When it debuted in 2012, the Hyundai Veloster represented a whole new persona for the Korean automaker. With quirky looks, it screamed “look at me” in an affordable way, while the spunky turbocharged version gave the vehicle some much-needed muscle. But that muscle didn’t really translate...
It’s strange to see a car appreciate in value, but it’s not impossible. For example, iconic sports cars of certain vintages may yield some kind of investment value after just 25 years. But what about a car that’s just three years old? After 740 units sold in North America, BMW stopped...
I hit the second staging light and began to panic. What’s the sequence needed to engage Mercedes-Benz‘s semi-secret race start mode again? All that came to me was “Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start.” No, that wasn’t it. People were already looking at...
On a hot summer day in July, 1980, I came screaming into this world at a chubby 9 lbs. and 8 ounces. I know, hard to believe if you look at me now, but I was a big newborn. After a short stay at the hospital, it was time to go home. This would be my first ever experience in life with what would...
Like many people, I grew up with Volvos. I aced my driving exam in a boxy silver 244 GL. I drove to my first real date in an enormous green 850 Turbo that closely resembled a ping pong table and had all the same curves. At one point, my parents had matching XC70 wagons. My mom still has hers...
Compact crossovers are hot-ticket items; American motorists just can’t get enough of these elevated hatchbacks. To cash in on this vehicular bonanza, the folks at Hyundai have totally redesigned the Tucson for 2016. Undoubtedly, Hyundai wants this car-based utility vehicle to make a big...
The Fiat 500c Abarth is ridiculous. It’s one of the least practical cars you can buy and there is a lot wrong with it. Despite its many flaws, though, it’s still one of my favorite cars to drive. Hear me out. The regular turbo Fiat 500 is already fun as it is, but the Abarth version...
“I have to buy one of these,” I said. It took just one corner, one gear change and one easily controllable slide in the Scion FR-S to convince me that it was a fantastic sports car. Back in 2012, it was an experience I couldn’t shake. Its grip on me, a complete contrast to its grip on the...
Mercedes has been on a new product offensive lately as part of a constant tug-of-war for the luxury sales crown with BMW and Audi. After its thrilling AMG GT, uber luxurious Maybach and entry-level GLA launches now comes the money maker: The all new GLC mid-sized SUV, which replaces the popular...
Automakers love to show off their engineering prowess. Dodge is pumping out 707-horsepower muscle cars, Ford and BMW are putting light-weight materials at the forefront of their next generation products, while Toyota and Chevrolet are electrifying everything. Volkswagen, on the other hand, has a...
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is becoming the Porsche 911 of SUVs. Not necessarily because of its performance, although the SVR model is plenty capable, but more so due to the sheer number of variants the Range Rover Sport can come in. With the addition of the hot-rod SVR model this year, the...
A rare creature roams the streets. Some say this beast is half utility vehicle and half sports car, while others call it an overgrown hatchback. Officially, it’s referred to as a Sports Activity Coupe or SAC for short. Its looks are certainly unusual and a hot spot for controversy. With a...
A large V8. Seating capacity for three. Rear-wheel drive. For years, this combination was the definition of pickup truck, and while this certainly isn’t the norm anymore, these simple, honest trucks are still out there. And if you’re looking for one of these at a Ram dealer, you may end up...
Power, prestige and affordability; pick two because there isn’t a car in the world that can genuinely offer all three. Or is there? One company is quietly offering a car that is close to being able to skirt this rule, except it is burdened by the three letters on its oval badge. Yes, the...
Born in Japan and raised in Europe, the 2016 Scion iM is primed to make its North American debut. Ready or not, this multicultural hatchback is on its way, but are company executives off their rocker thinking it’s a legitimate rival to established nameplates? Old (World) Meets New Essentially a...