Car reviews

In the past 20 to 25 years, automotive executives have been looking at ways to activate new areas of the public by coming up with weird niches, some more successful than others. The Audi A7 is a proud flag-bearer of the four-door coupe segment that’s managed to keep its head above the water as consumers flock to buy the latest crossover SUV. Get behind the wheel of Audi’s sleek answer to the Mercedes-Benz CLS and it’s easy to see why as this might just be one of the best models Audi currently sales Stateside.

Introduced back in 2017, the second-generation Audi A7 set about fixing just about everything that was wrong with the original luxury four-door coupe from Ingolstadt. Broadly speaking, the Germans have managed to tick all the boxes while also improving in areas that didn’t really need improving such as the design - one of Audi’s undeniable strengths despite what you may consider as an overly aggressive brand recognition strategy that ended up making all of Audi’s products look alike. Still, the A7 manages to stand out from the crowd with the single-piece rear light cluster and it looks sportier than ever, the muscular vibe given by the exterior being bolstered by its handling and performance. While not new on the market, we jumped at the opportunity of driving the A7 right away to see if there’s any wind left in the sails of this quirky niche.

The 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS is the range-topping version of the third-generation SUV, launched in 2019 for the 2020 model year. It’s the second Maybach SUV ever built after the 2018 G650 Landaulet, but the first one that’s not a limited-edition vehicle. Inspired by the Maybach S-Class,, the 2021 Maybach GLS is a fancied up GLS with extra luxury features, exclusive appointments, and a unique drivetrain. Performance-wise, it slots between the GLS 580 and the AMG GLS 63 S., And just like the rest of the lineup, its gasoline engine works in conjunction with a 48-volt EQ Boost system. Let’s find out more about this luxurious hauler in the review below.

The BMW X2 is barely two years old as a model and it’s already headed down the path of electrification. A prototype version of Bimmer’s relatively new compact crossover has been spotted in the snowy abode of Sweden, and while it’s easy to assume that said model is the plug-in hybrid variant of the X2, the truth is that it’s not.

This crossover is the test mule of the iX2, the all-electric version of the X2 crossover that will be launched sometime in 2021 or 2022. The spy photos captured the iX2 prototype sans any camouflage and that’s not by accident. Visually, it’s still the X2 but that little sticker that says “electric test vehicle” confirms that, other than a few design changes, this prototype is an all-electric crossover hiding in the X2’s clothing.

Mercedes’ lineup of electric crossovers and SUVs continues to take shape with a fresh batch of spy photos of a model that looks a lot like the Mercedes GLB-Class. Except this isn’t the GLB; this is the GLB’s all-electric alter ego, the EQ B. The spy photos were taken in Sweden where the EQ B is undergoing winter testing. Mercedes hasn’t divulged the juicy details of the EQ B, but it is believed that, among other things, it will largely take the form of the GLB, albeit with a few minor tweaks to reflect is all-electric stature. No timetable has been given on when the Mercedes EQ B will launch, but we do know that the all-electric crossover will not hit the U.S. market until 2021.

The 2021 Wiesmann MF 6 is an upcoming sports car built by the German company. A spiritual successor to the GT MF 5, the MF 6 is Wiesmann’s first production model since it went bankrupt in 2014. Reopened in 2016, Wiesmann confirmed a new sports car for 2020. The vehicle is known as Project Gecko and the MF 6 name has yet to be confirmed, but it’s a natural choice given that the new sports car is supposed to be an evolution of previous models. Wiesmann confirmed that the MF 6 will feature a BMW engine, just like its predecessors. A teaser video and sketches posted on the company’s website reveal a familiar design that reminds of the MF 5.

Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the new GLA, the A-Class-based crossover whose first-generation was a popular choice among buyers. The new Mercedes-Benz GLA, however, takes a lot after its bigger brothers design- and tech-wise, and that’s a very good thing.

The new GLA is 4.1 inches higher (now 63.4 inches) and 0.6 inches shorter (now 173.6 inches) than the model it replaces. This means you get more headroom, but Mercedes-Benz highlights that now there’s even more legroom in the rear (38.4 inches, compared to 33.9 inches in the previous model). The U.S.-bound 2021 GLA has an aerodynamic coefficient of 0.30, which will contribute to low levels of wind noise inside the cabin as well as a reduction in fuel consumption at higher speeds. What’s more, Mercedes is so confident that the GLA can pull its own weight off the beaten path that it offers the Off-Road Engineering Package as standard on the GLA 4Matic.

On the inside, the GLA receives the highly-acclaimed MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment setup. Rear headroom, however, takes a 0.3-inch plunge (now 38.1 inches instead of 38.4), but shoulder room is more generous (now 54.8 inches instead of 53.1 inches, a 1.7-inch increase). Trunk capacity is also better in the new GLA, measuring 15.4 cubic feet, a 0.5 cubic feet increase from the previous model’s 14.9 cubic feet rating.

The safety bundle is a hefty one, especially if you opt for the optional Driver Assistance Package. Here’s what you get:

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC Active Steering Assist Active Speed Limit Assist with Traffic Sign Assist Evasive Steering Assist Active Lane Keeping Assist Active Brake Assist Pre-Safe PLUS

In the U.S., the non-AMG 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA can be had with a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter, turbocharged gasoline engine bolted to an eight-speed 8G-DCT automatic transmission. The powerplant makes 221 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque between 1,620 rpm and 4,000 rpm. You can pick between the GLA 250 or the AWD GLA 250 4Matic. Performance-wise, Mercedes-Benz estimates that the 2021 GLA needs 8.6 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour from a standstill en route to a top speed of 130 miles per hour.

No words on pricing yet, but the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA launches in the U.S. in the summer of 2020, so we’ll know more as its market debut closes in.

Chevy has finally revitalized is full-size SUV lineup by updating the 2021 Chevy Suburban and Chevy Tahoe. With the update comes a new exterior look that’s bolder and more muscular than before, and a new interior with crazy amounts of new technology. What is arguably more important than any of this, though, are the changes that happen under the skin. Chevy made an all-new chassis, and with it comes a revised adaptive air suspension and a longer rear multi-link suspension that will drastically improve ride quality and handling abilities. On top of this, the 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V-8s carry over, offering 355 horsepower and 420 horsepower, respectively. A new Duramax, 3.0-liter, inline-six joins the mix as well, and it offers up 277 horsepower, 460 pound-feet of torque and what Chevy believes fuel economy ratings that will meet or exceed the best in the segment. Towing figures or official fuel economy figures have yet to be released.

On the inside, the biggest change comes in the passenger and cargo room departments. Since Chevy managed to stretch the Tahoe’s wheelbase by 4.9 inches to 120.9 inches total, the Tahoe now offers 42 inches of second row legroom (a 3-inch increase) and 34.9 inches of third row legroom (an impressive increase of 10.1 inches.) Cargo room was also increased by 10.2 cu-ft to 25.5 cu-ft with all the seats in place and 28.2 cu-ft to 122.9 cu-ft with all the seats laid down. On top of that, if you select the right trim an options, you can have up to five display screens:

A standard 10-inch infotainment display Optional 8-inch digital instrument cluster 15-inch Head-up display Two 12.6-inch rear seat displays for second row passengers

Overall, Chevy has made major improvements to its full-size SUVS, and pricing has yet to be announced but don’t expect prices to increase too much. The usual trim levels will carry over, including the Z71 and High Country, among others, and you’ll be able to get your hands on the all-new Tahoe when it launches in Mid-2020.

Christmas has come early in 2019 with the surprise release of an All-New Chevy Suburban. In this case we mean, there’s actually a lot of all-new. Interested in more legroom, the Suburban has you covered with an extra 2.3 inches in the second row (now 42 inches) and 2.2 inches in the third row (now 36.7 inches). Cargo room is even up by an impressive 23 cubic-feet with all the seats laid down. All this extra space comes courtesy of the Suburban’s new, 134.1-inch wheelbase, an increase of 4.1 inches (overall length only increased by 1.3 inches.)

It’s more than just space that makes the 2021 Chevy Suburban special, though. When fully optioned, the cabin can be fitted with a total of five display screens:

Two rear seat display screens A 15-inch Head-Up display 8-inch digital instrument cluster 10-inch diagonal infotainment display

Under the skin, you’ll find that Chevy’s 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V-8s carry over. For 2021 the 5.3-liter is good for 355 horsepower while the 6.2 comes correct with 420 horsepower, the latter is only standard on the High Country trim. More important than this is the all-new 3.0-liter, Duramax, inline-six. GM says it will be available on all trim levels with exceptions of the Z71 and that it delivers 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. It’s supposed to offer superior fuel economy and it’s a step up for Chevy as no other full-size SUV that it competes with actually offers this diesel engine. Fuel economy has yet to be released.

For now, pricing is a mystery, but the The 2021 Chevy Suburban and the 2021 Chevy Tahoe are expected to go on sale in Mid-2020.

The Nissan Rogue is in its second generation, but it has been soldiering on since it was introduced in 2014 with only a mild facelift in 2017 and a safety equipment update in 2018. With all of the wide selection of compact SUVs on the market, we thought it would be a good idea to see how the aging Rogue holds up on an oh-so-competitive market. Does the Rogue’s appearance, interior comfort, safety systems, and technology hold up against the ever-growing crop of small crossovers or is Nissan in dire need of majorly updating the Rogue? Well, we found that out for ourselves and more – this is our experience with the 2020 Nissan Rogue.

With electrification gaining a strong foothold in the car industry, we’re bound to see an increase in the number of supercars that harness the power generated by a battery pack and a pair of e-motors.

Drako’s GTE ups the ante with a quad-motor setup and the complete lack of differentials. Instead, the supercar uses a smart algorithm that sends just the right amount of torque and power to each wheel, for what Drako calls the ultimate driving experience. Let’s see what that means, shall we?

The 2021 McLaren 620R is the range-topping version of the Sports Series, the company’s entry-level lineage of sports cars. Essentially a road-legal version of the 570S GT4, the 2021 620R slots above the 600LT. Design-wise, the 2021 620R is almost identical to the 570S GT4. It also features the same engine, but because it’s not restricted by racing regulations, the V-8 boasts more power.

Rated at 610 horsepower, the 2021 620R is the most powerful Sports Series vehicle ever created. It’s also the quickest, but it lags behind its siblings when it comes to top speed. With production limited to 350 units, the 2021 McLaren 620R costs almost $300,000. Let’s find out more about this supercar in the review below.

The insane and utterly mental 755-horsepower Shelby Super Snake F-150 Concept Truck is headed to production. Long associated with the Ford Mustang, the Shelby Super Snake moniker makes its way to the mighty F-150 truck for the very first time. The stunning concept only made its debut last month at the 2019 SEMA Auto Show, but after receiving incredible demand from enthusiasts, the media, and Shelby dealerships, the concept quickly turned into a limited edition production model. Only 250 units of the Shelby F1-50 Super Snake Sport will be built, each with a price that starts between $93,000 to $95,000.

Roush Performance is no stranger to building tricked out programs for Ford products over the years. The Ford specialist is at it again with a new kit developed specifically for the Blue Oval’s best-selling pickup, the Ford F-150. The Roush package is available on either the F-150 XLT or F-150 Lariat trims. It’s loaded on all fronts with exterior and interior upgrades to go along with performance improvements that are meant to give the F-150 an even more imposing off-road presence. You can even score optional goodies that aren’t available in the package. The cost of buying Roush Performance’s new program for the 2020 Ford F-150 starts at $13,750.

Pininfarina, once Ferrari’s preferred coachbuilder, is now busy establishing itself as a standalone automaker. It put its best foot forward by unveiling the radical Battista hypercar that promises to be one of the fastest four-wheeled things on the planet and now it’s doubling it down by announcing a whole range of models, the first of which will be an SUV. Fear not, however, as the Pura Vision isn’t your average sporty SUV as Pininfarina aims to deliver supercar-level performance under a skin that both resembles a four-door GT and the existing Battista. It sounds like a match made in heaven.

Coming with an outlandishly appointed cabin and a class-bending profile, the Pininfarina Pura Vision could seriously reduce the market share of Lamborghini’s Urus and Ferrari’s upcoming Purosangue. While we’re yet to feast our eyes with the pre-production prototype showcased to prospective customers during a series of VIP events held by Pininfarina in August during the Monterey Car Week, those that have are talking about a sleek and not overly complicated design so typical of Pininfarina, one that’ll only be matched by its impressive performance. At this stage of the game, the Pura Vision might become Pininfarina’s most important product so they have to get it right.

Much of the pickup world’s attention has been on the Tesla Cybertruck these days, but before anyone starts to forget, the Ford F-150 remains the king of all trucks. It’s the standard-bearer in the segment, a distinction it has it more than earned. The F-150 also carries the distinction of being one of the most customizable trucks in the segment. It’s versatile enough that it can even spawn special edition models, one of which comes to us by way of Ford’s relationship with Indiana-based Tuscany Motor Company. The two companies are responsible for the F-150 Black Ops trucks, a special edition set that pays tribute to the armed forces of the United States. It just so happens that a Ford dealership, Brown Lee Ford, has an F-150 Black Ops, so if you’re looking for a special edition F-150 with serious upgrades throughout, we might just have found the one for you. The 2019 Ford F-150 Black Ops is priced at $88,525.

Genesis has put the G90 luxury sedan through a rather extensive mid-cycle facelift that borders on the equivalence of what we’d expect from a new generation and has put facelifts from competitors like Infiniti, Audi, Lexus, and BMW to shame. Part of this mid-cycle update includes a complete exterior rework (save for the roof and doors) and a bunch of updated technology and materials that push the G90 even deeper into the luxury segment. There are no powertrain updates to report, but that’s okay, and you’ll see why in our full review below.

The 2020 Hyundai i10 N Line is a performance-oriented trim of the third-generation hatchback. A range-topping model in the current lineup, the 2020 i10 N Line slots above the regular i10 and will fill the gap between the standard hatchback and the upcoming i10 N. The 2020 i10 N Line is the fourth Hyundai to sport the "N Line" badge as of December 2019. It joins the i30 N Line, the i30 Fastback N Line, and the Tucson N Line. The N Line is essentially a package that adds some exclusive features to the 2020 i20. Performance-wise, it’s not a full-fledged N model, but it does benefit from an exclusive turbo three-cylinder mill that adds extra oomph over the standard powertrains. Let’s find out more about that in the review below.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS is an upcoming all-electric car based on the Vision EQS concept that the German firm unveiled in 2019. Part of the EQ division that handles Mercedes’ electric vehicle operations, the EQS will join the existing EQC, EQV, and Smart EQ city cars. Based on the name alone, the EQS will act as the range-topping model in the company’s electric car range. But it probably won’t be an electric version of the S-Class. Instead, it could have a size similar to the CLS, so it will fit in the midsize market. Either way, it will be Mercedes-Benz answer to EVs like the Tesla Model S, the Porsche Taycan, and the upcoming Audi e-tron GT.

Update 12-4-2019: The Mercedes EQS was spotted doing some cold weather and snow testing – here’s the latest round of spy shots and what we’ve learned.

The arrival of the facelifted 2021 Jaguar F-Type also comes with the launch of the F-Type First Edition. Limited to the facelifted F-Type’s first-year production run, the F-Type First Edition offers a smattering of refinements that includes exclusive features inside and out, including a choice of three paint colors and plenty of premium touch-ups in the cabin. The only real downside is that the 2021 F-Type First Edition could set you back at least $90,000.