Reviewed: 2013 Toyota RAV4 XLE

As we were trying to catch up on some of the reviews we’ve done this year, we came across this one from the summer that we missed.

Toyota’s RAV4 is one of the more popular vehicles in this segment, and that was before the refresh, now almost 12 months ago.  This new version of the RAV4 is significantly better than the old model, that said, is it good enough to compete with two of the best in this segment, the Ford Escape/Kuga and the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?  That is what we look into on this episode of Rumblestrip.NET and Ten Minute Test Drive.

Sunday Morning Drive: St. John U.S.V.I

First vacation in a few years, and the beautiful roads of St. John in the U.S.V.I. make for a perfect Sunday Morning Drive.  The vehicle for the video was a Suzuki Grand Vitara, it was our rental vehicle for the stay.
In the U.S.V.I you drive on the left side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the left side as well, so the rule is keep your shoulder on the shoulder.
Enjoy the steelpan sounds of Albion Sewer as we go for a morning drive.

First Look: 2015 Ford Mustang

Invited to launch
Quick take, a bit disappointed 
Few details, so we will focus on styling
Side profile car looks to long from the B pillar forward for the rest of the car
The grill looks like it could have come off a Taurus
Headlights have “sharks gills” that emulate the tri-bar rear tail lights
Headlights have a pulled back look to them giving them a Joan Rivers too many facelifts look
Rear quarter window line does not flow with the rest of the car and looks like three other cars
rear facia has too much rake, trying to flow with the back end of the car, just looks awkward
from the rear the greenhouse looks to narrow on the rest of the body
The rear is 40mm wider to accommodate the IRS now standard on all models
Front suspension gets upgraded as well
Ford calls this an all new platform however it IS an evolution of the S197 platform
Interior looks to be quite a big upgrade “aircraft inspired” doors were locked could not look closer
Three engines
Base 3.7L V6 300hp 270 tq, down a bit from the 2013 model
EcoBoost 2.3L 4 cylinder with twin scroll turbo  305+ hp  300tq, wiser numbers closer to 320 for both
5.0 V8 gets upgraded cylinder heads, intake and cams, should see a power bump to around 440hp, maybe 450.
15 inch 6 piston brakes will be available in the performance pack
two six speed transmissions, the auto will have paddle shifters
Blind spot, collision warning, cross traffic warning, my ford touch, radar cruise control will all be options
More details at the New York Auto Show in April, no official launch date or pricing.

Invited to launch
Quick take, a bit disappointed 
Few details, so we will focus on styling
Side profile car looks to long from the B pillar forward for the rest of the car
The grill looks like it could have come off a Taurus
Headlights have “sharks gills” that emulate the tri-bar rear tail lights
Headlights have a pulled back look to them giving them a Joan Rivers too many facelifts look
Rear quarter window line does not flow with the rest of the car and looks like three other cars
rear facia has too much rake, trying to flow with the back end of the car, just looks awkward
from the rear the greenhouse looks to narrow on the rest of the body
The rear is 40mm wider to accommodate the IRS now standard on all models
Front suspension gets upgraded as well
Ford calls this an all new platform however it IS an evolution of the S197 platform
Interior looks to be quite a big upgrade “aircraft inspired” doors were locked could not look closer
Three engines
Base 3.7L V6 300hp 270 tq, down a bit from the 2013 modelEcoBoost 2.3L 4 cylinder with twin scroll turbo  305+ hp  300tq, wiser numbers closer to 320 for both5.0 V8 gets upgraded cylinder heads, intake and cams, should see a power bump to around 440hp, maybe 450.
15 inch 6 piston brakes will be available in the performance pack
two six speed transmissions, the auto will have paddle shifters
Blind spot, collision warning, cross traffic warning, my ford touch, radar cruise control will all be options
More details at the New York Auto Show in April, no official launch date or pricing.

 

Reviewed 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT8: Is It Still Mopar or NoCar?

 

For some in the muscle car community the phrase Mopar or NoCar still rings true.  The 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT8 was our first chance to get behind the wheel of the modern retro muscle car, and it rounded out or sampling, having previously driven the Camaro and the Mustang.

The Dodge has always looked good, but how does it drive?  That’s what we find out in this episode of Rumblestrip.NET and Ten Minute Test Drive.