Category: Vehicle Reviews

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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.

 

Posted on

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.

Posted on

Reviewed 2013 Lexus LS460 F Sport: Akio’s LS

The Lexus LS series has always been the safe choice for those who want a luxury car, but don’t care about cars.  It’s always been fantastic at being reliable, and comfortable, if a bit emotionless.
With Akio Toyoda taking control of his families company, he has tried to put emotion and driving dynamics back into the conversation for Lexus and Toyota.  With the LS there is now the F-Sport.  Is this something to challenge the 7 Series BMW or S8 Audi, or, is it the Lexus LS formula taken to finishing school.  That’s what we find out on this edition of Rumblestrip.NET and Ten Minute Test Drive.

 

Posted on

Reviewed 2014 Mazda6: The Zoom Zoom Family Sedan

The Midsize sedan market is hugely competitive with names like Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Volkswagen Passat and Chevy Malibu.  In this segment, to be successful, you have to do a lot of things very well, and the Mazda6 does most things well, so you have to ask why isn’t it more successful.
Other than the audio system, which had a number of issues connecting to various iPhone, iPod and Android units, we really liked the car, but is it best in class?  That’s what we are going to find out in this episode of Rumblestrip.NET and Ten Minute Test Drive

 

Posted on

First Take: 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

We were invited by Honda down to Ohio to have a first drive of the 2014 Accord Hybrid.  This new hybrid has some unique technical items, like a CVT transmission that isn’t really a transmission, that we hope to get to shortly.
Honda advertises 50MPG City, 45 MPG Highway and 47MPG Combined.  We all know that what hybrids advertise on a sticker and what they get in the real world, with real drivers tends to be something quite different.  Turns out though that this hybrid actually delivers on the numbers.  And, if we are honest, drives better than the regular gasoline Accord.
What else did we think?  That’s what we find out on this episode of Rumblestrip.NET and Ten Minute Test Drive

 

Posted on

First Drive: 2014 Toyota Tundra

Toyota has brought a refreshed Tundra to the market to do battle against Ford, Ram, Chevy and GMC.  The body was restyled, the interior gets a complete makeover, but is that enough to make a dent against the Detroit 3?  That is what we find out on this First Drive on Rumblestrip.NET and Ten Minute Test Drive

Posted on

Reviewed 2013 Lexus LX570: The Velvet Hammer

Based on the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser, the Lexus LX 570 has real off road credentials of it’s own, winning the Baja 500 & Baja 1000 in the hands of Joe Bacal in the Stock Class.
But with all that, 99.95 percent of the people who buy the LX570 will never drive it off road, unless you count dirt roads.  So we have to ask, how does the LX570 stack up as a luxury SUV, expecally when compared to the new Range Rover and the Mercedes-Benz GL?  That’s what we find out on this episode of Rumblestrip.NET and Ten Minute Test Drive

 

 

Posted on

Reviewed 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe: Road Trip Perfection

While we have had the opportunity to drive the 5 passenger Santa Fe Sport, we had not had the chance to drive the 7 passenger version.  Since we were about to embark on a 1100+ mile road trip to pick up our new English Mastiff puppy, the question became, would this 6/7 passenger crossover be able to handle it.
It wasn’t just the miles, it wasn’t just that we were getting a new puppy, it was also that we were taking our 11 year old English Mastiff with us as well.  So, how did the Santa Fe do?  That is what we find out on this episode of Rumblestrip.NET and Ten Minute Test Drive.

Posted on

Reviewed 2013 Audi allroad: When Wagons Are Better Than SUVs

A bit of a longer review, but for this one dive deep into the Audi allroad to talk about what we like, and don’t like about this Wagon.  Our big question, has Audi set this car up to fail?  It is similar in size and capability to the Q5, but yet, it cost thousands more.
What’s the answer?  That’s what we find out on this episode of Rumblestrip.NET and Ten Minute Test Drive