Let's just get this out of the way, the CT4-V Blackwing is a powerful vehicle in a very compact (subcompact) package... it is also not a car for truck-sized guys like me. As such I honestly felt a bit awkward reviewing it in the way where you know it can do more than you're physically able to accommodate safely. That sucks because this is a very fun little car that offers a unique curve hugging nimbleness that you'd otherwise find only in a vehicle such as the Corvette.

After putting the rugged CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition through its paces on frozen muddy roads a couple of weeks earlier, I was curious how its more sophisticated sibling, the CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus, would handle a different kind of adventure – a holiday road trip through America's heartland. Spoiler alert: this hybrid crossover proved that going green doesn't mean compromising on luxury or capability. In fact, the improved gas mileage on this model addressed my biggest disappointment on the previous model. An unfair assessment for a trim level intended to be capable of some off-road adventures, but this Premium Plus trim fully lived up to the model's potential as a shining star in Mazda's lineup of capable crossovers!

Toyota has done wonders for the look and feel of it's vehicles over the past several years while refreshing almost its entire line. The brand is undeniably conservative and that's ultimately why you buy a Toyota - dependability. However, at a certain point a car needs to offer the chance to make an emotional connection with the buyer and that's never been more true for the 2021 Highlander XSE. 

The BMW X7 has built a reputation of luxury, power, and quality that makes it a symbolic high-end vehicle for individuals such as diplomats, politicians, executives, and VIPs. The vehicle’s OEM specifications make this model the perfect base for armoring, turning this luxurious SUV – the symbol of status – into a symbol of safety and protection. INKAS Armored Vehicle Manufacturing is proud to release the world’s first armored BMW X7, offering exceptional protection and ultimate comfort.

Our time spent with the Nissan Armada was an interesting one. I say this not only because the brand is in the middle of a transition as it updates some of it's older products, but also in that compared to vehicles like Chevy's Tahoe it provides some nice design elements that make it more practical for a suburban family. This is immediately noticed when you first step into the driver's seat but continues throughout the ride.

There's absolutely no rational reason why the Durango SRT exists other than because some engineers at Dodge said they wanted to be the fastest dads (and moms!) in the PTA pickup line. With 475 hp and a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds, this three-row SUV is the most fun I've ever had with a family car. 

Buying a motocross bike and learning the first tricks was fun and now you’re looking for more challenges? Racing on a motocross track might look like an easy thing to observers, but once you hit the track, you’ll figure out how much training it requires to finish a motocross track race successfully. If you’ve never participated in a motocross race, but have a strong desire to try, in this article you’re going to get very useful tips that will make you first motocross racing experience much better and easier. 

When you hear "compact crossover," your mind probably doesn't jump to weekend adventures and off-road escapades. Don't worry I didn't either but Mazda's CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition tries to change that perception, offering a sweet spot between daily driver practicality and adventure-ready capability. While this is not going to win (or finish) King of the Hammers any time soon, for guys looking for a vehicle that looks sharp, drives well around town, and is ready for a ride down dirt roads on the way to your camp site... this is a great car to consider!

The 2021 Kia Telluride SX is a mid-sized SUV that offers an edge. It provides all the power of a traditional SUV at an attractive price point with plenty of technology and amenities like heated seats, connectivity, safety features, and even a 5,000 pound towing capacity that makes this a great option for budget conscious shoppers.

The all-new 2021 Kia Sorento X-Line is the brand's latest iteration of their popular mid-sized SUV. With the addition of the X-Line package, Sorento promises off-road adventure options that normally you might not consider with a vehicle like this. Like all Kia SUVs, it is packed with plenty of tech and safety features and plenty of interior space for your passengers in the third row too. Is X-Line purely cosmetic for the aspirational off roader or is this something that you can use to go places you wouldn't normally take other unibody SUVs? Let's take a look!

So, you’re looking for a sub-compact crossover. Well, your choices in this class are numerous! Every manufacturer has at least one and more are on the way this fall.

I love EVs. Electric vehicles are undoubtly the future and while there are some enormous obstacles that some say are unsurmountable, I am an optimist. Technology is advancing so fast that issues such as range anxiety and battery production will be resolved quickly. However, I'm also a realist and some issues such as needing more power generating ability to support the paradigm shift to an all-EV future will take longer. Regardless, while I try to be balanced in my views - many people only react to what they see from detractors who like to spread false and unflattering news about EVs. So, let's take a look at eight myths about EVs that too many people simply assume are true.

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer is more than just a luxury SUV. It takes all the best elements inherent to the Jeep brand and wraps them up into an unbelievably posh but high-performance vehicle. Some people might be familiar with past iterations of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. They likely have fond memories of the wood trim and hybrid station wagon-SUV look. While the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer has a much different overall appearance than it’s elders, it embodies the same combination of ruggedness and civility.

Mazda is a brand that we haven't had much exposure to recently but it continues to fill a very nice niche of affordable luxury and because it isn't focused on serving a mass-market customer, it can deliver a different design experience than other manufactures. For some people this is the right fit and understandably for others it isn't right. That's why test drives are so important and why I enjoy spending time driving these vehicles over a series of days on different terrain. For this road trip, we took the Mazda CX-9 up to Palm Springs and tested it on a mixture of suburban streets, high-speed interstates, and twisty mountain roads. What we found was a very enjoyable and comfortable ride that while not a standout in terms of power or luxury amenities - hit a very attractive price point that is thousands less than comparable 3-row SUVs from luxury brands like Cadillac.

If you are looking for a three-row SUV right now... there are TONS of options but honestly, very few are actually SUVs. Most are crossovers and the ones that remain are giant truck-frame based vehicles that frankly are bigger than most families need. Unfortunately there were few options in the middle and that's where the Jeep Grand Cherokee L comes in. 

I get spoiled by access to the latest and greatest tech in high-end trim levels of various trucks and SUVs that brands send me to review. Across all of these vehicles, there's one tech feature that I miss the most when I move back to my regular car and especially when driving my father-in-law's truck - a rear-view camera system. I didn't realize that you could actually purchase something like this after-market and doubly so I didn't realize that it could be packed with features like being able to record video while functioning as a front and rear dashcam too! 

I've never had a loaner where I was initially so conflicted on how I thought about it. Quite frankly, we all get pretty spoiled because the manufacturers want to push us to write about the top-of-the-line trim levels with all the fancy (and expensive!) bells and whistles. This often takes a vehicle very rapidly from a modest "Starting At" price to a very lofty "As Shown" reality. However, after a few days of driving it, the things that initially made me wince based on the $55,000 price point - no power liftgate, no power seats, fabric seats, etc. began to feel comfortable and nostalgic. This isn't a rolling around town strutting your stuff sort of SUV, this is a back to basics, ready for adventure vehicle that is just waiting for your next overlanding trip.

In the world of three-row family haulers there's an almost infinite number of options. It's a category that tends to lean towards practicality over fun and performance but leave it to Mazda to turn that on it's head with a vehicle that was as fun to drive as it was practical for loading donations and supplies during our move from San Diego a few weeks ago. During this gauntlet we quite literally took multiple trips each day where it was loaded to the gills but then needed to take breaks before doing it over again. The 2024 Mazda CX-90 Plugin Hybrid filled the bill so well that Heather and I immediately added it to our short list of vehicles to consider buying.

We tried the Mazda CX-90 PHEV last fall while moving in San Diego and fell in love with the vehicle. It was the first time that I began to consider the possibility of selecting a luxury 3-row crossover instead of a truck. However, to be completely honest... that rapid two-week whirlwind of packing and moving also wiped our mind clear of some of the specific details so when we got the opportunity to try it out again we jumped at the opportunity. Doubly so since we were going to be doing a bit of a road trip to Port Clinton, OH to watch the eclipse from near the center of the path of totality.

Simply put, the Grand Highlander takes everything we love about family haulers from Toyota and makes it .. well .. grand. More space, more power, more luxury, this is the vehicle that any Toyota family needs to consider upgrading to if they want something "more" but aren't quite ready to move into a fully luxury-focused vehicle.