Author: Mark Jacob

Choosing a first car is about far more than finding something affordable or attractive. For a young driver, the right vehicle should offer predictable handling, strong crash protection, manageable power, good visibility, and reasonable ownership…

The three-row SUV market has become one of the most important battlegrounds in the American automotive industry. Families want the seating capacity and cargo flexibility of a large SUV, but many do not want to…

There is something special about hearing an engine respond naturally to the throttle, with intake noise, mechanical character, and exhaust tone building together as the revs rise. Some cars still deliver that experience without relying…

Rain can reveal weaknesses that remain invisible during a normal test drive. A sunroof may work perfectly on a dry day, yet clogged drains, damaged seals, poorly fitted glass, or blocked drainage channels can eventually…

Rear-end crashes are among the most common collisions on American roads, but the injuries they cause can be difficult to judge from vehicle damage alone. A new rear-impact evaluation from the Insurance Institute for Highway…

Automakers have been sharing platforms, engines, factories, and even entire vehicles for decades, but some partnerships have gone far beyond simply borrowing a few components. In certain cases, two cars from different brands were so…

An electric vehicle can be more than transportation when its battery is designed to send electricity back out. With the right bidirectional charging equipment, some EVs can supply power to a home’s electrical system during…

The compact SUV segment has become one of the most competitive parts of the American vehicle market. Buyers want something easier to park than a three-row SUV, more useful than a sedan, and efficient enough…

There is an important legal distinction behind this headline: in the United States, there is generally no federal law that simply says an owner cannot repair a particular car. However, certain repairs and modifications can…

Few automotive origin stories are as entertaining as the supposed feud between Ferruccio Lamborghini and Enzo Ferrari. The popular version says Lamborghini, already a wealthy tractor manufacturer and Ferrari owner, became frustrated with repeated clutch…

For Americans shopping for a vehicle, the decision is becoming less about finding a favorite badge and more about finding something that will not create expensive problems later. Reliability has emerged as the most frequently…

The compact sedan segment remains one of the smartest places to shop for an affordable new car. Buyers can still get strong fuel economy, useful interior space, modern safety technology, and low running costs without…

The used-car market has entered a very different phase from the frenzy that followed the pandemic. Vehicles that once disappeared from dealer lots within days are now taking considerably longer to find buyers, giving shoppers…

Some vehicles fail because they are badly engineered. Others fail because buyers simply cannot figure out where they fit. The Chevrolet SSR belonged largely to the second category. It was a pickup, but not really…

There was a time when automakers could solve a trade problem with a surprisingly simple piece of equipment. Subaru did exactly that with the BRAT, one of the strangest vehicles ever sold in the United…

Nevada is generally considered a vehicle-friendly state, but that does not mean every vehicle can legally receive a license plate for public roads. The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles enforces federal safety standards, state registration…

The Ford Ranger has returned to the U.S. as a midsize pickup with strong towing ability, a turbocharged engine and a reputation that varies considerably by model year. That makes choosing the right used Ranger…

A failed vehicle inspection does not carry the same consequences everywhere in the United States. In some states, a safety failure can immediately prevent a vehicle from being driven until repairs are completed. In others,…