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When Is A Coupe Not A Coupe? | 2021 GLE53 AMG “Coupe”

Call the Mercedes-AMG GLE53 Coupe whatever you want but a “coupe” is not what it is. The trend of swoopy hunchbacked SUVs dubbed as coupes started back when the first-generation BMW X6 arrived. Now, automakers, especially luxury ones, have jumped into the swoopy SUV bandwagon for a slice of the pie. The GLE53 is the latest iteration of Mercedes’ answer…
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Alex L. Dykes

December 9, 2020

707

2022 Acura MDX | Acura’s People Hauler Moves Up Town

the redesigned 2022 Acura MDX has finally broken cover. As expected, the exterior is nearly an exact replica of the prototype shown earlier this year. Under the hood, the MDX splits from the TLX sedan, retaining the 290-hp 3.5-liter V6 as the base engine. The old ZF-sourced 9-speed automatic has been ditched for a Honda-built 10-speed unit. For the first…
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Alex L. Dykes

December 8, 2020

705

The Compact Flagship? | 2021 Acura TLX

As the new flagship, the new Acura TLX has a huge task ahead of it. Along with competing against the BMW 3 Series, the TLX must fill the hole left by the RLX, which was recently discontinued. Initially available with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, Acura’s latest sedan splits the difference between then outgoing naturally aspirated four-pot and V6 from the…
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Alex L. Dykes

December 8, 2020

1.66K

The Better Bronco? | 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

Is the Ford Bronco Sport really as capable as it looks? Or is just an Escape in a different shell? With such an iconic name, the Bronco Sport can’t afford to be the latter. This crossover needs to have the off-road chops to justify the badge it wears. We’re driving the Bronco Sport to see exactly that and whether this…
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Alex L. Dykes

December 7, 2020

1.83K

The Goldilocks 3-Row Option | 2021 Kia Sorento

Kia appears to be putting a vehicle in every space in can find and now it has two three-row SUVs with the arrival of the 2021 Sorento. Now into fourth generation, the Kia Sorento slots neatly between the Sportage and Telluride. You can get the Sorento in six- or seven-passenger configuration, and for the first time there are hybrid variants…
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Alex L. Dykes

December 4, 2020

1.65K

Is This The One To Beat? | 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

Is the Toyota RAV4 Prime the best compact crossover you CAN’T buy? With only around 5,000 units coming to the U.S., not many people are going to be able to get one into their driveway in the 2020 calendar year. Toyota says it intends to increase RAV4 Prime production to 20,000 units but that may not be enough because this…
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Alex L. Dykes

December 3, 2020

854

The Lightest Of Refreshes | 2021 Mazda CX 9

Quite possibly one of the most under appreciated three-row crossovers on sale, the 2021 Mazda CX-9 recently got a minor refresh that added a new grille design, a larger 10.25-inch display, and Mazda’s latest infotainment system out of the Mazda3 and CX-30. Despite its age, the CX-9 remains one of the best-looking three-row SUVs thanks to its curvaceous exterior. However,…
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Alex L. Dykes

December 2, 2020

212

Will It Bacon? RAV4 Prime Edition

In this latest installment of Will It Bacon? We have the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime. Toyota’s 302-hp plug-in hybrid SUV has a 1.5-kw inverter and a conventional outlet in the cargo area. So, we figured, why not try plugging a microwave in it AND cook some bacon? Fun right? Unlike the Sienna, the RAV4 Prime has a larger 17-kWh lithium-ion…
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Alex L. Dykes

December 1, 2020

733

30:22

The Best Not-So-Small Truck | Ford Ranger

Despite being a segment below a full-size truck, the Ford Ranger isn’t really that small with only width and the lack of a regular cab version being the biggest distinguishing factor from your average full-size truck. Featuring a turbocharged engine and a towing capacity of up to 7,500 pounds, the Ranger can pull the most payload—on paper.  Is Ford’s midsize…
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Alex L. Dykes

November 30, 2020