Posts Written by Paul Strauss

The Ford Explorer has been one of the most popular vehicles in America for more than three decades. It’s been several years since I’ve driven one, so I was curious to see how the latest model stacks up in the increasingly crowded and competitive three-row SUV category.…

After years of making sedans, SUVs, and crossovers, Kia is readying its first-ever pickup truck. The 2026 Kia Tasman is a ruggedly styled pickup with body-on-frame construction.…

The last time a new International Scout rolled off the assembly line was in 1980. Now, the beloved American brand is set to make a comeback.…

Bookended by the Ford Maverick and F-150, the Ranger is a right-sized pickup for drivers who want real truck utility and something more garage-friendly than a 1/2-ton truck.…

The 1990s were not the best era for automotive design. Everything seemed to be overly curvy and bubble-shaped. Renault’s 1992 concept car, the Racoon, definitely embraced the blobby styling of the time, but at least it had some cool features going for it.…

Throughout its two decades and three generations, I’ve never been fond of the Nissan Murano’s design. I have to say the newly redesigned 2025 model of the crossover looks fantastic.…

I’ve spent some time driving cool microcars thanks to Nashville’s Lane Motor Museum. These teensy vehicles were popular from the late 1950s through the 1970s due to the scarcity of materials, their fuel efficiency, and city-friendliness.…

Two of the most iconic vehicles that come to mind when you say “supercar” are the McLaren F1 and McLaren P1. Topping these two amazing sports cars is a tall order for the British automaker, and it looks like they pulled out all the stops this time.…

When I started as an automotive journalist, the Italian cars I imagined driving were Ferraris and Lamborghinis. I never pictured myself driving a subcompact electric FIAT with a 94 mph top speed and 162 miles of driving range – let alone one painted in a pinkish hue.…

Most car wheels are made from aluminum alloy or steel, so you’d probably chip a tooth if you tried to bite into one. But what if that wheel was made from chocolate?…

In the 1960s, Ford had its sights set on designing a new kind of recreational vehicle that could transform from a pickup truck to a sort of station wagon.…

The Defender 130 is the longest variant of the rugged and well-appointed Defender lineup. The 200+ inch-long SUV is usually built as a three-row model, but the special Defender 130 Outbound does away with the back row, providing extra cargo space for carrying overlanding gear and other goodies.…

Straight from the factory, the Ford Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor are fast and powerful off-road vehicles. But if you’re one of those people like me who always craves more horsepower, you’re in luck.…

While the Kia Telluride hasn’t changed dramatically since it first arrived at dealerships in 2020, it’s still one of the best mid-size 3-row SUVs you can buy, offering appealing looks inside and out, premium trim packages and a long list of standard features that help make it a great value.…

When I was starting out my “adult” life after college, there were still plenty of choices for new cars that wouldn’t break the bank. I ended up buying a 1986 Pontiac Grand Am as my first new car – mostly because I thought it looked cool.…