. Dodge is out to change that by unveiling the all-new Challenger Droptop.   Dropping The Top On Fun In The Sun Is Challenger Droptop’s Forte Dodge was quick to reveal …

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Lucid Embraces Its Dark Side With All-New Stealth Package, Will Debut At Monterey

The recent trend of adding blacked out special editions to all sorts of models have certainly not been overlooked with a wide plethora of automakers adding the sinister treatment to models big and small. The folks at Lucid Motors have taken notice, and have revealed an all-new Stealth Package for the Air sedan which aims to transform this sleek EV sedan into a elegantly sinister four door.   Blacking Out The Bright Bits Like other stealth packages we have seen over the past few years, this one largely follows the same core script when it comes to upgrades with Lucid …

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2023 Mazda CX-50 Meridian Edition Hits The Order Books, Highlights Broader Price Increase

The Mazda CX-50 is perhaps one of the most interesting SUV entries that we have seen in recent years. It’s a rugged trail runner but it still has enough sporty style and west coast substance to look good on any designers sketchpad. It’s driving manners certainly impressed us both in California as well as our home turf. However, the one flavor of CX-50 that has proven to be elusive is the Meridian Edition. This version promised to turn the volume up a notch in many regards and was promoted as an upgrade over lesser models. Mazda has ended it’s radio …

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2023 Ford Maverick Tremor Brings Trail Ready Fun To Ford’s Value Friendly Urban Truck

When we reviewed the Ford Maverick recently, we highlighted all the things that it had going for it, including its impressive fuel economy as well as some of the ingenious features Ford engineered into the truck (like the tailgate-mounted bottle opener.) However, the one significant flaw is that the Maverick wasn’t able to flex its muscles out on the open trail, with the hybrid model being limited to front-wheel drive and the all-wheel drive model not having enough rugged bits to make it a good trail runner. Ford has changed that with the 2023 Ford Maverick Tremor, which takes things …

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Road Test Review – 2022 F-150 Lightning – Electrcity Adds New Angle To Ford’s Best Seller

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is arguably one of the most highly anticipated EVs in recent memory. While it was beaten to production by the Rivian R1T, Ford is still in a position to make a splash in the EV pickup wars, especially since the Tesla Cybertruck has still not entered production despite repeated promises by Elon Musk and Tesla representatives. But does the Lightning give the F-150 the perfect opportunity to dominate another pickup market niche, or is it an evolutionary dead end for an icon?   F-150 Lightning Styling Combines Familiarity With Slick Touches When you first lay …

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Rolls Royce Spectre Testing Moves To France, Company Confirms It Will Retain Core Character

Rolls Royce made waves a short while ago when it revealed that it was producing the Spectre EV. The Spectre will be the first EV to move beyond concepts and limited production exercises with the model showing the world what a production Rolls Royce EV will look like. Rolls confirmed that testing has now moved to the coastal scenery of France, and they even revealed some new things about the Spectre, including the suspension.   Ghostly Spectre Will Be A Different Kind Of EV The Spectre may be taking Rolls on the fast track to electrification but that doesn’t mean …

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2023 Chevrolet Colorado Doubles Down On Four Cylinders, Debuts New Trail Boss Trim

It has been eight years since we last got an updated Chevrolet Colorado model, and while the current generation is still a strong seller for Chevy, it’s no secret that it’s also aging, especially in the face of updated rivals like the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma. Chevrolet has sought to change that in a big way with the unveiling of the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado, which aims to be a more potent offering for the new model year.   Colorado’s Crisper Styling Preps It For The Young Buyers  As mentioned, the Colorado’s styling was starting to noticeably age, and …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge – Stylish CUV Trades Practicality For Good Looks

There was a time when square and boxy styling defined many SUV and other utility offerings. Volvo was once considered a prominent player in this cube-themed world, thanks mainly to its lineup of estates. But as tastes have changed, the brutish slab-sided entries of yesteryear are rapidly being replaced by curvy rounded offerings aiming to achieve maximum fuel economy. Volvo is aware of the times and has been working on adding some curves to its lineup. That includes the 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge but does this EV have what it takes to be a good gateway into Volvo’s electrified future? …

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2024 Chevrolet Blazer Adds Electrified Tech To Iconic Nameplate, Will Join Equinox EV

When Chevrolet announced that they would electrify the Blazer, we were curious to see how the brand would tackle this challenge head-on. Subsequent teaser images of the Blazer revealed that a very futuristic overhaul was in store but not much else about what lurked underneath the skin. That changes today with the unveiling of the 2024 Blazer EV. Blazer EV Reboots Sporty Intentions The ICE-powered Blazer was clearly inspired by the Chevrolet Camaro but this time around, the EV version goes off in a clearly different direction. The front fascia is bolder than it’s ICE counterpart and it comes adorned …

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2023 Ford Raptor R Brings The V8 Back To Off-Roaders, Why Ford Pulled The Trigger?

Prior to today’s unveiling of the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R, the current Raptor model family was defined by its use of twin-turbocharged V6 engines with the 3.5 liter for the F-150 and the smaller 3.0 liter for the Bronco version. However, it can be easy to forget that a V8 once lurked under the hood of older Raptor models before the Blue Oval axed it for better fuel economy and less weight. So why did Ford reverse course and bring an eight-cylinder back into the fold? Read on to find out.   The Return Of The V8 Was Demanded …

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Hyundai Sheds New Details On Ioniq 6 EV, Promises Over 300 Mile WTLP Range

When Hyundai first revealed that the Ioniq 6 was coming, some of the early appetizers of information were delectable, but they also made us eagerly await the main course. Hyundai has finally delivered the goods (kind of). While the Korean auto giant is still keeping key details to itself, we finally have enough information about the Ioniq 6 to build at least a preliminary picture of what buyers can expect.    Ioniq 6, A Proverbial Streamliner The Ioniq 6 was purpose-built for maximizing green efficiency, but while it may look like a four-door sedan, don’t call it that in front …

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Celestiq Teasers Enhance Art Theme, Cadillac Confirms July Debut

The Cadillac Celestiq is rapidly shaping up to be an iconic model for the brand and could perhaps be the most significant Cadillac in recent memory. But while we have seen prior glimpses of the model (as well as spent time behind the wheel of its EV partner in crime, the 2023 Lyriq,) this latest round of teasers gives us our best view yet of the interior while also confirming that the model will make its global debut on July 22nd.   Prominent Colors Highlight Timeless Celestiq Luxury Colors and lighting will be very prominent in the EV lineup moving …

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Road Test Followup – 2023 Mazda CX-50 Premium Plus Turbo – A Bargain For All Of America?

When we last met the 2023 Mazda CX-50 in the sun-kissed state of California, we put the SUV through its paces on mountain roads, trails, and even the coastal freeways that dotted our route. However, we were curious to see how the CX-50 could measure up on the opposite side of the country, especially in Michigan.   CX-50 Does A Color Reversal In our first outing, we traveled through California in an example that was slathered in Polymetal Grey Paint. This time, we got to see the Zircon Sand Metallic hue in person and when viewed in the sunny weather that …

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Cadillac Teases Track Themed CT4-V Blackwing Track Editon, Will Make Debut In July

Cadillac’s success in the IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship series has elevated the brand’s racing reputation and to help celebrate, it appears that Cadillac will be unveiling a special track-focused version of the CT4-V Blackwing but what will the Track Edition bring to the table when it debuts in July?   Track-Focused CT4-V Blackwing Styling Raises Eyebrows View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cadillac Performance (@cadillacvseries) On the surface, it would appear that this model will be mainly a styling exercise designed to try and bring customers closer to the track-oriented atmosphere that the Blackwing is promoting. Cadillac’s …

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Hyundai Unveils 2023 Ioniq 6 Concept, Previews Sequel To Ioniq 5 SUV

When we last saw the Hyundai Prophecy concept it served as a preview of what customers could expect from the second member of the Ioniq brand. Unlike the smaller 5, the 6 would be a large four-door sedan that had the Tesla Model S and others firmly in its sights. The Nostradamus-inspired moniker was supposed to make its debut Wednesday, but an ill-timed leak disrupted the timeline and forced Hyundai to unveil the sleek four-door earlier than planned. That said, the 2023 Ioniq 6 still brings a number of cool things to the table that should please consumers.   Purposeful …

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First Drive Review – 2023 Cadillac Lyriq RWD – The Harbringer Of Cadillac’s EV Future

Remember back when Cadillac was once one of the pillars in the U.S. luxury car market? Back in the 1920s and 1930s owning a Cadillac was a sign that you made it in life and that you had the wallet needed to put one in your garage. Since then, Cadillac’s star has gone through its fair share of ups and downs as it strived to stand out from established German contenders, as well as upstart Japanese brands like Lexus and Acura. The brand is looking to change that with the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq which elevates Cadillac into a new realm …

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Hyundai Teases Ioniq 6 Once Again, Could Production Be Already Underway?

It has been a very busy day for Hyundai, in addition to breaking ground on the state of the art STIL facility that will be built in Michigan, the company also released more teasers of the upcoming Ioniq 6 a bigger EV that aims to form a potent combination when it eventually joins the Ioniq 5 in dealer showrooms.   Ioniq 6, A Constant Stream Of Teasers Unlike some of their rivals, Hyundai has made keeping track of the Ioniq 6’s progress easy thanks to a devoted website that promises new teaser images daily though it stops far short of …

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Brawny Chevrolet SIlverado ZR2 Bison Teased, Latest Fruit Of GM & AEV Partnership

With the Ram TRX and the Ford F-150 Raptor duking it out in the high-performance off-road segment, Chevrolet’s Silverado ZR2 has contently preferred to go about business in its own unique way. Trading raw speed for backwoods prowess, the folks at Chevrolet have already seen strong demand for its bow tie badged bruiser. However, more power and more capability are the defining hallmarks of the segment, and Chevrolet has begun teasing the latest addition to the family, the Silverado ZR2 Bison.   Bigger ZR2 Bison Aiming For Bigger Prey For now, the only view of the truck that we get …

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Cadillac Celestiq Interior Images Tease Vibrant Elegance, Bentley Like Luxury

Cadillac’s mysterious Celestiq hyper flagship sedan has not only spawned its own rumor mill but also raised questions about what Cadillac is up to in regards to the mysterious flagship offering. The car has also eluded the lenses of cameras and has so far not been documented out in the wild. In the meantime, Cadillac has been releasing teaser images of the car via GM’s Design Instagram page, and several new ones today give us glimpses of the interior.   Red Celestiq Interior Reminds Us Of A Ruby, Teases Evolution Of Luxury The images in question show an interior that’s …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Land Rover Defender 90 V8 – Insanity In A Fine Leather Suit

The 2022 Land Rover Defender V8 is the answer to a question that few asked. What would happen if you took the trail-ready Defender and infused a pinch of SVR magic into its off-road DNA? The very notion of such a thing may seem outright insane at first glance, but as we discovered, there’s more here than the sum of its parts.   Handsome Looks On A Short Wheelbase Add Depth To Defender The exterior styling of the Defender V8 will certainly draw plenty of stares though it won’t be because of any bright work or shouty exterior styling. Instead, …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Kia EV GT vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 – Which One Is Better?

Hyundai and Kia are both preparing for an EV-fueled future with the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Both of these SUVs are eager to show off their green roots but go about it in different ways. But which one is best? We decided to follow up on Ben Lewis’s recent experience with the EV6 to see which one is indeed best?   Ioniq & EV6 Birds Of A Different Feather Both of these models share the same platform, but that doesn’t mean that things have devolved into a situation like the old Chevrolet Trailblazer and its myriad of …

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2023 Hyundai Palisade Pricing Revealed, XRT Model Enters The Spotlight

The Hyundai Palisade has rapidly become one of Hyundai’s best-selling SUV models. Its combination of size, luxury, and seating has made it resonate well with customers, and we were pleasantly surprised when the second-generation model made its appearance at the Chicago Auto Show. At the time, Hyundai wasn’t ready to discuss pricing, but the Korean auto giant is now dropping the goods on the hard numbers as well as the all-new XRT trim.   Rugged XRT Has Trails In Its Sights The XRT model follows the same basic theme that we have seen in some of its rivals, with Hyundai …

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Honda Releases New Footage Of 2023 Type R On Nurburgring, Confirms Wait Is Nearly Over

Honda is confirming that the wait for the next-generation Type R is nearly over with the Japanese auto giant confirming that the updated model will make its global debut this summer. In the meantime, Honda reps have decided to deliver a consolation prize and released an all-new video highlighting the Type R’s recent trip to the famed Nurburgring Nordschliefe raceway in Germany.   Civic Type R, A Track Ready Beast The 39-second video that Honda released doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking here, the car is still camouflaged, and it appears to still have the chops to back up the checks that …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Jaguar F-Pace S P340 AWD – This Cat’s Got Claws

The Jaguar F-Pace has always stood out when it comes to its ability to be a practical family hauler and moonlight as an enthusiast sleeper pick when you have the chance to go down twistier sections of tarmac. The F-Pace has proven to be a sales hit for Jaguar, and its success even inspired the company to release the smaller E-Pace. That said, does the 2022 F-Pace still have the chops to hang with the segment’s best, or are its recent round of updates not enough to keep it from falling behind the pack?   F-Pace’s Callum Penned Lines Still …

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Cadillac Celestiq Teases More Metal In New Images, Looks Promising

The Cadillac Lyriq and the Escalade V are immediate examples of Cadillac’s push to become a major player against European luxury benchmarks. But hiding in the shadows is the Cadillac Celestiq which was touted to be the flagship for Cadillac’s all-electric ambitions. It’s not often that we get to see teasers of it, but this latest round appears to confirm that it will reassert the role that design will play in the Ultium family.   Celestiq’s Red Paint Draws Stares Like other Celestiq images of the past, there’s not much to make out here but there are some valuable nuggets …

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Honda Drops The Mic On 2023 Honda HR-V, Confirms Pricing Info Too

Honda’s HR-V compact utility showed that the Japanese auto giant could play in the popular compact CUV segment but while its fuel economy was very impressive, the rest of it felt like it was meant to be a jack of all trades, being competent at everything but not standing out in any discernible way. Honda is not content with being merely competent in this hot-selling segment of the utility market anymore and has unveiled the bigger 2023 Honda HR-V and even confirmed official pricing as well.   Bigger Dimensions Create More Conventional HR-V Styling The biggest change that buyers will …

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Bentley Continental GT-S And GTC-S Add New Dimesnion To Customization Experience For Buyers

When it comes to offering buyers the ultimate car creating experience, few can top the charts the way Bentley can. The company’s strong emphasis on putting the customer first in the ultra-luxury segment has defined it for over 100 years and the British firm aims to continue this tradition with the all-new Continental GT-S and GTC-S models.  Back In Black And Sleeker Than Ever, This Continental S Has The Goods All S models begin their lives as standard V8 models but they subsequently go under the knife to become S models. The exterior appointments are mostly limited to blacked-out pieces …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Lexus ES 300h F-Sport – New Moves And Makeup Define Sporty Lexus Hybrid

Green motoring is rapidly becoming the new normal with the overall lineup of hybrid and all-electric models growing at a rapid pace. Amid all of this growth though, it would seem that performance (with a few exceptions) is on the backburner with fuel economy being front and center. Lexus is out to change that narrative though with the 2022 Lexus ES 300h F Sport. But does the ES 300h have the chops to balance out efficiency and fun? Or is it a flawed specimen?   Attention-Grabbing Red Paint And F Sport Cues Make This ES A Hit The exterior styling …

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2023 Lexus RX Is Greener Than Ever, Loses V6 For All Four Cylinder Lineup

The Lexus RX has rapidly become one of the key lynchpins in Lexus’s sales machine thanks to its combination of style and versatility. However, it’s no secret that the current generation RX has also fallen behind the times thanks to dated infotainment and performance hardware. The luxury brand is out to deep-six that reputation with the all-new 2023 Lexus RX which aims to be leaner and better than ever. New Styling Puts RX In Bolder Direction A noticeable change for 2023 is the exterior styling which has undergone a radical transformation. A longer wheelbase forced Lexus to tweak the proportions …

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Land Rover Unveils 2023 Defender 130, Will Be Flagship For Moniker

The Land Rover Defender is seeing a strong surge in sales ever since Land Rover resurrected the iconic moniker several years ago. But as the sales picture has become clearer, the need for more variants has emerged with the company formally unveiling the flagship model of the Defender lineup the all-new 2023 Defender 130 eight-passenger SUV.   Defender 130, A Reboot Within A Reboot The Defender 130 designation maybe a new thing for American consumers but it’s not the first time that Land Rover has used the 130 designation with the digits last being used to represent vintage pickup-based Defender …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Polaris Slingshot SLR – Turbocharging Improves The Breed

When the Polaris Slingshot first appeared a few years ago, it signified a bold push for Polaris with the model being the first cyclecar that the company ever produced outside their usual lineup of snowmobiles and off-road vehicles. The Slingshot’s blend of traits and its ability to be licensed as a car in some states (instead of a motorcycle) helped generate a strong surge in sales. However, the first generation Slingshot was also a crude offering and lacked some of the things that we take for granted in traditional cars. Polaris sought to remedy this with the second generation Slingshot …

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Land Rover Teases Defender 130, More Length Means More Space For Adventure

The Land Rover Defender lineup has been rapidly evolving with each new variant appealing to a distinct customer demographic. While the 110 version brings plenty of size and passenger room to occupants, Land Rover is preparing an even larger beast with a new teaser image confirming that a bigger 130 model is coming to showrooms.   Subtle Changes Keep Defender 130 Firmly In The Family The exterior styling here is mostly unchanged from what we have already seen in the 110 with the core exterior DNA carrying over mostly unchanged. The major change is in the length but while a …

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Honda Teases Prologue EV SUV, Points To Bold Direction For Honda And Its Dealerships

We have heard Honda and GM talk about their newly minted venture to help expand the reach and availability of the Ultium battery platform. However, things didn;t move much beyond that point with a lack of solid images balancing out the bold talk. Honda is slowly putting an end to that though and has released a lone teaser image of the Honda Prologue EV SUV which will be the first fruit of the alliance.   Prologue Promises To Be Dynamic Offering While Honda’s image is currently a computerized rendering there’s still alot to dissect here when you look at the …

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Cadillac Lyriq RWD, AWD, Pricing Revealed, Free Charging Option Included

The Cadillac Lyriq promised to have pricing that would reflect its status as the brand’s first-ever EV offering and in an announcement that was released early this morning, Cadillac delivered the goods confirming Lyriq pricing and other details   Lyriq Will Not Bust Your Wallet A notable detail here is pricing with a base RWD Lyriq starting at $62,990 which is $3,000 more than what the Debut Edition asked for when those models were announced. However, buyers will have a bigger supply pool of models and the standard model will still deliver 312 miles of driving range between charges. In …

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Road Test Review – 2023 Nissan Z -This Z Is Worth The Wait

It has been a long time since we have seen an all-new Z car. When Nissan last updated the moniker, it was the 370Z that first appeared on the scene all the way back in 2009 (2008 in Japan.) The 370 promised more power and even more usability. However, just like how a box of Hostess Twinkies does not stay good forever (despite local legend) Nissan left the 370Z on the shelf too long without any significant updates. That large lapse in time caused the car to fall behind its rivals and slumping sales reflected this sorry state of affairs. …

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2023 Subaru Legacy Gets Light Updates, New Sport Trim And Technology

With the 2023 Outback getting its share of mild updates, it was only a matter of time before its sedan counterpart the 2023 Legacy would get its turn under the knife. Subaru used the occasion to spruce things up a bit while also adding some new moves to the Legacy’s repertoire as well.   New Sport Trim Highlights Legacy Exterior Design Changes The 2023 Legacy received some updates to the exterior styling with the headlights, front grille and the lower bumper all being worked on. The changes pop out more when you look at the all-new Sport trim for the …

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Rolls Royce Unveils Updated Phantom Series II, Adds New Shine To Icon

A key trait of Rolls Royce over the years is that when the company updates one of its models, it prefers to do things subtly, with the car’s presence and the features it’s packing doing much of the talking. That established script has carried over to the 2023 Rolls Royce Phantom which has received a suite of new updates and an all-new Series II designation.   Phantom Styling Takes Pages From Ghost When Rolls Royce execs said that the changes to the Phantom were mild, they were not kidding with the car looking much like it did when it is …

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Cadillac Confirms Blackwing Engine For Escalade-V, $149k Sticker Price

When we last saw the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V it was a classic case of Cadillac reps giving us half the picture with the Escalade shining in the spotlight but without any information regarding what kind of engine would be under the hood of the souped-up utility. Cadillac claimed that this month would be when we get all of the answers, and it turns out the wait was worth it with the Escalade-V being the first Cadillac to receive hardware from the Blackwing performance sedan lineup.   Escalade-v Flaps Its Wings For Performance With the V moniker, it was initially safe …

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2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Is Crisper And Greener Than Ever

It wasn’t too long ago that we saw the bigger 2022 Land Rover Range Rover make its debut with the reworked luxury SUV shaking up how Range Rover loyalists envisioned style and luxury. Land Rover has just revealed its second act with the all-new 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, which is sleeker, smarter, and even greener than ever before.   Range Rover Sport Takes A Different Approach To Style The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport still has a mouthful of a name, but like other Range Rover Sport models, the exterior styling is still a unique exercise. The …

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2023 Honda Odyssey Pitches LX Trim For All-New Sport Trim, Adds Other Updates

The 2023 Honda Odyssey is proof that Honda knows how to make a good bestseller. Having received a more extensive suite of updates a short while ago, Honda is leaving things largely unchanged for the 2023 model year, but new trims and a newly introduced scheduled maintenance program aim to keep things fresh for a while longer until the Odyssey gets more extensive updates.   Sport Trim Adds Sinister Vibes To Family Hauling Odyssey A notable change here for 2023 is that the Odyssey gets an all-new Sport trim to help appeal to those that want more excitement in their …

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2023 Bentley Bentayga Elevates Luxury Game For Buyers, Debuts New Airline Seats

When it comes to the world of flagship offerings, Bentley has been notably absent from the game ever since the Mulsanne left production a few years ago. The Bentayga SUV was considered by some to be the new flagship, but it lacked some of the opulent details to help it truly embrace the role. Bentley has fixed that issue and has unveiled the all-new 2023 Bentayga Extended Wheelbase model that adds more room and luxury to the Bentayga experience.   More Chrome And Style Define This Bentayga The exterior styling of the EWB may look the same as any other …

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2023 Kia Soul Gets New Updates, Pitches Turbo Model

The Kia Soul has proven to be a winner for Kia in terms of sales with the 2023 model enhancing the design and technology for buyers in its latest round of updates. However, this has come at a cost, with Kia confirming that the spicy turbo model is getting the ax in 2023.    Slight Tweaks Maintain Core Soul Essentials Unlike other mid-cycle updates, the Soul’s takes a lighter approach when it comes to its exterior updates. The front fascia has the most noticeable improvements with the headlights being larger than before while the lower lights appear to have vanished. …

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2023 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate Blurs Boundaries With Cadillac, Adds New Luxuries

When the Denali Ultimate line first appeared on the Sierra, it signified GMC’s ambition of expanding the sales grip of its hot-selling Denali lineup. Boasting more standard equipment and luxury than a standard model, Ultimate models are a noticeable upgrade over their slightly tamer cousins. With the Sierra Denali Ultimate riding a wave of momentum, the brand has revealed the second member of the Ultimate lineup the 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate.   An Escalade In GMC Clothing   Looking at the exterior of the 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate, the changes here may not seem obvious at first glance. …

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Comparison Test – 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum vs 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature

The quest for family vehicle sales dominance has rapidly become the number one priority for many automakers with the SUV and CUV segments bearing the brunt of sales demand from consumers. However, consumer expectations of what they want from a large three-row utility and what it should have has grown from over 20 years ago with tech and fuel economy becoming key requirements. The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder and the 2022 Mazda CX-9 are two entries trying to lure in more families, but while they each have a different way of doing it, we wanted to find out which one is …

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Bentley Teases Brand New Mystery Model, Will Debut It On May 10th

Bentley is coming off the heels of a strong sales year with the British automaker delivering over 14,000 vehicles to customers last year. That’s a 31 percent increase and the company revealed that it’s just getting started in its long-term plans with a new teaser pointing at an all-new model which will make its debut on May 10th.   A Mystery For Now But More Luxury Is A Plus Bentley also released a lone teaser image in its announcement and it appears to be a shadowy look at the driver’s side door panel. Warm purple-hued ambient lights highlight the door …

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2023 Toyota Supra Gets Manual Transmission, Will Be A 3.0 Liter Exclusive

It wasn’t too long ago that Toyota revealed that the 2023 Supra would finally receive the option for a manual transmission even in the face of a rapid decline in demand for a shift it yourself option as a whole. However, the company didn’t release too many details beyond the initial confirmation, but that changed earlier today when the company pulled back the curtain on what buyers can expect.   Manual Limited To 3.0 Liter Model Only A prominent caveat here is that while the manual is indeed coming to the Supra, it will be limited to models equipped with …

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2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Launches Into Production, Three Things You Should Know

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning has had a long road going through development, but at last, Ford has formally begun production of the F-150 Lightning and celebrated the occasion with a massive launch event at the company’s hometown of Dearborn, Michigan. The Lightning promises to bring some innovations to consumers, and here are three key things you should know about the Ford F-150 Lightning.   F-150 Lightning Supercharging Ford’s EV Plans The F-150 Lightning will begin production at Ford’s all-new Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, located within the massive Rouge plant complex. The Electric Vehicle Center took 19 months for Ford …

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Nissan Z Launch Delayed To Summer, Parts Shortage To Blame

The 2023 Nissan Z is one of the most hotly anticipated Nissan entries in recent memory. Replacing the long-running and aging 370Z, the rebooted Z will bring the moniker back to its roots while also renewing its focus on sporty driving. When we last heard about the Z, the company appeared to confirm that the car would begin arriving in dealerships in late spring. However, COVID-19 and the ensuing part shortages have played their hand again, and Nissan revealed that it will be pushing the timetable back on the car’s official launch.   Parts Shortage A Long-Running Spectre The announcement …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Toyota Highlander Bronze Edition – Does Art Make The Highlander Better?

The Toyota Highlander is an SUV entry that largely follows the same script that has come to define many others in its segment. It’s large, has the ability to haul up to three rows of passengers, and has doubled down on its attempts to be a fuel miser with an available hybrid equipped four-cylinder. These things individually are all good traits, but we won’t be shocked if they failed to make the Highlander ring a bell in your memory bank. The Japanese auto giant thinks it might have just the thing with the all-new Highlander Bronze Edition, but is this …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Genesis GV70 Sport Prestige, Filling Out Genesis’s Luxury Utility Footprint

When we had our chance to drive the Genesis GV80 awhile back, it appeared to signal a shift in Genesis’s plans for the luxury market, with the Korean upstart focusing more on utilities and crossovers after initially starting its launch with two sedan models. The GV80 is still a very good luxury SUV, but Genesis knows that it has to gradually move towards smaller segments and embraces a sportier lifestyle in order to expand its sales footprint. The 2022 GV70 is a step towards this goal, but is it the perfect complement to the GV80?   Sharper GV70 Styling Points …

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Chevrolet Corvette Goes Green, AWD Hybrid And EV Models Coming Next Year

Speculation, spy photos, and even an inadvertent slip of the tongue by the U.S. President all painted the picture that GM was preparing the C8 Chevrolet Corvette for a green motoring future. GM would typically not budge on its strict code of silence regarding these Vette variants. However, all of that changed today, with GM president Mark Reuss confirming that not only is an all-electric Vette coming but that an AWD hybrid version is coming too.   A Massive Shift In Corvette History The confirmation came from GM President Mark Reuss who revealed the news in a long post on …

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Lexus Shoots For The All-Electric Future With All-New 2023 RZ 450e Luxury CUV

Lexus was one of the early pioneers in the world of green technology and made a massive profit on its early gamble of embracing hybrid technology for many of its models. However, progress is always marching forward, and Lexus is hoping to catch lightning in a bottle twice and has formally unveiled the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e crossover.   The Third Piece In Toyota’s Triple Play The RZ joins the already unveiled Toyota BZ4x and the Subaru Solterra in the ranks, and while the UX300e is technically the first all-electric Lexus offering, the RZ 450e is the first EV that …

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Subaru Releases 2023 BRZ Pricing, Now Starts At $29,615

The 2023 Subaru BRZ is looking to build on some of the early success that the first generation enjoyed when it arrived on the scene a few years ago and while we learned alot about the performance and even some of the updates that make this iteration of the BRZ special. The one thing that was missing was pricing, with Subaru keeping a tight lid on that particular slice of information. But Subaru has changed that narrative and has now finally unveiled the pricing ladder for the second-generation BRZ family.   It’s Still The Premium Focused One With its sibling …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid FWD – Shifting The Green Balance In Mid-Size Pickups

Ford’s bold plan of being a pure SUV and pickup company (Mustang excluded, of course) generated its fair share of criticism and faced a test courtesy of surging gas prices. But despite all of this, Ford is still generating massive profits and is rocketing towards an all-electric future. The Ford F-150 and the Ranger pickups are two vital cogs in the company’s broader sales machine. However, the family still had room for a smaller offering, and Ford has delivered the goods with the all-new Ford Maverick. But can the Maverick be the urban-entric truck offering that will allow the company …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz – Hyundai’s First Pickup Goes For The Lifestyle Crowd

Hyundai, making pickup trucks? When Hyundai announced that it was making a pickup entry, we were admittedly skeptical, especially considering that the Korean car giant had never made a conventional pickup offering up to this point. Hyundai thinks it’s on to something with the Santa Cruz, and when we had the chance to briefly sample it in Ann Arbor, it certainly made an excellent first impression. But how would it do with more prolonged exposure? We were keen to find out.   Sport Adventure Vehicle Motif Defines Santa Cruz We called out Hyundai back then for asserting that the Santa …

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Lucid Confirms Air Grand Touring Performance Model, Still A Potent Green Machine

When we last saw the Lucid Air, it was in the range topping Dream Edition model which boasted over 1100 hp and made an appearance at the 2022 NACTOY awards (though it came away empty handed.) Lucid is not letting that little setback stop them though, and the California based EV maker confirmed that it will be releasing the all-new Grand Touring Performance model to consumers.   Still In The 1,000 hp Club While the Grand Touring Performance is not quite as powerful as the limited production Dream Edition, that’s like saying a single jet fighter jet is less powerful …

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Road Test Comparison – 2022 Mazda 3 Hatchback vs 2022 Honda Civic Si – Which Is Better?

The compact sedan market can be a very interesting place to explore once you have a chance to look at some of the current offerings that are available for consumer consumption. Once relegated to cheap econoboxes that favored thriftiness over performance (hot hatches like the GTI excluded) the segment has rapidly morphed into a different breed with luxury, design, and technology rapidly becoming the key benchmarks as they attempt to stand out against CUVs. The 2022 Mazda 3 and the 2022 Honda Civic Si are two such examples, with both trying to appeal to a broader swath of the market. …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Toyota Venza Limited – A Reboot That Embraces The Green Side Of Life

When We last saw the Toyota Venza it was a much different offering. Designed to be a comfortable crossover for empty nesters, the Venza’s sales reflected this with that version performing well below Toyota’s expectations of 75,000 to 100,000 sales per year. However, going full circle can sometimes be a good thing and Toyota is aiming to achieve just that with the 2022 Venza. This iteration of the Venza appears to have alot of the core attributes down, but are they all enough to finally make it a sales winner? Venza Styling Goes In Radical But More Aerodynamic Direction The …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor – Is It Still The King Of The Mountain?

The off-road pickup segment has seen a renewed resurgence in recent years both in demand and in performance, with many of these trail-ready offerings offering more performance than ever before. The truck that’s often credited with launching this revolution is the Ford F-150 Raptor. Originally created in borderline secrecy deep in the bowels of the Ford Motor Company, the Raptor has rapidly become one of the strongest sellers in the F-150 family and has rapidly emerged as a potent benchmark for all that came after it. Ford gave the model some updates for the 2021 model year, but with the …

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Toyota Helps Corolla Go Super Saiyan With All New 2023 GR Corolla, 300 hp and Track Ready Tech Are Standard

With many automakers reducing their involvement in hatchback models to cater to a growing hunger for crossover and utility vehicle sales, it’s still good to see that a few are still tinkering with the iconic hot hatch. Toyota is one such company and has unveiled the all-new 2023 GR Corolla which aims to bring international market performance to American buyers.   GR Corolla Embraces Track Ready Motif When the GR Corolla makes its way to dealerships later this year, it will be offered in two grades (Core and the launch Exclusive Circuit Edition.) Core models represent the budget focused option …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 – Insanity Unleashed

Jeep has had a very complicated relationship when it comes to giving its iconic Wrangler a V8 engine. While aftermarket companies have done it for years, Jeep resisted the urge of giving its Wrangler an injection of V8-powered fun. However, the emergence of the Ford Bronco has at long last finally forced Stellantis’s hand, and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is the long-awaited fruit of this dream. But is it a case of you should never meet your heroes? Or is it the perfect definition of insanity?   A Familiar Wrapper Hides The Essentials With all the magic happening under …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III – Living Large And Hunting For European Luxury Rivals

It has been a long time since Jeep has fielded a competitor in the full-size SUV ranks. With the ill-fated Jeep Commander best being left as a forgotten historical dead end, one has to go all the way back to the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer which were once key cogs in the long-departed American Motors Corporation, as well as Chrysler’s for a brief period after the company, completed its acquisition of AMC with the last ones being built in the early 1990s. But Stellantis is hoping that a new generation of full-size SUV buyers will be able to breathe some …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Grand Cherokee Two Row Laredo – A Value Packed Offering For Families

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee is aiming to reshape the way that many Jeep buyers experience and embrace the SUV. While the spotlight is shining brightly on higher trim models like the Limited and Summit as well as the green-minded 4xe model, it can be easy to forget that the bulk of sales are focused on mainstream trims like the Laredo model which serve as value-focused gateways into the Grand Cherokee family. We wanted to find out what SUV buyers will get for their money and whether the Laredo is still the go-to entry-focused model.   Laredo Still Embodies Jeep …

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2023 Lotus Eletre Introduces Lotus To The SUV And Electrification

Lotus has had a rollercoaster history during its long and iconic history. It has experienced periods of prosperity but also periods of struggle and challenges. Lotus is looking to put all of those things in the rearview mirror and has revealed the next chapter of its history, the all-new Lotus Eletre, which brings the brand to the SUV segment for the first time and is also the first relatively mass production Lotus EV offering to go on sale.   Eletre Debuts New Design Language For Lotus The exterior styling of the Eletre may seem like a massive assortment of Evija …

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Ford Aims For The Budget Off-Roader With All New F-150 Rattler

The Ford F-150 has always managed to be a proverbial swiss army knife when it comes to offering buyers all kinds of ways to do truck stuff. That’s especially true if you’re an off-roader with the dune slaying F-150 Raptor and the trail-ready Tremor models delivering the goods. However, inflation is pushing up prices for a wide variety of goods and one of the ripple effects is that some buyers might have a tighter wallet to work with. Ford has listened and has unveiled a budget-focused alternative, the 2023 F-150 Rattler.   Off-Road Fun For The XL Crowd Unlike its …

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Toyota GR Corolla Teases More Details, Reveal Date Confirmed

If anyone has been following Toyota and it’s ongoing teaser campaign for the GR Corolla, you’ll know that Toyota is promising something special for the Corolla that has once been exclusive to our friends across the pond, performance. The teasers so far have been subtle with the heavily camouflaged example peeking out from the background. This latest round of teasers though places the GR front and center and the company even revealed that the new model will be appearing March 31st.   A Spicier Corolla The GR Corolla (Gazoo Racing) will be the third member of the GR brand and …

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First Drive – 2023 Mazda CX-50 – Filling A Void In Mazda’s Growing SUV Family

When Mazda first confirmed that it was expanding its SUV lineup, we were curious to see precisely what Mazda had in mind. The CX-30 was the first in what Mazda called the “CX” family of utilities, with the model not only replacing the axed CX-3 but also proving that the model was more than the sum of its Mazda 3 sourced parts. Naturally, the company is thinking bigger this time around and has revealed the second member of the gap-filling family, the 2023 CX-50. But does it successfully follow up on the solid praise the CX-30 has received? Or is …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road – Light Updates Keep This Solider Ahead Of The Pack

The Toyota Tacoma has long been an enduring benchmark in the mid-size pickup ranks thanks to its value, capability, and quality. Its grip on the throne has been unchallenged. Still, these days even the king of mid-size pickups is facing dissent from a resurgent pool of entries like the radically updated Nissan Frontier, an expanding Ford Ranger family, and the updated Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Can the Toyota Tacoma maintain its hold on the throne?   Lightly Updated Styling Retains Core Tacoma DNA The Tacoma’s exterior styling was updated back in 2020. As a result, the changes in this …

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Aston Martin Unveils Third Generation Vantage V12, Last Of The Breed

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage has always been the pinnacle of performance for the Vantage coupe, a fire-breathing demon in a sea of V8-powered imps. The last two generations of V12 Vantage pushed the envelope of performance despite being hobbled by the limitations of an aging platform and a laughably bad semi-automated manual transmission in the case of the Vantage S. Aston Martin knows that the days of the V12 are numbered and has revealed the third generation V12 Vantage which will be the end of the line for the legendary twelve-cylinder.   V12 Vantage Is Leaner, Meaner, And Better …

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