By Alex Leanse – MotorTrend
Although the Dodge Charger and Nissan Maxima adopt a similar form factor, these full-size sedans go about their business in very different ways. The Maxima takes a more luxurious approach to its features and appointments while still trying to be fun to drive. Meanwhile, the Charger emphasizes power and performance more than comfort or technology.
Deciding between the Charger and Maxima? Here are the pros and cons of each to consider.
By Alex Leanse – MotorTrend
Fourth gear, throttle wide open down the straight. A right-hander closes in ahead. Don’t brake yet … Now! The front end dips. Cut two cogs with the left paddle. Pop off the stoppers and toss the steering clockwise. Ease into the power. Feel the weight shift back. Manage that balance as the tires bite the camber. Target the exit, and unwind the rack while squeezing the throttle to the floor.
By: Christopher Smith – Motor1
If this 2021 Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series was a gambling man, he’d say always bet on black. That’s because Lexus has well-and-truly doubled-down on black for this limited-production LC 500. Aside from a bit of interior and exterior trim, black is pretty much the order of the day for this new offering and yes, it’s the only color offered. It’s not just an LC with an abundance of black paint, however. Mostly, anyway.
By Greg Fink – MotorTrend
Bentley plans to wean itself off internal-combustion engines by the end of the decade, and its latest attempt at embracing electrification comes in the form of the updated 2021 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid. Like the rest of the 2021 Bentayga lineup, the gasoline-electric Bentayga Hybrid benefits from fresh styling inside and out.
As its name implies, the Bentayga Hybrid trades the V-8 engine of the run-of-the-mill Bentayga for a gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain made up of a V-6 engine and electric motor.
By: Jeff Perez – Motor1
We’ve spilled plenty of ink criticizing Cadillac more recent products, like the CT4 and CT5 sedans in particular, so we expected to be equally disappointed jumping behind the wheel of the 2021 Cadillac XT6 crossover. But to our surprise, the XT6 isn’t all that bad. Cadillac actually built a solid three-row that drives well, is decently comfortable, and has some good safety tech.
By Jeff Perez – Motor1
The only thing we’ve ever really disliked about the Subaru Crosstrek Sport was how lethargic it was. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine simply wasn’t punchy enough, even for such a small crossover. But Subaru listened, and this year the company introduced a new Sport model that adds a punchier 2.5-liter engine, and we really like the result.
By: Jeff Perez – Motor1
We have a lot of love for the little Nissan Kicks. The pint-sized crossover has a big driving personality, approachable styling, and great standard safety features. Now Nissan has further improved the Kicks for 2021 with a facelift (akin to its overseas sibling) and more standard features.
The 2021 Nissan Kicks wears what the brand calls a “Double V-motion” grille, which expands last year’s V-Motion grille pretty significantly. Joining the new front-end treatment are available LED headlights and an edgier front bumper, all designed to give the Kicks a tougher look head-on. The SR model also sports standard LED fog lights.
By: Brett T. Evans – Motor1
Hot sport-utes are more popular now than ever, tracing their lineage back to our favorite examples from the ‘90s: the Lamborghini LM002, GMC Typhoon, Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG, and Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited. But unlike those slightly crude progenitors, today’s fast SUV must also be able to handle corners like a sports car, cruise over bumps like a limo, and offer plenty of space for packages and people.
The 20 high-riding haulers on this list represent the fastest and sportiest SUVs on the market today. Some feature hybridization, others are all-electric, some have six cylinders, and some twelve. There’s a variety of sizes and styles, although they all have one thing in common – they’re each pretty spendy (though some are Brooks Brothers and some are Burberry). Each entry on this list offers its own spicy take on the fast SUV formula, with different priorities for virtually every power-obsessed utility buyer.
Is Ford’s Family SUV Right for You?
By MotorTrend
The Ford Explorer is recognizable all over America. With millions of units sold, it’s helped define the family-oriented crossover as we know it today. A full redesign for 2020 put the SUV on a rear-wheel drive platform with a choice of turbocharged or hybridized engines. The 2021 Explorer is available in six- or seven-seat layouts.
By Nick Yekikian – MotorTrend
When we tested the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD, we came away confused. Its exhaust sounded great, but it rode harshly and was missing key amenities from higher Camry trims. Frankly, it betrayed the Camry’s core mission of being a usable, easily approachable daily driver, and it underdelivered on the promise of sportiness. The 2021 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid, on the other hand, is a much more straightforward proposition.
