In 1999, BMW first offered the X5 for sale, making it the company’s first SUV—or, as the brand referred to it, “Sports Activity Vehicle.” Twenty-five years later, this midsize crossover stands at the pinnacle of the luxury automotive market. The X5 is the top-selling BMW model in North America, outshining other noteworthy machines like the […]
A few months ago, longtime Toyota 86/GR86 enthusiasts got the news they hoped for: The Hakone Edition, which had previously been seen on the 2020 Toyota 86—the final year of the first generation—was making a return. With the Toyota 86 having since been upgraded to the Toyota GR86 under the Gazoo Racing banner, fans were […]
For decades, Ford has dominated the US small truck market—first with the Ranger and now with the Maverick. Since its introduction, sales of the Maverick have exploded. In the first seven months of 2024, more than 100,000 Mavericks left US dealerships—more than as many sold in the whole of 2023. Seeing this, along with solid […]
Does it feel like you see a lot of black cars on the road? It’s not just a feeling. According to an analysis by iSeeCars.com, approximately 22% of all cars sold are black, making it the second-most common vehicle color after white. Over the centuries, black has represented things like power, wealth, mystery, sophistication, and […]
As I sit here, Halloween is just around the corner. It’s a fun, spooky time of year, but in the automotive world, we’ve already seen spookiness that is anything but humorous. Several vehicle recalls have stood out for all the wrong reasons, being driven by issues that cause serious safety concerns for the vehicle’s occupants […]
Autonomous vehicles (AV) are closer than ever to being a reality. Despite development being slowed by multiple factors, such as the semiconductor shortage after the COVID-19 pandemic and getting the proper regulations in place, automakers are still plowing ahead on getting self-driving vehicles to market. Current predictions are that worldwide sales of Level 4 and […]
Of all the reasons to get an SUV, being able to store your luggage, equipment, and goodies is a major one. Even in the compact SUV segment, cargo space is key. In a 2019 study by Cox Automotive, 46% of respondents who were swapping a sedan for a compact SUV said having more cargo capacity […]
The demand for luxury vehicles continues to grow. Cox Automotive estimates that, in recent years, luxury vehicles have approached 20% of all US sales. Meanwhile, Fortune Business Insights is predicting the worldwide luxury car market will grow by more than 10% annually through 2032. Defined as a vehicle that has high-end quality, features, and comfort, […]
Saving a little fuel can do a lot for yourself and the world around you. Over the past year, as of this writing, the national average cost for regular unleaded gas has hovered around $3.50 a gallon. In some areas, it can get closer to $5 a gallon. Considering that the average person drives nearly […]
Much of the full-size truck and SUV world—and the automotive world in general—is moving towards putting turbocharged engines under the hood. According to data from the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy and Research Nester, the percentage of new US light-duty vehicles with turbochargers has gone from 1% in 2000 to about 50% today. […]
General Motors has been at the forefront of North American automakers in the transition to all-electric vehicles. In addition to their oft-stated goal of only producing electric light-duty vehicles by 2035, they have motored headlong into the EV truck market, with the 2020s seeing electric versions of their Chevy Silverado pickup truck and its cousin […]
For more than 20 years, drivers in South America and elsewhere have gotten to experience the compact power of the Chevy Montana. Named for the 41st state, this small unibody pickup has acquired a legion of fans, and it’s widely considered the godfather of compact trucks, leading to vehicles like the Fiat Toro and Renault […]
When you’re shopping for a new car, there are certain options and features you’re likely looking for. You certainly are not alone when trying to find the perfect vehicle. There are numerous options you can get from the factory or the dealer, and some are more popular than others. For example, the “2022 Future Attribute […]
Going automatic has long been the predominant drivetrain option among American car drivers. CarMax reports that as of 2020, just 2.4% of new vehicles built for US buyers had a manual transmission. Yet despite the ubiquity of this transmission in cars, it has struggled to catch on among motorcycle riders. Many theories abound, from the […]
Nearly every part of a vehicle is important for its performance, but the transmission is particularly vital. True to its name, this component transmits the engine power to the rest of the drivetrain and the wheels. If the transmission isn’t working correctly, your vehicle won’t either. To keep your vehicle on the road, you must […]
The International Harvester Scout is one of the most storied nameplates in off-roading. From 1960 to 1980, more than half a million of these pickups and sport utility vehicles were produced, and they maintain a cult following among off-road enthusiasts and vehicle customizers. Together with the Jeep CJ and Ford Bronco, the Scout lineup helped […]
The automotive world continues to drive headlong into the world of electric vehicles. Although the growth rate has slowed a bit in the last year, the EV market share continues to grow. In 2023, about 25% of all new cars sold globally were EVs, with individual countries reaching as high as 90%. As such, more […]
Since its introduction in 1976, the Honda Accord has been one of the world’s defining vehicles, positioning itself as perhaps the ultimate family car. According to Honda, no model has sold more units in the US since that time. Furthermore, since Car and Driver introduced their annual 10 Best Cars award in 1983, the Accord […]
For more than 20 years, the Honda Pilot has been an important player in the crossover SUV market. Introduced in 2002, it was the automaker’s biggest SUV splash to date, and it remains their largest such vehicle. Now in its fourth generation, the Honda Pilot remains a strong contender, regularly selling more than 100,000 vehicles […]
Over the decades since Korean automotive companies entered the North American market, their perception has undergone multiple shifts. Initially seen as a “you get what you pay for” cheap alternative to established brands—emphasized by issues with early offerings like the Hyundai Excel—they eventually gained an identity as brands that offered affordable, reliable vehicles, albeit with […]
