Automotive Reviews
Four Doors
2010 BMW 550i
Aug 17th
You’ll hear a lot of superlatives when reading write-ups of the BMW 5-Series. It seems like it’s always been that way. This big, confident sports sedan is all-new for 2010, and like its predecessors, BMW has hit upon just the right combination of agility, power and responsiveness to push the buttons of driving enthusiasts worldwide.
That said, I am an enthusiast myself, and buttons are the biggest problem with the new 5-Series. Despite a sexier design, powerful, high-tech engines and better-than-ever driving dynamics, the 550i very nearly spoils the ride by getting too caught up in its own clever technology. More >
2011 Hyundai Sonata
Jul 29th
Remember when Honda was the sole four-cylinder holdout in the mid-size sedan market? The company insisted that there was no need for the extra thirst of a V6 in the Accord, despite the demands of a horsepower-hungry US market. These days, there’s an Accord V6, but for 2011 the Hyundai Sonata is doing without a six-cylinder version.
The move simplifies the lineup, but it’s not the only motivation. Recent advances in engine technology have made a four-cylinder a viable alternative to a V6, and considering the growing role that fuel efficiency is playing in purchase decisions, Hyundai is gambling that more mid-size sedan buyers won’t mind that the Sonata is missing a couple of cylinders. More >
2010 Ford SVT F-150 Raptor
Jul 4th
You can practically hear the hard-edged, distorted guitar chords the moment you turn the key. Just looking at the Ford SVT F-150 Raptor, it’s clear that this truck is made of the same stuff as Mountain Dew commercials and extreme sports. Heck with a massively widened track, beefy suspension components exposed for the world to see and tires that were made for jumping over stuff, the Raptor IS an extreme sport.
The Raptor springs from the id of Ford’s Special Vehicle Team. Traditionally known for pavement-rippling sports cars, SVT has gone for overland speed with this truck, which is inspired by high-riding desert racers. The Raptor isn’t just a styling exercise, either–this truck is designed to pound through merciless off-road terrain–and to do it at high speed. Ladies and gentlemen, don’t try this at home. More >