2020 Mazda3 Hatchback Test Drive & Review
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
2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe High Country Review By TestDriveNow Car Critic Steve Hammes.
Earlier this decade, pundits predicted that a gallon of gas would cost more than $5 a gallon by now. Well, they were wrong. Really wrong. And so the SUVs which were declared dead and almost buried have experienced a boon like never before. And here comes one of the big boys; this is the all-new 2021 Chevy Tahoe. Already renowned for its massive size, the Tahoe has gotten even bigger: a whopping 6.7” longer. This leads to huge increases in max cargo room and legroom in all 3 rows finally making the most efficient use of this rig’s gargantuan footprint. MSRP as-tested: $82,840
2021 Kia K5
2021 Kia K5 Review By TestDriveNow Car Critic Steve Hammes. Not long ago, the family sedan was the standard bearer of the auto industry. It’s where we Americans turned for our next ride and the competition was fierce. But as cars continue crossing over into SUVs the significance of the midsize sedan has been greatly diminished. Yet for those of you who have kept the candle burning, the choices have may have been reduced but the vehicles themselves are better than ever. Case in point; the car formerly known as the Optima – this is the all-new Kia K5.
So the K5 comes out of the gate with a new name, spunkier attitude and more polish. It’s said you never get a second chance to make a first impression and this one has been stellar. And that full-fledged GT model coming in November should be a real treat.
2020 Bentley Bentayga V8
2020 Bentley Bentayga V8 Review By TestDriveNow Car Critic Steve Hammes. It’s hard to believe that the Bentayga’s been with us for 5 years already. And it’s certainly been a trailblazer. During that time Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini and Aston Martin have also brought ultra-luxurious SUVs to market with more on the way. Available with 6-, 8- or 12–cylinder power including a plug-in hybrid, this is the Bentley Bentayga V8.
The Bentayga is a dream ride. The kind you could drive forever with no fatigue. It’s so isolating and comfortable and truly effortless in everything it does. This is my 7th and final day with it and I’ve learned that its price can be justified in that it’s an experience even the highest end SUVs from the mainstream automakers can’t touch.
MSRP as-tested: $228,845
2020 Lincoln Aviator Black Label
2020 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Review By Car Critic Steve Hammes. Sure, Lincoln has the supersized Navigator but they’ve never had an SUV quite like this. The all-new 2020 Aviator is a premium, 3-row midsized utility with robust power and boutique styling. With the recent demise of the MKZ and Continental, Lincoln becomes the latest automaker to kick cars to the curb as they are now exclusively an SUV brand offering 4 utilities in total and this one here slots in as number 3 between the $80,000 Navigator and the $40,000 Nautilus.
Lincoln’s designs are uniquely American; bold, beautiful and evocative of Lincolns of the past. Their vehicles have actual names and they’re not obsessed with trying to be European. And this Aviator Black Label in Flight Blue on these magnificent 22” wheels is indeed one sharp-looking whip.
MSRP as-tested: $82,435