NEW TRUCKS

Road Test Review – 2025 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition

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The Mazda CX-5 might feel like it’s being pushed out of the spotlight with the CX-50 and the bigger CX-90 filling the niches that it was once asked to fill by itself. However, the CX-5 is still a strong seller for Mazda and the CUV even has a strong following of customers who have stuck with the model despite broader changes in Mazda’s lineup. Mazda has decided to reward this loyalty with the 2025 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Carbon Edition. Carbon models are typically known for injecting more style into a Mazda model but with the CX-5 potentially facing the …

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Review: The Chevrolet Blazer EV RS AWD Goes Big on Style, and Bigger on Mainstream Appeal

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Those of us old enough to remember the ‘90s might remember Recycle Rex and his hit song: “Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, and Close the Loop.” It’s an earworm, to be sure, and it, alongside programs like Captain Planet, taught us it was cool to care about the environment. In the case of the song, though, it did so in the wrong way. Kind of. In later years—once recycling was no longer a novel concept—we’d learn that while the ideas are good, they’re presented in the wrong order. To be a good friend of the Earth, you first reduce what you consume, …

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Road Test Review – 2024 Lexus NX 350h Luxury AWD

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The venerable Lexus NX has been through its fair share of ups and downs but ultimately, it always manages to come up with a good run of good fortune with the compact CUV meant to give Lexus a middle-rung player slotted between the smaller UX and the iconic RX. Some would say that the NX is starting to lose its edge and that it’s starting to get soft around the edges. But is that the case? We wanted to find out. Lexus NX is still the sharpest member of the family The Lexus NX was designed to be stylish and …

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2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus review by Ben Lewis

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In the world of auto manufacturers, Mazda remains an independent voice. And you gotta love ‘em, they have stayed true to their vision of driving enjoyment – hey this is the Miata company! – and also have been moving the brand upscale at the same time. The only problem is, developing tech like EV, hybrid, and more is expensive and time consuming. And while EV’s seem to be on the back burner now, hybrid models are still hot, hot, hot. So Mazda did a very smart thing, they partnered with Toyota to add a hybrid powertrain to the already-sweet Mazda …

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Road Test Review – 2024 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition

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The Mazda CX-50 has rapidly emerged as a key player in Mazda’s SUV strategy. While the bigger CX-90 often steals the spotlight due to its bigger size and segment-blurring luxury, the smaller CX-50 stands out for its strong value game which allows it to be a near-perfect balance of luxury, value, and capability.  Mazda is hoping the CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition will be able to deliver some of the flagship luxury that’s missing from the model but is it still missing something that prevents it from being truly perfect? We were eager to find out. Meridian Edition adds flash to …

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2025 Volkswagen Taos SE review by Ben Lewis

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We’ve always been fans of VW’s Taos, their smallest SUV/Crossover, and the de-facto replacement for the VW Golf that we always liked as well. Despite being their most affordable offering, for 2025 VW has given the Taos updated looks, enhanced technology and more power. Sounds like a great reason for a road test! Clean and Modern You’ll really notice the update on the front, which reminds us of VW ID4, one of the manufacturer’s popular EV models. There’s a new larger grille with an aggressive pattern, a light bar that spans the width of the hood and brackets the familiar …

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Road Test Review – 2025 Toyota Tundra TRD Rally

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Toyota’s Tundra pickup is striving to be like the smaller Tacoma when it comes to offering more for its buyers. The Tundra has an impressive roster of trims at its disposal and like the Tacoma, the Tundra is attempting to appeal to many niches of the pickup market as it attempts to stay relevant against established rivals from Ram, Ford, and Chevrolet. For 2025, Toyota is bringing a number of new updates to the rig including an all-new TRD Rally package for buyers who want a pinch of something special in their Toyota purchase and want more performance in their …

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Road Test Review – 2025 Toyota Sienna Platinum

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Toyota’s Sienna minivan has always been a favorite among family buyers. While the van’s exterior styling continues to be controversial, there’s no denying that it still continues to offer an impressive amount of practicality to go along with its all-hybrid powertrain lineup. However, what if you’re looking to add more luxury to your family vehicle experience but don’t want to move up into a big SUV to do it? Toyota thinks it might have the answer with the 2025 Sienna Platinum which is attempting to push the envelope of luxury while maintaining the Sienna’s universal appeal. Is it all enough …

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2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line review by Ben Lewis

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If you’re looking for an SUV, you’re spoiled for choice. Maybe too spoiled! From compact to full-size, 5-passenger to 8, gas, hybrid, EV, you name it, someone’s got it. VW’s smart, too –while many will want the larger 3-row Atlas SUV, some like the size and premium features, but only need room for 5. Voila! Enter the Atlas Cross Sport – a sportier, 2-row model that still offers the premium goodness of its larger sibling. Could this be right for you? Let’s take a look. Big, Bold and Blue With a massive refresh for the 2024 model, the Cross Sport …

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Road Test Review – 2025 Hyundai Palisade XRT – Holding The Fort

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When Hyundai unveiled its XRT lineup of vehicles, the brand promised that the XRT badge would signal a more aggressive personality with some light pinches of trail-ready upgrades to make these vehicles better soft roaders. While the revamped Tucson, Ioniq 5, and Santa Cruz XRTs all reflect this practice in spades, the Palisade has always felt the odd man out. Does the 2025 XRT version still have what it takes to inject the Palisade with trailready spirit? XRT still has the buff looks At first glance, the XRT appears to have the looks to match the badge’s purpose with our …

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2025 Cadillac Optiq Injects Compact Fun Into the EV Segment

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Cadillac’s “IQ” lineup of EV vehicles is attempting to inject more vigor and buyers into the EV segment. While the 2025 Escalade IQ is attempting to win over ultra-wealthy buyers, Cadillac knows that it also has to appeal to other buying segments and some of the lower budgets that often come with them. This is the case with the 2025 Optiq which will be the new gateway model for the EV lineup moving -forward. But is the Optiq ready to bring the fight to a hotly contested CUV market while also continuing to deliver the tech and performance that buyers …

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Review: The 2025 Ford Explorer ST-Line Is More Style Than Sport

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Auto-journalist circles seem to be buzzing about the Ford Explorer ST. “It’s like a sports sedan,” they say. “Rear drive and 400 horsepower, what’s not to love?” “What’s not to love?” indeed. It does sound like it could be a good time, so I quickly contacted Ford to get one of my own. But when my loaner arrived, I was a bit confused. The first thing I noticed was the word “Line” sitting next to that fender-mounted ST badge. And usually adding a “-line” badge to a vehicle means that it’s just the pretend version of the fun one. So …

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Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 Is Going For EV Gold, Can It Meet Expectations?

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With some of the ongoing flux that the EV market has been experiencing recently, it can be easy to forget that there are still several upcoming EVs that aim to bring sales bounty to their respective automakers. One of these is the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9, a family vehicle that attempts to bring more family buyers into the EV lifestyle. Hyundai has plenty riding on the shoulders of this model with the first Korean spec models making their way to dealerships in Korea. But what can buyers here in the U.S. expect when the Ioniq 9 eventually makes its way …

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Road Test Review – 2025 Volkswagen Taos SEL – Updated and Eager To Please

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Volkswagen’s Taos CUV had a tall order on its plate when it was asked to replace the iconic Golf in the U.S. a few years ago. The Taos was meant to appeal to urban dwellers and give VW an entry that would be a true gateway model while also allowing the Tiguan to move upmarket as well. The Taos has proven to be somewhat successful in that regard but the CUV also suffered from styling that was too bland and preferred to lurk in the shadows of the crowded CUV segment.  Volkswagen is now attempting to bring it into the …

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2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited review by Ben Lewis

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If we said you can get a Lexus at Toyota prices, would you be interested? OK, there’s some status value with that shapely L on the hood, and those dealerships sure are pretty. But how much are you paying for that? With the all-new 2025 Toyota Crown Signia you get a real luxury experience at a surprisingly great MSRP. Interested? Let’s take a look. Handsome Wagon First impressions are very positive. We already liked the Crown’s sedan sibling with a raised sedan look, and while Toyota calls the Signia an SUV, it really looks more like a tall wagon, with …

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Review: The 2025 Acura ZDX Type S. More power. More tech. And more of the same.

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It seems like only yesterday I reviewed the Acura ZDX A-Spec. Short version: it’s a GM EV in Acura clothing, and since it doesn’t have to align with GM’s larger software-defined vehicle strategy, it provides a superior user experience. Namely: the Acura gets an on/off button and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. Now I’m in the sportiest version of this EV: the Acura ZDX Type S. It’s challenging to review on this one as it isn’t that different from the A-Spec. Everything I said about the ZDX A-Spec applies to the ZDX Type S, and differences between the two are mostly …

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2025 Audi Q4 55 e-tron quattro review by Ben Lewis

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It’s fun to look back on what we thought about EVs when they first got popular. One of the biggest concerns was they’d all be the same. You know, kinda boring, appliances. It didn’t seem like electric motors had much in the way of personality. Well, that proved to be untrue, in fact one of the things we really love is how different they are. Compare a Hyundai Ionic 5 N, to a BMW i4. Both great performance vehicles, yet so different. The Ionic is completely non-Hyundai like, while the i4 a BMW to the core. So now we have …

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Hyundai”s Inster Promises Compact EV Versatility, Could It Work In The U.S.?

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Hyundai is making it clear that it intends to grab a large slice of the EV market with its growing lineup of EV models including the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 as well as the recently launched Ioniq 9. While this trio of EVs is shaping up to be a potent force for Hyundai, one missing piece of the puzzle is the small Inster. Known as the Casper in some markets, the tiny EV is supposed to be a budget entry for buyers and is also currently a tempting slice of forbidden fruit for U.S. buyers. But could the Inster …

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Review: The Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD Is A Solid, Traditional Crossover

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With all the press surrounding Chevrolet’s newest, budget-friendly(-ish) Equinox EV, it’s easy to forget about the other Equinox. No, not the Vernal or Autumnal ones—the one that comes with a gas-fueled powertrain. The one you see here: the Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD. Outside of the name, there are few similarities between this internal combustion Chevy Equinox RS AWD and the Equinox EV. And I have no idea why Chevrolet decided to give these two wildly different, yet similarly sized, vehicles the same name. Feels like a recipe for confusion, but then I’m not paid an outsized salary to serve as …

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Road Test Review – 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited – Green Luxury

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When Toyota first introduced the Crown moniker to the U.S. it wanted to try and give buyers a unique offering that could stand out from the rest of the hybrid competition while also introducing buyers to a level of luxury that was once reserved for the Japanese market in recent years with these buyers getting the chance to experience a level of Toyota luxury that U.S. buyers would have had to otherwise go to Lexus for. The first Crown model was essentially a lifted sedan replacing the aging and relatively uninspired Avalon sedan and while this model was a good …

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Road Test Review – 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric Limited

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Hyundai is out to prove that EVs can be a viable part of its sales plans. The Ioniq 5, 6, and the upcoming Ioniq 9 are providing a glimpse into how the company intends to integrate these models into its broader vehicle lineup with technology and range leading the way. However, other models will also command their fair share of attention. One of these models is the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric which is supposed to provide compact CUV buyers an electrified alternative in a segment of the market that’s still hotly contested.  Hyundai is hoping the Kona EV can continue …

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Review: The Chevrolet Equinox EV 2LT Is A Cost-Friendly Ride With Mass Appeal

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Spend too much time on car websites—like I do—and you’ll close your browser believing the following two statements to be true: the world needs more brown, diesel-powered station wagons with manual transmissions; and that the world really needs a sub-$35,000 EV. While that first idea may never find traction beyond a certain subset of enthusiasts, the second one is driving the future of transportation. The car market is global, and global buyers are hooked on cheap EVs. And here in the US, anything under that $35k price point generally qualifies as affordable. GM is hoping enough people find its newest …

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2024 BMW X2 xDrive28i review by Ben Lewis

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We recently tested the BMW i4 Gran Coupe EV and found it to be a fantastic BMW that just happens to be an EV.  That’s always the challenge with a brand like this – there are such high expectations. Is the same true for the all-new X2? Certainly, it’s helped by the previous X2 model, a kind of mix between small crossover and hot hatch, based on the X1 small SUV. The X1 is a more traditional vehicle, and a darn good one, but we always felt that BMW was allowed to let their hair down on the X2 and …

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Road Test Double Review – 2025 Nissan Murano Platinum & Armada Platinum Reserve

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Nissan was once considered to be an edgy firm with the Nissan Armada and Murano being the two lynchpins in the company’s attempts at being a bread-and-butter brand. However, both models suffered from a lack of updates with rivals in both of their segments using the company’s lapse as an opportunity to gain ground and ultimately eclipse Nissan with their own offerings. The company is not about to take that without a fight and has finally made updates to the Murano and Armada for 2025 with both models getting a long-awaited revamp to bring them back into the race. But …

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Road Test Review – 2024 Nissan Ariya – Looking In From The Outside

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The Nissan Ariya was supposed to be the company’s next crescendo in the EV market with the CUV following on the heels of the Nissan Leaf compact. The Ariya had the looks, the tech, and the moxie needed to be an edgy leader in the EV segment. However, things have not been going according to plan with the Ariya proving to be a slow seller with Nissan selling just over 13,000 of them during 2024. That’s a far cry from rivals like the Ford Mustang Mach-E though it’s also ironically a 122% increase in sales during the second half of …

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Road Test Review – 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross XSE Hybrid – The CUV For Any Budget?

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The Toyota Corolla Cross was supposed to help the Corolla nameplate enter uncharted territory with the CUV attempting to lure in budget-minded utility buyers while also giving the Corolla lineup a broader presence in the marketplace. This seemingly simple strategy has helped give the Corolla Cross a strong start in sales with the hybrid model providing buyers an affordable gateway into the hybrid lifestyle. Is the 2025 Corolla Cross still rolling strong in the new model year? Corolla Cross is classic case of substance over style The exterior styling of the Corolla Cross continues to be a classic presentation of …

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Road Test Review 2025 Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport – Smaller Is Better

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The Lexus RX lineup is universally considered to be the brand’s bread-and-butter model with the RX being tasked to be the volume seller. But what if you’re a buyer who wants something smaller but still craves a performance hybrid experience? The Lexus NX is looking to fit the bill with the model even getting a PHEV hybrid model to help please performance SUV buyers. But is the 2025 Lexus NX 450h+ the perfect answer to this need or is it a few steps shy of perfection? Sharper styling puts NX above big brother RX The exterior styling of the Lexus …

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Road Test Review – 2025 Hyundai Tucson XRT AWD – It’s Missing Something

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Hyundai’s XRT brand is supposed to help the Korean automaker embrace its wild side. While these models are not meant to take on the rugged Rubicon trail or rock crawl with Jeeps, they are supposed to provide an option for buyers that need to occasionally make a trek into the backwoods to reach a cottage or even a remote campsite. The XRTs have proven to be popular with customers and this popularity has even inspired the company to bring the package to the Ioniq 5 EV. But what if you’re looking for a more traditional SUV for your XRT fix …

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Road Test Review – 2024 Honda Prologue Elite – The Better Version Of The Blazer EV

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The Honda Prologue and the Chevrolet Blazer EV were supposed to be two pieces of a broader EV strategy with the models (and the Acura ZDX) being the fruits of a partnership GM and HOnda had when it came to EV and the Ultium technology lurking underneath. However, the models had two very different paths to sales. While the Blazer appeared with quality issues that eventually forced a brief stop-sale order, the Prologue had a relatively trouble-free launch. Is the Prologue the best of both worlds? Prologue styling is clean and simple Unlike the Chevrolet Blazer EV, the Prologue’s exterior …

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Road Test Review – 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD – It’s Still Got It

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The 2024 Hyundai Kona made a splash when it was redesigned back in 2024. The new model embraced a futuristic look that was simpler and also embraced Hyundai’s newfound love affair with pixels. However, the second-generation Kona had big shoes to fill with its predecessor being an impressive sales hit for the Korean car giant. With all the big changes that the Kona got for 2024, does its light suite of updates for 2025 help it retain its figurative spring in its step, Or has the magic faded away? 2025 Kona updates focus on the light side of life With …

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Road Test Review – 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 Edition – The Icon Returns

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Toyota’s Land Cruiser was long considered to be the best off-roader in Toyota’s arsenal. While the company did make a brief detour with the equally brief revival of the retro-inspired FJ Cruiser, the Land Cruiser was ultimately the model of choice for trail-seeking power warriors. However, by the time the outgoing Land Cruiser appeared on the scene, it seemed the company lost touch with customers. It was big, bloated, dated, and outrageously expensive by the time slumping sales prompted the company to pull the plug sparking considerable outrage from loyalists. However, it turned out this retirement would be short-lived with …

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2025 Subaru Outback Touring XT review by Ben Lewis

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We recently tested the Volvo XC60 SUV and mentioned how the Swedish brand has always been something a little different than the usual European suspects, like Audi, BMW and Mercedes. And we also noted that Subaru has that same sort of vibe. Sure, there are lots of great Toyotas and Hondas, but a Subie…well that’s something a little special, for owners who see themselves as less mainstream. So, we were excited to spend some time in the 2025 Subaru Outback to see – does it still have that special sauce that makes it the choice for those choose the road …

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Porsche 718 Sales See Boost As The Taycan Tanks

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Porsche set a new sales record as the German sports car brand revealed it sold 76,157 units in 2024 with the brand seeing its sales increase even as the all-electric Taycan lineup continues to be the proverbial ball and chain in an otherwise strong sales performance. Porsche’s numbers might seem typical but some of the underlying details are not, and hint that loyalists are still flocking to traditional Porsche products. Soon to be axed 718 models see resurgence in sales The 718 Boxster and Cayman provided the bulk of the muscle for this strong surge in sales with demand for …

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2024 Volvo XC60 Recharge AWD Ultimate review by Ben Lewis

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There are certain brands that just seem to appeal to folks who want to go their own way.  For example, there are plenty of nice Toyota and Honda vehicles out there. But among the great mainstream competitors, you also have Subaru. Yes, a Subaru does the same things the others do, but you get a feeling that they have their own way. And it reflects on their owners. In the Premium department, we think you have the same thing. Yep, BMW, Mercedes and Audi – all great stuff. But on the path less travelled, Volvo. It’s a brand that’s been …

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Road Test Followup – 2024 Toyota Tacoma – Is It Still The Leader?

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The current generation Toyota Tacoma is one of the most pickup entries in the market today. The truck is attempting to inject fresh vigor into the Tacoma nameplate after years of stagnation despite the best efforts of models like the TRD-PRO to distract observers from the lingering sense of staleness lurking underneath the surface. The truck is proving to be a strong seller but with Toyota going on cruise control for the truck’s 2025 updates, does the model still have what it takes to cement itself as the long-reigning leader of the mid-size pickup segment? Tacoma goes on cruise control …

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Road Test Review – 2024 Subaru Outback Limited – Still The Rugged All Rounder

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Three decades ago, Subaru took a traditional station wagon, jacked up the suspension and helped create the Outback which helped breathe new life into the station wagon while also blurring the line between it and the traditional SUV. The formula has also proven to be very popular with consumers and the Outback has risen to become one of Subaru’s top sellers. But is the 2024 Subaru Outback still a top seller even as it gradually drifts more into the dark side of SUV sales and some of the negative stereotypes that often accompany them? We wanted to find out. Unchanged …

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Honda 0 Saloon and SUV Prototypes Preview In-House EVs

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Honda is investing big in the world of electrification with the company making several key moves to expand its reach in the world of electrification. The company showed that it was prepared to make the leap with the Saloon and the Space Hub Concepts. The duo were very futuristic looking and showed some of the core building blocks that will define Honda’s new in-house EVs. The company is now showing the next step in these plans with new versions of the 0 Saloon and SUV concepts which take a step closer into full-scale production. Saloon looks stylish, SUV pushes the …

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5 Things to Know about the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

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1. It sipsThe CCH goes a long way on fuel – a jaw dropping 45 mpg city/ 38 mpg highway, and an EPA combined rating of 42 mpg. 2. It zips With a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder gas engine, and three electric motors, you’ve got an impressive 196 horsepower with plenty of low-end oomph. We’re estimating 0-60 in the low 7-second range, certainly quick. 3. It gripsWith one of the three electric motors on the rear axle, the hybrid features standard electric on-demand all-wheel drive. Great for slick conditions. 4. It’s affordable Starting at $28,395, the Corolla Cross hybrid gives you plenty …

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2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid review by Ben Lewis

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If you think about Hybrids, you probably think Toyota, right? I mean they pretty much started the game with the Prius, and have expanded the thrifty powertrain along most of their lineup. Heck, even the new Land Cruiser, Tacoma and Sequoia are rolling some brand of hybrid powertrain. While it’s nice to see those big beasts getting a little more efficient, it seems like the big thrills come from squeezing out every drop from a smaller engine. And one of our favorite super sippers is the Corolla Cross Hybrid, because it puts that efficiency in a smart crossover package that’s …

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2025 Ford Expedition SSV Celebrates 75 Years of Law Enforcement Success

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The all-new 2025 Ford Expedition debuted back in October with the big SUV getting a massive overhaul inside and out. But while traditional consumers were pleased with the changes, the SSV version was still based on old bones. That’s now changing however, with Ford revealing the 2025 Expedition SSV which brings many of the same updates to law enforcement buyers. Expedition SSV looks to step out of the shadows The Expedition SSV has been on the market for a long time, but you would be forgiven if you didn’t know that with the smaller and more popular Explorer Police Interceptor …

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Road Test Review – 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

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The Mazda CX-50 has proven to be a very compelling SUV entry for Mazda with the 50 catering to customers who want capability and Mazda style, but don’t need the large size that often comes with a larger CX-70 or 90. However, the lone omission in the CX-50’s flexible arsenal of tricks was a hybrid model to help it tune in with a resurgence in demand for both hybrids and their plug-in counterparts. But is the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid the right tool for the job? Toyota powertrain defines partnership   Mazda is one of several automakers that have entered …

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2024 Buick Envista ST Review: Not Quite Luxury, But That’s Okay.

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Buick has long been one of those brands that confuses me. It’s a brand without an identity, with a product strategy best defined as “throw something at the wall and see what sticks.” And sure, Buick has some absolute bangers in its portfolio—especially the GSX, GNX and my personal favorite, the Regal TourX—but these are notable because they simply focused on being awesome rather than conform to brand norms. Throughout my lifetime, Buick has been positioned as a near-luxury brand. An intermediate step between Chevy and Cadillac. But in my personal experience, Buick never quite managed to hit that mark. …

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Road Test Followup – 2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV – Is It Still Stuck In The Middle?

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The 2025 Mazda CX-70 is fighting in a segment where SUV buyers expect perfection and a distinct touch when it comes to their two-row SUV purchase. The CX-70 shares alot of its bones with the bigger Mazda CX-90 and while this helps provide the model with a solid platform to build off of, some have also accused it of being stuck in the middle not only in regards to its source material, but also in the broader segment as a whole. But is it still stuck in the middle of the pack, or has the CX-70 finally emerged from the …

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Road Test Follow Up – 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 – Is This EV Still The Golden Ticket For Buyers?

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Volkswagen’s EV blitz was supposed to be a blitz that would help make the German car giant a leader in the EV wars. However, the company has stumbled off the starting blocks and it’s still navigating rough waters as issues in its home market have the potential of distracting it from its broader goals. However, there are also signs that the pages are turning too with the Volkswagen ID.Buzz bringing some much-needed retro flavor to the futuristic EV segment. In the meantime, the company still has to rely on the venerable ID. 4 for a broader influx of sales but …

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Review: The 2024 Ford Mach-E GT Rally Is A Do-It-All EV Built To Hoon

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As much as I love the comforts of living in a beach-side urban metropolis, there are times when I find it frustrating. Sure, there’s the high cost of everything and the endless traffic in every direction, but I’m not particularly bothered by those. My frustration comes when I get a car like this: the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Rally. This is a ride inspired by rally racing and comes equipped with the types of upgrades that would suggest that it’s a rowdy good time on loose dirt surfaces—and I’m a rally fan who longs to practice those “lift, turn, …

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Road Test Review – 2025 Lexus UX300h – Is This Hybrid Being Squeezed Out?

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Lexus’s growing hybrid lineup is shining a spotlight on Toyota’s broader green vehicle strategy with the company wisely focusing on expanding their presence in the hybrid sector alongside EVs. While the bigger RX and NX models have often been considered the collective faces of Lexus’s efforts in the CUV side of the business when it comes to hybrids, it can be easy to forget all about the tiny UX. The UX was supposed to be a compact offering for buyers who needed hybrid technology in a small package that could navigate tight city streets. However, unlike its brand teammates, the …

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Range Rover SV Candeo Oozes Bespoke With Solid Gold Badging

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Range Rovers are known for their rugged off-road capability and their high levels of luxury. But in recent years, style and luxury have gradually taken center stage as Land Rover recently split its models off into three distinct family trees. The Range Rover is the style-focused one and the brand has used Design Miami as the place to debut the all-new Range Rover SV Candeo Edition. Gold badging ups the bling At first glance, the Candeo Edition looks like your average SV model and you would be forgiven if you think nothing is amis. But look at the badging of …

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2024 Lexus NX 450h+ F SPORT review by Ben Lewis

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We recently tested the Toyota RAV4, and we came away impressed, this is the best-selling compact SUV in the market, and it’s probably the most competitive segment out there. Aside from that, Toyota knows how to spread the love around – the Lexus NX shares much of the mechanicals, and the goodness with its sibling, and it’s a great choice in a compact luxury SUV. So, we jumped at the chance to take another bite at the apple with the 2024 Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport, the plug-in hybrid that’s the most powerful and yet most efficient of the line …

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Road Test Review – 2024 Toyota bZ4X – X Marks The Spot

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Toyota may still be focusing the bulk of its efforts on hybrid vehicles but the Japanese auto giant has also talked about expanding its presence into the BEV market. One of these models is the 2024 Toyota bZ4X and while it has a name that will certainly make it a mouthful for you ti say when trying to explain to your friends why you bought one, the bZ4X is also trying to show that the Japanese auto giant can talk the talk in this lucrative segment. But does it have enough to stand out from a growing field of EV …

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2024 Toyota Sequoia Limited review by Ben Lewis

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Don’t go thinking that EV’s are it. In the marketplace 3-row full-size SUV’’s are hot. From the Kia Telluride to the Mazda CX-90, there’s something for everyone looking for a big, tough, spacious vehicle. And one name that’s been around is the Toyota Sequoia, sharing a platform with the Tundra pickup, the big Toy has a well-earned reputation for capability and ruggedness. Now the manufacturer’s adding a heavy ladle full of luxury as well. Is the Sequoia the right SUV for you? Let’s take a look. Big and Bold The first thing you notice – the Sequoia has presence. This …

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2024 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD Review: Surprisingly Great For The Family Roadtrip

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This obviously the first Hyundai Kona review to be posted to this site. But as it’s a car (crossover? SUV?) that’s seemed to charm everyone with its blend of style and practicality, I couldn’t resist having a go in one myself. But to be honest, when I found that my loan would fall on the same week as a family road trip, I was more than a bit nervous. Hyundai’s Kona has always been small—perhaps a single step above entry-level. And while my road trip compatriots would be limited to my wife and our one small child, they both like …

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Hyundai Goes Big On Space With All New Ioniq 9

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Hyundai’s push into the electric vehicle wars has been very impressive with the company already releasing the Ioniq 5 and 6 with the duo being rolling examples of Hyundai’s advanced EV technology in action. But while both of these models deliver the goods when it comes to competing against their respective rivals, the one thing that the EV lineup as a whole lacked was an offering that could be a true family hauler like the gas-powered Palisade.  Hyundai is out to rectify that problem with the all-new Ioniq 9 which will be the first attempt that Hyundai has made into …

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2024 Kia EV6 GT review by Ben Lewis

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We recently tested the 640 horse, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and marveled at its jaw-dropping performance. But there’s another super-hot EV in the Kia/Hyundai family, and it’s the Kia EV6 GT. It’s a little more Grand Touring than out -and-out sports car, but with 576 horsepower, it’s got plenty of thrills to serve up. So, what’s Kia’s performance flagship like? Let’s check it out! Sleek Style Any trim of the EV6 is a handsome vehicle, and it’s interesting that for its performance flagship, Kia has kept things subtle – You’d be hard pressed to know this is the GT versus …

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2024 Acura ZDX A-Spec Review: Teamwork Makes the EV Dream Work

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As the saying goes, what’s old is new again. Case in point: the new Acura ZDX A Spec. It’s not that the vehicle itself is old—it’s more that the way this vehicle came to market. 1996 was a year chock-full of optimism, with Americans everywhere doing the Macarena as they poured their life savings into the can’t-miss investment vehicle known as Beanie Babies. Cheap gas allowed sales of the newly defined SUV market to surge. Everyone, everywhere, was scrambling to get into one of these fancy-ish trucks, and perhaps more importantly, OEMs the world over were scrambling to get their …

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2024 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring Review – Small In Size. Big On Luxury.

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While Lincoln’s Corsair is technically a compact SUV—it’s based on the similarly compact Ford Escape—thanks to some clever packaging and design tricks, it feels a lot bigger than it actually is. The specific ride you see here is the Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring—the one with the plug-in hybrid electric powertrain—and it just so happens to be my ride for the week. It’s deceptively small As is the case with all of Lincoln’s current vehicles, the Corsair is classically handsome. There’s a simplicity and restraint to the traditional two-box design that’s pleasing to the eye. And while I love some of …

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Road Test Review – 2024 Lexus RX450h+ – The Balanced Hybrid

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The Lexus RX is the bread and butter that helps fuel the luxury brand’s sales machine with the RX rapidly morphing into a vital cog in the broader sales machine. The updated RX made its debut a short while back and while the odd exterior styling caused some controversy, it ultimately did little to stunt the model’s sales. Lexus is also out to prove that it’s not afraid to venture into new territory with the RX and used this iteration of the crossover to expand its presence into the PHEV market. The 2024 RX 450h+ is attempting to help push …

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Road Test Review – 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek – Trailbusting in Style

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When one looks at the Nissan Rogue, you would be hard-pressed to think that the urban-focused crossover would be a good tool of choice for serious trail running. However, Nissan knows that in order for it to get a bigger slice of the SUV market, it has to explore other avenues and segments to enhance profits. That includes the off-road market with the Rock Creek moniker serving as the bridge between the hardcore PRO-4X and the standard lineup. The Pathfinder and the Armada are bringing Rock Creek versions to their rosters and the smaller Rogue has now joined the family …

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Road Test-Review – 2023 Honda Passport Trailsport – Holding Down The Fort

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Honda is preparing a new Passport which will be making its way to dealerships to bring the fight to rivals like the Ford Bronco Sport and the Toyota RAV4. But before the revamped model can forge its own path, the company has to rely on the aging outgoing model to hold down the fort for it at its dealerships. The first-generation Passport has proven to be a capable steed in the past, but does it have enough vigor to maintain a solid state of affairs before it hands the reigns to its replacement? Passport’s exterior styling is still a weakness …

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5 things to know about the 2025 Honda Ridgeline:

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  We recently tested the 2025 Honda Ridgeline, and came away very impressed. Here’s a quick take:   1. It rides like an SUV.Since it’s based on the same unibody chassis of the Odyssey, instead of the separate frame like most trucks, the ride is smoother and quieter, and handling is excellent too. 2. There’s a dedicated off-road modelIntroduced last year there’s a Ridgeline TrailSport model, featuring an off-road tuned suspension, all-terrain tires and steel underbody protection. It was even tuned and tested in the Imperial Dunes in Glamis, California, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 3. No big changes for …

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2025 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition review by Ben Lewis

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We all know how popular SUVs are. But, if you’re looking for the real best sellers, you have to look at pickup trucks. For 2023, the #1 seller was the Ford F Series– over 750,000 sold. #2 the Chevy Silverado– 543,000, and #3 Dodge Ram – 449,000. (For those of you playing at home, #4 was the Toyota RAV4 at a commendable 443,000!) So yes, a lot of buyers still want a truck. But a lot of them don’t want the compromises you find in the truck world, like a harsh ride, non-car-like handling. For them, the Honda Ridgeline – …

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