It is not that often when a new vehicle surprises us, but the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander has. All-new and launching its fourth generation, the latest Outlander is stylish, roomy, and efficient, representing a marked improvement over the previous version. Until this model appeared, we would not have seriously considered the … Read more
If cars could talk, the Kia Sorento would have plenty to say. Introduced in 2003, the Sorento originally occupied the white space between compact and midsize utility vehicles. As this crossover aged and was replaced by subsequent generations, the Sorento gradually grew and transformed into a bona fide three-row midsize … Read more
The Sonata N-Line showcases its performance chops. Are comfort and power mutually exclusive? Thankfully, no. We expect an extra bit of kick in grand tourers and of course in sports cars. But the midsize, mainstream sedan is usually geared toward efficiency and comfort than performance and drivability. Fortunately, some manufacturers … Read more
The push for electrification continues unabated. But with the way certain news sources report, it is simple to think that this is what is going on in the world of autos today. Certainly, the market is much more complex than that with a host of traditionally powered models much available. … Read more
The 2022 Subaru WRX is a compact, performance all-wheel-drive machine. This year launches the fifth generation of the WRX, bringing with it a larger engine and an available adaptive suspension system. What is not coming back, at least not in gas-powered form, is the range-topping STI. 2022 Subaru WRX Overview … Read more
If you are in the market for a new vehicle, chances are you have a utility in mind — SUV, truck, or van. Americans have overwhelmingly shown their preference for models that go beyond the standard four doors and a trunk. Mazda has the segment well covered, as it offers … Read more
Until the late 1960s and early 1970s, Japanese vehicles were not much of a threat in the U.S. market. At that time, the Big Three domestic manufacturers dominated, with General Motors, the Ford Motor Company, and the Chrysler Corporation battling it out. Sure, Volkswagen had a place at the table … Read more
Finding any new vehicle for under $20,000 is almost impossible these days. Higher prices and expanded tech and safety equipment are among the reasons why. That the Hyundai Venue can still be had for far less than the average cost of a vehicle is one thing. That it is a … Read more
The Ford Maverick reopens an old segment. Who would have ever thought we’d see a new compact pickup truck sold in America? Few people, that is for sure. Well, two new models arrived this year, one from Hyundai and the other from Ford. Unlike the previous models, though, these are … Read more
The Ford Bronco takes on the Jeep Wrangler. It has been decades since we last saw a Bronco SUV, particularly a small one. But for 2022, the Ford Bronco is back, an all-new model that was initially launched in 1966. This four-wheel-drive SUV possesses the off-road chops one would expect … Read more
We have long kept our eyes on Mazda, one of the smallest of the remaining Japanese automakers. Mazda has grown its brand over the years, thanks to styling flair, quality materials, and reliability. Did we say that they are also fun to drive? In the crushingly competitive compact crossover sport … Read more
This week’s ride is the Kia Stinger, a midsize rear-wheel-drive sedan-like model with a liftgate. That is a fancy term for a hatchback, a derisive moniker for those who recall the forgettable hatches of the 1970s. Instead, the Stinger is much more like the Audi A5 Sportback in design, if … Read more
The 2022 Toyota Corolla soldiers on in the shrinking compact car segment. More than a half-century has passed, and the Toyota Corolla is one of the most recognized models in the world. In the U.S. market, sedan and hatchback versions are available, as is a hybrid. The Corolla remains a … Read more
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe gains an XRT trim with blacked-out touches. A few years back, Hyundai trailed its competitors in rolling out crossover models. But within a few years, it filled out its product line and updated its ongoing utility vehicle models, including the midsize, two-row Santa Fe. Now … Read more
The Nissan Altima is your crossover alternative. Shoppers looking for a new ride that combines value, room, tech, and safety features might consider the Nissan Altima. This midsize, five-passenger sedan offers a solid alternative to crossover utility vehicles (which Nissan offers in abundance) and at a price point below $30,000. … Read more
The VW Golf R is back and better than ever. Not since 2019 have we seen a Golf R, the ultimate expression in subcompact hatchback prowess from Volkswagen. This model along with the GTI is all that’s left of the Golf product line for the U.S. market as VW pivots … Read more
GMC’s off-road Canyon AT4 proves itself. The GMC Canyon is a midsize pickup truck and a strong alternative to the larger GMC Sierra 1500. The current-generation model was introduced in 2015 and has received several updates since. A new model is in the offing for next year, but the 2022 … Read more
Nissan’s off-road PRO-4X trim delivers as promised. Nissan kept the previous-generation Frontier around for much longer than anyone thought possible. Indeed, the last model rolled out in 2005 and stayed around through 2021…17 years is a long time to stick with the same generation. For 2022, the Frontier is new, … Read more
Chevrolet’s iconic SUV struts it. With room for up to nine, the Chevrolet Suburban is the consummate wagon, although it is an SUV. Introduced in 1935, the Suburban is the oldest and one of the most recognizable nameplates in the world. Through 12 generations the Suburban has certainly changed, but … Read more
Styling with GMC’s largest pickup truck, the Sierra 1500 in Denali trim. Full-size pickup trucks continue to dominate the market with more than 2 million units sold annually. It is a lucrative segment for manufacturers and one reason why electric variants are becoming available. The GMC Sierra 1500 is one … Read more
New two-row Jeep Grand Cherokee debuts. Jeep has a new Grand Cherokee, completing a two-year release of this fifth-generation midsize model. In 2021, Jeep released the first-ever three-row variant, then followed in 2022 with the all-new two-row standard model. Together, the Grand Cherokee solidifies its leadership in the segment with … Read more
The Blackwing gives the Cadillac CT4 luxury performance cred. Cadillac recently massaged its performance offerings in a not-so-insignificant way. The V-Sport line is gone with the existing and previous range-topping V-Series taking its place. At the top of this performance matrix is the Blackwing, this marque’s answer to Mercedes-AMG, BMW … Read more
The Subaru Forester gains an off-road-worthy Wilderness edition. The Subaru Forester is a compact utility vehicle, one of four such models sold by this niche Japanese brand. Niche may not be a fair assessment, however as Subaru has a strong following in the U.S. market. The Forester was last fully … Read more
The Pathfinder is your three-row family utility vehicle. Family cars were once represented by large sedans and station wagons, with minivans flourishing in the 1980s and 1990s. However, in more recent years, the prevailing trend is crossover utility vehicles, which offer the best fusion of passenger room, cargo space, and … Read more
The ultimate 4 Series is the M4 Competition. We expect BMW to deliver performance options and this German automaker doesn’t disappoint. Indeed, under its heralded “M” moniker, BMW lives out its “The Ultimate Driving Machine” slogan with abandon. Select sedans, coupes, convertibles, and utility attest to this marque’s capabilities, delivering … Read more
A new engine for Subaru’s rear-wheel-drive performer. The BRZ is the rear-wheel-drive performance coupe from Subaru and a natural complement to the WRX/STI. Together, the duo gives Subaru an uncommon edge in the market, where thrills and chills are always expected. For 2022, Subaru launches an all-new BRZ, supplying it … Read more
A hot little hatch from Hyundai. Small cars with a performance edge represent a dwindling niche. One model, the Hyundai Veloster N, brings the most performance we’ve seen in a small package from this Korean brand. Moreover, it has a quirky style with three doors and a liftgate, but with … Read more
If you’re aspiring for an Escalade, don’t overlook the Denali. Large SUV shoppers with luxury in mind, may consider the Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator. But they’re not the only luxurious SUVs available, at least not amongst the domestics. The GMC Yukon and Yukon XL in Denali trim make a … Read more
The available dual-clutch transmission is a hard pass. Hyundai is well represented in the tiny crossover utility vehicle market by a pair of subcompacts: the Venue and Kona. Where the Venue seems more like a tall hatchback than a crossover SUV, the Kona is more muscular and with better features. … Read more
The smallest of all crossovers covers the subcompact range, one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry. That’s not too surprising as these models offer value and a place for first-time shoppers to jump in. The Chevrolet Trailblazer is one such model, a five-passenger SUV with available off-road chops. Chevrolet … Read more