Quick Review: 2013 Mercedes-Benz S550 Last Drive

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz S550 remains a popular flagship luxury sedan, even as the 2014 model’s debut is just around the corner. Recently, we had the opportunity to evaluate the 2013 S550 sedan on a road trip that included highway, stop-and-go, and winding road driving conditions. So how did the car perform?

MT Staff Picks: The Best and Worst Cars We Drove in 2011

Another of the many end-of-2011 blogs pitched to other editors on Motor Trend’s WOT blogs, this controversial post asked many editors — myself included as the third contributor — to comment on the best and worst vehicles they’d driven throughout 2011. I’m privileged to drive and review anything at all, and this proved to be a bit of a challenge.

First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg U.S. Spec

Photo by Zach Gale

A mere $1305 is all that separates the five-passenger 2011 Volkswagen Touareg from the seven-passenger Audi Q7. So who is really going to purchase a Volkswagen over a similarly priced Audi?

First Test: 2011 Infiniti M37

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The 2011 Infiniti M is an ambitious car. Not only must it compete in the ultra-competitive midsize luxury sedan segment against the likes of the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but the M also carries the load as Infiniti’s flagship.

First Drive: 2010 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4×4

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The 2010 Nissan Pathfinder SE is a solid entry in an otherwise dwindling segment. As crossovers become all the rage, the Pathfinder is one of the few offerings left on the market that’s still designed for buyers looking for a rugged, seven-passenger SUV that can tow and go off-roading.

First Drive: 2010 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring

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“Vicious” is the only way to describe competition in the seven-passenger crossover segment, especially at the price level of the 2010 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring. If you can spend nearly 40 grand on a large crossover, you’re presented with more than 10 vehicles.

First Drive: 2010 Infiniti EX35

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The Infiniti EX35 is the most attractive vehicle in its class, but that’s partly because it’s difficult to determine how to classify the stylish hatchback.

First Test: 2011 Jaguar XJL Supercharged

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Jaguar’s all-new 2011 XJ has little room for error. Its competitive set is growing to include more than just the usual suspects from Mercedes-Benz and BMW. New threats from Germany (next-gen Audi A8) and even Korea (soon-to-arrive Equus) are emerging on the luxury sedan landscape, and the big Brit will need to impress both inside and out to keep pace.

First Look: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

With the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport making its U.S. debut at New York, Mitsubishi has a crossover it can offer starting at less than $20,000. At a length of 169.1 inches, the Outlander Sport is more of a Lancer-alternative than a true compact crossover along the lines of class leaders like the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape.

First Look: 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T is something of a pioneer in the midsize sedan segment, and you can bet other automakers will be closely watching its market performance. On paper…