2020 Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet
When even the paint is a $7,500 option you know you’re driving something exclusive. Not only is this the most expensive Mercedes convertible it’s also the fastest. This car is custom order, packed with bespoke touches from Mercedes’ designo in-house design team. This light brown Nappa leather is so choice of course I’d spend nearly $13,000 on it. And what kind of cheapskate would pass on the Swarovski crystal headlamp jewels? Yes, it’s true; this car has over $43,000 in options but there’s not a one of them I wouldn’t want. Anyone care to loan me a quarter of a million? I’m good for it.
Zero-to-60 in 3.4 seconds in a convertible of this size is ridiculous. But maybe not as ridiculous as the price…this one checks in at over $227,000. And, oh yeah…rumor has it this car is going away soon so you’d better act fast if it’s on your dream car wish list.

2020 Toyota Avalon TRD Test Drive & Review By Car Critic Steve Hammes. When you think of an Avalon, the last thing that comes to mind is a sports sedan, right? Well, hold on for a minute. The 2019 redesign did away with its AARP Card requirement by taking Toyota’s flagship sedan in a decidedly sportier direction. And now, the Avalon has gone full on TRD to produce something surprising and a little naughty.
MSRP as-tested: $45,835 

2020 Mazda3 Hatchback Review By Car Critic Steve Hammes. When I drove the Mazda3 sedan last year, I came away disappointed. Gone was the fun-to-drive little car that used to put its competitors to shame, replaced by a more premium model that had more annoyances than I could take. But a lot of you pointed out that my opinion ran contrary to most of my peers – which I always relish, by the way – so I figured I’d take a second look, this time with the AWD hatchback.

MSRP as-tested: $31,470

2020 Lexus LX 570 Review By Car Critic Steve Hammes. It’s built in Japan, costs about $100,000 and plays by its own timeless rules; this is the Lexus LX. As long as you can afford the gas and don’t mind stopping for it often, the LX is a great long trip cruiser with comfort for days and the ability to handle a back road. And when you do find yourself off the beaten path the 4×4 ride quality is spectacular. So the best reason for purchase is for the air of serene invincibility the LX provides. It sounds like 2022 will be the next LX redesign.  Until then, enjoy Lexus’ definition of the timeless SUV.

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.