The Mazda CX-9 remains one of the better models in its class. Mazda doesn’t get the attention some of the bigger automakers receive unless it’s the MX-5 Miata roadster. That’s a shame as this Japanese manufacturer has long been the styling leader in a sea of nondescript models. Even as … Read more
High Country Chevy is at the apex of the Silverado range. Mostly everyone knows the next-generation Chevy Silverado 1500 is on its way, with production beginning this fall and the first models arriving sometime ahead of the Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year holiday season. The good news here is a larger, more powerful … Read more
New Aviator SUV strengthens the Lincoln marque. The Lincoln Aviator is back, an all-new SUV set to take flight next year. Notwithstanding the obvious aviation references, the 2019 Aviator may very well enable the Lincoln brand to recapture at least some of its past glory, particularly as the preeminent American … Read more
Audi presents the latest iteration of its largest SUV. The second-generation Audi Q7 has arrived, bringing with it a more car-like look. At first glance, you may see a tall wagon as Audi lowered the hood and relaxed the roofline. Inch for inch, the dimensional changes are minimal for Audi’s … Read more
Return of the top-of-the-line Discovery series. Land Rover divides its universe between top-of-the-line Range Rover models (currently numbering four) and a pair of standard Discovery models. But there is nothing “regular” about the Discovery and Discovery Sport other than a base Discovery Sport SE is the only Land Rover with … Read more
Volvo’s largest sedan is a head turner. There aren’t too many times when I may urge shoppers to wait a year to purchase a particular model. Indeed, most people who approach me about my car recommendations have already completed their research and are simply looking for validation that their decision … Read more
Audi’s flagship has limousine-like room at the ready. The Audi A8L is a flagship luxury sedan, an all-wheel drive conveyance presented as an extended (A8L) wheelbase model only. A standard wheelbase model (A8) was also offered through 2016, then discontinued. This means that all 2016 and 2017 Audi A8L models … Read more
One week of Ford Focus RS awesomeness! The Ford Focus RS may be the best small car in the world. Yes, I said it. But the “best” definition can be a tricky one to use as there are multiple categories to consider, i.e., quality, reliability, efficiency, and performance, among others. … Read more
The Lexus ES is a luxury sedan requiring no introduction. Now in its sixth generation, the ES line is one of two models that launched the Lexus brand in 1989 (the flagship LS is the other one) and remains Lexus’ top-selling model behind the RX SUV. The ES line has … Read more
Nissan’s flagship sedan throws down 300 horses. The 2017 Nissan Maxima defies easy description. Or categorization. On the one hand, it is a mainstream midsize sedan. On the other hand, its upper-end trims rival the high-quality interiors you find in some luxury models. Adding further confusion to the mix is … 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
What’s big, beautiful, and seats eight? That would be the LX 570, the largest of four SUVs sold by Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand. Two hybrid variants are also available. This vehicle takes the bones of the highly capable Toyota Land Cruiser and adds Lexus panache to create one of the … Read more
Muscular, luxury SUV brings performance to the compact range. When was the last time you found a crossover utility vehicle exciting? Crickets. Yeah, I thought so. To be fair, there are some fun crossovers out there, but typically you’ll have to opt for the high-end performance edition and all-wheel drive … Read more
Ford’s three-row midsize crossover delivers off-road capabilities. Ford’s strength in utility vehicles is evident as nearly every model it offers is a hit. Even the quirky Ford Flex has an audience, people who prefer a more wagon-like experience and are not put off by its polarizing visage. And then there … Read more
Continental is back, the all-new flagship sedan for the Lincoln brand. The Ford Motor Company is sticking with its beleaguered Lincoln marque, committing billions of dollars to revive what was once the best-selling luxury automotive brand in the United States. Leading that effort is the 2017 Lincoln Continental, its new … Read more
Are diesels better than gasoline engines? A significant segment of the consumer market thinks so, especially in Europe, where such engines compose nearly half the vehicles purchased. In the US, diesels have had difficulty gaining acceptance, with heavy-duty pickup trucks and German luxury cars among those offering them. But with … Read more
A final look at the outgoing Hyundai Genesis. The Hyundai Genesis is marketed as a “premium luxury sedan” and is the first upscale model sold by this Korean manufacturer in North America. Introduced in 2009, it was soon joined by the unrelated Genesis Coupe and the still larger Hyundai Equus. … Read more
Keeping the exterior of your car clean is not difficult. Regular washing and occasional waxing is pretty much all it takes. But, what about the inside of the car? People spend much more of their time inside the car than they do looking at it; a clean interior has a … Read more