When most people think of Mercedes-Benz, they picture the brand’s sleek sedans and low-slung performance models. While luxury SUVs have made their way into the automaker’s lineup in recent years, one Mercedes-Benz model stands out from the crowd with its boxy design, off-road chops, and luxuriously appointed interior. Introduced in 1979, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, commonly […]
Author: Matt Dodge
Between spending Father's Day at the local race track and watching NASCAR in his grandparent's living room, Matt Dodge has long been fascinated with all things automotive. Matt has worked at a variety of business magazines, daily newspapers, and trade publications while making time for some unique side hustles, including stints as a tour guide and pedicab operator. Quirky tales from automotive history and helpful how-to guides are some of Matt's favorite topics, though his own D.I.Y. efforts have largely been limited to keeping his 1999 GMC Savana from imploding and removing the backseat of his Honda Accord to make more room for surfboards.
Four Levels of HOSS Suspension Make the Ford Bronco an Off-Road Boss
There are a few prerequisites for any vehicle that’s looking to try its luck on challenging off-road terrain. A little extra ground clearance is essential, as are specialized off-road tires that maximize traction on uneven or loose surfaces, but if there was just one area to focus on, it would have to be the suspension. […]
The Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition Marks the End of Jeep’s V8 Era
When it first hit the market in 2021, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 was unlike any model the off-road giant had ever produced. The Rubicon 392 boasted the off-road resume drivers had come to expect from the Jeep brand and was packed with a generous list of luxury features to boot, but it was the […]
The F-150 Lightning Strikes Fear Into Slower Sports Cars
Those in the market for a thrilling ride have no shortage of stylish, curve-hugging sports cars to choose from. Names like Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, and Mazda tend to dominate this high-speed market sector, but those seeking a decidedly different way to burn a little rubber have an inciting new option, courtesy of Ford. While the […]
The Evolution of Off-Road Vehicles: The Kégresse Track to the Raptor
Who would want to drive on a nice, paved road when you could be carving through muddy ruts, bouncing in your seat, and learning the meaning of “center of gravity” first-hand? As long as there have been cars, there have been drivers who will find any excuse to test their limits with off-road driving. While […]
Remembering AMC: The Story of America’s Last Independent Automaker
While it might have since faded into the rearview mirror, American Motors Corporation was a formative brand that helped shape the auto industry. The defunct automaker might not be familiar to younger drivers, but for those who remember the days of tail fins, chromed-out bumpers, and gaudy hood ornaments, AMC likely played a part in […]
Is the Supra 2.0 a True Contender or Toyota’s Pretender?
Toyota’s performance credentials are often overshadowed by the brand’s reputation for reliability and value, but the Japanese automaker certainly knows its way around a sports car. Take the Toyota Supra, for example—introduced in the late 1970s, the Supra’s unique combination of performance and style has gone a long way toward injecting a little high-speed fun […]
Is the GMC Canyon the Trimflation Fighter We Need?
With so many packages and trims to choose from, today’s midsize pickups are nothing if not customizable. These options make it easier than ever to build the one-of-a-kind pickup of your dreams, but there’s only one problem: it’s not going to come cheap. Once you factor in all the added equipment, it’s not unusual for […]
Car Culture Around the World: The Jeepney
Public transportation serves an important role in society, allowing people to commute to work, visit family, and get where they need to go without investing in their own vehicles. While your local city bus might be clean, reliable, and an efficient form of transportation, there’s one thing it’s not: a psychedelic sensory overload. The same […]
Best-in-Shows: The World’s Premier Classic Car Events
A classic car show is a great excuse to do a little window shopping while exploring the history of automotive innovation and design. These shows basically amount to a sort of open-air museum, giving visitors the chance to catch a glimpse of some of the industry’s most iconic models and lost treasures. Such shows are […]
The Ford F-150 FP700 Democratizes Performance
The Ford F-150 Raptor R is a feat of modern pickup design. Built with high-speed off-road antics in mind, the full-size truck comes packed with a full suite of heavy-duty gear that allows drivers to overcome rocks, mud, sand, and whatever else the trail might throw at them. While the pickup’s 37-inches tires, Fox Dual […]
Are Full-Size SUVs Superior? The GMC Yukon Makes Its Case
Drivers are flocking to off-road models like never before, but there can be a wide gulf between legitimate offerings and those simply looking to capitalize on the trend. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this new generation of so-called “soft-roaders,” which provide a rugged, sporty look while lacking the actual heavy-duty components needed to ensure off-road […]
Are Chevrolet Performance Parts Worth it?
Whether you’re talking about the Camaro, Corvette, or award-winning pickups like the Silverado and Colorado, the name “Chevy” has long been synonymous with performance. Walk into your local Chevy dealer and you’ll find exciting new models like the 2024 Camaro, a potent pony car powered by a small-block V8 that puts out 455 hp and […]
The Chevy Colorado’s Off-Road Trims: Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2
When you’re browsing your local Chevy dealer for a dedicated off-road partner, it’s hard to do better than the Chevy Colorado. This midsize pickup combines the raw power of Chevy’s award-winning Silverado 1500 with the practicality of a smaller truck—a formula that’s perfect for any driver looking to explore the road less paved. The Colorado’s […]
Cruising Altitude at the 2024 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
For over 100 years, racers have been flocking to Colorado’s Front Range to participate in one of motorsport’s most unique competitions. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), also known as The Race to the Clouds, might only cover 12.5 miles, but it’s a decidedly vertical 12.5 miles where racers gain almost 5,000 feet of […]
The Dodge Charger: Looking Back on a Legacy of Muscle Car Performance
Reports of the Dodge Charger’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. In late 2022, Stellanis announced that the iconic muscle car would be consigned to used Dodge dealerships to make way for a new generation of all-electric models, but just two years later, Dodge is already ready to welcome the gas-powered Charger back to the lineup. […]
The Nuclear Ford, Joystick Saab, and Other Failed Features
It’s hard to imagine where today’s cars, trucks, and SUVs would be without features like cruise control, anti-lock brakes, and airbags. These innovations helped usher in a new era of automotive safety and convenience, allowing drivers to navigate the road with confidence and making for an all-around more enjoyable ride. Contemporary advancements like Bluetooth connectivity, […]
Cat Out of Hell: The HEMI-Powered Durango SRT Takes Its Final Lap
When it comes to versatility, few segments can touch the humble SUV. Offering a clever mix of power, cargo room, and utility, today’s SUVs are some of the most well-rounded vehicles on the road. As adept at towing and hauling as they are at comfortably fitting the whole family and giving drivers a commanding view […]
The Case for Convertibles
Convertibles might seem like a luxury in today’s market, but these open-air rides were actually some of the world’s first cars. That said, these early horseless carriages don’t have a lot in common with today’s convertibles, and the original 1897 Daimler Grafton Phaeton might not draw the right kind of attention when you’re cruising by […]
How Hybrids Came to Dominate Motorsport
When the first hybrid hit the US market in the early 2000s, it was difficult to envision a day when these automotive chimeras would come to infiltrate the highest levels of motorsport. That original hybrid, the 2001 Toyota Prius, wasn’t exactly race-ready with its 1.5L I-4 engine, 114 horsepower, and a zero-to-60-mph time of 13 […]