2021 Ford F150 Review By TestDriveNow Car Critic Steve Hammes. The all-new F-150 arrives this fall and here’s your first look at Ford’s most important model. Though it doesn’t look radically different, Ford says every body panel has been redesigned.  There’s a wider stance and 11 – yes 11 – different grille options.  And to save fuel through improved aerodynamics, there are active grill shutters and an automatic deploying air dam. But the sexy news surrounds the new optional, range –topping powertrain – a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 boosted by 47 horsepower electric motor making it full hybrid.  Integrated into the 10-speed automatic transmission, Ford is targeting a 700 mile driving range and 12,000 pounds max towing.  The battery is packaged underneath the truck so passenger and cargo volume is unencumbered. Ford refers to it as PowerBoost and it’s available on every trim level from XL to Limited.   And the electrifying news doesn’t stop there. A new feature Ford calls Pro Power Onboard turns gas and hybrid F-150s into a portable generator capable of powering 28 refrigerators or running an entire job site worth of tools.  We’ve all been there…the truck as an office.  Ford’s solution? The optional Interior Work Surface creates a an ideal space for signing documents or eating takeout.  And if your lunch break isn’t over yet, the Max Recline Seats become a sweet place to grab a couple of ZZZs.   The tailgate wars continue with Ford’s Tailagte Work Surface which includes integrated rulers, a mobile device holder and more.  On the tech side, the all-new F-150 is North America’s first full-size pickup with standard over-the-air updates.  These updates are bumper-to-bumper, and can include all-new functions and additional features throughout the life of the truck. And then there’s SYNC4 with twice the computing power of the previous gen system.  And that includes wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto.  And some real semi-autonomous driving is coming, too.  Active Drive Assist is a hands-free experience that works on divided highways much like Caddy’s Super Cruise.  It’ll be late availability but customers can add it later via an over the air update and pay for it then.  With 3 V6s, a V8, a diesel and a Hybrid, 3 cab styles and 3 bed lengths, Ford’s F-150 looks to be a ground breaker.  Look for it this fall with specs and pricing to be released closer to launch.   

2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum Review By TestDriveNow Auto Critic Steve Hammes.
Over the past 2 decades, the Highlander has been America’s go-to family mover by offering a car-like ride with SUV versatility. But this one here is all about raising expectations by taking everything farther. The all-new 2020 Highlander Platinum gives Toyota owners a healthy dose of Lexus.
The driving experience feels far more substantial than before, taking on a greater SUV-like persona. Bigger, bolder, smoother and nearly silent inside, the Highlander is a great long trip cruiser with a more sophisticated ride quality. Now, the mileage isn’t great but the Highlander is a winner and it also sports a new level of off-road capability.

If you’re lucky enough to consider a summer toy, Mazda’s been tempting shoppers with this one for 3 decades. Of course, it’s the Miata; the world’s fun-loving, affordable roadster. The Miata RF is sexy and is still turning heads. Total MSRP of this one is $35,390 – but go with the manual.    https://testdrivenow.com/2020-mazda-mx-5-rf-review/
2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Review By Auto Critic Steve Hammes

2020 Honda CR-V Touring AWD Review By Auto Critic Steve Hammes.
To say this current generation CR-V has been a success would be a huge understatement. Redesigned for 2017 replete with major improvements, the CR-V and its car counterpart the Civic are Honda’s sales darlings. And this week I’m spending my time with the spruced up 2020 model.
MSRP as-tested: $35,870

2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited Review By Auto Critic Steve Hammes.
When Hyundai redesigned the Sonata for the 2015 model year it decided to rein in the styling. And, as it turns out, that wasn’t the best move as the very element that catapulted this car to huge sales success was no longer present. But learning from that experience this all-new 2020 Sonata is letting it all hang out. And as a family sedan, it most certainly is one that makes its presence known and lavishes its occupants for pennies on the dollar.    

MSRP as-tested: $34,610