An Automotive Engineer's Point of View – News and Reviews
Car Reviews and Model Information
Automakers respect the skeptical viewpoint that many pick-up consumers have regarding dramatic changes and in the case of the Toyota Tundra, the same essential truck carried on for 15 years. But now, for 2022, the all-new Tundra pulls in some of the best “new” technologies from across the segment to give it a unique advantage over others in its class.
Continue reading “2022 Toyota Tundra Limited”
After two years of very minor changes, the Blazer continues to serve as a Chevrolet’s relatively roomy, plenty powerful, and styling-focused mid-size crossover. But that also describes many other crossovers on the market so what makes the Blazer stand out?
Continue reading “2022 Chevrolet Blazer”
Acura’s mid-size sedans have regularly found themselves without a direct competitor as their larger size, lower MSRP, and missing tier-one status makes credible comparisons with the BMW’s, Mercedes’, and Audi’s a bit of a challenge. But this all-new generation seeks to force its way into that conversation by riding on Acura’s current wave of successful designs and engineering achievements and, with an all-new chassis, more power, cutting-edge safety technology, a studio-grade sound system, and a premium and edgy design, the TLX is the most convincing competitor yet.
Continue reading “2021 Acura TLX A-Spec”Explaining the concept of the Mustang Mach-E to a Mustang enthusiast usually evolves into a Q & A session. Yes, the V8 soundtrack, the sports-car low seating position, and the sleek coupe looks have all been reimagined for this new member of the Mustang brand. Delivering a whoosh, an open family-friendly interior, and a higher-riding body style, the Mach-E is like no other Mustang before it, and for the brand, there’s no turning back.
The fact that this Mustang bears the shape of a crossover is simply a reflection of the current and the foreseeable consumer shift towards the more practical raised-roof design while demand for two-door coupes continues to weaken. For a company that specializes in mass-production, being able to adapt is crucial for the Mustang brand.
Continue reading “2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E”Making the case for the most capable vehicle available today.
When Mercedes-Benz graces the rear end of the car with the AMG badge, there is an immediate rise in expectations. The now in-house performance arm has waived their wands over more unlikely vehicles such as the G 63 (and the single-year run of the R 63) which raises suspicion of the big SUV’s true sporting intentions but the brand-new generation AMG GLS 63 begs one to test its go-fast credibility all while enjoying its lengthy list of luxurious features and three-row spaciousness.
Continue reading “Mercedes-AMG GLS 63”
Automakers usually look to the model’s past to adopt what worked and what needed rethinking, however, in the case of the Blazer, Chevrolet chose a different path and there are no similarities with the rough and tumble SUV that once roamed for 25 years. Considering the frenzy that Ford has generated with its retro-inspired Bronco, one can’t help but wonder if this soft-natured crossover should have been called something else. But even after putting the nameplate aside, the new crossover’s concept feels disjointed and as such, it becomes difficult to appreciate more than just the sum of its components.
Continue reading “2020 Chevrolet Blazer”
Practical, powerful, and efficient, the Niro EV is easy to like although the current charging rate from commonly found charging stations means there’s still some pre-planning necessary – especially for longer trips away from a guaranteed charging spot. With an unlimited range of near guilt-free power, the Niro EV is a pretty fun runabout, while its crossover styling cues and an interior with physical buttons and knobs make it feel instantly familiar.
But before stepping into the land of power plugs and kWh, here are ten EV-specific characteristics that are worth knowing:
Continue reading “Kia Niro EV”
The Chevrolet Equinox competes in the same segment as the venerable Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 where high-quality designs, materials, and assembly are expected. Its strong sales might indicate that Chevrolet has landed a home run, however, taking a closer look shows that there are a lot of opportunities for improvement.
Continue reading “2020 Chevrolet Equinox AWD Premier 2.0T”
The Civic constantly reminds me of how good of a car it is. Not only is it available in many different flavors – coupe, sedan, and hatchback form with regular, sporty, and super sporty performances, but its the quick-reacting chassis, ergonomically friendly controls, and a plethora of storage cubbies are what make the Civic a very easy car to enjoy.
However, its aging design and the continued onslaught of newer competition have revealed several blemishes in its armor and some of those shortcomings are noticeable during everyday use. But are they significant enough to ruin the charm of this Hatchback Sport Touring model?
The Kia Soul pulls at my emotions, going back and forth between being impressed by the design and creativity though disappointed in many areas where I wish Kia had gone a step or two further with the concept and level of refinement. These areas include drivetrain, packaging and interior material quality. That being said, I have developed a soft spot for this character of a car. Its unique cuboid shape, never-ending acceleration, advanced tech, and ability to comfortably perform commuting and carpool duties outweigh the downsides… mostly.