Automotive Reviews

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Jay Leno honors Sam Walton, Walmart with new old F-150

Sam Walton needed one vehicle; Jay Leno has hundreds. But the comedian and founder of Walmart both knew about business, marketing and a good truck when they saw one. Which is why Walmart and Leno, the renowned collector, have collaborated to reimagine the late Walton’s 1979 Ford F-150. Using a 2021 Ford F-150, the project will celebrate the debut of Leno’s line of car care and detailing products at Walmart beginning in early 2021. Jay Leno Has Honored Sam Walton Walton cherished his battered truck. Among the entrepreneur’s legacy is a tale about why Walton continued to drive the truck despite being able to afford any vehicle he wanted. “What am I supposed to haul my dogs around in a

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New Corvette mid-engine beauty rocks auto world

The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray for decades has been labeled “America’s Sports Car.” It’s served as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 a record 16 times since 1978. And for 40 years, the Corvette has been made in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The General Motors plant is as nationalistic as any manufacturing city. It shares geographic headquarters with other iconic American companies — Holley to Russell, Camping World to Fruit of the Loom. But Chevy has expanded its motoring preferences outside of Kentucky and its seven bordering states. The debuts of the 2020 C8 Corvette and its 2021 sibling, both delayed in production by the coronavirus pandemic, feature what Chevy considered for decades — a mid-engine. With diminishing sales for several

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2020 Bullitt Mustang ideal for the Steve McQueen in all of us

A 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback and a 2004 Pontiac Aztek are as far apart on the automotive spectrum as possible — with one exception. With a few dozen other vehicles — an Aston Martin DB5 to AMC Pacer and a Plymouth Fury to Pontiac Trans AM — the Mustang and Aztek are cultural icons. Younger automotive and movie enthusiasts may only know the Aztek from the “Breaking Bad” series on Netflix or a Toyota MK IV Supra from the movie “The Fast and the Furious.” But the Bullitt Mustang, released in three time frames in the past 20 years, dates to the 1968 movie “Bullitt.” Bullitt Mustang: Relevant Then, Now Actor Steve McQueen epitomized coolness as Police detective Frank

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3 BMW sedans get worst depreciation honors

Consumers purchase BMW sedans for their well-documented performance qualities. But value is not part of the German manufacturer’s appeal. According to iSeeCars.com, the automotive research firm and data-driven car search engine, three of the German sedans are among the top-10 vehicles with the worst five-year depreciation averages. The website analyzed more than 8.2 million car sales to identify models with the lowest and highest loss in value after five years. BMW gets dubious honors The BMW 7 and 5 series hold the top two spots among the highest depreciating vehicles. The stablemate X3 has the 10th worst depreciation average after five years of ownership. Here’s the list of the highest depreciation cars: 1. BMW 7 Series, 72.6 percent. 2. BMW

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2020 Lexus RX 450hL: handsome, plush, pricey

With several exterior design changes including a polarizing paint color choice, the 2020 Lexus RX 450hL stands out on the omnipresent highway sea of sport utility vehicles. It’s a smooth cruiser with some drawbacks. A six or seven-passenger midsize hybrid, the RX 450hL comes with three rows of seating and all-wheel drive. It’s operated by a 3.5-liter V6 that coordinates with two front-mounted electric motor-generators. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) propels the front wheels; a third electric motor powers the rear wheels. Total horsepower is 308 and the 0-60 mph standard is accomplished in 6.8 seconds. The base 2020 Lexus RX 450hL and Luxury are the only trim levels. Standard equipment on the base model includes a power liftgate,

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Rare, rugged Jeep J10 Honcho precursor to 2020 Gladiator

Jeep doesn’t make a lot of pickup trucks, but for seven years beginning in 1976, a trim package called The Honcho was available. The limited-edition offered on the J10 model and only on the step side and short bed offerings included bold striping and decals. Optional extras included an interior made by Levi’s (in blue or tan) or a roll bar. The specialty trucks also included the Golden Eagle and 10-4. The latter was offered with an optional CB radio corresponding to the radio acknowledgment decal “10-4.” The Jeep J10 Honcho was manufactured through 1983, and it could be ordered with a combination of the specialty items. Only 1,264 examples were made. It’s not the most coveted, but it’s now

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VW icon: 23-window bus for beach bums, hippies

For beach bums and touring musicians, alpine explorers to free-spirited travelers of yesteryear and today, the elusive Volkswagen 23-window bus — was and is as good as it gets. Known to U.S. buyers as the “Deluxe Microbus with Samba package,” the 23-window bus was originally designed as a vehicle to tour the Swiss Alps, offering up to nine passengers maximum visibility.   But it was quickly adopted by families, campers and members of the counterculture. The van features a collection of unique windows including eight skylights, two curved rear windows, a retractable skylight, and a coveted split windshield. Produced between 1951 and 1967, the first-generation Microbus was budget-friendly and built for sightseeing adventures. The four-cylinder engine was placed in the

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2020 Honda Pilot (Black Edition) pricey SUV option

The Honda Pilot is its 19th year as the manufacturer’s biggest, most versatile and most expensive sport utility vehicle. It’s also among seven utility vehicles Honda makes. All fulfill a niche for the ever-increasing percentage of consumers buying cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. As Honda‘s only three-row SUV, the Pilot combines the brand’s reputation and reliability with keen family and cargo capabilities. With its all-wheel-drive option, the Pilot has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Available in LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, Elite and Black Edition trims, all 2020 Pilots are equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard for the LX, EX and EX-L trims; A nine-speed transmission is included in the Touring Elite

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New Ford F-150 EV: fastest, efficient, far less cost

Ford believes its pending F-150 battery-electric pickup truck is still about two years away from consumer sales. But the manufacturer is already touting it will cost about half as much to operate as its current gas-powered stablemates. The new version of the country’s best-selling vehicle will also be the most powerful Ford truck ever made. With zero gas and oil usage, low electric charging rates and lower maintenance costs, the Ford F150 EV truck will thrive on its efficiency, according to Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s president of the Americas and International Markets Group. Ford Ford F-150: Fast, Furious Scheduled to begin production in mid-2022, the Ford F-150 EV will have the fastest 0-to-60-mph time and produce the most torque and horsepower

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NEW TRUCK PREVIEW: 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline will debut early next year with a pronounced redesign. It will showcase the pickup truck’s road and off-road versatility while retaining the tradition of its renowned for unibody design. The Ridgeline will continue to feature an extra-wide stance on an extra-wide standard bed. The manufacturer claims it’s the only truck that can flat-carry four-foot-wide items between its wheel wells. All 2021 Honda Ridgeline trims will include a 3.5-liter, direct-injected V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and a nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard of RTL-E and Black Editions. It’s optional on Sport and RTL trims. With its unibody construction and independent rear suspension, the Ridgeline also comes standard with a washable, lockable in-bed trunk. It offers

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2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 gets more versatile

Known for its functionality and multiple trim level, the Chevy Silverado 1500 keeps improving. For 2021, the country’s second highest-selling light-duty, full-size pickup truck has a new truckload of mechanical and technological updates. Now in production and available beginning throughout the fall in different sections of the country, the Chevy Silverado will be highlighted by a Multi-Flex tailgate. The tailgate has six unique functions, allowing for easier access to bed cargo, enhanced loading solutions and a standing workstation. With a weight capacity of 375 pounds, different configurations activate two tailgate-mounted buttons or a key fob. Combined with the Silverado’s expansive cargo space, LED lighting, a 120-volt outlet and 12 fixed tie-downs, the new truck is the most functional and capable

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Truck wars: Chevy, Ford, Ram push towing capacity max

Truck wars are nothing new. But with lightweight trucks sales growing at an increasingly fast rate, competition has become more intense. The latest battle involves increased towing capacities for the top-three sellers, Chevrolet, Ford and Ram. Chevrolet recently announced an increase of 500 pounds for the 2021 Chevrolet 2500/3500, pushing the maximum to 36,000 pounds. The boost occurred after engineers made changes to the suspension and available wheel packages. The improvement to the Chevy places it 1,000 pounds less than the Ford Super Duty (37,000) and 900 pounds more than the Ram HD (35,100). Chevy’s 36,000-pound maximum is available only on the regular-cab Silverado 3500 Work Truck with dual rear wheels and rear-wheel drive. The 445-horsepower, 6.6-liter Duramax diesel making

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2020 Genesis G90: Luxury for far less than German rivals

The 2020 Genesis G90 marks the fourth model year of the flagship sedan. It’s the South Korean challenger, still young, unheralded and a worthy underdog to its well-heeled front runners from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. If its stalwart German rivals haven’t noticed it yet, they should. As the subsidiary luxury brand of Hyundai, Genesis has risen quickly among the automotive watchdogs. Car and Driver to J.D. Power and Motor Trend to Kelley Blue Book annually simultaneously bestow automotive honors while touting themselves. Genesis, with its G70, G80 and G90 models, has been the star for a few years. The G70, the value-priced sedan, is leading the clan in the accolades tally. The Genesis G90 is the limo-like cruiser offered as

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Mazda MX-5 Miata still reigns at age 32

There’s little room, the trunk is tiny, body and cargo space minimal. It’s difficult to enter and exit, and it’s loud. Welcome another edition of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, nearly everyone’s favorite 32-year-old lightweight roadster. For 2020, the best-selling sports car in history is a continuation of the fourth generation introduced in 2016. It’s stayed much the same, with a few refreshes along the way. The two-seater is available in Sport, Club and Grand Touring trims, all propelled by 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engines with 181 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on all models and a six-speed automatic transmission is optional. The standard transmission option shifts smoothly and propels the sports car from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds.

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2020 Lexus LS 500: luxury sedans still matter

The transportation saturation of SUVs and pickup trucks is ever-increasing. But the 2020 Lexus LS 500, the showcase vehicle in Toyota’s upscale division, is a fine reason why consumers should still consider sedans. Completely redesigned two years ago with a fifth generation, the 2020 LS 500 retains the full-size luxury sedan’s finer attributes. It combines an uber-quiet, comfortable ride, an interior designer’s finest skill and top-line technology. Key Takeaways 416-hp twin-turbo V6 pairs with a 10-speed automatic: The fifth-generation LS 500 reaches 60 mph from a standstill in 4.9 seconds while averaging 19 mpg city and 30 mpg highway on premium fuel. One trim level keeps configuration simple: Rear-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is optional, and a hybrid version

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New Hummer EV cruises tough terrain in ‘Crab Mode’

Could the revitalized Hummer EV get more unique than the original? Yes. How about a feature called “Crab Mode?” The soon-to-debut, all-electric Hummer EV truck will include a feature allowing the vehicle to move terrain diagonally like a sand-dwelling crustacean. Crab Mode will be enabled by the electric pickup truck’s four-wheel steering capability. Its functionality is “tailor-made for off-roading customers,” the manufacturer said. Planned for a May debut, the anticipated return of the Hummer was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hummer EV has a military heritage The odd-looking, testosterone-loaded Hummer was first marketed when AM General began selling a civilian version of the M998 Humvee. The brand endured different owners and hiatus production time frames. GM announced earlier this

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