The Contentious History Of The Term 'SUV' - Jalopnik
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The term "Sport Utility Vehicle" is a contentious one. To a purist, a vehicle needs to feature a ladder frame, a transfer case, and all-wheel drive to qualify as an SUV. But to many members of the general public, being tall and having a rear liftgate is all that it takes to be classified as one. The term has become so diluted that even the Polestar 3, a sleek electric performance vehicle, is marketed as an SUV. It's a prime example of how the goalposts have clearly shifted from utility to image building. But why is the definition of "SUV" so contentious in the first place?
This 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon Has Been Taken to the Next Level
- Cadillac's CTS-V wagon was one of the brand's wilder production cars. This one takes things further.
- The supercharged V-8 has been upgraded to pump out 700 horsepower, and there's a widebody kit to accommodate the rubber that'll put that power to the ground.
For years, American station wagons trumpeted suburban respectability, family values, and a practical approach to life. Not so much this find from Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos), a wild Cadillac CTS-V wagon that takes the whining and fighting out of the back seat and stuffs it under the hood in the form of a piercing supercharger howl and V-8 thunder. Throw in a widebody kit from Canepa Design, and this is the kind of wagon to have the neighborhood locking their doors and peeking out from behind drawn curtains.
This Incredibly Successful Retro-Style Video Game Just Added a Classic Hyundai Pickup Truck
- Dave the Diver is a deceptively simple game with a retro look that's hugely popular.
- The latest expansion pack takes the titular Dave into the jungle, and he's got a 1976 Hyundai Pony pickup truck to help out with the adventures.
- The Pony has developed something of a cult following in South Korea, despite its humble beginnings.
Automakers doing crossovers with video games isn't a new thing, but generally, the games involve realistic racing. For instance, about 10 years back, Hyundai's N division released a wild fuel-cell-powered racing concept specifically meant to be a playable car in Gran Turismo. In this case, however, we've got a global manufacturer lending a battered old red pickup truck to a plucky aquatic hero who's a bit more beluga than shark.
500-HP Viper-V10-Powered Motorcycle Is Up For Sale If You Dare - Jalopnik
The Dodge Tomahawk always rubbed me the wrong way. It's not the idea of a motorcycle wrapped around an enormous car engine that bothered me, but the fact that it has four wheels. Allen Millyard agreed with that assessment and built a proper two-wheeled, Viper-powered motorcycle of his own. And now, it can be yours, as it's going up for auction at the end of July.
This 2026 Ford Escape Trim Level Increases Horsepower without Breaking Your Budget
- The Ford Escape may have ended production, but there are still plenty of 2026 models out there. Buyers can choose from five trim levels and two powertrains in nonhybrid Escapes.
- The ST-Line Select upgrades the Escape's standard 181-hp 1.5-liter three-cylinder to a 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, adding considerable power.
- The ST-Line Select also shares styling and interior materials with the highest-level trim, making it a cost-effective choice.
See Our Comprehensive Ford Escape Make-Model Page
Ferrari Says It 'Didn't Expect' The Level Of Hate The $640,000 Luce EV Got - Jalopnik
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You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who really, really likes the Ferrari Luce. Sure, the storied Italian automaker has built controversial cars in the past (the Purosangue, FF and F50 spring to mind), but none of them have garnered the same sort of hate that the company's first pure-electric vehicle, first sedan and first five-seater have. That has apparently caught Ferrari by surprise.
New United Airlines Trial Allows Passengers To Drop Off Their Checked Bags The Night Before Flights - Jalopnik
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For many, the most aggravating part of the commercial airline experience as a passenger is waiting in line. One airline is exploring ways to make the line to its check-in counter move more efficiently. United Airlines began testing out an early drop-off baggage program called "Twilight Drop Bag" last weekend at Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Guam International Airport. The Chicago-based carrier is also teasing to take the concept one step further with free at-home bag pick-up.
These States Have Rules In Place That Let You Rescue Dogs From Hot Cars - Jalopnik
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Thanks to ongoing public-awareness campaigns, most people nowadays realize that leaving your children in a hot car can quickly have fatal results — not that the knowledge has ended the practice. In fact, another 37 children died just last year as a result, bringing the death toll since 1990 to at least 1,172. And while it doesn't make the news as often, pet parents face the same sort of tragedies every year. According to PETA, for instance, 151 companion animals died from heat-related causes in 2025 alone, many of them dogs confined in hot vehicles. Remember that even the best cars for dogs can become death traps on a warm day.
Maserati Just Gave the Grecale Folgore a Big Discount That's Enough to Buy a New Fiat Topolino Too
- The 2027 Maserati Grecale Folgore starts at $98,995, which is over $22K less than last year's model.
- Previously, Maserati's compact luxury EV SUV had a $121,290 base price, so the new Folgore represents a significant discount.
- Not only did the 2027 Grecale Folgore get a price cut, but it also has a longer estimated driving range and several styling tweaks.
You're forgiven if you forgot that Maserati makes an electric version of the Grecale called the Folgore. However, if you're one of the handful of people who recently bought one, you might want to stop reading this right now, but if you're in the market for a new electric compact luxury SUV with a trident badge, you're about to hear some very interesting news. For 2027, Maserati has drastically dropped the base price of the Grecale Folgore by over $22,000. The Italian marque also gave an even bigger discount to the electric GranTurismo.
What's The Fastest Way To Repair A Flat Tire? - Jalopnik
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It would be nice if tires would give you a chance to check your calendar first before they go flat, but tires are not considerate that way. So, what should you do if you get a flat tire and have someplace you need to be? Do you have to go through the trouble of changing the tire, or is there some quick repair you can do alongside the road? The answer is, it depends on the damage, but there are definitely ways to fix your tire yourself.