Category: Automotive Reviews

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Quick Take: 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line SX Turbo AWD

EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan takes a test drive in a 2027 Kia Seltos X-Line SX Turbo AWD, which takes a design page from its new big brother Telluride with a cool, chunkier, round-edged look. There’s a prominent sculpted black chrome-accented grill with squared-off LED headlights; black spoked alloy wheels wearing 19-inch KUMHO Majesty rubber; and geometric LED taillights following the tailgate’s lower shape.

This is a cool design, a subcompact that’s almost 2 inches longer, just over an inch wider, and has a 2.4-inch longer wheelbase than the last gen. Inside this crossover with 8.1-inches of ground clearance is a dark gray-on-gray plastic interior with some silver trim awaits, padded surfaces in touchable areas. There’s a wide digital display – 30 inch’s worth – with configurable info screens. The leather-like Syn Tex leatherette bucket seats were very comfortable and just supportive enough.

In back, very roomy rear seating with rear air vents, while the rear power hatch opens high to a 27.8-cu.ft. cargo area.

Under the bonnet, a sprightly turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 190 hp and 195 lb.-ft. of torque, front-biased all-wheel-drive and an 8-speed transmission. There’s solid performance in Normal mode, usable in day-to-day driving, with 60 mph in 7.9 seconds. We had a fairly strong launch in Sport mode, 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. The Seltos was quiet at highway speed except for some tire and side mirror wind noise. Ride motions were well controlled, secure cornering with a touch of body roll.

So read lots more about this – 2027 Kia Seltos Gives Off More Compact Telluride Vibes – plus more interior and exterior images by EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan. And check out lots more views of EV, PHEV and ICE vehicles at EV Rider.

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Quick Take: 2026 Kia Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige AWD

EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan takes a test drive in a 2026 Kia Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige AWD – the South Korean manufacturer’s more powerful, and more fuel-efficient hybrid electric SUV.

This design is all-new, atop a 2.7-inch longer wheelbase topped with a 2.3-inch longer body. And this second-gen has softened angles that help make it pretty slippery for an SUV. The grill is framed by dual LED stripes with stacked headlight units. The fenders have a faceted shape, which look cool.

Inside, room in front and second rows done in supple, stitched black pleather with woodgrain accents on the dashboard, doors and center console – plus flow-through head restraints. There’s a wide curved dash display incorporating two 12.3-inch screens. Back doors open wide to roomy twin captain’s chairs. And that third-row bench seat offers OK leg room if the second row moves forward. Cargo space is solid.

Under the bonnet, a familiar 2.5-liter inline gas engine with 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, a boost from the regular Telluride’s turbocharged 2.5-liter gas engine with 274 hp. There’s two electric drive motors, one connected to the engine, the other integrated into the 6-speed transmission, with a 1.65-kWh lithium-ion battery. The Telluride HEV easily hits 60 mph in 6.3 seconds in Sport mode – and often averaged 30 mpg.

So read lots more about this – 2026 Kia Telluride HEV Ups Efficiency, Lowers Ride Height – plus more interior and exterior images by EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan. And check out lots more views of EV, PHEV and ICE vehicles at EV Rider.

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Quick Take: 2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan takes a test drive in a 2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing – all light blades and Corvette power for four, a design that harkened back to the cool ‘69 Eldorado’s front and rear light designs.

This midsize Cadillac was redesigned for 2020, and refreshed last year, sitting wide and very low on 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport rubber, with blue brake calipers visible ‘tween gloss black alloy wheel spokes. The lower air intake is deep and flanked by brake intakes. And there’s a deep carbon fiber lower air dam – carbon fiber rear spoiler too.

Its two-tone interior is black over tan leather with white piping on the seat’s prominent bolsters on carbon fiber-shelled buckets. The 33-inch diagonal advanced curved LED display gets a configurable gauge screen with Sports, Touring or simple digital speed readouts.

And it seamlessly flows into a wide-screen navigation map, or performance gauges (power/torque, engine stats and G-Force for one). The back seats have lots of leg and head room, with rear a/c vents – but the sloping roofline means you have to duck to get in. Still, decent room for four adults, and a decent (11.7-cu.ft.) trunk.

The fun part – supercharged 6.2-liter, cast alloy 16-valve OHV V-8 with 668 hp at 6,500 rpm, and 659 lb-ft of torque at a low 3,600-rpm. -good for 3.5 seconds to 60 mph in Launch Control. And with a five-link independent rear with coil springs, plus Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control, it handles very well – almost like a Vette.

So read lots more about this – 2026 CT5-V Blackwing: Cadillac’s 4-Door ‘Corvette’ – plus more interior and exterior images by EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan. And check out lots more views of EV, PHEV and ICE vehicles at EV Rider.

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Quick Take: 2026 Range Rover SE LWB

EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan takes a test drive in a 2026 Range Rover SE LWB – 207 inches of aluminum-bodied luxury SUV with 46 years of off-road heritage born from legendary World War II – born predecessor. It is squareness curved and carved into the slick .29 coefficient of drag.

It’s got a decent 8.67 inches of ground clearance – then you tap in its highest 11.6-inch ground clearance setting via its 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Its sleek shape cleaves through the wind with nary a sound.

The interior is black stitched leather joined by matte wood and buff alloy, still elegant, simple and very stylish. The leather seats up front require you to tap into menus for heat/cooling, lumbar support and vent positions.

A small refrigerator lies under the padded center armrest. It takes too many taps to get into menus, while some touchscreen buttons take multiple taps to input. But you can just ask “Hey Range Rover, and voice command lots of things.

Its long rear doors allow easy access to roomy leather bench seats with outboard heating/cooling and individual screens to stream video. You can power the 60/40 second row forward to get in the third row, with just enough room for two adults between cup holders. A clamshell rear power hatch has a carpeted lower one that becomes a shaded seat.

And along with being quick – 60 mph in 5.8 seconds with quick, slick shifts – it felt agile, easily cornering on asphalt as we averaged as high as 22 mpg. There’s also low range and dual locking differentials, plus a multi-camera system with Ground View that shows a simulation of what’s under the hood via a delayed image from the nose camera. We easily went over serious sand and scrub with no issues and a smooth ride.

So read lots more about this – Luxury Gets Dirty: 2026 Range Rover SE LWB – plus more interior and exterior images by EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan. And check out lots more views of EV, PHEV and ICE vehicles at EV Rider.

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Quick Take: 2027 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro

EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan takes a test drive in a 2027 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro, a longer, taller and more macho second-gen version of the company’s solid SUV – this version set up for more off-road play, plus 7-seat comfort.

It’s 199.2 inches in length atop a 116.9-inch wheelbase (2.3 and 2.7 inches longer respectively). The blunt grill gets rows of flat black squares capped with vertical LED lights and amber DRL slashes. A blunt black bumper gets gold tow hooks under a broad hood ‘tween angular, faceted front fenders. In back, a hint of Range Rover with tall, slim LED taillights.

The interior is roomy – a wide curved dash display incorporating two, 12.3-inch screens, showing speed, rpm, even off-road pitch and roll. Back doors open wide to access twin captain’s chairs – you can slide fore and aft for more rear seat room. The third-row bench seat of this 7-seater, with good head room, but tight leg room. Plenty of cargo space here too, especially as the back rows fold flat,

There’s a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder producing 274 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. It’s hooked to an 8-speed automatic transmission, capable of towing up to 5,000 lbs. It can hit 60 mph in 7.9 seconds. It’s got a comfortable ride, just taut enough. And it tackled bumpy sand in a pine wood, lots of branches, roots and depressions around, and traction was fine.

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So read lots more about this – 2027 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro Adds Star Wars Fun  – plus more interior and exterior images by EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan. And check out lots more views of EV, PHEV and ICE vehicles at EV Rider.

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Quick Take: 2026 Dodge Charger R/T Six Pack

EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan takes a test drive in a 2026 Dodge Charger R/T Six Pack – and it does mean a six cylinder engine with twin turbos and 420-hp/468 lb-ft of torque. This red 5-door – yes, it’s a slick hatchback with more than enough design hints hearkening back to the ’69 model – sure got some reaction among MOPAR fans.

It’s longer and larger than the predecessor, but hides it well in its sleek design. There’s cool rear fender shoulders like the ’69; meaty Goodyear Eagle rubber all-round; and a fastback rear with dual exhaust tips.

The interior is roomy, with lots of space for up to five – and it’s got a hatchback to carry stuff. The front seats are sporty, the leatherette-swathed dashboard with accent lights and twin screens. There’s a retro-style pistol grip shifter, while the digital displays can show engine gauges, 0-60 mph timers, G-force, quarter-mile times, and more. There’s solid, and modern tech too.

There’s frameless side windows – but no manual door release, only buttons. And while the swoopy roofline means folks may have to duck to get in the back seat, it’s roomy and comfy, with a long cargo area in back.

Power – no HEMI, but our Hurricane six had meaty idle and a solid growl under pressure from its twin pipes – complete with a very HEMI-like “whoomp!” on each upshift. It’s quick – not Hellcat quick, but just over 4 seconds to 60 is nice, and it pulls about 17 mpg when played with. Handling was solid too with all wheel drive – really good in cornering and great in stopping power.

So read lots more about this – 2026 Dodge Charger R/T Sixpack Puts In Solid Performance – plus more interior and exterior images by EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan.And check out lots more views of EV, PHEV and ICE vehicles at EV Rider.

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Quick Take: 2026 Cadillac Lyriq V

EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan takes a test drive in a 2026 Cadillac Lyriq V – a serious performance version of one of the 104-year-old American car company’s most stunning crossovers. And it lives on a very high-tech Ultium EV platform, so it is all out electric.

The exterior is stunning – low, wide and aggressively planted on 22-inch Continental PremiumContact 6 performance tires. Lyriq-V has aggression – a black chrome accent bar atop the illuminated grill; working side vents inboard of the headlight; and a deep lower front air intake with aggressive air dam below. The sloped rear window is framed by an LED light bar that rides down D-pillar/hatchback edges, then flows above a neat spoiler in black.

Inside, quilted, bolstered black leather bucket seats and a myriad of power adjustments as well as gentle massage, heating and cooling, surrounded by stitched black leather and matte silver accents as dark wood wraps around you. The AKG sound system’s 23 speakers sounded great. The driver faces a 33-inch curved glass screen, with a configurable gauge display that also showcases EV info, navigation and more. There’s solid room for two in back, then 28 cubic feet of storage behind that, 60.8 if you power fold the split rear seats, and more room under the floor.

Power comes solely from twin electric motors with 615 hp/650 lb-ft. of torque, all of it available in Velocity Max drive mode. Tour mode gave us 515 hp and a quick launch to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. But tap in Velocity Max, which allows Launch Control, and there’s no wheelspin – but lots of warp speed – as we hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, as confirmed by an E/T readout. It handles curving roads well, brakes very well, and delivers an EPA-estimated 285 miles of range.

So read lots more about this – 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V Rips With 615 HP Of Smoothness – plus more interior and exterior images by EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan.And check out lots more views of EV, PHEV and ICE vehicles at EV Rider.

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Quick Take: 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring EV

EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan takes a test drive in the long, low Lucid Air Grand Touring – an ultra-lux EV sedan with a whispery .197 coefficient of drag, yet a sinuous shape with flowing edges, slit lights and deep front air intake. It glides on 21-inch wheels wearing low-profile Pirelli P-ZERO rubber – and wherever I parked, it got looks.

The sweeping dashtop gets tan double stitching, plus wood and alloy trim below with grey alpaca wool underneath. The windshield flows overhead, connected to a laminated glass roof.

A sweeping 34-inch arc of digital display places speedometer and information straight ahead, with plush leather seating front and rear – and 90-degree opening doors – the sloping rear roofline meaning one must duck to get into the tan leather rear bench seat. That 28-speaker Revel Ultima audio sounded great. And under the rear power hatch, a large carpeted cargo area.

Power comes solely from a dual-motor system with all-wheel-drive and 819 hp – a 3-second 0–60 mph, and up to a 512-mile range. There’s Launch Control – good for 60 mph in a blistering, drama-free 2.7 seconds. That said, it’s ride was composed, plush, with a neutral feel in corner – very composed. Its skateboard chassis shows 10 lithium-ion battery cell packs mounted low. Recharging at Level III, going from 10% to 80% takes roughly 20 minutes.

So read lots more about this – Swift Transit: 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring EV – plus more interior and exterior images by EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan.And check out lots more views of EV, PHEV and ICE vehicles at EV Rider.

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Quick Take: 2026 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label

EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan takes a test drive in a 2026 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Black Label – a third-generation midsize luxury crossover done in pearl white metallic paint on 22-inch Goodyear Eagle GT rubber wrapped around 10-spoke bladed wheels. LED headlights, taillights and accents, along with some serious gloss black dressed up our Lincoln like a white tuxedo-clad Fred Astaire. Sculpted flanks and a low, black roof add more presence..

The interior starts with a dramatic wraparound screen with drivers information, navigation, audio info, even a media screen on the far right that only the passenger can see. Then perched on a buff wood trim with pinpoint steel dots is an 11.1-inch-wide infotainment screen for Home Screen (map and audio), or car functions, info screens, etc.

There’s a 28-speaker Revel Ultima audio that sounded great. The front seats are comfy, while wide back doors open to more leather and suede in a roomy 3-person bench seat with great head and leg room, and a long moonroof overhead. And under the rear power hatch, a large carpeted cargo area.

Power comes solely from a turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive. It’s quick – 60 mph in a decent 7.2 seconds. The ride is plush and very comfortable, handling secure with all wheel drive.

So read lots more about this – 2026 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label: Worthy Of Luxury Label – plus more interior and exterior images by EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan.And check out lots more views of EV, PHEV and ICE vehicles at EV Rider.

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Quick Take Review: 2026 Jeep Cherokee Laredo Limited

EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan takes a test drive in a 2026 Jeep Cherokee Laredo Limited – the new generation, built in Toluca, and based on Stellantis’ STLV Large platform – and it’s a hybrid.

It starts with the trademarked 7-slot grill, with squared-off fender flares, black lower door sill accents and squared-off-rear hatchback. The design, echoing other larger Jeeps, echoes them – handsome and up to date, but a hint of classic.

The interior has a comfortable, perforated white leatherette seat facing a thick stitched leather-rimmed squircle (squared circle) steering wheel. There’s a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment touchscreen with real volume knob and a good Alpine sound system. There’s big cup holders, and lots of room under the center armrest.

There’s decent room in the driver’s seat, although a touch more leg room would be cool. Back seat leg room is really nice, as is head room. The seatbacks do a 60/40 split and fold flat to expand a seriously big (33.6 cubic feet) cargo area, expanding it to 68.3 cubic feet.

And under the hood, a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder – the gas engine has 177-hp, paired with dual electric motors for a combined total output of 210 hp and 230 pound-feet of torque. There’s a CVT (continuously variable transmission) and standard all-wheel drive. This Jeep’s front – and rear axle – are hooked in to the gas engine. It can handle some off-road driving, with a “Low Gear” setting. It’s quick – in Sport, the Cherokee hits 60 in 8.2 seconds as the engine and electric motors work well together. And there’s an estimated 500-plus mile range from the hybrid powerplant.

So read lots more about this – 2026 Jeep Cherokee Laredo Limited Gets Electrified – plus more interior and exterior images by EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan.And check out lots more views of EV, PHEV and ICE vehicles at EV Rider.