The Mazda3 has a few controversial elements that, after a week behind the wheel with, I determined were actually pretty insignificant. The hatchback's design, the infotainment system, the torsion beam rear suspension – all points of contention for a lot of people out there. Styling may be subjective, but driving this car every day reveals that Mazda is truly on the right track … [Read more...] about 2023 Mazda3 Hatchback Turbo AWD Review
Hatch
Alex’s Take: The 2023 Civic Type R Is Honda’s Mid Life Crisis Hatch
The 2023 Civic Type Rawr (as it will always be known to me) may be more of a “hot sportback” than a “hot hatch” but it’s undeniably insane. 315 eager ponies are channeled thorough one of the best 6-speed manuals in America and sent to the ground via 265-width summer tires. What’s not to love? The front wheel drive only design? Let's talk about the Type R. Now don’t get … [Read more...] about Alex’s Take: The 2023 Civic Type R Is Honda’s Mid Life Crisis Hatch
2023 Honda Civic Type R First Drive
The Honda Civic Type R in its outgoing generation has widely been considered one of, if not the best front-wheel drive vehicles of all time. Honda engineered the hell out of it to make sure it exuded track-ready performance, handling and design, and it certainly had all three. 2017 was the first time North America got its hands on one, but now it's back for round two. The rest … [Read more...] about 2023 Honda Civic Type R First Drive
2021 Hyundai Venue Denim Edition review: Style at a Value?
As the average transaction breaks past the $40,000 mark, new cars are starting to get out of the price zone of many consumers. Luckily some automakers have made sure that they still offer one or two models that offer modern accouterments at affordable prices. One of those vehicles is the 2021 Hyundai Venue. This small crossover effectively replaces the Accent hatchback in … [Read more...] about 2021 Hyundai Venue Denim Edition review: Style at a Value?
2021 Kia Rio Review: Ultimate Inexpensive Transportation?
If you're in the market for a subcompact car, your choices are slim. With the segment declining rapidly due to the crossover boom, there aren't many to choose from. The 2021 Kia Rio is one of the last entrants alongside the Hyundai Accent, Nissan Versa, Mitsubishi Mirage, and the soon-to-de-discontinued Chevrolet Spark. Those looking for a hatchback will see their choices … [Read more...] about 2021 Kia Rio Review: Ultimate Inexpensive Transportation?
2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe Review: The New Age Super Sedan?
The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe is marketed as a high-performance crossover but is it really? Take a closer look because if you think hard enough, this rig is just a tall sedan with a hatch instead of a trunk. If you view the GLE Coupe that way, it starts to make sense because what we’re seeing is the reinvention of the typical four-door sedan as we know it. Although it … [Read more...] about 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe Review: The New Age Super Sedan?
2021 Toyota Prius e-AWD review: The Most Efficient Gas-Powered AWD Car?
The 2021 Toyota Prius e-AWD is the latest evolution of the hybrid icon that started it all. Without it, the electrification revolution wouldn’t have started. Toyota proved that you can make reliable, smooth, and drivable (and now no-compromise) hybrid vehicles with the Prius and it helped the brand establish itself as an electrification pioneer. Sure, Toyota currently doesn’t … [Read more...] about 2021 Toyota Prius e-AWD review: The Most Efficient Gas-Powered AWD Car?
2021 Nissan Kicks Review: The Best Inexpensive Crossover?
If you're looking at entry-level crossover, the 2021 Nissan Kicks should be on your list. As part of its refresh, the Kicks gets a new face complete with a larger grille, thin LED headlights, and taillights connected with a red trim piece. You get more equipment too. Higher trims now come with an 8.0-inch touchscreen instead of a 7.0-inch one and you can now get adaptive cruise … [Read more...] about 2021 Nissan Kicks Review: The Best Inexpensive Crossover?
Weekly News in Review: July 11 to July 17
This week's news cycle has a lot coming out of Korea and Germany thanks to one automaker dropping a full lineup overview. In addition to a refreshed Kona, a high-performance Kona N, an all-new Tucson, the Santa Cruz, and Ioniq 5, here's what's new for the 2022 Hyundai Lineup: Carryover models include the Elantra, Sonata, Veloster N, Santa Fe, and Santa Fe Hybrid, Accent, … [Read more...] about Weekly News in Review: July 11 to July 17
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Tire Upgrade: Will it Affect the Range?
A few months have passed since we've got the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. Alex likes it a lot more than expected but the factories are too narrow for the amount of power you get even with this Premium dual-motor model. At 225/55R19s, they're not that wide; in fact, they're narrower than the rubber you'd find a range-topping Honda Civic Touring. They're also Michelin Primacy … [Read more...] about 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Tire Upgrade: Will it Affect the Range?