#car reviews

[furiouslovepolice]

[techdriveplay]

How WhistlinDiesel Revolutionized Car Reviews

With automotive content, traditional car reviews have long followed a familiar formula: polished shots of vehicles, technical specifications, and reserved commentary on performance. However, with the rise of platforms like YouTube and social media, this formula has been challenged. One creator who stands out in this shift is WhistlinDiesel. Known for his unconventional and often extreme approach,…

[florianlaurila]

this car was made to look sexy

[mattmaccjourno]

If you have £47,220 burning a hole in your pocket and fancy an all-around off-roader, then the Ford Ranger Wildtrak might just be the ticket. 

[jrnerad]

2025 Honda Civic Si: The  Perfect Spring Training Sports Sedan

One rite of spring is getting the sports model onto the road for a joyride. Another is the opening of Major League Baseball camps where the crack of bat on ball makes sweet music to so many. This week we were able to combine the two as we road tested the 2025 Honda Civic Si, one of our favorite performance sedans, in and around the Spring Training sites of several Major League Baseball teams near…

[vyocar]

2021 Lexus LX 570 Review: The Best Car Review for Power and Luxury

The 2021 Lexus LX 570 is the ultimate combination of luxury and off-road capability. As a flagship SUV from Lexus, it boasts premium comfort, cutting-edge technology, and impressive power. This car review explores its key features, performance, design, and why it stands out in the competitive luxury SUV market.

Best Car Review: Exterior Design and Build Quality The Lexus LX 570 features a bold and muscular design. With its signature spindle grille, LED headlights, and chrome accents, it commands attention on the road. The SUV sits on 20-inch alloy wheels (with optional 21-inch wheels) and has a high ground clearance, making it ideal for city drives and rugged terrains alike.

Luxurious Interior and Advanced Technology Inside, the 2021 Lexus LX 570 exudes sophistication. Premium leather seats, wood trim, and soft-touch materials create a high-end cabin experience. The spacious interior comfortably seats up to eight passengers, with heated and ventilated front seats adding extra comfort.

Key technology features include:

12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation

Mark Levinson premium audio system

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility

Four-zone climate control for personalized comfort

Powerful Performance and Engine Capabilities The Lexus LX 570 is powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 383 horsepower and 403 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, it ensures smooth acceleration and responsive handling.

Key Performance Highlights:

Towing Capacity: Up to 7,000 pounds, making it great for hauling trailers or boats.

Full-time Four-Wheel Drive (4WD): Ensures excellent traction in all terrains.

Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS): Adjusts ride comfort based on road conditions.

Best Car News: Toyota Engineering and Reliability As Lexus is Toyota’s luxury division, the LX 570 benefits from Toyota’s reputation for reliability. Sharing a platform with the Toyota Land Cruiser, it ensures exceptional durability. Many owners report trouble-free performance for years, proving its long-term value.

Comprehensive Safety Features Lexus prioritizes safety, equipping the LX 570 with the Lexus Safety System+, which includes:

Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection

Lane departure alert

Adaptive cruise control

Blind-spot monitoring

With a five-star safety rating, the LX 570 offers peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike.

Fuel Efficiency and Economy With its powerful V8 engine, the Lexus LX 570 delivers an EPA-estimated 12 MPG in the city and 16 MPG on the highway. While not the most fuel-efficient, its power and luxury make up for the higher fuel consumption.

Best Car Advice: Lexus LX 570 vs. Toyota Land Cruiser The Toyota Land Cruiser shares its platform with the Lexus LX 570, offering similar capabilities. However, the Lexus model adds more premium features, advanced technology, and a refined interior, making it a better choice for those seeking luxury.

Conclusion The 2021 Lexus LX 570 remains a top choice for luxury SUV enthusiasts. With its combination of power, comfort, and off-road capability, it continues to be a leader in its class. Whether you need a family-friendly SUV or an off-road beast, the LX 570 delivers on all fronts.

FAQs

1. Is the 2021 Lexus LX 570 a good SUV? Yes, the LX 570 is a luxury SUV with strong performance, premium features, and Toyota’s legendary reliability.

2. What is the towing capacity of the Lexus LX 570? The 2021 Lexus LX 570 can tow up to 7,000 pounds, making it ideal for towing boats and trailers.

3. Is the Lexus LX 570 fuel-efficient? No, with an estimated 12 MPG city and 16 MPG highway, it prioritizes power over fuel economy.

4. What are the main competitors of the Lexus LX 570? The Toyota Land Cruiser, Cadillac Escalade, and Range Rover are its main rivals.

5. Does the Lexus LX 570 have off-road capabilities? Yes, with full-time 4WD, adaptive suspension, and off-road driving modes, it is well-suited for rugged terrain.

This best car review of the Lexus LX 570 highlights why it continues to be a preferred choice for those seeking luxury and power in one package.

[asphaltapostle]

It was interesting to realize that this past New Year's marked exactly ten years since I filmed the last full Honk episode to be published.

To celebrate(?), here it is summarized by Google's NotebookLM:

In this episode of HONK, host David Blue reviews the 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO, a performance-enhanced version of the quirky Juke crossover. He explores its unique features, from the "cough drop" key fob to the toy-like interior with a boost gauge and g-meter. The review covers the car's driving dynamics, including the CVT transmission with simulated gears, the sporty suspension, and surprisingly nimble handling. Despite initial reservations, the host finds himself impressed with the Juke NISMO's fun-to-drive nature, its unique styling, and surprisingly practical features. He also discusses the car's unusual design elements and compares it to both a Golf GTI and his own Miata. The video includes on-road driving impressions and concludes with an impromptu off-road test.

 YouTube Description Outline with Timestamps:

 - [0:00] Introduction and Initial Impressions: Host David Blue introduces the Nissan Juke NISMO and its performance-oriented upgrades. He mentions the car is the "2014 car of the year in Latvia".

 - [0:19] Key Fob and Interior: The review begins with a look at the unusual key fob and the "chunky" interior styling.

 - [0:48] Push Button Start and Gauge Cluster: The car's push-button start and gauge cluster are demonstrated. There is a discussion of the toy-like feel of the center console, navigation unit, boost gauge, and g-meter.

 - [1:28] CVT Transmission Explained: The host explains the continuously variable transmission (CVT) and its simulated gears.

 - [2:05] Driving Impressions (Normal Mode): Initial driving impressions in normal mode, noting the busy ride. The car is described as "a little bit bumpier than most crossovers".

 - [2:56] Highway Driving and Engine Noise: The car's performance on the highway is evaluated, with comments on engine noise.

 - [3:16] Sport Mode and Downshifting: The host explores sport mode and is impressed by the automatic transmission's downshifting behavior during engine braking.

 - [3:56] Styling Critique and a Fiat Comparison: The car's silver paint, black wheels, and crimson mirrors are highlighted, along with a comment about the styling being a "Fiat rip off".

 - [4:08] 0-40 Test and Interior Features: The host does a 0-40 mph test, and notes the small size of the screen. He also comments on the climate control screen, eco mode, and the SD card reader.

 - [4:59] Handling Test: The car's handling is tested on a makeshift track and described as "playful" and reminiscent of the host's Miata.

 - [5:29] Exterior Design: The review focuses on the exterior design elements, including the fake front and rear diffusers and the red stripe, plus the mirrors and spoiler.

 - [5:58] Practical Considerations: The car's practical aspects are discussed such as its rear wiper and value as a way to get "nice mole" mats.

 - [6:20] Color Options and Preferred Configuration: The host mentions the available colors and his preferred configuration, which is this car with the CVT, all-wheel drive, navigation and "nice stereo system".

 - [6:52] Door and Door Handles: There is a demonstration of the unique door handles, which are sturdy and easy to use.

 - [7:19] Back Seats and Interior Finish: The host assesses the rear seats, saying they are good for "slim" people and the Alcantara finish.

 - [7:38] Engine Bay and Personal History with Nissan: The host comments on the battery size, and also mentions his long history of hating Nissan, making his positive reaction to this car a "revelation".

 - [7:49] Off-Road Test: An impromptu off-road capability test.

 - [8:09] Juke Music and Closing Thoughts: The host refers to "Juke" music and reiterates the car is "truly unimpeded by the past".

 - [8:28] Driving Advice: The host provides some driving advice about deer on the road.

[furiouslovepolice]

Stellantis postpones launch of electric Ram pickup again

[techdriveplay]

The Most Affordable JDM Cars

When it comes to car enthusiasts, Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) cars hold a special place due to their affordability, reliability, and performance. Whether you’re new to the automotive scene or a seasoned collector, finding the most affordable JDM cars can offer a gateway into a world of unique designs, impressive engineering, and motorsport history. These cars have garnered a global fanbase,…

[tamuemmapearson]

How Social Media Has Changed the Game for Car Reviews

If you are a car enthusiast like me, you have probably watched a car review or two.

Just recently Toyota announced the all-new 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and the thought struck me: Car reviews are completely different than they used to be.

Social media has revolutionized the car review scene by creating platforms for anyone to become a car review influencer. Everything from TikToks to full-length YouTube videos, to memes and edits on Instagram, as well as all the classic stuff. No more do us car enthusiasts have to deal with uninformed car shopping. In this blog, we will cover the basic history of car reviews and then tackle how social media has not only changed the game for car reviews but completely made car buying less of a headache for everyone.

Car reviews are not just 30-second YouTube shorts or 15-second TikTok reels. Car Reviews have many forms all with different purposes as well as different strengths and weaknesses. In order to really appreciate the history of car reviews we have to start from the very beginning of car culture itself, where the first car review was invented. In fact, car reviews officially began once the car became a major part of human history.

Before the car, the horse and carriage were the main modes of transportation for humans in the United States. Much like cars, horses and carriages were a symbol of status; where people wanted to have the best of the best. People took their horses to horse shows, and races, and bragged about having the best horse and carriage around, (Ed's Auto Reviews, 2023). Once the car was invented and replaced the horse and carriage, it became a way for people to show off their status in society. Everyone wanted to have the best car. People would take their cars to car meets, and races. The wealthy would have custom cars made for them. Many folks found themselves spending a large portion of their income on a car, which is still true today, (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Cars today are still a symbol of status, and many want to have the best of the best. This created the need for car reviews so that consumers were informed and comforted knowing that they made the right purchase with a car.

The first form of car reviews came from word of mouth, as you could imagine. Car enthusiasts would meet up and discuss their car and recommend a friend to purchase the same car as them, (Ed's Auto Reviews, 2023).

But what is truly the first car review?

Magazines, articles, and ads in the newspaper. Companies such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Car and Track have been in this game for over 70 years. Creating car review magazines that consumers could pay to receive if they were thinking about buying a new car (Koch, 2018). Many of these articles were done by professional journalists and car enthusiasts. Usually, these car review companies offer a subscription for viewers to pay for; which in turn sends them weekly or monthly magazines, (Car and Driver). Car reviews are done on a points scale, where the car is tested for different things and is ranked among other cars. Liked is an example of a magazine from 1975.

This form of car review is professionally done-- which is fine-- except that the car is mystified and it becomes hard to visualize yourself in since the photos are staged and the review is written by a professional. More often than not, car manufacturers will sponsor these car companies to write good reviews for their cars; which can be misleading for the consumer. "Car and Driver is partly supported by advertising, but everything you see on the site or in the magazine is produced by our editors or contributors and adheres to our high standards for quality. To ensure accuracy, our content is fact-checked by the copy department and edited by the testing team to verify technical accuracy. If we do have any content created in partnership with advertisers, we will mark it as such, (Car and Driver)."

Alongside magazines, car reviews were present on television through shows like Top Gear. These production-quality episodes about cars changed the game for car reviews because consumers could now visualize themselves in the car and see footage of the car being tested in different situations. Top Gear is still in production today and makes car reviews in many formats not restricted to just television. Today they make content across all forms of social media as well as streaming platforms. Below is a Top Gear episode from 1989.

Que the invention of the internet. Alongside car review magazines, the common folks-- like us-- created forums where car enthusiasts could discuss their findings about car purchases from their past. Word of mouth from millions of other car buyers alongside continued publication of car review magazines-- now also on the internet-- created the next level of car reviews. Cars.com alongside many other websites fostered a platform where consumers could come and share their thoughts on a vehicle they had purchased. This was the first time we, as consumers, got to give our input and publish it for millions of others to see.

Photo from Cars.Com

Around 2005 YouTube was invented, (Wikipedia). YouTube opened the car review film sector up to the public so that anyone could create a video about their car--much like a review on Cars.com-- and share it with millions of people. These videos were way less professional than episodes from companies like Top Gear and made car reviews more accessible and relatable to the average citizen than any form of car review previously.

You may have heard of people like Doug DeMuro, Donut Media, Throttle House and many more. All of which sprouted from their decision to make car reviews on YouTube. Not all car reviews on YouTube are sponsored by car manufacturers since some are considered undeveloped. For those that are sponsored the sponsorship must be disclosed to the viewer, (Federal Trade Commission). This means that reviews on YouTube can be crude and honest about the imperfections of a car without fear of upsetting the car manufacturer. The average citizen could look up any car they wanted to purchase and watch as many videos as published to decide if they wanted to purchase the car or not. Reviews are honest and viewers can comment on the video to request more specific details from the person reviewing the car. Buying a car was the easiest it had ever been thanks to social media!

But wait...there's more.

We aren't done yet. YouTube was just the beginning of how social media began to revolutionize car reviews and make car buying the easiest it has ever been.

Enter TikTok.

The invention of the short video revolutionized social media. All social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram added some aspect of short videos into their platforms because TikTok was such a hit when it came to drawing attention from the audience. Because of this, car reviews eventually took the form of short video reviews alongside long ones. These reviews are typically not as in-depth as full-length reviews but highlight a lot of the key features that people want to know about in a car. Short videos make the car review process less time-consuming and more accessible to anyone who doesn't want to sit down and watch a 30-minute Doug DeMuro car review video. This form of car review allowed for an even broader audience to become informed about the car they may want to purchase.

All forms of car reviews still exist to this day, and all of them benefit from each other when the other is lacking in a specific area. Take the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser for example.

There is a Car and Driver article about it in case someone wants to know that their information is coming from professionals:

https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/land-cruiser

A Reddit Forum for anyone to comment whatever they want to say about the new Land Cruiser:

A Top Gear Episode. A cinematic masterpiece about the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser :

A YouTube Review. For people who want in-depth footage of the all-new Land Cruiser:

And most recently, YouTube Shorts and TikToks for those who don't have time to watch a 30-minute video:

What's so cool about the car community is that although there are different eras and forms of car reviews, all of them have their place and have different functions.

Personally, I watch SEVERAL car reviews on YouTube before I buy a car. I find myself watching car reviews while I'm cooking, cleaning, bored, or just plain relaxing. I also read articles from Motor Trend and Car and Driver. I watch episodes from Top Gear as well as TikToks about the car I want to purchase. At this point, I am obsessed with it and will be purchasing a 2024 Land Cruiser once I can get my grubby hands on one. Here I am watching a review from @savagegeese on YouTube while making dinner.

With the invention of social media came platforms where many car enthusiasts can find communities of like-minded individuals and express their thoughts and opinions about different cars. Car reviews now come in many different forms and styles. All different doors have opened for anyone with some creativity to become content creators for car reviews.

Now, creators like Sarah-n-Tuned, TFL, Redline Reviews, Car Confections, and many more can gain popularity, and grow a following on YouTube as well as other forms of social media. Car review audiences began to trust creators like Doug De Muro and now anticipate his review of any car just as much as a Top Gear episode or a Car and Driver article. Because of this shift, people like Doug DeMuro, Throttle House, and Dount Media became their own intenties in the car buying process.

Buyers take the time to look at reviews for a car before buying it. Car manufacturers began shaking in their boots once they realized that the average citizen could become informed and no longer would be subject to buying pieces of crap from dealerships. Awareness of quality and performance is skyrocketing and car manufacturers are now held to a new standard thanks to car reviews from social media.

Many car manufacturers now host events where car influencers can come and create content about a new car; to help market their product to the people who trust car influencers. When the new Land Cruiser was released, Toyota hosted an event where many influencers such as Doug, Toyota Jeff, TFL, and many others got to come out and test drive the Land Cruiser on offroad terrain. This led to content creation, brand awareness, as well as (sort of) free advertising for Toyota's new car. This mutually beneficial relationship between influencer and company has worked well in the favor of car manufacturers who create reliable consumer-friendly vehicles such as Toyota. This has also led to improved reliability in other car brands.

Here is a video from TFL from when they went to the Toyota Land Cruiser event.

Social media has played a huge role in evolving the car review in the last couple of years. Honestly, in my opinion, it is the reason more consumers are making informed purchases on their vehicles. I believe that social media has changed how car manufacturers produce their cars since they now know that if they produce a crap product it will not succeed in the eyes of car reviews. I believe that overall the car buying process is much easier with the invention of short car reviews and accessible content to all who have internet access. Anyone can be scrolling on TikTok and find a short and sweet car review. Car reviews have evolved from word of mouth to car magazines and episodes. From online articles and forums, YouTube reviews, and finally short videos and reels. Social media has had a major impact on growing the car community by creating car review influencers and creating a more informed car market where car manufacturers are held to higher standards to make better products.

And that, my friends, is the history of how the car review came to be what it is today. Thanks for reading.

Sources:

Koch, Jeff. (2018, September 23rd). Old Car Magazines. Hemmings.com. https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/old-car-magazines

(2023, September 8th). Consumer Expenditures--2022. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cesan.nr0.htm#:~:text=Overall%2C%20housing%20accounted%20for%20the,5.0%20percent%20of%20total%20expenditures.

About Car and Driver. Car and Driver. https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/

YouTube. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube#:~:text=YouTube%20is%20an%20American%20online,three%20former%20employees%20of%20PayPal

Ed's Auto Reviews. (2023, March 1st). Get Together: The History of Car Culture. YouTube. https://youtu.be/gydSNQurI-Q

FTC Endorsement Guides: What People Are Asking. Federal Trade Commission. https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking

[gemstone-autos]

NEW CAR REVIEW POSTED TODAY

GMC DENALI... A walk around at the Auto show... Enjoy :)

[motorvibez]

Looking for the best cars for long road trips can be way trickier than it sounds. You've got adults and kids expecting a ton from their ride, day in, day out. Luckily, car companies are stepping up, giving families a ton to choose from.