Car reviews

The 2020 Volkswagen Touareg R is a high-performance version of the familiar midsize SUV. Unveiled in February 2020, ahead of the Geneva Motor Show, the 2020 Touareg R is the first of its kind to boast an "R" badge. It’s also the first R model with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain and the first range-topping variant of any Volkswagen nameplate to feature electrification.

The 2020 Touareg R also makes the Touareg the third VW nameplate to offer a hybrid model after the Golf and the Passat. Because Volkswagen no longer offers the Touareg in the United States, where it has been replaced by the Atlas, the Touareg R won’t cross the pond to North America. Let’s find out more about this SUV in the review below.

Back in 2014, BMW took a very confident step into the world of the EV, officially launching its “Project i” sub-brand with the i3. Following hot on its heels was the remarkable i8 hybrid coupe, which garnered the German brand oodles of green cred for its futuristic aesthetic and advanced powertrain. These days, BMW says it has big plans for its electrified lineup, with a total of 12 battery-electrics planned by 2025, plus 13 hybrids as well. One of the most exciting prospects is dubbed to i4, which promises four-door practicality, high-end luxury, extraterrestrial styling, and next-generation technology.

Update 2/27/2020: The BMW i4 Prototype with a RWD configuration was caught playing in the snow just a week before the i4 Concept is set to make its debut.

Prior to 2020, the BMW 7 Series was somewhat lacking when compared to models like the Audi A8 and Mercedes S-Class. For 2020, however, BMW put the 7 Series through an extensive facelift that included a revised exterior look, fresh technology, and updated powertrains – most of which were all inspired by the new BMW 8 Series. With a new V-8 engine being offered in the 750i trim, it was time to see what the 7 Series can offer, and we did exactly that. This is our experience with the BMW 750i and what we thought after spending a whole week with one of BMW’s most expensive models.

The 2020 Audi RS6 Avant is the range-topping version of Audi’s midsize wagon, the A6 Avant. Arguably the most iconic RS model, the RS6 Avant returns with a brand-new exterior and is more powerful than ever. Unlike its predecessor, it’s no longer entirely based on the A6, as it borrows front fascia elements from the A7 and the R8. The 2020 RS6 Avant is also the first of its kind to feature a hybrid drivetrain thanks to a 48-volt system. Granted, it’s not a full-fledged hybrid, but it’s an essential step toward electrification. Unlike its predecessors, the 2020 Audi RS6 Avant will be offered in the United States.

The 2020 Bentley Continental GT Mulliner Convertible is a special-edition version of the Continental GTC. As the name suggests, the drop-top has been customized by Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke division, so it basically takes over as the range-topping model of the Continental GTC.

Although it doesn’t look very different compared to the standard model and it’s available with the same engines, the Mulliner stands out thanks to a handful of exclusive features. This model is basically dedicated to customers who want an even greater focus on customization and a car that stands out from the pack. Let’s find out what makes it special in the review below.

Other than Bentley’s Mulliner division, Aston Martin’s Q by Aston Martin bespoke division is arguably one of the best custom arms among all the luxury car brands in the business. Q by Aston has been responsible for some of the most provocative special edition Aston Martins in recent memory, and now that the brand’s first-ever SUV is on the market, Q by Aston is flexing its muscles yet again. The Aston Martin DBX by Qmarries all the qualities of what a special edition Aston Martin should look like. It’s dripping in the kind of bespoke goodness that Q by Aston stakes its name on. The Aston Martin DBX by Q by Aston Martin makes its world debut at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe is a version of the fourth-generation GLE, introduced in 2019. The second generation of the coupe-style SUV, the 2020 GLE Coupe boasts a brand-new design, rides on a new platform, and features improved and new technology.

It’s also equipped with new engines that deliver better performance. Aimed initially at the BMW X6, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe also competes against recently introduced nameplates like the Audi Q8 and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. Let’s find out more about it and see how it compares to its rivals in the review below.

The Volkswagen Arteon came to our attention back in 2017, during its unveil at the Geneva Motor Show. Three years into the fastback-shaped sedan’s career, Volkswagen is planning to give the Arteon a well-deserved nip and tuck which would keep customer interest fresh and address the areas that needed further improvements.

With the refreshed Arteon, however, we’re expecting Volkswagen to introduce a spicier, more performance oriented version under its notorious R badge. Our suspicions are backed up by a recent set of spy shots that show a virtually undisguised test mule that wears a lot of R-specific features. Allow us to detail, then.

Peugeot finally woke up from its slumber and decided to enter the pickup truck market. The French automaker has revealed its latest creation called the Landtrek. Peugeot isn’t a new player in the truck market and has had a fair share of haulers back in the day, such as the 504 and the 404 trucks.

Even now, it sells the Pick Up in a few African markets. Now, however, it has “returned” with a sincere effort in the form of the Landtrek. Instead of testing the waters by launching just a couple of variants, Peugeot has decided to go full throttle by introducing the truck in three different body styles and two different drive configurations.

The BMW 5 Series is in line for a mid-cycle refresh and it won’t be long before it comes to full effect. What’s more, the revamp will also affect the M5 performance sedan, as our spy photographers have spotted a heavy-camo’ed facelifted BMW M5 mule out on the open road.

BMW is tight-lipped about the revised M5 (as it is about the 5 Series as a whole) but the test prototype displays a couple of interesting changes that touch on the front and rear light clusters and bumpers. There’s no word on power upgrades yet, but let’s take a better look at what the revamped M5 might have in store for us.

Update 2/21/20200: The 2021 BMW M5 was just spotted doing some cold-weather testing and it’s starting to come together nicely. Check out the new spy shots and what we’ve learned in our “Spy Shots” section below!

When you hear the name “Hennessey” suffixed to any vehicle, you know it’s going to be a monster in all senses. The company has been transforming SUVs, sedans, and pickup trucks from nimble creatures into absolute beasts since the early ‘90s. Let’s say Hennessey drops massive amounts of gamma radiations into every vehicle to create Hulk versions of them.

The company already deals with the Raptor, Mustang, F-150, and GT, and will soon be adding the 2020 Bronco as well to its portfolio. The company even laid its hands on the Jeep Gladiator and plonked in a Hellcat engine to create a “Maximus” version that makes 1,000 horses. This time around, Hennessey has gotten hold of the GMC Sierra Denali.The power bumps are significant and it looks mighty big with the new raised stance. The company has moniker’d it the Goliath 700. It makes sense, doesn’t it?

The 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 is a naturally-aspirated version of the existing 718 Boxster. Essentially an update for the current 718 Cayman GTS, the GTS 4.0 ditches the turbocharged, 2.5-liter flat-four engine in favor of a 4.0-liter flat-six mill.

The engine is shared with the range-topping 2020 718 Boxster, but detuned in order to slot the GTS 4.0 lower in the lineup. Unveiled alongside an identical version of the 718 Cayman, the 2021 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 hits the road with 394 horsepower and various suspension components borrowed from the 911 GT3.

The GTS 4.0 also marks the return of the naturally aspirated engine in the 718 Boxster lineup (beyond the Spyder model of course), but it will probably be offered only for a limited time. Let’s find out more about it in the review below.

Nissan launched the second-generation Armada – the brand’s full-size, flagship SUV – in 2017 and, while it was a huge step forward in terms of luxury (relatively used, of course) and rigidity, it was also knocked for its lack of technology. Comfortable seating and cabin space rank high on the list of notable features, but things like the infotainment system and instrument cluster feel dated. With this kind of impression, we thought it would be a good idea to spend some time with the 2020 Nissan Armada to see just what it has to offer and if it can really compete with models like the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition. It was a long week, and this is what our experience taught us about the Nissan Armada.

Mercedes-AMG has finally launched the GLE 63 S Coupe, the sleeker choice if you want high-riding performance without the boxy shape of the standard GLE. This is what you need to know about it.

The 2020 Audi Q7 is the facelifted version of the second-generation midsize SUV. It’s an update to the hauler that Audi launched in 2015, and although it’s not a major overhaul on the outside, it features a heavily updated interior and new engines. It also comes with new driving assist features, mostly seen on recent redesigns, and more luxury options. As usual, it’s available with both gasoline and diesel powertrains, but the oil burners aren’t offered in the United States. Let’s find out more about the premium German SUV in the review.

Tuscany Motor Company is not a new name in the aftermarket and performance equipment arena. The company has worked on the Ford Mustang and F-Series in the past, and now, it has tied up with Harley-Davidson to roll out some lip-smacking editions of these famous trucks.

Although one would’ve assumed the Ford trucks to get beautified, the collaboration surprisingly included the GMC Sierra in the mix as well. Tuscany also added the F-250 to the existing lineup of F-150 and GMC Sierra, and from the looks of it, it can be said that the best was saved for last.

Toyota made some major changes to the 2021 Toyota Supra, the most important of which come in the form of updated power output for the six-cylinder model and the introduction of the four-cylinder Supra to the U.S. market. However, there was another gem hidden in Toyota’s announcement, and that is the Supra A91 Special Edition. It doesn’t come with any extra power over the standard model, but it is based on the six-cylinder model, so it does have the extra power.

We spied the upcoming Volkswagen Golf GTI once again and this time it was the hotter TCR version.

The TCR will of course have more power than a normal GTI and it will also be more driver focused. Where the regular GTI will have 180 kW / 245 horsepower, the TCR will have a mighty 221 kW / 300 horsepower. And like the old GTI TCR, the power goes via a DSG dual clutch gearbox and a locking differential to the front wheels. No manual option is planned as for now.

The brake discs are drilled and the suspension is lower and more firm compared to a standard GTI. The intercooler hidden behind the front bumper looks slightly bigger than on the standard GTI but we are not really sure.

There will of course also be some optical changes like special wheels and oval exhaust pipes. The rear spoiler on the production ready car will be bigger than on this prototype and the interior will also be special for the TCR.

The 2020 SSC Tuatara is the production version of a supercar that SSC North American has been developing since the late 2000s. Previewed by a concept car in 2011 and a pre-production model in 2018, the 2020 Tuatara is finally ready to go into production in 2020.

Aimed at supercars like the Bugatti Chiron, Koenigsegg Jesko, and the Hennessey Venom F5, the 2020 Tuatara features a V-8 engine that generates up to 1,750 horsepower and promises to hit a top speed in excess of 300 mph. The supercar costs more than $2 million and is limited to only 100 units. Let’s find out more about it in the review below.

Aston Martin is rolling out a pair of special edition models to celebrate the automaker’s historic one-two finish at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans. Appropriately dubbed the “59 Edition” models, 24 units of the DBS Superleggera and 59 units of the Vantage AMR have been given the special edition treatment.

Both models take their exclusive styling cues from the race-winning DBR1 racer, which roared to victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in 1959, beating powerhouse teams from Ferrari and Porsche on its way to victory.

The super rare Astons were commissioned by the automaker’s dealership in Gloucestershire, England. The cost of owning the DBS Superleggera 59 comes up to £325,000 — that converts to around $420,000 — while the Vantage AMR 59 is priced at $209,995. Sadly, all 24 units of the DBS Superleggera 59 are already accounted for, though there might still be available units of the Vantage AMR 59.

The 2020 Aston Martin Vantage Volante is the convertible version of the Vantage, the company’s most affordable sports car. Unveiled a couple of years after the coupe, the 2020 Vantage Volante features the quickest folding roof on the market, which takes only 13.5 seconds to pack and unpack. The 2020 Vantage Volante is heavily based on the Vantage coupe so it comes with the same underpinnings under the shell. Powered by a twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 engine borrowed from AMG, the 2020 Vantage Volante hits the road with 503 horsepower and 505 pound-feet of twist on tap. The British drop-top competes with high-performance convertibles like the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster and the Porsche 911 Cabriolet.