Motor Trend

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing vs. AMG E63 S, BMW M5, Audi RS7

By Matthew A. Garcia 2 months ago

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is finally here, and the spiritual successor to the CTS-V we loved so much is an even heavier shot across the Atlantic than we expected. Its 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 kicks out a (frankly ridiculous) 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque. That’s not just “a lot,” it’s enough to put the the European super-sedan aristocracy—the BMW M5 CS, Mercedes-AMG E63 S, and Audi RS7—to shame.

Before we get started, it’s worth noting that both the CT5 and its smaller sibling, the CT4, are what we generally refer to as “tweeners,” meaning their specs land them between established segments. Say, their overall length and wheelbase places them in one segment, but their pricing puts them in another. The non-V CT5’s base price, for example, is $37,990, while the BMW 5 Series starts at $55,195—and even the smaller 3 Series runs $42,245 to start. This, despite the fact

… Read More

How the First One Built Will Be Spec’d

By Matthew A. Garcia 2 months ago

Despite a pandemic and production delays, interest in the 2021 Ford Bronco remains quite strong. But until now, we didn’t know what the first one off the line would be like. Thanks to Barrett-Jackson, now we do, because VINs 001 of both the Bronco and the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 will cross the auction block during the company’s March sale in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Not only with VIN 001 be the first production Bronco sold, it’ll also be the first of the limited run of First Editions—although that run isn’t quite as limited as initially announced, as Ford decided to double production of the FEs in July. Using the Wildtrak trim as a starting point, the First Edition adds more standard features and unique graphics at a $10,430 premium. (Not that the added cost is going to matter much in this charity auction, which benefits

… Read More

Proof a Round Steering Wheel Option Might Exist!

By Matthew A. Garcia 2 months ago

We found some images of the new Model S with a regular steering wheel buried within the source code of Tesla’s website, which suggests to us that even the automaker is hedging that the new wheel shape may go unloved by customers or, more critically, be banished by regulators.

Wait, Can Tesla Even Sell Cars With a Steering “Yoke?”

The law isn’t totally clear on whether or not the new Teslas’ steering yokes are fair game, although, in recently proposed rule changes to primary vehicle controls amidst the rise of self-driving cars, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted it has never fully defined the necessary shape of a steering wheel—i.e., that it must be a complete circle or at least mostly round. It’s only written that the control must satisfy crash standards. In fact, in seeking to clarify definitions of driver controls (and explicitly

… Read More

2021 Toyota RAV4 or 2021 Mazda CX-5? Pros and Cons Review

By Matthew A. Garcia 2 months ago
See the Full Model Overview

The Toyota RAV4 has been around since the early days of the compact crossover, with the first versions sprouting up in the mid-1990s and doing battle with another segment founder, the Honda CR-V. Mazda’s CX-5 is a much newer addition to the segment, having first arrived in 2012. Now in its second generation, the Mazda proves a worthy competitor to compact SUV segment stalwarts such as the RAV4 thanks to the automaker’s affinity for nimble handling and streamlined designs. Both SUVs have their strengths, but there is one of these small utes we’d rather see in the driveway every morning. Keep reading to find out how the 2021 Toyota RAV4 compares with the 2021 Mazda CX-5.

2021 Toyota RAV4: Pros Over the CX-5

Fuel Efficiency

These vehicles both use 2.5-liter non-turbo four-cylinders as their base engines, but the Toyota’s achieves better

… Read More