For fans of old-school off-road SUVs, the Toyota 4Runner has a lot to offer. But the TRD Pro models, new or used, aren’t exactly cheap. Plus, although the 4Runner received some welcome upgrades recently, it’s definitely showing its age. However, if you’re after a similarly-hardcore SUV, there’s one which also adds a bit more luxury: …
Initially, Polestar was the performance division at Volvo, rather like BMW’s M. A few years ago, though, it became a proper stand-alone brand, focusing on EVs. However, before releasing the Polestar 2 electric sedan, the company unveiled the Polestar 1, a plug-in hybrid coupe. But the powertrain isn’t the only surprising thing about it. 2020 …
It’s rare for any automaker to actually develop a road-capable race car. Even Ferrari, with its extensive F1 history, that it continually stresses, keeps its road cars and race cars separate. Even if many of the former do draw inspiration from the sport. But that’s not exactly the case with the Ferrari F50. That’s because …
From turbos to lightweight components, there are plenty of modifications enthusiasts install in the pursuit of speed. And no matter what you drive, one number that constantly comes up is the 0-60 time. Over the years, that number has consistently tumbled, especially once electric cars came into the mix. But is there a limit to …
Now that even the Durango has a Hellcat option, where’s Dodge to take its old-school muscle car, the Challenger? Unfortunately, the rumored track-focused ACR model isn’t happening. But then, Dodge is arguably more synonymous with drag racing. So, while the Dodge Challenger Drag Pak isn’t an ACR, it is a genuine factory-prepped competition-ready drag race …
Typically, electric scooters are used in urban settings, rather than for off-roading. For that, you really need something like a dirt bike, electric or otherwise. But if vintage Vespas can venture off-pavement, why not more modern machines? To be fair, the upcoming Kuberg Ranger isn’t precisely a scooter. But it is an electric dirt bike …
While the John Cooper Works Minis are genuinely fast and fun, there are a few hot hatches that are even faster. For example, the recently-updated Honda Civic Type R. But for the hardcore driving enthusiast, there’s a new Mini Cooper available: the Mini Cooper JCW GP. And it’s seriously gunning for the Civic Type R’s …
While a standard motorcycle, like the Street Triple R, is a good all-around bike, it’s not the best for every situation. For relaxed, long-distance riding, a cruiser motorcycle makes a bit more sense. And, while some cruisers come with large price tags, you don’t need to break your budget to afford one. There are a …
Whether you do it on a motorcycle or a truck, going off-road can be a lot of fun. However, to do it properly requires a fair bit of preparation, especially to your chosen set of wheels. Having enough ground clearance and the right tires are good first steps. And many vehicles designed for off-roading, such …
Today, Hennessey is one of the most prominent names in tuning Chevrolets, along with Lingenfelter. Together, they’re a match for Ford tuners like Shelby as well as Roush. But in the 60s and 70s, there was another prominent Chevy tuner: Yenko. Specialty Vehicle Engineering, the New Jersey-based shop behind the 750-hp Syclone remake, has used …
In terms of performance and thrills, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio absolutely delivers. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for its reliability (though the other trims are a bit better). But, on the thrills front, there is another Giulia worth considering: the classic Alfa Romeo GTV. 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio vs 1973 2000 GTV: …
In terms of reliability and off-road capability, few SUVs have the Toyota 4Runner’s reputation. But if you really want the best, you’ll need to spring for the TRD Pro model, which is almost $50k. Plus, while the 4Runner may be reliable, even the latest model can be a bit too old-school for some. However, the …
Paved roads aren’t the only places motorcycles can go—or race. Events like the Mint 400 and the Paris-Dakar see competitors jumping dunes, scrambling over rocks, and flying down gravel paths. As a result, off-road bikes have jumped in popularity in recent years. And included in that are flat tracker motorcycles. What is a flat tracker …
The latest crop of M-branded BMWs may be fast, but many reviewers are finding they don’t always live up to the badge. Especially in the case of the BMW M3. No matter how powerful the latest model is, enthusiasts constantly compare it to its ancestor, the BMW E30 M3. But is the E30 M3 really …
While the ID Buzz, aka the electric Microbus, isn’t quite production-ready, it may not be the only iconic vehicle Volkswagen’s rebooting into an EV. 2019 saw the release of the final Volkswagen Beetle. Despite its styling and long history, consumer interest lagged, and VW discontinued it. But now, there’s rumors of a new Volkswagen Beetle—an …
The features list tends to define what a luxury car is these days. And while classic luxury cars arguably have more style, they can’t necessarily compete when it comes to bells and whistles. There is one, though, that can. Today, self-leveling suspension and adjusting headlights are available in many high-end vehicles. The Citroen DS had …
Infotainment has moved past just cars and has started finding its way into motorcycles. But before Harleys offered Apple CarPlay, bikers needed to find ways to communicate with the world outside their helmets. Not just with their phones or music, but with each other. For some time, Bluetooth headsets have been the standard for modern …
It’s rare that classic motorcycles offer modern-level performance with their vintage style. That’s what makes classic BMW bikes popular, for example. And typically, such performance is thanks to larger, multi-cylinder engines. But the Velocette Venom didn’t need an engine the size of the Munch Mammut’s to set a world record. A record that’s still in …
It’s possible to be too fast—that’s why the Dodge Demon was banned from drag racing, after all. But there’s car fast, and there’s motorcycle fast. In the 50s and 60s, café racers tried their best to do ‘the ton’: 100 mph. It’s hard enough, on very windy days, to stay on my relatively modern Street …
Even if your car’s headlights aren’t adaptive, they’re still an important safety feature. After all, if you can’t see the oncoming danger, how can you avoid it? That’s why, to try and counter poor headlight performance, many turn to LED bulbs to brighten up the road. And since LED headlights aren’t always standard, that often …
Whether you prefer the S2000 or a Miata, there are plenty of fun-to-drive convertible sports cars, new and used, to choose from. And many owners install modifications to further sharpen their cars. Some focus on handling, installing sway bars, or sticky tires. Others add more power, either with engine swaps or turbocharger kits. However, there’s …
Side-by-side UTVs may be tons of fun, but they’re not exactly street-legal. And while there are plenty of off-road trucks and SUVs on the market, they don’t have quite the same raw appeal. Safari 911s and modified Miatas, as well as a handful of supercars, come a bit closer. But for tackling both the urban …
The most extreme race cars, whether they race in Baja or on the track, typically only resemble street cars superficially. But many racing modifications, from sway bars to grippier tires, can also make road cars perform better. And that includes the ones not meant purely for performance. As speed increases, so does the need for …
While it has its downsides, a pickup truck does offer several advantages over SUVs and passenger cars. Especially when it comes to towing. However, not every person can house or afford a dedicated tow truck—or even necessarily needs one. And though SUVs can also be used as tow vehicles, they too aren’t always easy to …
Cameras are increasingly being used in many aspects of car safety. In fact, in addition to airbags and seat belts, one key mandatory safety feature is the backup camera. However, as with other safety features, simply having a backup camera installed doesn’t automatically make you safer. Why backup cameras are mandatory Although backup cameras, aka …
As a dream car, it has its flaws. But the Subaru WRX is nevertheless an impressive performance car, both on pavement and on a rally stage. It’s thanks to rallying that the first Subaru Impreza WRX was even built. Though, as is typical with many JDM cars, the US didn’t get the earliest models. Plus, …
Even before the 2021 Bronco finally showed its face, Ford was squaring-off against another off-road icon: the Jeep Wrangler. On the surface, both SUVs seem fairly similar, and not just in terms of squared-off looks. But does the Ford Bronco have what it takes to take on the Wrangler, both on and off the dirt? …
Whether you’re into Mustangs or pickup trucks, there’s usually a prolific tuner you can turn to for more performance or greater street presence. And that goes, especially for the Porsche 911. Porsche may not have an in-house tuner like Mercedes’ AMG, or BMW’s M and Alpine. However, it does have Magnus Walker and RUF, just …
Typically, supercars like the Nissan GT-R don’t find themselves going off-road. True, some supercars, like the Audi R8 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage can be daily-drivable. But that’s on the pavement. However, as the Gambler 500 Miata, rallying Porsche 924, and numerous Safari 911s show, taking a sports car into the dirt is definitely possible. …
The influx of electric technology hasn’t only affected trucks and cars. More and more motorcycle companies, both established and new, are creating electric models. Some, like Zero and Cake, only offer electric motorcycles. And recently, another brand announced that it would, too. But while this is the first time Soriano Motori is building electric bikes, …
Usually, when you think ‘small car’, you think Smart. Of course, there are cars which can make the ForTwo seem rather large. For example, Japanese kei cars like the Autozam AZ-1 and Honda Beat are extremely small. And classic cars, without airbags or modern crash structures, could be smaller yet roomier than a Smart. ‘Roomy,’ …
Whether you dream of a Lamborghini Gallardo or a Subaru WRX, almost every enthusiast has their fantasy set of wheels. For some, they’re classic used cars; for others, they’re brand-new. That’s why people pay what seems like exorbitant sums for a machine that, logically, doesn’t seem worth it. But, as some Reddit users discovered, not …
Some interesting automotive treasures have come from behind the Iron Curtain. The Lada Niva SUV, for example, is so tough, it’s still in production over 40 years later. And Fiat, with its history of economy cars like the original 500, similarly shaped the Eastern Bloc car landscape. There was one Fiat in particular that achieved …
Whether you’ve spent a little or a lot on your motorcycle, you naturally want to keep it running well. Of course, that requires you to keep the bike in the first place. As with pickup trucks or bicycles, motorcycles can be and often are stolen. One way to prevent that is with a motorcycle lock, …
Vintage and classic cars’ styling isn’t the only thing that can make them more appealing than modern vehicles. Their simpler designs typically make for more straightforward maintenance. Provided, of course, you can get classic car parts. Luckily, thanks to the Internet, new technology, loyal fanbases, and rising auction values, finding these parts has gotten significantly …
Luxury wagons aren’t typically used as overlanding vehicles. Especially ones from Audi. Despite the name, the Audi A4 Allroad’s biggest off-road benefit over the non-US-market Avant is more ride height. However, one A4 Allroad owner, Gene Pascua, wanted to honor the brand’s Quattro rally racers. The result is an Audi A4 Allroad that can properly …
From punctures to improper wheel alignments, there’s a lot that can affect or damage your tires’ ability to maintain pressure. Luckily many modern cars come with sensors to let you know in real-time if there’s a problem. But these tire pressure monitoring systems aren’t infallible, which is why some OEMs are working on updating them. …
While the Nissan Titan has lost its diesel option for 2020, Nissan’s largest pickup truck still has its charms. And, for those looking to go off-road, Nissan offers the Pro-4X model. But can it hold a candle to one of the biggest nameplates in the segment, the Ford F-150 Raptor? YouTube team The Straight Pipes …
It’s definitely possible to have a great off-road bike adventure without going broke. But, as with cars, paying a bit more for a motorcycle, especially an ADV, sometimes does mean getting a few extra appreciable features. That doesn’t mean that you have to go for a company’s range-topping flagship motorcycle, though. In fact, $15,000 can …
While off-roading on 2 wheels can be done on dirt bikes and dual-sport motorcycles, adventure bikes trade some suspension travel for more comfort. And usually, the added refinement and tech comes with a higher price tag. But there are ADVs that let you hit the road and the dirt without going broke. The bikes that …
Some people, when they’re looking for reliable used luxury, go for simpler classic models. However, it’s perfectly possible to find modern luxury cars that aren’t prone to breakdowns. And that even applies to German marques like BMW and Mercedes. Although some of Mercedes-Benz’s cars haven’t scored well in reliability ranks, there are others which have. …
Sometimes, automotive technology—up to and including whole engines—ends up in motorcycles. And it’s not unheard-of for car companies to make bikes. Both Triumph and BMW are examples of that. But it’s rare for a motorcycle company to be resurrected as an automaker. And yet, that’s what happened to Ariel, the brand which makes the hyper-minimalist …
Mazda isn’t the only Japanese automaker with an influential sports car. Honda has created its fair share as well. The S2000 competed directly with the Miata, and the NSX proved that supercars could genuinely be daily-drivable. But, as with the first Civic Type R and Nissan Skyline GT-R, some sporty JDM cars are only now …
While it faces an image problem, Harley-Davidson does still make some impressive motorcycles. Especially when it comes to tourers and cruisers. Although some of its newer bikes can be fairly pricey, Harley’s reputation for design conservatism means used models offer similar looks at a discount. Unfortunately, many past Harley-Davidsons suffered reliability and quality-control issues, which …
As with classic SUVs, vintage motorcycles have risen in popularity in recent years. As have scooters, which is why manufacturers offer modern versions of icons like the Vespa and Honda Super Cub. But there’s another 2-wheeled form of transportation that’s also enjoying a cultural resurgence: the moped. What is a moped? Like motorcycles, mopeds have …
With the Hellcat engine finding its way into more of Dodge’s lineup, the Challenger clearly needed to step it up a notch. The Dodge Challenger ACR, sadly, is not going to happen. But even with the Charger getting its own 797-hp Redeye trim, the 2-door muscle car could still climb higher. And with the 2020 …
Traditionally, if you’ve wanted a faster Mustang, you turned to Shelby. The latest Shelby GT500 Mustang, for example, has enough horsepower to out-pace certain supercars. But the American tuner creates more than just muscle cars. It also works on Ford’s pickup trucks. And Shelby’s latest high-output truck is the Shelby F-150 Super Snake. 2020 Shelby …
Heated seats used to be features limited only to high-end luxury cars. But now, the technology has spread to more affordable models and even motorcycles. As have other features, including infotainment such as Apple CarPlay. And typically, when you check the box for an option or accessory, it’s yours for however long you own the …
Styling is one of the biggest reasons why people buy classic cars. And some of the most stylish come from Italy, from brands like Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. It’s still a key part of Alfa’s business strategy. However, not all of the Italian automaker’s cars have been so well-received. Especially the one some nicknamed ‘Il …
While the new Land Rover Defender isn’t a body-on-frame SUV, it’s still more than capable when the pavement runs out. But the new Defender’s goal isn’t just to equal the original’s off-road prowess. It’s meant to be more refined and comfortable on a daily basis; good for something besides just off-roading. This is seemingly why …
