Once upon a time, a pickup could coast through the market with four-wheel drive, half-decent towing capacity, and little else, but those days have long since passed. The segment has evolved dramatically over the last few decades, driven largely by a changing customer base who are demanding not only bigger and better but smarter, safer, […]
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.
GMC and AEV—a Match Made in Off-Road Heaven
For those who know their way around a winch, the name “American Expedition Vehicles” (AEV) should ring a bell. The Montana-based company is known for creating some of the most rugged, capable, and stylish off-roads on the market, collaborating with some of the industry’s leading brands to give their four-wheel drive vehicles the full AEV […]
From Turbo Fires and 409s to the 350 and LS Generation: Reviewing the Best Chevy Engines of All Time
Between heads-up displays and paddle shifters, heated seats, and power running boards, today’s vehicles are packed with more novel gadgetry than ever before. While some of these features are inherently useful, features like gesture-based controls can come off as a bit of a gimmick that’ll have you looking like you’re conducting an orchestra as you […]
The Nissan GT-R Skyline: An Icon on the Screen and on the Track
With so many thrilling models in the lineup, a quick look around your local Nissan dealer is sure to turn up all sorts of enticing prospects. Nissan is a bit of an anomaly in the auto world, crafting not only some of the industry’s most affordable models but also making its presence known in the […]
Diving “N” to Hyundai’s Performance Brand With the IONIQ 5 N
Tuning a car is a great way to turn a reliable, everyday driver into a thrill-seeking, track-gobbling performance vehicle, but it can be an intimidating process for the average driver. Between overhauling the exhaust, tweaking the vehicle’s fuel management, upping the air intake, and diving into the money pit that is forced induction, unlocking a […]
Leaning in to World Superbike
Since its debut in 2019, Netflix’s “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” documentary series has been one of the streaming giant’s breakout hits. The show has not only been a ratings bonanza for Netflix, it has also helped to achieve what many thought was once impossible: turn historically disinterested Americans into F1 fans. Formula One has […]
Badge of Honor Puts a Jeep Twist on Social Media
Introduced in 2013, Jeep’s Badge of Honor app is designed to foster engagement, connection, and competition amongst the off-road set. Users can browse off-road trails, check in, and earn rewards by completing various routes and even earn physical medallions that can be applied to a Jeep vehicle as real-life badges of honor. The app covers […]
Toyota Introduces Two Limited Edition GR Models for 2024
From the ultra-efficient Prius to the go-anywhere 4Runner and best-selling RAV4, a quick visit to your local Toyota dealer is bound to turn up any number of alluring options. That said, the 2024 GR Corolla Circuit Edition or 2024 GR86 Trueno Edition are easily two of their most tempting models for the coming model year, […]
Speeding, Not Spending: Fastest Cars Under $80K
When buying a new car, truck, or SUV, some drivers are searching for reliable daily drivers or roomy family vehicles. Others are in the market for the towing and hauling power of a heavy-duty pickup or a purpose-built off-roader that can navigate challenging terrain. Then there are the folks who want the fastest cars you […]
Rare Rides: History’s Most Unique Motorcycles
When it comes to motorcycles, even those who have never thrown a leg over a bike are bound to recognize a few of the industry’s best-selling models. Take the Harley-Davidson Sportster, for example. With over 40,000 units sold in 2020 alone, the iconic bike can easily be found weaving through traffic from coast to coast. […]
Top 5 Motorcycle Accessories for 2023
Accessorizing your ride is one of the best parts of motorcycle culture, allowing riders to unlock new capabilities, improve comfort and convenience, or just add a little panache to their bike. From custom paint jobs and to high-performance air filters, lighter wheels, and modified exhausts, there are plenty of ways to set your ride apart […]
Crash Registers: The Most Expensive Wrecks of 2023
Call it voyeurism or schadenfreude, but there’s something about a car crash that just tends to grab our attention. It can be hard to tear your eyes away from the real-life drama of an accident, so much so that we’ve even coined a term for the phenomenon: rubbernecking. Known to snarl traffic and delay commutes, […]
Ranked: The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500’s Best Tech Features
While raw power was once the end-all, be-all in the pickup segment, technology features have become increasingly important as of late. A new generation of modern, tech-savvy drivers aren’t content to settle for the reliable pickups of yesteryear, and are increasingly demanding all the bells and whistles that have made their way into other popular […]
Taking Your SUV Off-Road? Start Here With the Right Mods
With more off-road-focused vehicles hitting the market each year, today’s SUVs have never been more capable when it comes to enjoying a little off-road fun. From Chevy’s Z71 trims complete with skid plates, tow hooks, and all-terrain tires to GMC’s AT4 series offered with improved approach angles and a height-adjustable air suspension as standard fare, […]
Silly Name, Serious Results: Exploring Old Man Emu Products
The off-road pickup segment has exploded in recent years, leading automakers to introduce several intriguing new models that cater to the niche. Take Toyota, for example—drivers in the market for a new Toyota Tacoma for sale now have seven distinct trims to choose from, including three ready-made off-road trims in the TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, […]
Is the Silverado High Country Chevy’s Most Luxurious Truck?
If you’ve been paying attention to the pickup market over the last decade, you might have noticed an interesting trend. It’s not the growth of the segment itself–-although U.S. pickup sales have grown from 13% to 20% of the auto market since 2012–-but rather the average price tag of a new truck. In 2005, the […]
Why the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 RST Is a Standout Trim Option
Chevy has always been the go-to brand for hardworking drivers who need pickup trucks that can keep up with them. With a vast arsenal of bold and dynamic vehicles, drivers who need to tackle tough projects have always been able to rely on the power their cars and trucks possess. And on the front of […]
Suspensions, Seats, Snorkels: Exploring the Best Parts of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma
There’s a lot to love about the all-new Toyota Tacoma. Fully redesigned for the 2024 model year, Toyota has taken everything there is to love about this midsize pickup and kicked it up a notch. From a robust body-on-frame design to a fresh off-road trim, expanded powertrain offerings that include a new hybrid option, and […]
Brawny Beauties: Tracking Ford’s Performance Models
When Henry Ford dreamed up the world’s first mass-produced car, he had three simple goals in mind: he wanted it to be easy to operate, durable, and (most importantly) affordable. For over 120 years, that formula has served the company well, allowing the automaker to grow into one of the industry’s largest while building a […]
Speed on a Budget: The Best Affordable Used Performance Cars
The used vehicle market draws in all sorts of buyers, from parents looking for a first car for their newly licensed teen to those looking to save a few bucks on their next daily driver. The used market might typically be all about value, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Between classic […]