First Drives

During a recent visit to the BMW Performance Center in Greenville, South Carolina, we got the opportunity to drive a number of new vehicles including the 2025 BMW X3 and M5 both on the road and the track. The company also allowed us to take a sneak peek at the …

Malmö, Sweden— Volvo ’s gas-powered XC90 three-row SUV gets a minor update for the 2025 model year, with B6 mild hybrid and T8 plug-in hybrid variants once again available to customers in North America. It is sold alongside the fully electric EX90 as the two vehicles target different crowds, the …

Munich, Germany— If you dig the new 2025 BMW M5 , surely you’ve read our first-drive review of the sedan a couple of weeks ago. Today, we’ll focus on the M5 Touring, which we also got to drive on its home soil. Remember, the wagon will be sold in Canada …

Austin, TX— Multiple Kia models have changed names lately. First, the Optima midsize sedan became the K5 , then the Sedona minivan became the Carnival , and now the Forte compact sedan is getting a new life as the K4 . Well, as previously reported, the K5 won’t return to …

Sitges, Spain— Fantastic all-wheel drive and sleeper looks in a small package sum up the Audi RS 3 , but the inline five-cylinder engine under the hood is what makes the car special. Behind the wheel of the RS 3, you can’t help but fall in love with this mill, …

Munich, Germany— For the 40th anniversary of the M5 , and for the first time in BMW M history, the sedan and Touring (wagon) body styles are both launching at the same time. The former enters its seventh generation, with no interruptions between them, while the latter is just beginning …

Nice, France— After somewhat taking a break last year, Audi is now busy revamping its model lineup for 2025. Headliners include electric vehicles like the all-new Q6 e-tron midsize crossover, the substantially refreshed e-tron GT sports sedan and the upcoming new A6 e-tron midsize sedan. What about conventionally powered vehicles?

With coupes, convertibles, wagons and sedans dropping like flies, today’s automotive landscape is a boring sea of trucks and SUVs. Making matters worse is the fact that about 80 percent of them are finished in white, grey or black. Where’s the fun in that? Volkswagen deserves part of the blame, …

Bromont, Quebec— Now in its sixth generation, the Ford Explorer is far removed from the truck-based original that launched in the early 1990s. While catering to North American families is still a top priority of this three-row midsize SUV, it has morphed into a much more sophisticated and sportier vehicle.

Honda is bringing back hybrid technology to its popular compact car after several years, following the lead of other automakers that are now putting more emphasis on electrification. For 2025, the Civic Sedan and Civic Hatchback feature revised styling especially up front. Setting the hybrid models apart are subtle details …