French cars traditionally have served up rather unique driving experiences through novel and funky solutions to engineering problems, soft suspensions, and, more often than not, futuristic designs. For Peugeot, however, its styling efforts have devolved into downright boring cars since the elegant, Pininfarina-styled 405 it last sold in the United States in the early 1990s. […] More
We’re all familiar with the concept: Your favorite restaurant revamps the menu, removing everything delicious and replacing it all with more expensive, less satisfying fare. “Come on in. You’ll love our new menu!” Turns out this model isn’t exclusive to eateries. It’s also something automakers have glommed onto in recent months, most notably Ford. The […] More
30,000-Mile Update Our long-term 2019 Subaru Ascent is trickling its way to the 40,000-mile finish line. The Ascent doesn’t attract much attention for its driving dynamics, and with more enticing newcomers in our fleet, such as the Ram 1500 and the Kia Telluride, it isn’t our go-to for long hauls. As the miles tick away, […] More
Close your eyes, please. Okay, wait. You’ll have to open them if you’re going to read. Did you open them yet? Great. Now, take a nice deep breath. Feel the air rush through your nostrils as your lungs expand. And hold. Two. Three. Four. Now release. Ah . . . Sports sedans have coalesced around […] More
20,000-Mile Update The latest Type R is demonstrably great in many ways. But one thing missing from its hot-Honda lineage is that it isn’t built in Japan. It rolls off the line in England and the engine is bolted together in Ohio, making the six-speed manual transmission the only major subassembly that originates in Japan. […] More
The original Polaris Slingshot, launched in 2015, was a hedged bet: a three-wheeled, Batman-looking two-seater that wasn’t fully sure of its mission. Was this a motorcycle surrogate? Was it a stripped-down sports car? Was it a commuter vehicle that shows your local motor vehicles department rep that you play by nobody’s rules but your own? […] More
Burnouts, donuts, and powerslides. The three basic exercises of excessive tire destruction and the trifecta of automotive immaturity. The very reasons Dodge has been churning out Hellcat-engined Chargers and Challengers with more than 700 horsepower for five years. HIGHS: Tire smoking badassery, everyday drivability and comfort, room for the family. Tormented by traction, Hellcat drivers […] More
We’re not sure why the 2020 Mini JCW Countryman ALL4 has such a sad clown face. It’s a hip little crossover that offers family-friendly seating for five wrapped in distinctive Mini Cooper styling, and that’s before the John Cooper Works (JCW) model adds some serious go-fast goodness. There’s no reason for the Countryman to look […] More
