Driving sensations, not just specifications
You might say I have trust issues with AMG. It all started when AMG plucked its formidable V8 out of the C63 and replaced it with an I4 hybrid. It was a hard pill to swallow, as AMG's identity is firmly linked to roaring V8s and tire smoke. Enter the 2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid wagon.… Continue reading 2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 Wagon: Swaps Cylinders for Cells
There's a big gap in my automotive knowledge. I've owned and driven cars from the 1990s and on, and sampled classic driving in my dad's 1963 Porsche 356, but the years in between are a complete no man's land for me. Thus, I owe a debt to Rob, who cheerfully said, “You can drive!” when… Continue reading 1983 Porsche 911 SC: Green with Envy
Seventeen years ago, I got my first taste of the Mini Cooper convertible while vacationing in Hawaii. I was staying on Maui, and I had rented a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette from Toy Box car rentals. While reading the fine print of my rental agreement, I saw that the Corvette was forbidden to be driven on… Continue reading 2025 Mini Cooper S Convertible: Hails from the Toy Box
TL;DR: The $35k 2026 Mazda CX-50 Premium serves up luxury fixings at a mass-market price, and steering feel that could come from a Porsche. However, the SUV is held back by its ho-hum engine and infotainment software that is a decade out-of-date. There is much to like about the CX-50 Premium, but if you demand… Continue reading 2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Premium: Luxury Like It’s 2015
We live in an age of TikTok clips and AI summaries, so I’ll spare you the prose and get to the point. The $29k 2026 Hyundai Sonata SEL Sport is a good commuter and a fine family car with enticing tech, but the SEL Sport trim name is just marketing—this sedan won’t ravish a road. … Continue reading 2026 Hyundai Sonata SEL Sport: Marketing Hyperbole
Another day, another Dollar…though in this case we are picking up a ride from Hertz. The keys to our ride are in the poorly named President’s Circle, the parking lot row from which we can select a car. I see runty Toyota Corollas and geeky Kia Souls, but nothing I'd consider “presidential.” Then, a freshly… Continue reading 2026 Kia K4 LXS: Small Car, Big Value
Since BMW reintroduced Mini to the world in 2001, the niche brand has expanded its product line and enlarged its models. Its initial offering was exclusively subcompact hatchbacks, but over the years, the company has added four-doors and SUVs, too. As the lineup grows in size, my perception of Mini changes. I now see the… Continue reading 2025 Mini JCW 2 Door: Hot-Hatch Heaven
We've arrived in Las Vegas, a city of big lights, big jackpots, and big dreams. Yet, when I spot my rental at the airport rental lot, my first thought is “damn, that's big!” That is the 2025 Chevrolet Suburban Premier I've rented for the weekend. Unlike the compact and mid-size crossovers I usually rent, the… Continue reading 2025 Chevrolet Suburban Premier: My Uber XXL
What is a Mercedes GLS? Simply, it is Mercedes’ largest and most luxurious SUV. And, it might also be the most family-friendly vehicle that Mercedes makes. I'm a family man, so let's dig into the 2025 Mercedes GLS 450 4MATIC and see if it is the premium alternative to minivans like the Toyota Sienna. This… Continue reading 2025 Mercedes GLS 450: Show Me the Money
I have just one memory of my Great Grandma Martha. I am three years old, riding in the back of her red 1986 Mercedes 300E with my mom, and passing paper notes to Martha up front. As Martha is nearly deaf, the notes are our only way to communicate with her while we are on… Continue reading 2026 Mercedes GLC 300: Heirloom Quality?
