First Drive

First Drive articles

2020 Range Rover Evoque



INDIANAPOLIS — You have to give Range Rover credit for consistency. Whether it is the large flagship that easily crosses into six figures, the smaller Range Rover Sport, Velar, or smallest Evoque, all look part of a family that dates to the original country estate wagon from the 1970s.  While the first generation Evoque may have been a little small and light on capability, this second generation represents a stronger embrace of its famous family.

2020 GMC Sierra HD



JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — GMC has just introduced its full line of heavy-duty trucks for 2020 at a media drive event in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Engineers at the event emphasized that the new trucks are the most capable heavy-duty truck they’ve ever built, and promised world-class towing capability, out muscling the likes of Ford Super Duty and Ram HD with a class leading maximum towing capacity of 35,500 pounds.

2020 Lincoln Aviator



PHOENIX — The Lincoln Aviator is an all-new three-row luxury SUV that positions itself between the larger Navigator and the smaller Nautilus. The Aviator name was previously used from 2002 to 2005, when it was essentially a Ford Explorer gussied up to look like a Lincoln Navigator. Buyers saw through what Lincoln was attempting and the vehicle never caught on.

2020 Nissan Versa



NASHVILLE — For two generations, the Nissan Versa held its own in the sub-compact car segment not with flashy styling nor lavish interiors, but with an affordable price, roomy cabin, and competent handling.  Priorities led to cars with tall/narrow profiles and interiors awash in hard plastic.  For 2020, the Versa arrives for its third generation keeping all owners appreciated while slapping on some fancy new clothes.
   

2019 Kia Niro EV



PHOENIX — The Kia Niro is an attractive, compact five-door hatchback that seats five-passengers. It’s surprisingly roomy, comfortable and easy to drive. For the record, Kia calls the Niro a compact crossover utility vehicle. Having been on sale nationally for a few years as a traditional gasoline and plug-in hybrid, what is new for the Niro lineup is the pure, 100 percent, all-electric model that, right now, is offered for sale in only 12 states.

2020 Subaru Outback



SAN FRANCISCO — Subaru could have radically changed the Outback for 2020.  The design team explored options from super sleek wagons to upright crossovers that would make the proverbial outhouse look aerodynamic.  Yet, when they discussed what current and potential owners wanted, it was obvious the shape should look like, well, an Outback.

2020 Hyundai Palisade



ASHEVILLE, N.C. — For 2020, Hyundai has just introduced its all-new three-row mid-size SUV. The Palisade is basically the mechanical sibling to the impressive Kia Telluride, introduced earlier this year, and placing at the top of our SUV ratings. In addition to the Telluride, the new Hyundai flagship Palisade competes with class rivals such as Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Nissan Pathfinder.

2020 Range Rover plug-in



INDIANAPOLIS — It looks much like any other Range Rover.  It’s huge, with a big grille and streamlined bodysides that end in the model’s traditional trailing rear flanks.  Body color trim, LED headlamps, and 20” wheels give no clue to anything different.  It’s quite handsome in its bold Britishness, but looks like another Range Rover.  Squint your eyes to notice that big grille conceals a surprise.  Deftly hidden on the driver’s side is a door, behind which there’s a port for a power plug.  Yep, it’s a plug-in hybrid.

2019 Mercedes AMG G63



PHONEX — I’ve always had a soft spot as well as a passion for old vehicles. I guess they are a fresh breeze of the past, blowing through our minds to remind us of truths of times long forgotten. Some of those vehicles were nothing more than shooting stars, debuting to raves then quickly flaring into oblivion, to be completely forgotten. Others, like the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen, introduced in 1979, are an immediate conflagration, developing a rock-star presence and a cult-like following that burns on. The word “legendary” could easily preface its name.

2019 BMW 330i



MIAMI — For over four decades, the BMW 3 Series has been considered to be the benchmark in the sport sedan segment as well as serving as the German automaker’s best-selling model. BMW reports that more than 15 million 3 Series models have been sold worldwide since it arrived in the U.S. in 1976 as a replacement for the iconic BMW 2002 sedan.