Ode to the Conversion Van: A Family Classic for Times Gone By
Two weeks ago, the tie rod on my 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 conversion van broke off (I was parking, so I was safe). After towing it to a mechanic, it was deemed too rusty to repair.
Vehicles & Gear
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator Is Coming; Do You Want One?
I have a 2016 Jeep Rubicon, and believe it or not, it’s been one of my favorite vehicles to own ever. Now Jeep is bringing back the Gladiator, and I can’t help but feel a little bit of envy! Combining everything I love about the Wrangler Unlimited, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator adds a useful truckbed on for fun and utility.
The 2019 GMC Sierra with MultiPro Tailgate Wins at Tailgating
I think this might be the first time I’ve ever wanted something so offbeat, but the 2019 GMC Sierra with MultiPro Tailgate is giving me a serious case of envy. I live in a place where pickups rule; heck, we have three of them parked in our driveway, but not one of them has a tailgate that can do this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEBiRYoheuM
2019 BMW X4: Call It Whatever, I Call It Good
This week we reviewed another coupe from BMW. Another sports activity coupe that is, and in BMWspeak that means, well, it’s not a coupe. The EPA calls it a small SUV, and I pin it somewhere in the crossover utility/activity vehicle genre. Either way, this is the 2019 X4 from BMW.
2019 Jeep Cherokee Is a Whole New Animal
Dear Jeep, I recently tested your new 2019 Cherokee model, and I have two words – Thank You! The redesign has addressed many of the styling issues folks have not been shy about rendering opinions on, and that new engine with the turbocharger on it? Fuhgeddaboudit!
Feast Your Eyes on the 2019 Audi E-Tron, Audi’s First All-Electric Production Model
If you’ve been waiting for the day when there were multiple luxury electric SUV’s to choose from before you purchased yours, that day has come. The Audi e-tron is now available for pre-order; $1,000 down will put you in line to buy a spacious, state of the art, premium electric SUV that will comfortably hold five people and their cargo.
First Drive of the 2019 Cadillac XT4 Sport and Premium Luxury Editions
Who doesn’t love the smooth ride, roominess, and utility of a full-size luxury SUV? But until you’ve parked one in a tight garage, or put gas into an empty one, or made payments on one, you might not realize how impractical a full-size SUV can be. And that’s why we have compact SUVs like the luxurious new 2019 Cadillac XT4.
Accessorize Your New Ride, Right at the Factory
In recent weeks, the test driveway has hosted a couple of models that we have already reviewed in the past year. Much of what we have found in the Jeep Cherokee and Volkswagen Atlas is pretty much a repeat of our favorable impressions we reported. So let’s talk about accessorized versions of these two, right from the factory.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta is the ‘Betta Jetta’ Yet
Volkswagen is one of the leading automakers in the world, and right now is a great time for product here in the U.S. We have seen a great new 3-row SUV (Atlas) and a total makeover of the Tiguan crossover. Now we see the next-generation Jetta compact sedan, and what a winner this is.
2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Ushers in New Era
Toyota did something a bit unusual to debut the 12th generation of one of its most popular models. The 2019 Toyota Corolla arrived first as a hatchback. And while this is not the first subcompact hatchback from Toyota, it is the first to carry the name Corolla Hatchback here in North America – and it’s a good one.
2018 BMW X2 Is the New Sports Activity Something
BMW and I are going to have to agree to disagree on the all-new X2. The Bavarian automaker is billing the new model as a sports activity coupe, but I fail to see much coupe-ish about it. What is offered is a great combination of a hatchback and crossover utility vehicle, just not a coupe.
2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI Still the Gold Standard for ‘Hot Hatch’
It felt like an old friend had come by to visit last week. I was fortunate to receive the 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI five-door hatchback in the test driveway, and this model arrived with a manual transmission. It just felt like old times behind the wheel of this hot little hatch, and I enjoyed every minute.
2018 Toyota RAV4 Ready for ‘Adventure’
Toyota is getting ready to roll out the next-generation RAV4 compact utility vehicle later this fall, a vehicle we introduced to you earlier this year. So it came as a surprise when the 2018 RAV4 Adventure model rolled into our test driveway just barely ahead of the 2019 arrival.
2019 Toyota Avalon Leading a New Revolution for Cars
Toyota has just launched the new flagship of its North American fleet in the form of the fifth-generation Avalon mid-premium sedan. Designers and engineers have addressed nearly every aspect for the 2019 model year, but is it enough, especially given these troubled times for sedans?
2018 Toyota C-HR Is Distinctively Different
Toyota parked its national headquarters in our backyard a couple of years ago, and in recent weeks they have parked some new vehicles in our test driveway out front. We have written about a few Lexus products already, and now it is Toyota’s turn beginning with the new, distinctively different C-HR.
2018 Infiniti QX60 Delivers New Rear Seat Alert Technology
Recently we tested the QX60 midsize luxury crossover utility vehicle from Infiniti, again, and we really appreciated the accommodation and quality, again. Over the past five years, I think this is the fourth model to grace our test driveway. So, what’s new?
2018 Lexus LS 500h: Living Green in the Lap of Luxury
This is the most incredible experience I have had in my 20 years reviewing new vehicles…and that is just the audio system. The stereo is the new Mark Levinson 3D sound system complete with 24 speakers and 2,400 watts of power, and the car is the 2018 Lexus LS 500h luxury hybrid sedan.
2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: A Classic Reborn but Different
Not sure which crossover utility vehicle is right for you or your family? Well, while you have been sitting there, the field has gotten even more crowded. Welcome to the fold the all-new Eclipse Cross from Mitsubishi, that squeezes into the triple-diamond showroom bookended by a duo of Outlanders.
2018 Lexus RX 350L: Long(er) Live the King!
The Lexus RX, the best-selling luxury utility vehicle on the market, now offers a third row. While that may not come as a shock to many folks, what is surprising is just how long it took Lexus to add that third row.
2018 Hyundai Kona Is the New Capable, Compact Cute Ute
Does the world really need another compact crossover utility vehicle? Hyundai thinks so and has launched the all-new Kona for the U.S. market. Compact, cute, and capable…and designed for the “urban adventurer.”
2019 Infiniti QX50 Is ‘New and Improved’ and Then Some
New and improved! Oh, how I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard that phrase. Now we get to hear it from Infiniti as they introduce the 2019 QX50 midsize premium luxury crossover. New? Yes, including an all-new type of engine. Improved? You betcha!