Thursday, April 29, 2021

Ford Mach-E Review: Impressive, But Don't Call It A Mustang

 


Ford created quite a stir among the loyal Mustang community when, unexpectedly, they announced that they were going to plaster their name on 1: An SUV, and 2: An electric vehicle. Those two things seem to be the the polar opposite of what Mustangs have been known for decades. However, if you can put aside your emotions connected to the name, the Mach-E is a heck of a first effort from Ford making an EV. It's quick, as it should be, sprinting to 60 in 3.8 seconds, compared to the Mustang GT350s 4.1. Neither numbers are particularly impressive compared to its competitors, (Tesla Model X, Mercedes EQC, Jaguar I-Pace) but are respectable nonetheless. The Mach-E is also a really gorgeous design, compared to most electric vehicles, which often look busy, sloppy, and outright polarizing. (Toyota Prius, Toyota Mirai, Honda Clarity, BMW i3) In A MotorTrend comparison between the Ford and the Tesla Model Y, The Tesla narrowly took the win, mainly because of more impressive technology, interior design, and charging capabilities. Nonetheless, the Mach-E is a very competent car, and definitely one to watch in the next couple years, as the world transitions to electric vehicles. Based on the Mach-E, the transition doesn't look like it will be too rough.

Sunday, April 25, 2021

When Do Brands Intend To Dump Gas-Powered Cars?

HONDA: 2040

JAGUAR: 2030

BENTLEY: 2028

CHVROLET: 2035

MINI: 2030

VOLVO: 2030

VOLKSWAGEN: 2026

TOYOTA: 2040

MERCEDES-BENZ: 2040

AUDI: 2035

BMW: 2030

Friday, April 23, 2021

McLaren GT Review: The Do-It-All Supercar

 


Supercars are commonly mocked for their laughable level of practicality. Whether it be only enough trunk space for a handbag, terrible visibility, or meagre storage space, it is extremely rare to find a car that can comfortably exceed 200 mph, and yet still excel in everyday activity. The GT can sprint to 60 mph in merely 2.8 seconds, before going all out to 204 mph. The McLaren GT is designed to be a comfortable, practical supercar, and it succeeds on all levels. The GT is a beautiful car, as all McLaren products are, yet it is the closest thing to a daily driver you can get, while not sacrificing the ludicrous performance of a supercar.



Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Top 3 Safest Cars For 2021

 3: KIA TELLURIDE

Case for the Kia:                                                     --------------------------------------------------     Terrific ride, loads of space, great design, incredibly luxurious for the price, those headlights are the bomb, 10/10 safety rating, 10/10 overall rating. The Telluride is better than the competition, period.





2: ACURA RDX

Case for the Acura:
----------------------------------------------
Looks absolutely stunning, fast when you feel like it, great packaging, plenty of room, way cheaper than it's competitors, impressive ride, 10/10 safety rating.





1: SUBARU FORRESTER

Case for the Subie:

----------------------------------------------
It isn't sportier than the Acura, nor better overall than the Telluride, but the Forrester is a really solid option, as it can do virtually anything you ask of it. Plus, that orange trim does a lot to steer the Subaru away from boringness. 




Monday, April 19, 2021

Choosing The Best Car From Every Decade!

 70's: Lamborghini Miura

WHY:

Making it's debut in 1970, the Miura is widely considered to be the first supercar. Sporting an effortlessly gorgeous design, the Miura could probably be considered one of the greatest sports cars of all time. Interestingly, Lamborghini ditched the Miura design language for the more wedge-like appearance modern Lambo's have.


80's: Ferrari F40

Choosing the mighty F40 over the many other great cars of the 80's should have, theoretically, been a difficult decision. It wasn't. The F40 is just such a icon there really wasn't any hesitation picking it over, say, the 1982 Porsche 911 or Ferrari Testarossa. Like all good Ferrari's, the F40 is powered by a twin-turbo V8 that propels the exotic sports car to an equally exotic 228 mph. 40 or so years on, there is still no car that can boast such Italian charisma as the F40. As you would expect, it's value has skyrocketed.


90's: McLaren F1

I know we're doing this decade by decade, but to be quite honest, if you asked me to pick the best car since the Earth was formed, I would pick the F1. Obviously I have not had the pleasure of driving the F1, so we'll have to take it from those who have. Jay Leno, globally recognized comedian, talk show host, etc.. , owns hundreds of legendary cars, but when asked if the F1 was 3 or 4 times better than any other car out at the time, he said: "Of course it was!" He also praised the McLaren team for hitting a homer with their first ever attempt, exclaiming: "Talk about getting something right the first time!". It should say it all, that on Wikipedia, of all  places, if you search "McLaren F1", it refers to the F1 as the "Greatest automobile ever created" and the "Most excellent Sports Car of al time". Big claim, but I 100% agree. 



2000's: Mercedes SLR McLaren

Just as when two mega-famous pop stars collaborate, like when Justin Bieber and Mariah Carey joined forces for a "All I Want For Christmas Is You" rendering, when Mercedes Benz and McLaren join forces on a supercar, you are going to expect nothing but the very best. The SLR is that "Very best". Combing the best of both worlds, (McLaren's expertise at making really fast cars, Mercedes' expertise for beautiful, luxurious vehicles) the SLR McLaren is a truly iconic car inside and out. Screw the romantic junk, all I want for Christmas is a SLR McLaren! 


2010's: Tesla Model S

If you had to pick one person in the world that would be capable of drastically changing the game (The auto industry) while building arguably one of the top 3 cars in history, all on a very small budget, it would be Elon Musk. Though he is currently the #1 or 2 richest person in the world, he had minimal resources to put create what he (rightly) envisioned as the future of the automobile. Hybrids have been done before, but a totally electric car was fool's talk back in 2013. Musk, being the brilliant visionary he is, made it happen, and the Model S is simply a remarkably executed car in every aspect. Though the Model S has since been effectively replaced by the significantly cheaper Model 3, none of us will have any doubts as to which one deserves a spot in the car hall of fame. It says everything about the excellence of the Model S that its 402 mile range is still untouched by today's electric cars, 8 years later, that can only dream of achieving the level of greatness the Tesla sedan boasts.

2020's, So Far: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

It says a lot about the strength and depth of today's market that, even in the space of 1.5 years, their are dozens of cars that could rightly claim the throne of the best car since, basically, the world turned upside down. However, despite strong competition, (Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, Tesla Model 3 Performance, McLaren GT, Kia Telluride, etc...) the 'Vette, I felt, made the strongest case for itself. Ferrari-like performance, exotic styling, Porsche-like refinement, and practicality you rarely find associated with supercars, yet Chevrolet only asks you pay $59,995 for the Stingray. Unbelievable stuff.


Friday, April 16, 2021

Hyundai Santa Cruz Reveal: It's An Awesome Truck, Kinda

 


        From what I can gather from the pictures, the Santa Cruz is shaping up to be a segment-shifter in the highly competitive pickup-truck field. The thing is, it technically isn't a truck, as it abandons the BOF (Body On Frame) that 99.9% of trucks (Think: Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevy Silverado, Jeep Gladiator, etc..) are built as. What that basically means, is that the Santa Cruz (A Unibody) is just one large, connected body, compared to a Ram 1500, which has the body and the bed built as separate units, and are then bolted together for the truck's completion. OK, so the Hyundai is an innovative vehicle, what else? Secondly, the Santa Cruz is, from many people's opinion, a very attractive vehicle, both aesthetically, and also to the wallet. The Santa Cruz is estimated to cost around $20-24K, which by far makes it the cheapest pickup truck you can buy from a "Legit" brand. If you plan to buy a truck in the near future, the Hyundai Santa Cruz should be on your mind, I know it would be on mine.

Thursday, April 15, 2021

3 Great Cars Americans Won't Be Able To Buy In 2021

 3: HONDA FIT

For years, the Honda Fit was the go-to option for those who wanted a car that they could buy for under $20K that could provide elite packaging, fuel economy, attractive looks, and some fun, rare on such inexpensive cars. Unfortunately, American consumers could not appreciate the Fit for the terrific compact car that it is, and Honda had no choice but to move the Fit (Called the "Jazz" in other countries) to a different audience. It really is unfortunate, but brands such as Nissan and Kia have taken advantage of the best car in the segment's departure, with the former debuting the outstanding "Kicks" SUV, and the latter refreshing their already good "Soul" compact into a remarkable vehicle. What I'm trying to say is that the Honda Fit will be missed, but not really.

2: LOTUS EVORA
This one really stings. The gorgeous Lotus Evora is not going to be available in the US, effective immediately. I'm not going to beat around the bush: The Evora is one of my favorite cars, period. A brilliant car to take to the back roads, local track, or even just to run to the store, the Evora is a stunning car, a future icon. You could say: "Oh, you can just get a Porsche 718" or "Why would you want to buy something from a sketchy automaker like Lotus, when you could just go buy an Audi or Lexus?" Because sometimes, you just gotta go with your heart. For some people, a boring ol' BMW doesn't get the job done. I'm one of those people. Just look at the Lotus, and honestly tell me you don't crave it. That's what I thought. 

1: MERCEDES-BENZ E450 AT
Wagons are tragically underappreciated in this country. The best of both worlds, (Cars and SUVs) nothing else gets the job done in such effortless style. With all the advantages of a SUV, (Plenty of space, capable off-road, high seating, comfortable, better visibility, better in snow, better towing, generally safer,  etc..) and all the advantages of a car (quick, superior handling, better fuel economy, easier to park, lower maintenance costs, smoother ride, etc..) a wagon is simply a remarkable option. The Mercedes E450 is no exception. Like all Mercedes products, the E450 is a expertly designed vehicle that provides loads of luxury, and even a sizeable dose of performance. You might be tempted to call out the Benz for its $70K asking price, but, truth be told, the E450 is worth every penny. 

Monday, April 12, 2021

Toyota Supra Review: The Hype Is Justified

 


           The Toyota Supra has, for decades, been one of the most desirable sports cars one could buy. Starting with the name, which literally means "To surpass" or "To excel", Everything about Toyota's marquee sports car has a winning mentality about it. So when, recently, Toyota decided to resurrect the Supra nameplate, few people doubted how good it would be. Turns out, the 2020 Toyota Supra is more than good, it is phenomenal. Even compared to the likes of the Porsche 718 (Also terrific), the Audi TT (As good as a Audi sport car usually is, great) and the Mustang GT350 (American muscle car at it's finest), the Supra has a credible case to be the best of them all. Car&Driver was blown away by the Toyota, giving it a perfect 10/10 rating, while naming it a 10Best 2 years in a row. A key selling point of the Supra, conveniently, is it's rather low price. The Porsche 718 costs $61K. The Audi TT costs $53K. The Supra costs only $43K. Though it costs less, it's nearly 400 horsepower is right up there with its competitors. The Supra is a highly-recommendable car, and if you're interested in some (kinda) cheap fun, the Supra might be for you.

          

Sunday, April 11, 2021

Top 3 Car Brands To Avoid At All Costs!

1: MITSUBISHI

Mitsubishi's are designed for nothing more than A-B transport, yet they fall short of even that. Their cars, SUVs, and hatchbacks are all worse than you would expect a 21st century vehicle to be. Car&Driver gave it one of their worst ever ratings, handing the Mirage (Pictured) a lousy 2.5/10.





2: FIAT

Grossly incompetent in safety and reliability, you would be wise to steer clear of Fiat products, with the exception of the 124 Abarth convertible. It probably says all you need to know about Fiat that their best car was not their own creation, as the 124 is nothing more than a Mazda Miata with some makeup on. 




3: DODGE

Although Dodge's lineup is 10x better than that of Fiat or Mitsubishi, there are major issues with several Dodge cars and Suvs. Particularly the Journey SUV (Pictured), Dart coupe, and Durango SUVs, there was reported to be an average of 158 problems per 100 vehicles. The even bigger problem, however, is that there is absolutely no compelling case to buy any Dodge. Want a 3-row SUV? The Kia Telluride is way better than the Durango. Want a sports car? Neither the Challenger or Charger compare to a Toyota Supra. Want a minivan? The Chrysler Pacifica or Kia Carnival are both better than the Dodge T&C. 

Saturday, April 10, 2021

5 Most Underrated Cars Of 2021

 Being "underrated" is a strange thing. The second you're underrated, you're not. However, their are some really compelling cases of cars that are noticeably better than their competition, but sell noticeably slower. I have compiled for you 5 of the cars that I personally think don't generate enough excitement.


5: CADILLAC XT4








4: KIA STINGER 








3: HYUNDAI SONATA







2: ACURA NSX








1: GENESIS G70











Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Ram 1500 Review: Running Up The Scoreboard On Ford, Chevy


  It had to happen eventually: the 50-year icons that are the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado are no longer the benchmark for work trucks. The Ford, though still generally impressive, is clearly second-best to the Ram in its ride, towing, hauling, cruising, power, and overall refinement. The Silverado, on the other hand, has been lackluster for several years. With a face only a mother could love, the Silverado is full of incompetence, whether it be it's meagre base model's 278 hp, (compared to the Ram's 305 or the Ford's 290) or it's terrible fuel mileage (24 mpg) the Silverado is falling, fast. Sensing it's competitors recent shortcomings, Ram unveiled their new 1500. Featuring an astounding lineup featuring 7 trim levels, (Rebel, TRX, Big Horn, Tradesman, Tradesman HFE,  Laramie Long Horn, Limited) Ram has a 1500 for every customer. 

    Given what I have written so far, it should not surprise you that the Ram has won numerous awards. The 1500 has won Motor Trend's Truck Of The Year annual award 3 years in a row. It has beaten the likes of the Ford F-150, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Colorado, Jeep Gladiator, Nissan Frontier, GMC Sierra, Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra, and more, to win the 3-peat. Car&Driver also was impressed, including the 1500 TRX in it's annual 10Best award. Bottom line: For the first time in decades, you should think twice about the Ford or Chevy. Ram have done something special, and the world is taking notice.







Monday, April 5, 2021

Reacting To The 25 Top Selling Cars of 2020! (US)

25 - NISSAN SENTRA - MoreThanTransport Rating: 6/10

24- TOYOTA 4-RUNNER - 5.5/10

23: JEEP CHEROKEE - 4/10

22: CHEVROLET TRAVERSE - 5/10

21: MAZDA CX-5 - 8.3/10

20: FORD ESCAPE - 5/10

19: SUBARU OUTBACK - 8.2/10

18: HONDA ACCORD - 10/10

17: SUBARU FORRESTER - 7/10

16: JEEP WRANGLER - 8.5/10

15: JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE - 5.5/10

14: HONDA CIVIC - 10/10

13: GMC SIERRA - 8/10

12: CHEVROLET EQUINOX - 6/10

11: TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - 8/10

10: FORD EXPLORER - 7/10

9: TOYOTA TACOMA - 7/10 

8: TOYOTA CORROLA - 7/10

7: TOYOTA CAMRY - 7.2/10

6: NISSAN ROGUE - 7.5/10

5: HONDA CR-V - 9/10

4: TOYOTA RAV-4 - 8/10

3: CHEVROLET SILVERADO - 7/10

2: RAM 1500 - 10/10

1: FORD F-150 - 9/10



Note: Since Tesla only reports their global sales, the Model 3 was excluded from this list. It would likely make it into the top 20. 





Sunday, April 4, 2021

The 5 Most Interesting Electric SUVs You Can Buy Right Now

 5: KIA SOUL EV


WHY: ONLY COSTS $33k, EXCELLENT RANGE, PRACTICAL.





4: NISSAN ARIYA


WHY: KNOCKOUT STYLING, IMPRESSIVE DRIVE, LUXURY IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES




3: TESLA MODEL X



WHY: SLEEK, TWICE THE RANGE OF OTHERS, PLENTY OF SPACE, QUICKER THAN 90% OF SPORTS CARS




2: HUMMER EV


WHY: TERRIFIC OFF-ROAD, DEVASTATINGLY QUICK, ULTRA-LUXURIOUS.




1: JAGUAR I-PACE



WHY: ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS INSIDE AND OUT, TERRIFIC SUNROOF, AS QUICK AS IT LOOKS, SUPER RELIABLE.

Saturday, April 3, 2021

Ford Bronco Sport Review: Lil' Bro Turns Out To Be A Worthy Name-Bearer


   Right now, the world is obsessed with the Bronco. Boasting truckloads of style and capability, the Ford SUV is everything you want it to be, and more. However, there doesn't seem to be half as much hype for the smaller, urban Bronco Sport. Turns out, the little chump is a terrific SUV as well. In a Motor Trend comparison, the Sport annihilated it's main competitor: the Jeep Compass Trailhawk. Editor Scott Evans wasted no time setting things straight: " The Ford Bronco Sport plainly schooled the Jeep Compass Trailhawk on the trail, no doubt about it. Buy the Ford". Pretty compelling stuff right there. One of the key reasons why the Sport is so good is that it is more or less a Bronco, just dialed down. "Dialed down" isn't a bad thing, on the contrary: the junior Bronco is simply very capable off-road, but doesn't give up it's everyday practicality. It's design isn't as "Look at me" as the standard Bronco, but is handsome nonetheless. The Sport is simply a very impressive SUV, and should be taken just as seriously as the bigger Bronco.



Thursday, April 1, 2021

Picking The Greatest Ever Car From Every Country!

                                                         USA: TESLA MODEL S

                                                       

                                        ENGLAND: MCLAREN F1


                                 GERMANY: PORSCHE 911 TURBO


JAPAN: ACURA NSX

ITALY: FERRARI F40

SOUTH KOREA: KIA TELLURIDE

SWEDEN: VOLVO S60

FRANCE: BUGATTI VEYRON

CHINA: GEELY ICON

MEXICO: MASTRETTA MXT

INDIA: TATA NEXON EV

                                   CANADA: INTERMECCANICA INDRA


                                                          CARS THAT JUST MISSED THE CUT:

                                   USA: CHEVROLET CORVETTE, FORD MUSTANG GT500, FORD SHELBY

               ENGLAND: MCLAREN P1, Mclaten 720s, JAGUAR E-TYPE, Rolls-Royce Phantom II

                  GERMANY: PORSCHE 918, AUDI R8 V10, BMW E30, MERCEDES SLR, AUDI RS6

JAPAN: ACURA INTEGRA TYPE-R,  HONDA CIVIC TYPE-R, HONDA ACCORD, NEW ACURA NSX, TOYOTA SUPRA

                ITALY: LAMBO COUNTACH, LAMBO HURACAN PF, FERRARI LAFERRARI, FERRARI 250 GTO, 

                               SOUTH KOREA: HYUNDAI VELOSTER R, KIA STINGER, GENESIS GV80

                                            SWEDEN: KOENIGSEGG GEMERA, VOLVO S60

                                               FRANCE: BUGATTI CHIRON, BUGATTI DIVO

                                                    CHINA, MEXICO, CANADA: NONE


AI and Car Design - What Could Go Wrong?

T here's been a considerable amount of talk around some new Artificial Intelligence generators that can take two or more words and mash ...