Jalopnik: Test Drive

Watch a Russian hipster get his mind blown in a Jaaaaaag

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EDT

A Jaguar XKR's a mean thing in the right hands, as this Russian hipster kid finds out in this horrifying (for him) test drive. You almost have to watch this video twice; once to see the kid in the ironic CCCP shirt freaking out/almost barfing; once to see just how calm the driver is. More »

Buyer crashes Ferrari convertible during test drive

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EDT

A would-be member of the Ferrari elite made the mistake of over-cooking it and landing on the grass during a test drive. I wonder which way the body shop is… More »

Seller jailed for four years in test drive death

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST

The 20-year-old English man who killed a prospective-buyer while after crashing his Peugeot hatchback during dangerous driving was sentenced to four years in prison. Evidence included a report indicating the car had a faulty suspension. More »

Test Drive Unlimited 2: Customize People, Not Cars

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST

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With the approach of arcade racing game Test Drive Unlmited 2 comes this video hawking the game's "customization" mode, which appears completely focused on turning you into a trend-obsessed wealthy Eurotrash wannabe jagoff. It gets worse. There's clothes shopping... More »

The Cars Of Test Drive Unlimited 2

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST

Here's the full car list for Test Drive Unlimited 2 — Atari's cross-platform arcade-style car game. We've got the full list of over 75 cars, including eight Astons, five Bugattis, 13 Ferraris and one crazy Volkswagen SUV, below. More »

Wanna Be A Tesla Test Driver? Hope You Like Rain...

Justin Hyde — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:30:00 EDT

Tesla needs a contract driver to shake down models for new customers in Britain. Assuming he knows Excel, we hear Ben Collins has some spare time. More »

2011 Shelby GT500: First Drive

Wes Siler — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:01 EDT

To buy the 5.0 or the 2011 Shelby GT500? That is the question. True to the plethora-of-packages Mustang it's based on, the relative value of Ford's new 550 HP supercar-killer all depends on which option boxes you tick. More »

Test Drive Unlimited 2: First Screen Shots

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:30:00 EDT

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We've got some lovely screen shots Test Drive Unlimited 2. The follow-up to the original has, you guessed it, faster cars, better graphics and more ways to simulate the digital lifestyle of an auto journalist. More »

Man Kidnaps Salesman, Takes 1,000-Mile Test Drive

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EDT

A prospective Honda buyer started his test drive in Massachusetts and made it all the way to Wisconsin before being arrested. Thankfully, the salesperson was able to jump out of the car at a tollbooth. [CBS News] More »

2010 Acura MDX: First Drive

Wes Siler — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT

The 2010 Acura MDX has been loaded down with technology like no SUV before. That's a good thing, as that tech solves so many of the problems inherent to the SUV form factor. More »

2010 Acura TSX V6: First Drive

Wes Siler — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:30:00 EDT

In Europe, this is the Honda Accord. Here, it's the 2010 Acura TSX V6 and it's expected to compete with the BMW 3-series. Can two extra cylinders and 79 more HP really do that? More »

2009 Audi TTS Roadster: First Drive

Wes Siler — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EDT

When you think of the Audi TT, particularly the Roadster, your head probably fills with poor-driving, poseur car stereotypes. The 2009 Audi TTS is supposed to turn that image on its head with a 265 HP 2.0-liter turbo. More »

Find A Better Car? Ford Canada Will Pay You $100!

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:30:00 EDT

Ford Canada is offering $100 to test drivers who end up buying a non-Ford product. It's one way to make $100 if you were already planning to buy a Honda. [AutoNorth via Toronto Star ] More »

2009 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI, Part Three

Wes Siler — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EDT

The 2009 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI is frugal and fun, but its DSG transmission doesn't suit the diesel engine. Should you buy one? More »

2009 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI, Part Two

Wes Siler — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EDT

Yesterday we reveled in the frugal performance of the VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI's diesel engine, but bemoaned the awful DSG gearbox. Join us today as we examine the Jetta's abilities in detail. More »

2009 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI, Part One

Wes Siler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EDT

Conventional car enthusiast wisdom states the VW Jetta TDI is the thinking man's fuel-efficient car. Free of the complication, sacrificed driving dynamics and image of hybrids, it makes do with diesel instead. More »

2010 Mercedes E-Class Coupe: First Drive

Wes Siler — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:30:00 EDT

Replacing the CLK, the 2010 Mercedes E-Class Coupe adopts a similar look to the new E-Class Sedan and most of its mechanicals. It's just a shame it's not as fun to drive as the four-door. More »

2010 Mercedes E-Class Sedan: First Drive

Wes Siler — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:00:00 EDT

Since the early ‘90s we've seen Mercedes slowly dilute its peerless quality in a drive for increased sales. The 2010 Mercedes E-Class represents a major step back towards the timeless luxury cars of yore. More »

2009 BMW Z4: First Drive

Wes Siler — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:00:00 EDT

Like the rest of the BMW range, the 2009 BMW Z4 is bigger, heavier and more complicated than its predecessors. But could it be bigger, heavier, more complicated and much better to drive? More »

2010 Mazda3: First Drive

Andrew Didorosi — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EDT

The Mazda3 is back and with some shiny new friends. It seems Mazda has brought on a crew of Bedazzlers to ruthlessly attack every 2010 Mazda3 with sparkling injustice. More »

2010 Chevy Camaro: First Drive

Wes Siler — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EDT

After countless spy shots, speculation, Transformers tie-ins, leaked photos and numbers comparisons, we've finally driven the 2010 Chevy Camaro. Does the reality match the hype? Well, it's like Star Wars. More »

2009 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S: First Drive

Wes Siler — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:30:00 EST

Yes, you can get pulled over by police for speeding in Italy in a bright red Maserati. But if you're driving the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S you can outrun them. More »

2010 Honda Insight: First Drive

Wes Siler — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST

The 2010 Honda Insight looks like a cynical attempt to copy the Toyota Prius. It's not. Actually, the Insight is a very cynical and clever attempt to give Americans exactly what they want. More »

Top 11 Jalopnik Reviews Of 2008

Wes Siler — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST

We wrote 159 reviews during 2008. While culling the best for this list of the top 11, one thing became abundantly clear: America is making good cars again. More »

Can the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V Do Burnouts?

Wes Siler — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:20:00 EDT

We can’t actually answer this question until September 24 at 12:01 AM, so you’ll just have to check out the gallery after the jump and judge for yourself. Our review of the 556 HP, 551 LB-FT, 191mph, 0-60 in 3.9 second 2009 Cadillac CTS-V will go live then. And, before you ask, no, just like the 2009 Corvette ZR1 burnout, this wasn’t me. This time, it was one of our commenters. More »

2009 Corvette ZR1: First Drive

Wes Siler — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:30:07 EDT

The 2009 Corvette ZR1 is the best car ever made. It redefines what performance cars are capable of, not by its numbers (the 0-to-60 in 3.3 seconds and a 205 MPH top speed figures are no longer noteworthy north of $100,000), but by how it makes those numbers so accessible. Simply put, the ZR1's most remarkable achievement is how easy and unintimidating the chassis makes exploiting the car's 638 HP. The only problem is I'm not good enough a driver to fully do so. Halfway through a day's lapping, halfway around the Lutz Ring and full throttle at the top of third gear is bringing me and a red ZR1 into a 180-degree corner way too fast, while the blind crest just before it - taken at maximum power and maximum cornering - has us way off line too. In any other supercar, especially one as hairy as a Viper or as rear-engined as a 911, this would be a serious moment, probably resulting in one of my notorious off-track excursions. But today I can just haul on the brakes all the way through turn-in and up to the apex and then get back on the power - hard. The result: sweaty palms instead of trashed carbon fiber body work. More »

2009 Subaru Impreza WRX

Wes Siler — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:30:00 EDT

"Stop Speeding Yanks!" "Slow the f#*k down!," "Go home!" Something about the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX makes you want to speed. And here in Canada, where they take the law literally, blatantly flouting limits really stands out. Of course, something about the WRX will always sit uncomfortably with the surrounding world, no matter the pace. While it's been modified for 2009, just one year after its launch with 41 more horsepower, stiffened suspension and STI-esque bodykit, it remains one of the ugliest cars on sale.
More »

2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, Part One

Andrew Stoy — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:30:00 EDT

Go North — and take that big-ass SUV with you. That was the mandate from the wife, so that's what I did. Sure, it was partly to visit friends near Lewiston, four hours north of Detroit, but it was also partly to get the 2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid out of our driveway. Greenwashing badges be damned, it was a little embarrassing to have a brand-new full-size SUV in front of my modest home in Southeast Michigan; I know neighbors who have been laid off, and neighbors who have changed their driving habits to afford gas. Against that backdrop, the Tahoe felt ostentatious and a little improper, regardless of whether or not it was a fleet loaner. More »

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR

Wes Siler — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EDT

Andrew Stoy is wrong. (No, I'm not. —A.S.) The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR makes a much better everyday car than the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. And I should know: I've only driven it in rush hour traffic. More »

2008 Dodge Charger SRT8, Part Two

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT

Exterior Design: ****
More »

2008 Dodge Charger SRT8, Part One

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT

While Wert spent last week behind the wheel of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, I had the muscle car's big, boorish bear of a brother, the 2008 Dodge Charger SRT8. The two cars may come off the same production lines, but I'm finding myself using a different set of adjectives than the petals of flowery prose Wert scattered in front of the Challenger's tires. The Charger SRT8 is pitifully crude, boorish and obnoxious. As far as high performance goes, it's a complete piece of shit. But it's the most badass, tire-spinning, smoke-billowingly fun piece of shit we've ever driven.
More »

Dodge Charger Police Edition, Part Three

Mark Arnold — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Why you should buy the 2008 Dodge Charger Police Edition: More »

2008 Dodge Charger Police Edition, Part Two

Mark Arnold — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Exterior Design: **** More »

2008 Dodge Charger Police Edition, Part One

Mark Arnold — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EDT

2009 Lincoln MKS, First Drive

Megan Carpentier — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:45:00 EDT

When the powers-that-be over here at Jalopnik asked me to test drive a car for you boys, I was pretty excited. Finally, I thought, Jalopnik is learning to respect a woman's automotive point of view. And then Ray told me it was going to be the 2009 Lincoln MKS. Hmm. I'll admit, I have a bias against big cars that dates back to the need to parallel park my mom's minivan for my driving test. On the other hand, it's not like I get to drive a ton of "luxury cars" either, so I figured even if it wasn't to my taste, I could cheat on my Toyota Corolla for one day. Luckily, it was a really, really nice day, although I was sad I didn't get to see the rain-sensing windshield wipers in action, since those have always sounded really cool. Yes, that's right — while I might not have the the automotive knowledge set of the gentlemen of Jalopnik or say, Popular Mechanics, you know my Lincoln MKS review will make up for it with a certain panache you won't find here or there. More »

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan, Reviewed

Andrew Stoy — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:40:00 EDT

While we haven't had the pleasure of piloting a 2009 VW Tiguan quite yet, our good friends at Popular Mechanics have thrown the mini-ute around a bit and pronounced it more Golf than Touareg — a good thing. Powered only by the 2.0-liter turbo mill making 200 HP and 207 lb-ft of twist, the Tiguan ends up being one of the most powerful soft-roaders in the neighborhood. It may not be our bag, but it's true. Plus, if you're a buyer electing to be honest about your vehicular needs and choose a FWD Tiguan, you can get a proper manual transaxle; drivers requiring 4Motion are saddled with only a slushbox. More »

2009 Nissan Maxima, Reviewed

Ray Wert — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:00:00 EDT

We've yet to get behind the wheel of the 2009 Nissan Maxima, but our good friends at Popular Mechanics have put the 2009 Maxima through its paces to determine if the car once hailed as the "four door sports car" has returned to its roots. It's hard to argue with the 3.5-Liter VQ which is good for an additional 35 horsepower and 9 lb-ft of twist. On the other hand, we have rarely been impressed with a CVT transmission at the center of any kind of sports car, even one that promises a manual mode that emulates a conventional gearbox. With a sampling of pieces from the Nissan parts bin, including some suspension bits from the Infiniti M45 and a steering wheel said to wind up in some form on the new Nissan 370Z, could this new Maxima chart Nissan's flagship sedan back into sportier waters? More »

2009 Ford Escape: First Drive

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:00:00 EDT

While we're not quite willing to call this a full review, we did get some seat time with a couple of spankin' new 2009 Ford Escape models yesterday. We managed to get back-to-back seat time with both the 2008 and 2009 V6 4x4 Limited as well as the Hybrid for direct comparison on the same 20-mile circuit. When Hardigree reviewed the Escape's platform pal, the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, it was fairly obvious our impression was one of disconnectedness. The brakes felt funny, the handling was blah, and the steering felt numb. Ford apparently heard these complaints from its customers as well. More »

2008 Mazda RX-8, Part Three

John Krewson — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Why you should buy this car: More »

2009 Infiniti FX50 Gets Reviewed, Shaken But Not Stirred By Popular Mechanics

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EDT

Infiniti brought their brand new FX45-replacing bag to the Geneva Motor Show in the form of an all new FX, the 2009 Infiniti FX50. While we didn't get a chance to check out the new 390-hp and 369 lb.-ft. o' torque being put out by that new big n' shiny V8 as well as what's purportedly a much less brittle ride, the Mechanics who are always quite Popular did. So what did they think? Well, they dug the new interior, and the ride and handling were apparently much smoother than the last FX-branded SUV from the brand all about the Möbius strip. Want to know more? How about checking out their 007-like double entendre-laden adventure via the link below. More »