First Drive

First Drive articles

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L



PHOENIX — The Jeep brand, now in its 80th year, is introducing its fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee that was first introduced in 1992. That first Cherokee was dramatically launched by literally driving the SUV up the steps of Detroit’s Cobo Hall and through a glass window, signifying the breakthrough premium SUV for the Jeep brand. The 2021 Grand Cherokee is its first redesign in a decade.
brand.

2022 Forester Wilderness



BEND, Ore. — I’ve been driving for hours, slogging supposed roads that are more like rock-strew moonscapes with moguls that sometimes leave only three wheels touching earth.  The scenery is heavenly though, with snow-capped peaks dotting the distance and vast prairies of pine trees between.  I’m in Bend, Oregon driving the 2022 Forester Wilderness — the latest of a growing family of Subarus for adventure-getters.

2021 McLaren GT



PHOENIX — The legendary McLaren supercars all started with Bruce McLaren, the famous Formula One race-car designer, driver, engineer and inventor from New Zealand. He was also one of the most successful, with wins in Monaco, the Indianapolis 500, and 12 World Drivers’ Championships.

2022 Genesis GV70



PHOENIX — For 2022 the Genesis GV70 compact crossover SUV is the latest all-new model and arguably one of the most important product offerings from perhaps the most interesting and fascinating brand in the automotive industry today. Genesis boldly and unabashedly bursts on the scene to compete with varsity brand crossovers like the Audi SQ5, BMW X3 M40i and Porsche Macan S.

2021 GMC Yukon AT4



PHOENIX — The GMC Yukon is the middle child of General Motors full-sized sport-utility vehicles. A premium alternative to its Chevrolet Tahoe sibling but not quite a Cadillac Escalade either. All three share the mechanical underpinnings of GM’s pickup trucks and have been thoroughly redone for 2021 with its fifth generation offering.

2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness



INDIANAPOLIS — I did a thing.  A good thing, as it turns out.  After driving the new 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness at its preview in Michigan, I couldn’t quit thinking about how cool it looked, how capable it was off-road, and how comfortable and practical it would be for my family.  The turbo engine kicked me in the pants.  We owned a 2017 Outback for nearly five years, so my family was well acquainted with the breed.  Turns out, our old car held its value incredibly well.  And now, there’s a new Wilderness edition in our driveway.

BMW M850i Gran Coupe



PHOENIX — After a 22-year hiatus BMW revived the 8-Series as its new flagship model, sitting high atop BMW’s lineup in terms of design, luxury and status. The Gran Coupe reviewed here is a four-door sedan version of the two-door 8-Series, which is available as a coupe or convertible.

2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross



DALLAS — I have to admit, as a brand, Mitsubishi has grown on me in the past couple of years. Back when the Mirage was first introduced I was provided one to test drive and wrote a quite scathing review on it because I did not consider it safe. When driving I found that when any other vehicle passed me (it had terrible acceleration and power) I was almost blown off the road. Later, when attending the Los Angeles Auto Show, the media representative courted me extensively, explaining that the Mirage sales were going fantastic and I should reconsider.

2021 Mercedes-Benz E450



MIAMI — If the $141,000 price tag for the AMG E 63 S wagon reviewed on this site back in February was just a bit out of your financial reach, Mercedes-Benz has another wagon (though it doesn’t call it that) that doesn’t go into six figures but is quite stunning in its own right. The 2021 E450 4MATIC All-Terrain model is a real beauty and features all the bells and whistles you expect from the company with a stunning two-tone interior and a new mild hybrid powertrain that provides both power and pretty decent fuel numbers for its class.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1



PHOENIX — Since it was first introduced back in 1964 — almost 60 years ago — Mustang has been on the short list of cars most everyone wants to own. For decades Ford has created its own Mustang ecosystem with an interconnected stable of high-performance offerings like the Boss 302 and 429, Mustang Bullitt offered three times — 2001, 2008 and 2019, Mach 1 and the super rare SVT Cobra R, with only 300 copies ever built — all in red, to name just a few of many over the years.