Test Driven: 2004 Subaru Forester 2.5XT
Posted: March 21, 2012 Filed under: TEST DRIVEN, Used Gems | Tags: 2.5XT, 2004, Automatic, AWD, Compact, Crossover, CUV, Flat-4, Forester, H4, Impreza, Mind over motor, review, Subaru, SUV, Test Driven, turbo, XT Leave a comment »
The WRX can be considered a car that turned Subaru’s image in America around virtually overnight. Once a seller of slightly staid, yet nearly unbreakable AWD sedans and wagons, they are now a seller of reasonably priced AWD vehicles and rally sport specials such as the Impreza WRX, STi, and the Legacy 2.5GT. By 2005, every single model Subaru built had the turbocharger option available, as Subaru saw fit to make the WRX’s legacy work across the board. The Forester, a Subaru staple since 1995, received the turbo engine in 2004. The example I drove was a 2004 2.5XT Limited with about 80,000 miles, in average shape. Read the rest of this entry »
Test Driven: Range Rover Evoque, Nick’s Take
Posted: December 30, 2011 Filed under: Off-Road Able, Sports and Executive, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: all, AWD, Beach, beauty, California, Car, Concours, Cross, Crossover, cylinder, design, Drive, driving, Evoque, four, fun, Impressions, Inline, Land, Luxury, Mind, motor, off, Over, Pebble, Range, review, Road, Rover, Style, SUV, Test, turbo, Turbocharged, versitile, wheel Leave a comment »
Range Rover Evoque
As soon as I first laid eyes on the Evoque I knew it was going to be a game changer. It was a completely new formula for a luxury SUV that, not only, drastically redefined style, but also drivability and usability as well. Being the founding member of what seems to be an emerging segment in the high end market, the Evoque sets the precedents for future entries. I have pointed out this segment before in articles concerning the Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman, however the Evoque represents the first full on luxury offering of this sort. This past year, at Pebble Beach, Land Rover was holding Evoque test drives, so having been eager to try it out since I saw it, I signed the papers and took one out for a spin. Read the rest of this entry »
Explaining the Death and Rebirth of the Wagon
Posted: September 8, 2011 Filed under: AUTOMOTIVE INSIGHTS | Tags: Acura, Automotive Insights, Cadillac, Chrysler, Cool, Crossover, Death, Enthusiasts, Ford, GM, Market, Mind over motor, Minivan, Rebirth, Segment, SUV, USA, Wagon Leave a comment »
The CTS-V wagon, or the ultimate way of getting the kids to school.
Wagons have a pretty colored history here in America. For ages and ages, they were the ride of choice for the American mom, with long wheelbases, huge interior room, smooth styling, and excellent visibility. However, starting before the beginning of the SUV craze, wagons somehow became uncool among America’s mainstream car buyers. Read the rest of this entry »
Road Review: 2009 Acura RDX
Posted: August 16, 2011 Filed under: Road Review, Sports and Executive | Tags: Acura, AWD, Compact SUV, Crossover, CUV, Honda, Honda Engine, K23A1, Lease, Luxury, Premium Luxury, Quick, SH-AWD, SUV, turbo, VTEC Leave a comment »
Acura RDX (Front)
Back in 2009, my dad’s lease on his Honda Pilot was up, and he needed a new car. After driving the GMC Acadia and the new Pilot, he realized how sick he was of the three-row SUVs, as he no longer needed the extra space, and wanted better gas mileage. He drove the little Honda CR-V, and regretted it. Then, he drove a new RDX, and without a second thought, signed some lease papers. I’ve lived with it as my dad’s daily driver for two years now, and he’s never had more respect for a car than this one, so I decided to find out why. Read the rest of this entry »
Porsche Cayenne Hybrid–Not just for environmentalists.
Posted: August 4, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: Cayenne, Crossover, Fuel Economy, Hybrid, Industry Talk, Intelligent, Mind over motor, Porsche, Sports, Supercharged, SUV, V6 1 Comment »
Not too many non-sports cars look good in yellow. This does, though.
So, the Cayenne Hybrid has recently gone on sale. Some are already saying that it’s heresy, in that it’s not only the Cayenne (which is a Porsche SUV, and such a thing is apparently the Antichrist), but a hybrid as well. All is not lost, in my opinion, because Porsche lately has been doing many things right, and they’re stepping into the environmental field with the right foot first. Read the rest of this entry »
Test Driven: Mini Countryman S
Posted: July 28, 2011 Filed under: Sports and Executive, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 182hp, 30, 4, all, All4, big, British, Cooper, Countryman, Crossover, four, Juke, Mind, Mind over motor, Mini, motor, mpg, Nissan, Over, S, seat, Small, SUV, UK 1 Comment »
Mini Countryman S
The Countryman is a big Mini, their entry into the emerging small crossover market. Honestly, for this new segment of SUV hot hatches, the Countryman is pretty much the poster child. I would be very disappointed in Mini if they didn’t have a car in this segment because it seems like it is literally tailor-made for them. All of the haters who say it is too big are comparing it to the Cooper, which is stupid because they don’t take part in the same market segment at all. Read the rest of this entry »
Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, what the..?
Posted: July 18, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: Cabriolet, Convertible, Cross, CrossCabriolet, Crossover, Luxury, Mind over motor, Murano, Nissan, Over, SUV, V6, VQ35 3 Comments »
Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
I was really puzzled and taken aback when I first saw the Nissan Murano CrossCab in pictures online, as I’m sure many other people were. I have been giving it some thought since then, and it may actually make some sense. Read the rest of this entry »
What to do with the upcoming Porsche Cajun
Posted: July 10, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: 2012, 2013, 2014, Boxster, Cajun, Car, Cayenne 911, Cayman, Crossover, driving, Industry Talk, Macan, Market, Midsize, Mind over motor, Offering, Porsche, Prices, Purists, Small, Sport, SUV, turbo Leave a comment »
Porsche Cajun Rendering from topspeed.com
The Cajun is the much-rumored “baby” Cayenne Porsche plans to bring out sometime soon. When I consider the prospect of such a car, I have to consider how it will fit into the market and if it will even work overall. Based on the success of the Cayenne and Panamera, I would definitely say that this car has a very real ability to succeed once in production if properly executed. All of you scoffing purists out there just need to realize: it is cars like these, from which Porsche makes most of their money, that allow them to make all of the pure or wild Porsches that you lust after–so embrace it. Read the rest of this entry »
SUV Hot Hatches, Why Not?
Posted: June 28, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: 4, Car, Countryman, Cross, Crossover, CVT, cylinder, economy, Evoque, Fuel, Gas, GTI, Guzzler, Hatch, Hot, Juke, Land, Luxury, Mind over motor, Mini, Nissan, Over, Range, Rover, S, Small, Sporty, stylish, SUV, SUVs, trendy, turbo, Volkswagen Leave a comment »
Mini Countryman S
There is emerging a new market for a sort of tiny SUV/crossover. There are entrants in both the normal and luxury realm coming out, so clearly manufacturers believe this will be a market segment with some appeal. Read the rest of this entry »
Dodge Durango: Nice steak, but sizzle will help.
Posted: June 23, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: 2011, 5.7, 6.4, Crossover, Dodge, Durango, engine, Hemi, Mind over motor, R/T, SRT, SRT8, SUV, Trim Leave a comment »
Me Gusta. Dodge Durango R/T, hauling a monster behind it.
So Dodge redesigned the Durango, and is now selling a hotter version, the R/T. But, with this on the market and getting decent reviews already, Dodge would be insane not to at least make a few prototypes of a Durango SRT8. Read the rest of this entry »
