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Do you think modern RVs provide too much Vehicle and not enough Recreation? Here’s a tiny JDM camper for big adventures.With a thrifty diesel engine, this little camper will go the distance on a budget, albeit very, very slowly.This 1996 Isuzu Elf was imported to the United States in July. Car and DriverThe RV lifestyle experienced a huge boom in the past few years, but the industry arguably has a bloat problem. These massive homes on wheels rumble up to the campsite, expand their sides hydraulically, and sprawl out like the mobile headquarters from Universal Soldier. This is back to nature? Hardly. But here’s a pint-sized solution straight from Japan.Bring a TrailerFor wanderers who don’t feel the need to bring every dang thing along with them, there’s this 1996 Isuzu Elf camper. It’s absolutely adorable, sized like a Tokyo apartment but carefully packaged and ready for adventure. It’s up for auction on Bring A Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos. Bring a TrailerThis wee RV is right-hand-drive, but that shouldn’t be too much of a drawback. Toll booths and drive-thrus may require the help of your passenger, but small JDM trucks and vans are very narrow, so reaching out the passenger-side window isn’t out of the question. The other problem with right-hand drive in a left-hand-drive country is seeing around the car in front of you to safely make a pass on a two-lane road. Rest assured that you will not be passing anything in this RV, given its 133-hp 3.1-liter four-cylinder diesel.Bring a TrailerWant to get there quickly? Pack a tent in the trunk of your Nissan Skyline GT-R. This Elf is all about wandering the backroads like a company of Hobbits, taking the time to actually enjoy the scenery. With such a small, it should be no harder to find an overnight spot than it would be in something like a Honda CR-V, except here you have a nicely outfitted sleeping area and a small kitchen. Bring a TrailerOf course, buying a vehicle that was never officially sold in the U.S. comes with some concerns about parts availability and servicing. Depending on where you’re located, finding a JDM specialist may not actually be that tricky, especially on the West Coast. If you live in Seattle, Portland, or Northern California, you will not be the only peripatetic soul with a JDM camper. You might even be able to find a local club. Bring a TrailerWith just 67,000 miles (in kilometer equivalent, naturally) on its durable diesel engine, this bento box of an RV has just barely started its adventure. Apply the Marie Kondo method to your camping gear, and get packing for a less-is-more RV lifestyle.Contributing EditorBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More

The Nigel Mansell Legacy Collection auction at Sotheby’s features more than 300 memorabilia items up for sale.Along with the racing trophies and helmets are some really unusual pieces: crocheted Nigel doll, anyone?Have a hunt through and see if there are any little treasures that you absolutely have to add to your mantelpiece. You’ve got until October 4, the starting date of the auction, to decide.For us mere mortals, cleaning out the attic rarely involves uncovering treasure. If, however, you happen to be England’s most famous mustachioed racing hero (with apologies to the late Graham Hill), then dispensing with clutter means putting an Aladdin’s cave worth of rarities up for sale. It’s clear 1992 F1 champion Nigel Mansell has read one of Marie Kondo’s books recently, as he is currently auctioning off hundreds of items of racing memorabilia at Sotheby’s.With 329 lots up for grabs, it’s a veritable cornucopia, some of it quite strange. Mansell sold two of his personally owned Formula 1 racing cars last year at Monaco, netting some $8.2 million, but the suggested prices here are much more reasonable. Further, all of the lots are offered without reserve. You might well score the kind of deal that would put a smile on the face of a thrifty son of Birmingham, U.K.And also, some of the stuff ol’ Nige is de-cluttering is delightfully weird. There are plenty of old racing suits and signature crash helmets, but also some really fun souvenirs.Simon Clay Courtesy of RM Sotheby’sTake, for instance, this 1988 Honda ST-70 bike. Known as the Dax in Europe/Japan, and the Trail 70 over here, this little Honda was used as a pit bike by Mansell during his time at Scuderia Ferrari. It wears its Ferrari shields legitimately, and there are photos of Mansell giving fellow world champion Alain Prost a ride around the paddock at the British Grand Prix. Not odd enough? Would sir or madam be interested in a Magic Mansell fuel pump for the living room, complete with Nigel’s signature bushy-eyebrowed visage beaming out at you? Just think of what a hit it would be at dinner parties. Speaking of dinner parties, what better place for your guests to set down their drinks than on a collection of wheels of a William F1 car, one of which is signed, “Happy birthday Nigel, lollipops for ever.” Lollipops forever? No explanation is given in the listing.Simon Clay Courtesy of RM Sotheby’sSimon Clay Courtesy of RM Sotheby’sYou yourself can relax in a molded seat from a 1989 Ferrari F1 640 racing car, contoured to those famous Brummie buttocks. Might need to dig up a stand for it, but it’d make an ideal chair, and go well with a 640 model of unspecified scale that is also up for auction.1985 Canon Williams Honda European Grand Prix helmet ’First Win.’ ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’sBesides the F1 memorabilia, don’t forget that Mansell was also a champion in CART/Indy racing. If so inclined, you can add an unopened bottle of champagne from his 1993 rookie attempt at the Indy 500, where he placed third. It’s not the only unopened champagne bottle up for auction—you could very nearly put a cellar together.But perhaps what you’re after isn’t the third-place trophy from the 1989 Belgian Grand Prix, nor a Ferrari-branded leather briefcase, nor an IndyCar Fastest Qualifier award which is also, for some bizarre reason, a knife. Maybe you want some of that Nigel Mansell swagger, what the kids call drip.Hurry, then, to the multiple lots of wonderfully throwback vintage clothing, including Canon-Williams livered ski jackets. Top it off with one of Mansell’s signature blue-and-gold Goodyear caps, and all you need is to grow a moustache and and a pair of eyebrows like two small bears.Have a browse through the Sotheby’s auction here, and see what other Mansell-ian treasures await. Nigel might not need these strange delights cluttering up his life anymore, but very possibly you do. Recent AuctionsContributing EditorBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More

Mini-pickups were often used as motorcycle haulers, and that’s the two-piece setup we have here.This Datsun 620 pickup is paired with a Yamaha CT3 Enduro, both 1973 models.The Datsun has some custom touches outside and even more inside.Car and DriverIn 1973, the Arab oil embargo resulted in a spike in gas prices and even gas shortages. For car enthusiasts, there was the sense that a golden age was coming to an end (American Graffiti’s nostalgic pining for early-‘60s California was released that summer). But you could still have plenty of fun with a few gallons of fuel in the early 1970s, and here’s just the pairing to prove it. Bring a TrailerThis 1973 Datsun 620 pickup plus Yamaha motorcycle combo is up for auction on Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos. The pair are both painted the colors of a California summer sunset, and together they make you want to head out into the desert for some fun ripping around in the dirt, and then listening to The Doobie Brothers as the stars come out.Bring a TrailerThe Datsun is the star of the show, fitted as it is with some seriously groovy exterior artwork, yet a modern interior upgrade that looks straight out of Minecraft. It wears a BRE front lip spoiler with “the Night Stalker” emblazoned on it, but with a three-speed automatic transmission and a four-cylinder engine, it’s more of an Evening Cruiser.Mind you, that four-cylinder is a blend of Datsun L16 and L18 parts, with a displacement of 1.7 liters and twin Hitachi carburetors. The claimed output is 133 horsepower at 8000 rpm, which is plenty feisty for a little 1970s pickup truck. Hopped-up Datsuns were all the rage at the time, and this truck has a whiff of BRE 510 about it. The automatic transmission isn’t the most performance-oriented option, but after riding motorcycles in the dunes until your legs turn to jelly, would probably make for an easier trip home.Bring a TrailerThe motorcycle is a Yamaha CT3 Enduro, also of 1973 vintage. It’s intended for offroad use only and doesn’t actually run, so it’s more of a project. Repairing a single-cylinder two-stroke Japanese motorcycle of this era is about as difficult as assembling a Duplo set. Or you could cruise up to your local car meet and just talk about your plans for the Yamaha—this is also an accepted convention of project-motorcycle ownership. Bring a TrailerThis auction for this pure-1970s combo ends September 21. Contributing EditorBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More

Our test results for the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max show impressive acceleration times.It also beat out other three-row SUVs in terms of observed fuel economy.The Hybrid Max setup is only available on the Grand Highlander’s top two trim levels.Welcome to Car and Driver’s Testing Hub, where we zoom in on the test numbers. We’ve been pushing vehicles to their limits since 1956 to provide objective data to bolster our subjective impressions (you can see how we test here).We found a lot to like about the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander when we first drove and tested it, but now that we’ve been able to compare it against the three-row SUV segment writ large, we’re particularly impressed with the performance of its new 362-horsepower Hybrid Max powertrain. This setup, which combines a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four gas engine with two electric motors and a six-speed automatic transmission, delivers on both the acceleration and fuel-economy fronts.In our three-row SUV comparison test, the Grand Highlander was the quickest in a straight line by a wide margin, getting to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. That’s despite it weighing more than any of its closest rivals, at a hefty 4936 pounds. There are quicker three-row SUVs out there, but not many: the Dodge Durango’s V-8–powered SRT variants come to mind, plus expensive luxury-badged SUVs such as the BMW X5 and Audi Q7.More on the Grand HighlanderThe Grand Highlander also lives up to the brand’s reputation for fuel-efficient hybrids—at least in relative terms. While the Hybrid Max model doesn’t achieve Prius-level MPG numbers, it was the thriftiest SUV in our test, averaging 25 mpg over our 650-mile comparison loop. That beats the EPA’s 22 mpg combined rating. Still, we were a bit disappointed with the Grand Highlander’s result in our 75-mph highway fuel economy test, where it only hit 24 mpg, a bit behind the EPA’s 26 mpg estimate.While the Hybrid Max is considerably more expensive than the 2024 Grand Highlander’s lesser powertrains, which include a nonhybrid turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four and a less powerful but more efficient hybrid with a nonturbo 2.5-liter gas engine, we think the upgrade is worth it. The Hybrid Max setup is available only on the Limited and Platinum trim levels, which both carry starting prices above $55,000.Senior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

There is a simple rule in the truck wars: numbers always go up. It doesn’t matter if it’s the maximum towing capacity, maximum horsepower, or maximum number of cupholders: This year’s full-size trucks must provide more in every category. That’s why we were surprised to see that, for 2024, the new Ford F-150’s max payload number has actually fallen compared to last year’s model.The 2023 F-150 offered up to 3315 pounds of hauling capacity. For 2024, that number falls to 2455 pounds.An 860-lb drop sounds cataclysmic. But for the trucks people actually order, it’s not going to make much of a difference. Because while that 3315-pound number provided Ford with plenty of bragging rights, actual buyers almost never optioned a truck to have that kind of hauling capacity. It required you to get a 5.0-liter V-8 single-cab 4×2 truck with an eight-foot bed, the Max Trailer Tow package, and the Heavy-Duty Payload package. That last package is what gave it the 800-pound payload advantage over the rest of the lineup, but Ford axed it to limit configurations.”The 2024 F-150 still offers best-in-class max payload capability. Payload was reduced when the Heavy Payload package was removed for the 2024 model year,” a Ford spokesperson told Road & Track.The company focused heavily on eliminating order complexity for the new F-150. That means eliminating as many packages as possible. Given that the Heavy Payload package was rarely optioned and required a bunch of tweaks—including different springs, tires, drivetrain cooling, etc.—it’s not surprising to see it’s off the menu. Especially because, as the spokesperson noted, Ford’s max payload figure still trumps all of its rivals. If you want more than that, you’ll have to get a heavy-duty truck.Related Stories”We’re simplifying our offerings based on how we know customers actually use their vehicle and running the business more efficiently,” the spokesperson told R&T. “We’re also bundling the most popular features and making it even easier for customers to quickly build, price, and order the F-150 that best meets their work and recreation needs. This results in many benefits: higher quality, improved customer experience—easier for customers to order and dealers to stock, and faster to turn the units.”Reviews EditorArguably the most fickle member of the Road & Track staff, Reviews Editor Mack Hogan is likely the only person to ever cross shop an ND Miata with an Isuzu Vehicross. He founded the automotive reviews section of CNBC during his sophomore year of college and has been writing about cars ever since.Born and raised in Metro Detroit, associate editor Lucas Bell has spent his entire life surrounded by the automotive industry. He may daily drive an aging Mustang, but his Porsche 944 and NB Miata both take up most of his free time.  More

AAA’s Roadside Assistance service is a lifesaver for enthusiasts and normal drivers alike. Being able to get a tow, jump, or splash of fuel when your car is stranded is essential, and it’s a key reason that most people on our staff keep their AAA memberships active. The only problem is that when you need it most—in a remote area, without anyone to help—you may not have cell service and end up stuck regardless. That is, unless you have an iPhone 14 or 15. In its keynote address announcing the new iPhone lineup on Tuesday, Apple announced that last year’s Emergency SOS via Satellite function is getting an upgrade. Owners of last year’s iPhone are already able to request emergency services, call search and rescue, or send their location to a friend.Apple But soon, owners of iPhone 14 and 15 models will also be able to connect to AAA via satellite. They’ll be able to message the nation’s largest roadside assistance provider and report whether they are locked out, out of fuel/charge, have a flat, are unable to start the car, or are stuck. AAA notes that it does not do off-road recovery, though, so don’t think they’ll rescue you from the backcountry trail you promised your buddy you could handle. If you’re on a road, though, the roadside assistance service will be covered by your normal plan’s terms. If you’re not a AAA member, you can pay per use of the service. Apple includes two years of Emergency SOS Via Satellite with all new iPhone 14 and 15 purchases.Reviews EditorArguably the most fickle member of the Road & Track staff, Reviews Editor Mack Hogan is likely the only person to ever cross shop an ND Miata with an Isuzu Vehicross. He founded the automotive reviews section of CNBC during his sophomore year of college and has been writing about cars ever since. More

Nissan has revealed the Frontier Hardbody Edition, which it teased earlier this month.The retro-inspired truck features cool 17-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and a sport bar. The $3890 package is available on the SV Crew Cab 4×4 trim, giving the Hardbody Edition a starting price of $42,095.The 2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody Edition arrives as a throwback-inspired model that harks back to the original Hardbody from the 1980s and ’90s. Nissan teased the truck earlier this month, and now it has revealed details and pricing. Unsurprisingly, the production version of the mid-size pickup truck looks nearly identical to the Project Hardbody concept that debuted at the 2022 Chicago auto show, though Nissan’s choice of tire has changed.The Hardbody package is only available on the SV Crew Cab 4×4 trim, which starts at $38,205. Adding the $3890 package pushes the price to $42,095. The production version of the truck is shown here with red paint like the OG version. It also has cool 17-inch wheels that mimic the originals. The hardcore BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires from the teaser are gone and have been replaced by a less aggressive set of Hankook Dynapro AT2 all-terrain tires. Apart from the tire swap, almost all of the visual alterations for the throwback edition make their way to the production model. Black overfenders, a front skid plate, and some special decals round out the visual changes. A sport bar is mounted behind the cab, but it lacks the lights seen on the concept.For 2024, Nissan also adds a new SL trim for crew-cab models. It’s a more comfort-focused trim that adds LED lighting, leather-appointed seating, and a 10-speaker Fender audio system. Pricing for the SL starts at $40,975, while the base S trim starts at a much lower $31,105.More on the HardbodyThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

Updates for Android Auto include more functionality, with new apps and entertainment options.Users can improve productivity in the car with audio-only Webex and Zoom conference calls and virtual meetings while on the road, or pass the time while charging up your EV with Prime Video series or in-car web-browsing.For Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis models, there’s also a new phone-based digital key for your car.Automakers spend millions in R&D on designing their infotainment systems, but it increasingly seems like they should just leave the work to the phone companies. Case in point: Android Auto’s latest updates provide even more useful features for drivers, all packaged with the smartphone you probably already have in your pocket.GoogleOn the productivity side, new in-car apps from Webex and Zoom will make it easier to join in on conference calls while behind the wheel. A transition to virtual work untethered plenty of folks from their desks. Still, having to pull over to fumble for your phone or laptop to join in on a virtual meeting is a pain. Now, you can chime in—audio only, of course—while on the move, turning your Android Auto–equipped car into a mobile office.The latest update comes with new entertainment options for vehicles with built-in Google, and none too soon, either. As EV early adopters long ago learned, public chargers aren’t always placed next to that perfectly quaint coffee shop. Waiting around to top off your EV can bore you to tears. Rolling out for Volvo and Polestar brand vehicles (and, overseas, Renault), a new Prime Video app allows users to stream their favorite shows while the electrons trickle in. There’s also a new Vivaldi internet browser for web surfing.InfotainmentCars with Google onboard also have access to an app from the Weather Channel. When downloaded, this app allows your Honda to give you forecast updates as you drive along, something that’s ideal for road trips and day-to-day commutes. The app even offers an onboard weather radar map view of your planned trip.Lock and Unlock for Hyundai/Kia/Genesis Last, Google is expanding its rollout of digital vehicle keys, something that’s already available in some European markets. For some Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles, the use of a compatible Pixel or Samsung phone allows users to unlock and start their vehicles with just their phone. You can also send this digital key to other phones, should you lend your car to someone else.For now, most of these features are tied to certain vehicle brands, but Google says the apps will soon be more common. There are still holdouts, including Rivian, but between Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the industry may be working toward a more standardized type of onboard infotainment.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Contributing EditorBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More