The Fast Lane Car

Review: The 2012 Range Rover is still the most prestigious large SUV roaming the planet

The legendary British Range Rover SUV still can’t be topped for snob appeal, and few—if any—can match its luxury and impressive off-road abilities.

The large, beautifully crafted Range Rover is priced at $79,425 to $94,820 and shares its V-8 with Jaguar  One engine is a 5-liter V-8 with 375 horsepower. The other is a supercharged version of that engine with a whopping 510 horsepower.

Both engines work with a responsive, smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission, with manual shifting mode. 

I tested the 2012 Range Rover with the 375-horsepower V-8, which is rated at 12 miles per gallon in the city and 18 on highways. But the range is decent because a driver should be able to get 20 miles per gallon during steady highway driving, and the fuel tank capacity is 27.6 gallons.

Review: The 2012 Chevy Equinox fits like an Italian suit & drives like a classic Caddy

Chevrolet’s 2012 Equinox crossover fit me like an Italian suit. The leather driver’s seat hugged, the interior cocooned, the handsome exterior tidily enclosed. Too bad I don’t want to wear—or drive—something resembling an Italian suit every single day.

A crossover is a blend of car and sport-utility vehicle, and is meant to provide families and empty-nester types with the best of both worlds: Car-like sensations with SUV-style usefulness.

The Equinox unquestionably succeeds at the former: Its exterior looks like a second skin pulled over proportionate and brawny shoulders and chest—the front end, fenders, and hood swell in appealing ways. Plus the Equinox strikes a compact stance, and the numbers bear out the notion: At 15-plus feet (188 inches), the Chevy is shorter than a Toyota Camry sedan.

Video Review: Is the 2012 Infiniti EX35 AWD a Crossover, a station wagon, or a sports car?

Is the 2012 Infiniti EX35 AWD a Crossover, or a station wagon, or a sports car?

With 297 horsepower and direct and responsive steering it certainly drives like a sports car.

But with 5 doors, all-wheel-drive and a taller ride height with folding backseats it certainly looks like a Crossover. And just like a classic station wagon it will haul you and your stuff to the nearest ski resorts.

So what exactly is this stylish Infiniti? Check out this Fast Lane Car video first drive review to find out.

Plus, as an extra bonus, Nathan does a "serious" review of the 2012 Infiniti EX35 AWD at the very end. Does he fit? Click play below to find out.

Video Review: The 2012 Range Rover Evoque takes on the snowy & muddy Colorado Mountains

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque looks like it belongs in downtown London.

With concept car styling, this baby Range Rover is right at home cruising the street of Peoria or Peking, but what about the rutted and muddy off-road trails of the Colorado Mountains? 

Does the Evoque live up to Range Rover's hard-won reputation of off-road ruggedness? And does the 2012 Range Rover Evoque have what it takes to get you and your stuff to your favorite backwoods fishing or hunting spot?

We recently had the chance to see just how well this newest turbo-charged Range Rover Evoque drives when the road turns snowy, muddy and rocky in this Colorado Mountain off-road review.

The results were surprising.

Just click play below.

Video review: We take the 2012 Nissan Xterra on an African Safari in Texas

The 2012 Nissan Xterra is the last of the breed of the old school body on frame very off-road worthy SUV's.

For 2012 it carries on almost entirely unchanged with a 4.0-liter V6 that produces 261 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 281 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. That's plenty of power to move heavy duty SUV over any hills, mountains or obstacles that you may need to cross.

We recently had the chance to take the 2012 Nissan Xterra on a photo Safari in Medina Texas. Yes, a real safari with Zebras and Wildebeest.

How did the aging Xterra do?

Check out this Fast Lane Car off-road Fast Take review.

Video Review: Top 5 Fun Facts you probably don't know about the 2011 KIA Sporatge

The 2011 KIA Sportage Turbo is a small crossover that with a all-wheel-drive and a 260 horsepower turbo.

But you probably already knew that, but did you know that the KIA's turn signals are up-side-down?

This may seem odd but 2011 KIA Sportage Turbo is a very unique car. It is available with a giant panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled seat (that's right seat) and perhaps most interesting of all it will blow the doors off many sports cars in a drag race.

In fact the 2011 KIA Sportage Turbo is the fastest KIA sold in America.

We recently had the chance to drive the Sportage Turbo both on and off-road and we came away impressed at the tidy package and unique styling.

Check out this first drive review as we reveal five fun facts about the KIA Sportage that you didn't know.

Review: The redesigned 2011 BMW X3 is now a worthy 'baby' X5

The redesigned second-generation BMW X3 is larger and roomier, providing fast acceleration and nearly sports-sedan handling and good utility. There are only minor trim changes for 2012.

This  2011 model is larger and looks much like a “baby” BMW X5. It’s 3.4 inches longer, 1.1 inch wider and half an inch taller than its predecessor. It also has a slightly longer wheelbase and a little more ground clearance. Yet it weighs less than its predecessor.

The $36,750 four-door X3 xDrive 28i model, which I tested, comes with a 3-liter, six-cylinder engine generating 240 horsepower. Although down from the 2010 version’s 260 horsepower, it provides strong acceleration with high revs and should satisfy most X3 buyers.

Off-road video review: The 2012 Range Rover Evoque takes on Whistler Mountain

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is a concept car that you can buy. Sure you can take it on the road, but is it off-road worthy, and can it take on the tough stuff that is the trademark of the Range Rover brand?

We recently had the chance to drive the newest and smallest Range Rover up Whistler Mountain in British Columbia, Canada.

With 240 HP and all-wheel-drive and a all-terrain response system the 2012 Range Rover Evoque certainly has the credentials to go off-road.

But can it get to the top of Whistler Mountain without a chairlift.

In the first drive video review below we had the chance to find out.

Review: the 2011 Nissan Murano is the Cameron Diaz of new gen crossovers

The 2011 Nissan Murano hardtop crossover combines sporty looks, good handling and utility.

The 2011 second-generation Nissan Murano—one of the original “crossover” vehicles—benefits from improved styling and a solid reputation for comfort, performance and utility.

The technically advanced Murano was introduced seven years ago and was overhauled for 2009. While no beauty queen despite a sculptured exterior, the latest Murano looks better, thanks to a revised grille and front bumper and freshened taillights. There are redesigned standard 18-inch aluminum wheels and 20-inch alloy wheels for the top-line LE trim level.

2012 Wrangler Unlimited review: A much needed upgrade to the iconic Jeep

Few things are more American than a bottle of Coca-Cola or a Jeep.

Jeep wisely decided to expand its line with the addition of its larger, more comfortable four-door Wrangler Unlimited in 2007. The two-door Wrangler model continued, but the Unlimited soon became—and is—the only Jeep for serious sustained road travel.

The Unlimited also became the first four-door convertible with a soft or removable hard top. It retained Jeep’s traditional features, which include a seven-slot grille and round headlights.

Is the new 2011 Ford Explorer Colorado mountain trail off-road worthy?

The new 2011 Ford Explorer is a kinder, gentler and more civilized SUV than the previous model it now replaces.

It comes in a four wheel drive model that uses modern electronics to help the car when the road turns rough. But is it Colorado mountain off-road worthy?

Unlike the previous generation of the Explorer, the new model is no longer built like a "traditional" body on frame SUV.

For some of off-road purist that means that the new Explorer is no longer as off-road worthy as the last model.

We wanted to find out.

So we took the 2011 Explorer for a off-road review in the Colorado Mountains to see if it still had the chops to go where other more dirt oriented cars and SUV's have gone before.

We dialed in the new Explorer's electronics to rock and mud mode, and set out up the mountain.

The results?

Please watch the video below to find out.

2012 Jeep Wrangler Pentastar video review: a faster smoother more powerful classic

The 2012 Jeep Wrangler finally gets the new Chrysler Pentastar V-6 engine and 5 speed automatic or 6 speed manual transmission to not only compete in today's crowded Crossover and SUV segment, but rule the off-road world.

More power and more torque, better gas mileage, and the same base price.

What's not to like?

For 2012 the Wrangler with the new 285 HP Pentastar V-6 is has earned a 17/21 mpg city/highway rating from the EPA and it gets a combined 18 mpg city/highway.

The out-going Wrangler with the old 3.8-liter V-6 that was rated for 202 HP and came equipped with either a 4 speed automatic or a 5 speed manual transmission. For 2012 the Jeep Wrangler not only gets the new more powerful and lighter aluminum motor, but more gears making it now a completely modern off and on-road machine.

Check out our first drive video review of the 2012 Wrangler below.

Review: Is the 2011 Ford Explorer good enough for 'Smelly Toddler?'

The 2012 Ford Explorer is a major departure from the Explorer of yesteryear. I’ve never been a fan of the previous Explorer as it consumed like a full size vehicle while not providing quite enough space. I’m not the only one who had issues; Ford’s sales of the Explorer severely dropped off over the past few years.

Rather than reinvent the Explorer as a small truck, again, they opted for something completely different. The 2012 Ford Explorer became a crossover. This was a risky move for Ford and I applaud their cajónes – they truly went for something new.

Technology review: the 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV makes for the perfect driveway Drive-in

The Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum is jumbo in so many ways. Its physical size is ginormous, its price tag is nearing outrageous at $88,620 and the technology features are abundant.

I have a thing for technology in cars. My neighbors usually see me parked in my driveway for a couple of hours at a time, putting a car through its technological paces and the Escalade is no different. The biggest hit for me is its Infotainment system. There are a total of five screens, two remotes and six sets of wireless headphones in this bad boy.

Video review: Is the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 road, track and Autobahn worthy?

The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is capable of over 160 MPH.

It has a 465 HP HEMI 6.4L engine, massive Brembo brakes, all-wheel-drive, 20 inch wheels, and unlike the previous model of this top dog Jeep it can even tow your jet ski. In fact it can tow up to 5000 pounds.

The one thing the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is not however is Trail Rated. This fastest and most powerful of all Jeeps is more at home on the track than on the Rubicon Trail.

But just because it can carve corners doesn't mean that it is cool and comfortable on the highway or at much higher speeds on the autobahn worthy?

We recently had the chance to drive the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 on both the road and the track and we can report that it is certainly in a class all of its own.

Check out the first drive video review to see how the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 tackles both the track, road and highway.