Toyota’s longest playing nameplate is also its most expensive model. The very first Toyota Land Cruiser was introduced in 1951, a Jeep-like vehicle built under contract to the US military for use in Korea. Based on the original Willys theme, the first “Toyota Jeep BJ” was larger and more powerful … Read more
Capable 2017 Armada is punctuated by the Platinum edition. For the second time in three months, Nissan delivered a 2017 Armada for my review. My earlier review offers a thorough inspection of this full-size sport utility vehicle, a model that competes with the likes of the Toyota Sequoia, Ford Expedition, … Read more
Nissan’s roomy midsize Pathfinder receives numerous improvements. The 2017 Nissan Pathfinder has been refreshed, the first significant change since the current-generation model debuted in 2013. More forceful styling, enhanced safety and technology features, and an updated engine are among the changes evident in this three-row, midsize crossover SUV offering room … Read more
Nissan catches up to the competition. Introduced in 2004, the Titan gave Nissan its first full-size truck. That move trumped Nissan’s arch-rival, Toyota, which was still three years away from bringing a larger and more robust Tundra to the market. But an odd thing happened along the way — Nissan … Read more
The second-generation Armada has sailed into port. Few manufacturers build full-size, traditional body-on-frame sport utility vehicles these days. Count Nissan among the few. Among mainstream brands, the Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Tahoe, and the Ford Expedition are your choices. Of the five, the Armada is the newest … Read more
To the hills with a highly capable Tacoma 4×4. The 2016 Toyota Tacoma kicked off the latest generation for this venerable midsize pickup truck. Although its footprint remains unaltered, the current model sees some important changes, including a new V6 engine, updated transmissions, and a refreshed cabin. The new model … Read more
GMC’s largest and most luxurious SUV. The SUV market continues to expand as consumers make the shift away from cars. The GMC Yukon and the larger Yukon XL are part of that trend and include customers moving up from a minivan or a crossover utility vehicle. 2016 GMC Yukon XL … Read more
A diesel-driven Titan XD Crew Cab 4×4 in SL garb visits the Auto Trends drive. Oftentimes, it is the second opportunity with a vehicle that paints a clearer picture of its capabilities. Following my introduction to the all-new Nissan Titan XD seven months earlier, I welcomed a 2016 Nissan Titan … Read more
Less bling, more substance for the grandest of all Cadillacs. The Cadillac Escalade is as large as the notoriety that precedes it. This full-sized SUV was launched in 1999, following the Lincoln Navigator to the market by one year. But it is the Cadillac model, not the Lincoln, which has … Read more
Behind the wheel of Toyota’s largest pickup truck. How do you like your pickup truck — small, medium or large? Small pickup trucks are no longer sold in the US, having morphed into midsize trucks beginning about two decades ago. With the Ford Ranger’s retirement in 2011, consumers were left … Read more
A new entry-level model has fueled even greater interest in all things Jeep. The Jeep brand is marking its 75th anniversary this year. Founded just prior to the United States’ entrance into the Second World War, Jeep was a Government Purchase (GP) vehicle based on the Bantam Reconnaissance Car, a … Read more
Large SUVs are back or at least consumer interest in them continues to rise as fuel prices fall. The GMC brand is well positioned to respond to consumers’ changing car-buying habits. Nourished chiefly by lower fuel prices, GMC sales increased by 11.3 percent in 2015, nearly double the 5.7 percent … Read more
This week, I learned it was possible to have multiple Cadillac Escalade moments behind the wheel of the GMC Yukon XL Denali. That reality shouldn’t surprise too many people as the Escalade ESV and the Yukon XL share the same platform and dimensions. Choosing the Denali line when shopping GMC … Read more
Now in its third model year, the current generation Chevrolet Silverado continues to ride the crest for pickup trucks, as its sales are up by nearly 14 percent year-do-date through November. This comes even as demand for the brand’s new Colorado midsize pickup truck draws additional attention to Chevrolet trucks, … Read more
The full-size pickup truck segment just got interesting. Again. Put the words “Nissan” and “pickup truck” together and invariably the Nissan Frontier comes to mind. The Frontier is a midsize pickup truck and the successor to various Nissan or Datsun trucks built since the 1950s and on sale across the … Read more
Someone at Jaguar Land Rover loves me. Indeed, not a month, perhaps two goes by and I receive yet another SUV, sedan or sports car. And just when I thought I have seen them all, yet another variant on the iconic British conveyance theme makes its way through my press … Read more
The next generation Toyota Tacoma pickup truck rolls out with available crawl control and a GoPro mount among its changes. A new V-6 engine, improved towing and payload capacities, and an upgraded interior are among the more noteworthy updates. This truck is priced from $23,300 and is available in five … Read more
See Also — Revealed: 2016 Toyota Tacoma Earlier this week, Toyota hosted yours truly at an automotive event by which the automaker introduced the 2016 Toyota Tacoma to the media. While the introduction was terrific for the assembled horde, there is both good news and bad news for me to … Read more
The second time around with any model often allows reviewers such as yours truly to savor a distinct perspective. That differentiation is only amplified when a larger and more powerful engine is offered. And in the case of the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, the subsequent model came with a … Read more
Within the past year I’ve had the opportunity to drive six pickup trucks produced by General Motors: three Chevrolet models and three GMC models. The differences between these trucks was small, except where size comes in, such as with the full-size Silverado versus the midsize Colorado. 2015 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 … Read more
The Ford Motor Company is in the midst of an experiment, one that could just as easily be described as a gamble. Beginning with the 2015 model year the F-150 is all new, but its uniqueness isn’t limited to a fresh face or a new engine — both are apparent … Read more
A new generation Colorado dispels an old way of building small trucks. General Motors cancelled the Chevrolet Colorado and the similar GMC Canyon following the 2012 model year, offering vague assurances that they would be back in the game some day with all-new, vastly improved models. The GM pickup duo, … Read more
Sixty models came and went in 2014. Those 60 represented my weekly drivers, an array of utility vehicles, coupes, sedans, sports cars, pickup trucks and vans that I had the pleasure (or misfortune) of driving. All joking aside, even the most sedate of the fleet models usually had something to … Read more
The ultimate in cabin comfort and 4×4 capabilities. In my neighborhood people drive an assortment of vehicles, including a fair share of hybrids and EVs. There are several pickup trucks around here too with a few heavy-duty models sprinkled in. Head just a few miles out of the metropolitan area … Read more
Sometimes the second time around is simply better. For instance, when you revisit what had been previously experienced the chances are good you will gain a different perspective and perhaps a renewed appreciation during the next go around. 2015 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4×4 Review Such was the case for this … Read more
The Jeep brand continues to set sales records and shows no signs of losing ground. New or updated models have propelled the brand as have new markets and consumers who are embracing America’s iconic 4×4 brand. 2015 Jeep Renegade Jeep is not resting on its laurels. The Chrysler Group, indeed … Read more
Now that the Ford Motor Company has turned its attention to Lincoln, new and updated products are debuting with more on the way. In 2013, the latest generation MKZ sedan made its appearance. This summer, the all-new MKC crossover utility vehicle rolled out. And this fall we have the latest … Read more
One year after taking delivery of my first 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee test vehicle, the fourth model pulled into my driveway. Among Grand Cherokees the Summit appropriately occupies the apex of the model line although the Grand Cherokee SRT costs much more and acts like a sports car. It is … Read more
There are countless ways to customize a 4×4: lifts, tires, shocks, light bars, armor – and that isn’t even touching on what you can do under the hood. With many modifications, a cursory Google search will turn up some ideas on the best build for a specific type of wheeling. … Read more
Jeep Grand Cherokee sales are up 15 percent for the year through Nov. 2013. Arguably, it is the most recognized name amongst premium midsize sport utility vehicles, but Jeep is not resting on its laurels. For 2014, the Grand Cherokee gains a new Summit edition, it is outfitted with an … Read more