Short-drive (we test drive new cars) and of course critique them

Infiniti QX50

Likes: Styling is much improved over previous generation. The new turbo variable compression turbo offers good flexibility and running costs (in theory). It's also easier to live with and much more refined than before.

Dislikes: The CVT gearbox ruins most of the fun. Higher trim levels can get quite expensive. We're skeptical on reliability of the new turbo engine.

Overall: It's a worthy alternate to the typical German Three.



Volvo S60 Cross-country

Likes: It blends well into Volvo oddity. It's a breathe of fresh air compared to the BMW X4 and Mercedes GLC Coupe. It's one of the rarer new Volvos out there.

Dislikes: Volvo most likely won't be bringing this back.

Overall: A modern day AMC Eagle that's full of Swedish Charm and style.



Jaguar E-pace

Likes: An affordable and more adorable version of the F-pace. It feels livelier to drive than an Evoque.

Dislikes: Jag's infotainment is a disaster. It's quite expensive for the overall package.

Overall: It's cute but not $60k cute.



GMC Yukon XL

Likes: The eight-cylinder engine soundtrack under heavy acceleration. It's big and imposing and we absolutely love it.

Dislikes: Can someone explain to us the difference between this, an Escalade and Suburban?

Overall: The Yukon Denali is the creme de la creme of the Yukon Range.



Hyundai Veloster

Likes: Compared to the previous generation, we really do like this one a lot more. The entry-level 1.6 is gone and the new turbo engine gives it real hot hatch cred.

Dislikes: It's not as sharp to drive as it looks.

Overall: It's a very interesting way of blending oddball style with hot hatch performance.



Chevy Malibu

Likes: 1.5-turbo engine is the sweet spot in the range. It blends style and affordability well. It's roomy for five and you can pick up one for dirt cheap.

Dislikes: You know at least four people with one and there's tons of these on rental lots.

Overall: The most desirable versions are expensive and ruins the value for money arguments.

We take a short-drive in a few cars

Jaguar E-Pace

Likes: Dynamically it's more engaging to drive than many of it's keen rivals. Both turbo engines offer decent flexibility and decent running costs.

Dislikes: This should've been called the 'I-Pace' instead of the 'E-Pace'.

Overall: We worry that the E-Pace will suffer the same reliability woes as the Evoque, seeing they share the same platform.



Audi A4 Allroad

Likes: It's the closest thing to an A4 Avant we can get. It's stylish inside out with running costs that are respectable. Dynamically this is generation A4 is the best of the best.

Dislikes: Audi infotainment screen looks stunning but it's quite confusing to navigate. Despite the raised ground clearance, it can't really handle go far off-road.

Overall: It looks more like a 'wagon' than crossover but we still love it.



Lincoln Navigator

Likes: This might be the most handsome Navigator we've seen so far. The interior is a major step forward for Lincoln. Proof that turbo six-cylinders can handle an eight-cylinder engine job.

Dislikes: It's cumbersome to drive around town. Running costs are as steep as the price of admission. Some trim levels the price becomes jaw dropping expensive.

Overall: It's got the 'bling-bling' appeal but the Mercedes GLS is so much better.



Nissan Kicks

Likes: Starting price is low. Running costs are low and standard kit is high. It's roomy for five and quite comfortable and easy to live with as a daily commuter car.

Dislikes: It neither 'kicks' in acceleration or handling. The Juke was more fun to drive and more distinctive in looks.

Overall: Proof that people prefer 'boring' crossovers over exciting and just as efficient hatchbacks and wagons.



Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Likes: It's a proper MPV (multi-purpose vehicle). It's not a sluggish hybrid, even though most will drive it for the intended purpose of saving an extra few bucks in ferrying the family around.

Dislikes: What's going on at Chrysler? It's a bit steep in the pricing compared to non-hybrid rivals.

Overall: The most proper MPV you can buy without having to choose Honda or Toyota.

Crossovers we can't wait to test drive (Part one)

Volvo XC40 

The XC40 is just a smaller version of the XC90 and we absolutely love the way it looks from every angle. The engine that will be offered at launch will be a T5 pumping out 248hp and standard all-wheel-drive. We haven't heard much information about whether or not front-wheel-drive will be the standard form, but the starting price is very attractive ($35k) and competitive towards the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. 

Jaguar E-Pace 

Jaguar/ Land Rover have been on a bit of a design home run marathon. The new Disco and Velar are both outstanding looking 4x4s. What we loved the most is the F-Pace which took elements of the F-Type and made it work in the form of a crossover. The E-Pace, which will compete with cars like the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40 will have a very heavily competitive segment to fight in, but the 2-liter turbo four standard with 248hp and 296hp should have no trouble luring buyers who seek performance and still care about style. 

BMW X3 

The next generation of the X3 has finally made an appearance. It's been quite literally seven-years since the second generation appeared and it's been long overdue despite the few updates the X3 has received over the years. The new X3 will use the updated 2-liter turbo four pumping out 248hp (this seems to be the average horsepower) and an optional 3-liter turbo six-cylinder pumping out 355hp which will be dubbed the M version of the X3. We love the way the M-package looks on the new X3 and can't wait to test drive one when it goes on-sale. 

Maserati Levante S

We still haven't had the opportunity to test drive this crossover. We are working with someone (sources we can't name) to get our hands on the Levante. We've been told to wait for the new 3.8 twin-turbo eight-cylinder that should be arriving sometime next year. However, our goal is to test drive the more mainstream versions first prior to the high performance so we can see what buying a cheaper Levante would be like. We love the sleek styling and the interior seems to be a hit and miss on quality (we've only been able to sit in one). 

Porsche Cayenne Turbo/ Turbo S/ GT-S 

We'd love the opportunity to test drive one of the high-performance versions of the Cayenne. We've only managed to get our hands on a entry-level Cayenne with a 3.6 six-cylinder pumping out 300hp. It seems very hard to find places willing to let us test drive one, even if it's just around the corner and back. The next generation of the Cayenne is around the corner, and it looks light years better inside out. We hope that it lives up to the hype that we've read about in several reviews. 

Ford Eco Sport 

We know that it's just a crossover version of the Fiesta, but we do find the styling rather cute. The 1-liter ecoboost three-cylinder engine is the one that sparks our curiosity the most. It has less horsepower than an HRV but running costs should be lower also thanks to a turbo and high torque at low revs. This pint sized crossover should be urban friendly and has a very attractive starting price under $20k. (Sourced from Ford USA website.)