Page 25 - Michael Simari News Today

A refresh brings a stronger base four-cylinder to Kia's Stinger hatchback, but the V-6 GT is left largely alone. And that’s not a bad thing.

Newly refined looks, an available six-speed manual gearbox, and abundant cargo room make for an impressive alternative to the already-great Civic sedan.

AMG turns a small three-row SUV into a 302-hp machine with a raucous personality.

Tested: 2021 BMW M440i Convertible Embraces the Soft-Top Life After a 15-year hiatus, BMW brings back the soft top to its compact convertible. Sometimes we think that BMW invented the 4-series just to complicate comparisons to the previous, much-revered incarnations of the two-door 3-series. Which would be silly, because the new 2021 M440i convertible doesnt play the same role as the droptop 3-series of yore. Just as the 2021 M3 sedan now has the rough footprint of a 2001 E39 M5, the M440i is n...

2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 Coupe Exudes Elegant Menace In a market of flashy and ferocious sedans, the E53 is subtle and effective. We had the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 over a perfect weekend, hot enough to appreciate a luxury car with a vigorous air-conditioning system and ventilated leather seats yet breezy enough to pop up the sunroof and let the pine scent of mountain air and the smooth thrum of the inline-six engine fill the cabin. This is a no-stress car to drive in a variety of environments, cush...

Tested: 2021 Volvo V90 T6 Was Good While It Lasted Annie White © Michael Simari - Car and Driver We love sleek, upscale wagons such as Volvos standard V90. Its a shame the brand will only offer the lifted Cross County version going forward. If youre reading this, it may already be too late. When we recently took delivery of this handsome, metallic brown 2021 Volvo V90 wagon in its sumptuous top T6 Inscription trim level, we had some vain hope that if we found the right words ...

The Rocket League Edition is clearly based on the production F-150—retaining the body shape, thick round wheel arches, and drop-down windows—but it takes the details to another level. The traditional grille has been replaced with an indented section with chunky “Ford" lettering reminiscent of the grille on the Raptor. Highlighter green accents adorn the trucks bumpers, and trim pieces link the rear wheel arch to the top of the bed and run up the A-pillar to the roof-mounted lights. Micha...

Tested: 2021 Alpina XB7 Brings What BMW M Wont Mike Sutton © Michael Simari - Car and Driver German tuning house Alpina upgrades BMWs highest-performing X7 SUV on its own terms. Traditionalists are quick to give BMW flak for applying its full-bore M treatment to models that dont adhere to the go-fast formula set by the brands most legendary drivers machines. Vehicles like the twin-turbocharged, all-wheel-drive, automatic-transmission X5 M SUV spring to mind—undeniably good ...

Comparison Test: 2020 Kia Niro EV vs. 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Dave VanderWerp © Michael Simari - Car and Driver Which is the better entry-level electric crossover? Automakers have appeared to have settled on two targets for their entry-level electric offerings: a range greater than 200 miles of range and a price point of about $40,000, roughly the cost of the average new vehicle. Thats precisely where the immensely popular Tesla Model 3 lives. Before you scoff that, the Model 3s...

Which is the better entry-level electric crossover?