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10,000-Mile Update The updates on many of our long-term cars, particularly the trouble-free ones, tend to be as much about us as about the vehicles. In the absence of reliability or service drama, the focus instead becomes the places we visit, plus whatever new annoyances we find over the course of 40,000 miles. But the […] More
In the automotive world, venturing into a new segment is risky business. Remember the two-seat convertible SUV segment pioneered by the Suzuki X90? No? Well, that’s because it failed to gain any traction. But, there are benefits to taking a chance, which is what Mercedes-Benz did when it launched the GLA-class. Not quite a hatchback, […] More
Hells Angels are welcome at Maxdons Bar and Grill. So are the Mongols, Bandidos, Outlaws, Pagans, Sons of Silence, and the Vagos—as long as their patches stay outside. “No Motorcycle Colors Allowed,” says the sign on the front door. Apparently, this is where the one-percenters go for a great steak. HIGHS: Supercar drama and speed, […] More
Back in 2011, Volkswagen announced that it would call its new big sedan for the United States market the Passat. VW’s new Tennessee-build sedan might have had the same name as the Passat in Europe, but the two cars were different. America’s Passat would be a spacious and affordable four-door. Europe’s Passat would be a […] More
The formula for making a luxury hybrid vehicle generally entails taking a model’s most powerful gas engine and adding even more power via an electric motor or two. Voila, there’s your brand’s flagship. Volvo knows what we’re talking about. So does Lincoln. You want the top-spec Porsche Panamera? That’ll be the 677-hp Turbo S E-Hybrid. […] More
Less is more, or so they say. But they are not us. After sitting out a season, the inconspicuous Audi S7 returns to the roster rendered in sharper sheetmetal, overflowing with tech, and sporting two fewer cylinders. We take issue with that last bit. Listen, we like V-8s and the music their pistons mosh to. […] More
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata hybrid has a pretty face. And although it’s poor form to comment on such things, it has a pretty backside, too. It’s probably okay when it’s a car, though. Polite or not, we’d hate to get so caught up in the Sonata’s looks that we fail to appreciate what’s on its […] More
Born as the upscale derivative of the classless Volkswagen Golf, the Audi A3 has led a bit of a duplicitous life. Critics might call it badge engineering because deep down it’s a people’s car. But it’s more than badge engineering. The A3 looks, feels, and acts like a different car. The things you see and […] More
