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The second-generation Solterra is a massive improvement 2026 Subaru Solterra review by The Road Beat Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman To say that the first version of the Subaru Solterra (and its Toyota bZ4X identical twin) was a dud is not an exaggeration. Thankfully, Subaru has made the Solterra better in virtually every measurable way. Most impressively, it also represents genuinely good value compared with much of its electric competition. This isn't the crossover th

A Ram 1500 with the Hurricane engine does not disappoint 2026 Ram 1500 Express Hurricane review by The Road Beat Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman It may lack the rumble of a V8 Hemi (as well as the infamous "Hemi Tick"), but the new Hurricane engine available in the Ram 1500 is frankly a bit of a revelation. From both an engineering and productivity standpoint, this first attempt at an all-new twin-turbocharged inline-six is slightly sensational. And with the DT-generati

A typically quality and luxurious Lexus is undermined by poor electric range 2026 Lexus RZ 550e review by The Road Beat Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman Shame the RZ is so limited by range, because the rest of it is far from a disaster. As a luxury crossover, there's genuine appeal here, helped by a lower-than-expected price for a well-built premium EV. Meaningful updates such as native Tesla Supercharger compatibility through a standard NACS port are welcome, but aren'

Real-world performance is also greatly enhanced. The combination of turbocharging and electric assistance fills in the low end of the rev range, precisely where the old V6 struggled. As a result, even if output rises only modestly to 324 horsepower, the Palisade never feels caught between gears and is readily available to work.

Now the full facelift has arrived, and unfortunately, my experience with this XC90 T8 proved more disappointing than expected.

On the whole, the 2026 CX-5 feels like a former standout midsize crossover compromised by a reboot led by boardroom decision-making.

Despite the V6’s characterful sound and enjoyable top-end power delivery, outright performance is underwhelming by modern standards and with limited flexibility.

Past Tucsons always came with a rather large “but.” This latest Tucson has the fewest compromises yet.

There may not be a perfect car in this segment, but in realistic terms, nothing else under $40K brings together this level of style, engagement, and quality. Even without major updates, the CX-30 Turbo continues to punch above its weight in 2026—and remains an easy recommendation.

Toyota simply making a car too good was not on my bingo card. Ever. And yet, here we are. With the GR (Gazoo Racing) Corolla —an all-wheel-drive (GR-Four), turbocharged hot hatch—Toyota has built something that feels like a modern echo of Group B homologation specials. It’s about as un-Toyota as a Toyota can get, especially from the same company that gave us the Prius.

Sure, the beige color doesn’t help, but beneath this deeply unfortunate exterior lies a remarkably good EV—and a surprisingly convincing BMW.

There’s nothing revolutionary about what the Uncharted sets out to do—but it’s surprising how well it executes on the whole still and as a notable step up from the gen-1 Solterra.

It doesn’t take long to recognize a defining trait of modern Lincoln Motor Company products: they’re supremely comfortable. The Nautilus impressed with its front therapeutic seats, and that excellence carries over into the Aviator.

As my second Subaru tested for The Road Beat, I’m starting to notice a surprising and welcome trend: they drive quite well. While not class-leading—Mazda still owns that title for outright driving engagement—the Outback delivers a level of directness and responsiveness that puts it ahead of many a comparable Toyota.

Inside, the dominant theme is screens. Lots of them. If you enjoy screen-heavy interiors, the Nautilus will certainly oblige. For others, the design may feel excessive.

After a week with the Forester Wilderness, I realized something simpler: Subaru fans aren’t part of a cult. Rather, they just might have good taste.

Handling was a revelation for mainstream crossovers when this generation launched, and it remains impressive today. Even as competitors have improved, few feel as composed and eager when the road turns technical.

That said, the real winner here is the consumer. Mazda gives buyers a choice—and depending on priorities, either version may be the right fit.

The NX 450+ is an underwhelming experience that frustrates and disappoints when it comes to the small details that buyers actually have to live with.

Frequently driving in 40-degree weather with the heat cranked, I averaged an astonishing 47 MPG over a week of mostly highway driving, hilly highway driving at that. That’s genuinely impressive and beats recent Priuses for mileage which benefited from more favorable conditions.

Despite the excellent fuel economy of Toyota’s compact hybrid crossover, the niche it fills (half-full) is simply too narrow to earn a mainstream recommendation.

Toyota has quietly made the strongest case yet for what a big family SUV should be. Without resorting to the bloated, luxury-leaning excess of American full-size offerings, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max delivers about as complete a package as you’ll find for $60,000 and less.

Extremely good looks are ready for the TikTok generation 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan review by The Road Beat Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman TikTok has a pronounced effect on contemporary consumerism. Favoring aesthetics before substance, it won’t be long before endless clips of the new Volkswagen Tiguan flood feeds, buoyed by its genuinely striking looks. And on that front, the Tiguan will win plenty of hearts. But those quick-hit videos and surface-level 'reviews' won’t sh

Yes, modern Volvos are global products, but the lack of outright cohesion here feels deeper than its complicated logistics would even suggest. The end result is a car so uncomfortable that it’s hard to believe anyone truly drove it before signing off.