Kevin Williams

Jalopnik Editorial Policies

The unique content on Jalopnik is a result of skilled collaboration between writers and editors with broad journalistic, academic, and practical expertise.

In pursuit of our mission to provide accurate and ethical coverage, the Jalopnik editorial team consistently fact-checks and reviews site content to provide readers with an informative, entertaining, and engaging experience. Click here for more information on our editorial process.

Stories By Kevin Williams

  • BMW
    0

    The BMW i7 M70 Left Me Wondering What 'M' Is

    To many enthusiasts, the M brand has been in a long decline. It’s not clear exactly when that decline started. To some of them, BMW screwed up when it put a V8 in the M3, eschewing the naturally aspirated four and six-cylinder engines of the first three acts. For many, BMW jumped the shark when it M-ized crossovers like the X5, X6, and later the M-exclusive, XM. These crossovers are often held up as evidence of BMW losing the plot. It had affixed the storied M brand to the backside of ugly, over

    By Kevin Williams
    Read More
  • BMW
    0

    The BMW i5 Is The Impossible Burger Of Electric Sedans

    There’s a common trope in automotive writing – it’s common to bemoan the death of the ICE, and complain that EVs will never match the soul and spirit of gas-powered cars. Chuck in tacky, if not straight-up hackneyed metaphors comparing electric vehicles to vegan meals; a piece of fruit dressed to look like meat will never be as satisfying as a big juicy steak from some New York steakhouse most readers will ever go to. I mean, I guess, sure. It’s not wrong – gas-powered cars don’t act like EVs.

    By Kevin Williams
    Read More
  • Reviews
    0

    The 2023 Kia Soul GT-Line Is Charming, Practical Transportation, No Matter What TikTok Says

    The year was 2010. Shuffling was in vogue, LMFAO was still on the radio, and Kia had decided to completely usurp the momentum that Scion brought with the xB by introducing its own boxy trendy hatchback, the Soul. Together with some animated hamsters, the Kia Soul coalesced with the nephew-uncle electronic music duo to create one of the most memorable and successful car advertisement campaigns. And yet, more than ten years later, LMFAO split up, TikTokers hate the Kia Soul for some reason, and sh

    By Kevin Williams
    Read More
  • Technology
    0

    The Biggest Problem With EV Charging Is The Payment Methods Suck

    Every article on EV charging infrastructure tends to revolve around three things; we whine about charging speed, charging infrastructure reliability, and charger location. All three of those things are important, but it seems like the conversation overlooks one big thing: How to pay for the charge itself. A string of mishaps while attempting to recharge an Ioniq 5 on a long journey had me wondering: Why is recharging an electric car so damn hard in America? With the U.S. EV infrastructure in its

    By Kevin Williams
    Read More
  • News
    0

    A Software Update Made The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Dangerously Slow In Eco Mode

    Software-defined cars seem to be the way of the future, but what happens when that software doesn’t go quite right? I experienced that with the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 I borrowed from the automaker’s press fleet. Driven normally, the car is excellent; in Eco mode, it becomes unacceptably slow. Research shows that numerous Ioniq 5 owners have complained on social media and enthusiast forums, claiming a recent dealer-installed software update has turned Eco mode into an unusable, borderline dangerous

    By Kevin Williams
    Read More
  • Wrenching
    0

    My Mitsubishi I-MiEV Is A Secret Track Weapon

    “Run what you brung” is well-meaning advice, often passed down from open-minded elder car enthusiasts to young gearheads embarrassed about their shitboxes. “All that matters is that you’re having a good time,” they’ll say, in the same way a mother says “that’s nice, honey” as a four-year-old describes their day at Head Start.

    By Kevin Williams
    Read More
  • Chevrolet
    0

    The 2022 Chevy Silverado With Super Cruise Makes Towing Almost Effortless

    Modern pickups drive damn near as well as many luxury sedans, which arguably facilitates the troublesome trend of using pickup trucks as family sedans. Today’s trucks are tech-laden, sophisticated things, a far cry from the pickups we had just a few decades ago. How do you make that job even easier? Well, you make a pickup truck that can drive itself. With a trailer. Sort of.

    By Kevin Williams
    Read More
  • Chevrolet
    0

    The 2023 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Is More Well-Rounded Than The Raptor Or TRX

    When the Ford F-150 Raptor dropped way back in 2010, its rousing success had everyone wondering when all the other truck-makers would follow suit. Eventually, Ram gave us the TRX, yet another Baja-inspired jack-of-all-trades trophy truck for the home. But where was GM? It seemed like Chevy finally stepped up to the call with the Silverado ZR2. But not exactly.

    By Kevin Williams
    Read More
  • Culture
    0

    The VinFast VF8 Is Simply Not Ready For America

    I took out my phone and began frantically taking pictures of my passport as the hundred-person-plus customs line inched forward. “You’ll get your passport back a little later,” someone at the head of the line told me. ”They’re going to hold on to them for a while.”

    By Kevin Williams
    Read More
  • Culture
    0

    Which Auto Parts Store Has The Best Snacks?

    O’Reilly, NAPA, Advance, and AutoZone — four names known nationwide as leaders in auto parts sales. Most folks have a favorite, based either on service, price, location, or overall part selection. But say you’re in need of more than just a few spark plugs or a fresh jug of wiper fluid. Something salty, perhaps, or sweet, but lacking the toxicity of antifreeze. This is where a good roster of snack foods and a full beverage cooler come into play. Sure, it may sound silly to make your car-parts cho

    By Kevin Williams
    Read More
  • Reviews
    0

    The 2023 Kia Niro Is Appealing As A Hybrid Or An EV

    I’ll be honest: I have my favorites when it comes to hybrid systems. To me, the most efficient hybrid is a Toyota-style ECVT setup, placed in an ugly hatchback body that I’ve probably conned myself into thinking is the pinnacle of driving efficiency. Sure, Toyota’s hybrids are mechanically robust, but in my opinion, they’re ugly, and generally not fun to drive. The power delivery is syrupy, like pouring corn-laden Mrs. Butterworth’s imitation maple syrup on a freezer-burnt Eggo waffle. In the sa

    By Kevin Williams
    Read More
  • Technology
    0

    I Paid $250 To Drive For Lyft Last Year

    I’ve been a driver for ride-hailing services since 2016, and between Lyft and Uber, I’ve racked up nearly 10,000 rides. I’ve put more than 150,000 miles on my Chevy Sonic, driving something like 40 hours a week.

    By Kevin Williams
    Read More