With the exception of the Astro, none of these are as bad as I expected. They’re not great by modern standards, but they’re not terrible either. It’s clear there were generational improvement over cars from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

American management constantly demonstrate their incompetence so I have no reason to believe they’re making smart decisions this time around. Short term profitability doesn’t mean they haven’t set themselves up for failure in the long term.

The only way you see a meaningful gain in economy is to go for a hybrid.

I don’t see how the Higlander is any more boring than these two. They both look like Suburbans with different running lights.

Meh... I wouldn’t call the most recent designs redemption. They’re not ugly, but they’re not particularly compelling either. Hell, I’d argue 80s Camaros, despite some negative associations, were more interesting designs.

If video cards are any indication, then yes, it’s a massive problem there too. That’s to say nothing about the black market. I assume the PS5 isn’t region locked which means it’s only a matter of time before Chinese units start showing up on eBay.

The exterior design is growing on me and the interior is really nice. However, they don’t look like they belong on the same car. The interior has an 80s retro vibe that isn’t matched by the exterior at all. If, instead of looking like a modern Audi A3, the new Civic looked like the Honda e, it would be a perfect fit.

I love how corporate America is always ready with a list of externalities to shirk accountability for their own terrible decisions.

More than anything, this reminds me of the Ridgeline, and I remember that truck being disparaged by some. I suppose it’s done okay over its 16 year run, but even the Nissan Frontier has outsold it by a considerable margin, every single year. The Tacoma? Easily 7x.

There’s an infatuation with slim wheels? The last time thin wheels were in was the early 80s. Everyone’s gotten progressively thicker over the years, with BMW having a history of some of the most obnoxiously thick wheels on the market.

Regardless of personal preferences, a true car enthusiast should be able to appreciate almost anything.

Although the top trim of the US Corolla has grown on me, I think the international version looks better. It’s still got the big mouth, but it’s not quite as aggressive and shares a stronger connection to the Camry. I don’t understand why Toyota of America felt the need to alter the design.

The new Civic somehow simultaneously looks both better and worse than the current gen.

Of course there are exceptions, but serious riders tend to consider value and are not going to splurge on an exclusive bike they actually want to ride. These bikes tend to be aimed posers, especially in the current climate where any form of conspicuous consumption is justified as an investment. Those guys are the sort …

What I want to know is why you’re so upset that I’m critical Volvo?

I don’t particularly care about Tesla and wouldn’t buy one if I had the money to spend. However, I can respect what they’ve been able to accomplish. I find Tesla fanboys as annoying as Volvo fanboys, and there are way too many of them around here..

I’m sure panel gaps on current Volvos are great but that doesn’t make them any less unreliable. Given that this model just launched we’re a long way off from knowing if these EVs are going to fare any better.

Nothing new... Marketing teams are a constant source of embarrassment. Ignoring that, something about the black, red and white Opel is giving me Nissan IDx vibes and now I want to cry.

This is nothing but a bullshit puff piece. Volvo designs some very attractive cars, but there’s nothing particularly special about them, except that they’ve replaced Audi as the hot brand for yuppies. Volvo is coasting on a 40-year-old legacy of safety in an era where everyone’s building cars just as good, if not…

Polished surfaces stay clean longer and are easier to maintain. Brushed, satin finishes accumulate grime more easily and are harder to clean. Brushed surfaces also require additional steps to produce, adding cost. There’s a reason why a lot of stuff is chromed and it’s not just aesthetics.