2021 MERCEDES-BENZ S580 TEST DRIVE

What Mercedes has done here is crafted a luxury car for modern times where driving takes a back seat to feeling safe, secure and oh so spoiled. With a starting MSRP well into 6 figures, I’m fully aware that very few can afford this kind of sanctuary but for those of you who can peace and solitude are yours. The S-Class has seemingly forever been the benchmark luxury car; the centerpiece of Mercedes’ innovations and this all-new model continues those tenets in abundance. Its tech-forward cabin girds you with eye candy, the ride is luxury personified and safety, as always, is prioritized. The features are futuristic and extravagance is everywhere to be found. For example, this is a car that is able to suggest onboard fitness or wellness programs based upon vehicle and trip data, even factoring in your sleep quality and stress levels via your smartwatch. And 3D sound is so yesterday so the S-Class offers a 4D audio experience with bass resonators in the seats that can be individually controlled. The S-Class can be had in 3 lines, from least expensive to most there’s Luxury, AMG and Executive. This is the slightly more athletic-looking AMG Line in Emerald Green with 20” AMG wheels, all-season tires, the $6,700 audio system, the Warmth and Comfort Package, the 3D Technology Package, and the turning radius reducing rear axle steering for an as-tested price of $138,530.

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2020 CADILLAC CT5 V TEST DRIVE

2020 CADILLAC CT5 V TEST DRIVE BY CAR CRITIC STEVE HAMMES. Cadillac’s car lineup has been reduced to 2 all-new models, the compact-sized CT4 and this; the midsize CT5, both available in mid-performance models Cadillac refers to as V-Series.  
 With a twin-turbo V6, MagneRide suspension, Brembo front brakes, an electronic limited slip differential, V Drive Mode, Launch Control and Performance Traction Management, this V-Series injects enough raciness into the CT5 to satisfy all but the most demanding drivers.  And for them, the Blackwing variant arrives next summer.

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2020 Lexus LX 570

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.

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2020 LEXUS LS 500 QUICK TAKES

For more than three decades, the LS has helped define the flagship sedan segment.
The LS 500 and LS 500h return in 2020 with a few key updates, but the biggest news in the lineup is the addition of the new LS 500 Inspiration Series.
The 2020 LS 500 Inspiration Series will be offered in a unique Deep Garnet exterior paint and is outfitted with standard features such as 20-inch Black Vapor Chrome wheels, white semi-aniline leather interior and Kiriko glass trim, just to name a few. It will be limited to only 300 units.
Already equipped with one of the most technologically advanced safety systems in the industry, the 2020 LS also features the Lexus Safety System 2.0 as standard equipment. LSS+ 2.0 features daytime bicyclist detection and low-light pedestrian detection along with Road Sign Assist (RSA) and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) to further expand the scenarios in which the LS is designed to help provide additional safety to the driver and passengers.
All LS models for 2020 come standard with Apple CarPlay® compatibility that allows guests to access the same familiar interface of their iPhone® through the LS’s 12.3-inch dashboard display.
The 2020 Lexus LS has a sleek and bold design with a coupe-like silhouette. Lexus designers took full advantage of the rear-wheel drive Global Architecture – Luxury (GA-L) platform to give the LS a stretched, ground-hugging appearance.
AS TESTED WITH LEXUS SAFETY SYSTEM; FORGED ALLOY WHEELS; EXECUTIVE PACKAGE; PANORAMA GLASS ROOF; HAND PLEATED INTERIOR DOOR TRIM; MARK LEVINSON AUDIO SYSTEM; AND MUCH MORE….TOTAL VEHICLE PRICE: $115,970

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2019 KIA K900 LUXURY QUICK TAKES

The completely redesigned Kia K900 establishes a new standard for luxury, driving dynamics and automotive technology for Kia. The all-new second-generation model combines a dignified and sophisticated exterior design, a beautifully crafted cabin of premium materials, and performance characteristics that befit a world-class flagship sedan. Reimagined in every way, the K900 brings with it an array of new systems and safety features, making it the most technologically advanced Kia ever.

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