Category: all-wheel drive

  • 2019 Mazda3 Hatchback – First Drive

    For 2019 the Mazda3 is an all-new design and offered in 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback body styles. Sedan prices start at $21,000 and is offered in base, Select, Preferred and Premium trims. The hatchback starts at $23,600 and comes in base, Preferred and Premium trims. New for the Mazda3 is the availability of all-wheel…

  • 2019 Lexus UX – Drive Report

    The UX is an all-new compact crossover from Lexus for 2019. The UX 200 is front-wheel drive with a 169-horsepower 2.0-liter priced at $32,000. The UX 250h is all-wheel drive with the same 2.0-liter mated to a CVT and two separate, dedicated electric motor-generators producing 181-total system horsepower, priced at $34,000. The hybrid UX 250h…

  • Driving the Ford Police Interceptor

    Ford invited a number of local auto writers to join in with a contingent of police officers from various Illinois communities to drive the new 2020 Ford Police Interceptor at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL. A derivative model of the all-new 2020 Ford Explorer, the Ford Police Interceptor (PI) comes standard with a hybrid…

  • 2019 Honda Passport – Road Review

    With its 280-horsepower V6 backed up by a 9-speed automatic, the midsize SUV Honda Passport is quite a joy to drive.  There’s room for five, plenty of cargo space and it can tow up to 5,000 lbs. I did a bunch of road tripping in this Lunar Silver rig and easily exceeded the EPA highway…

  • 2019 Maserati Levante GTS -Drive Report

    The Levante GTS is powered by a 550-HP twin turbo 3.8-L V8 built at the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy. It’ll push the GTS to 60mph in 4 seconds flat and top things out at 181mph. It’s the same engine as used the flagship Quattroporte GTS. Driving through an 8-speed automatic, the Maserati Q4 intelligent…

  • The Badlands Off-Road with Jeep and Ram

    The Badlands Off-Road Park in Attica, Indiana leaves nothing to the imagination when it comes to driving in dirt, rocks and water. We paid a visit with Jeep and Ram and did manage to get things pretty dirty. Read more here and perhaps you’ll want to make the trip. @1ChicagoCarGuy

  • 2019 BMW M5 Competition – Drive Review

    With just ten minutes behind the wheel I knew I should be heading to Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL or Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. A 4.4-liter TwinPower turbo V-8 with 617 horsepower paired up with an 8-speed automatic and rear-biased all-wheel drive will get you to 60 in 3.1 seconds and top out…

  • 2019 BMW X4 xDrive 30i – Road Test

    BMW’s X4 sport activity coupe has been revamped for 2019. I first drove it last summer at the media preview program at BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina assembly plant.  And I also drove it last October at the Midwest Automotive Media Association Fall Rally at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL. This time around two road trips within…

  • 2019 Ford Edge – Drive Review

      The Edge has come a long way in the twelve years since it came on the scene. It’s been significantly revamped, updated and improved over the course of the years. Gone is the mainstream V6 engine. Transmissions now have many more gears for better performance and lower fuel consumption. Advanced Driver Assistance Safety (ADAS)…

  • 2019 Kia Sorento – Drive Review

    Kia’s best-selling Sorento SUV has been freshened for the 2019 model year, touting a number of visual and feature enhancements, inside and out. Aside from new front and rear fascias, which help it achieve a more sophisticated appearance, the cabin is now decidedly more upscale and integrates newly-added technology, With the choice of two engines,…