Driven Car Reviews
334 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 389 ratingsNew York Times contributor and Emmy Award-winning automotive journalist Tom Voelk looks at all things cars.
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Episodes
1,800 Mile Extreme Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Vacation Test!
July 08, 2019 11:00 - 7 minutes - 89.1 MB VideoFor families looking to electrify their commutes, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid may be the easiest way to enter the world of EV driving. Tom Voelk and his family take this roomy minivan long distance to discover the flexibility of plug-in hybrids. And if you don’t learn how awesome vans and plug-in hybrids can be, you’ll discover some great vacation spots in California and Nevada. Full disclosure- Chrysler provided the vehicle for this 10-day trip and Visa gift cards for gas, charging ...
2020 Ford Explorer
July 05, 2019 16:31 - 13 minutes - 158 MB VideoThe vehicle that sparked the SUV craze in 1990 is now gunning to be all things to all buyers. The 6thgeneration Ford Explorer is perfectly at home shuttling the kids, trekking into the wilderness, or hot lapping race tracks. You just need to pick the right model for the job. Tom Voelk takes a look at XLT, Hybrid and ST models at the press event near Portland, Oregon. At the time of publication, E.P.A. estimated fuel economy numbers were not available. The information will be updated when t...
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE450 4MATIC
June 14, 2019 11:00 - 14 minutes - 167 MB VideoLuxury. Technology. The ability crawl over nasty terrain. That sums up the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE450. A direct descent of the M Class that is widely credited for starting the luxury SUV segment (though I remember the Land Rover Range Rover being around) the GLE is the perfect glamping partner. Tom Voelk checks out a fully loaded GLE450 equipped with the 48-Volt E-Active Body Control.
2019 Audi RS 3
June 12, 2019 11:00 - 9 minutes - 110 MB VideoIf you have the wallet, Audi’s RS 3 is happy to show you a good time. Stylish, balanced and wicked fast, it’s a force to be reckoned with. Tom Voelk drives the RS 3 equipped with the Dynamic Package that includes summer performance tires. The question is, is this mighty mouse worth 61 grand?
2020 Kia Telluride SX AWD
June 09, 2019 18:35 - 12 minutes - 143 MB VideoThere are a lot of 3-row crossovers to choose from. Kia’s new 2020 Telluride is a force to be reckoned with. Available in front and all-wheel drive, this family SUV has the room, safety tech, performance, rugged design and value that shoppers are looking for. Tom Voelk spends 10 days in a top trim SX AWD model and finds it to be a top pick in this very competitive segment.
2020 Toyota GR Supra
May 14, 2019 11:00 - 15 minutes - 183 MB VideoIt’s all here! The A90 Toyota GR Supra on the track, rural roads and even everyday lifestyle assessment. Spend time with Supra Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada and find out how his team made the Supra different from its cousin, the BMW Z4. Tom Voelk attends the press launch held at Summit Point Autosports Park in West Virginia and dodges law enforcement on public roads. Toyota provided transportation, lodging and some running footage to this review. You all know opinions are mine.
Mudfest! The 2019 SUV and Pickup of the Year Competition
May 08, 2019 11:00 - 9 minutes - 113 MB VideoWhen it comes to buying an SUV, crossover or pickup it pays to do your research. Fortunately, the Northwest Automotive Press Association has done a lot of it for you for free. Mudfest is an SUV and pickup of the year competition where NWAPA members take two days to judge the newest vehicles on and off-road. Join Tom Voelk and 25 other automotive journalists as they look for the Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year! Special thanks to all the NWAPA members and especially Perry Stern, Rya...
2019 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid
May 03, 2019 04:11 - 17 minutes - 211 MB VideoThere’s nothing like touring the United States in a German Grand Touring car. And if it’s the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid some of that mileage is done without any dinosaur juice at all. It’s an expanded version of Driven! Join Tom and his wife Mariko as the start in Atlanta, GA and work their way to the coast. And meet Ruby.
Rivian R1T Electric Pickup Walkaround
April 27, 2019 00:46 - 5 minutes - 68.4 MB VideoRivian is an interesting new electric vehicle company with backing from Amazon and Ford. Here's a walkaround the R1T pickup truck with Brian Gace, the companies special projects chief engineer. It should answer a lot of questions you might have about the pickup and the R1S SUV that is scheduled to be built in Normal, Illinois. This is not a review. It's simply a way for me to offer you a look at the truck and some of the interesting design elements in it.
2019 Mazda3 Premium AWD Hatchback
April 25, 2019 07:23 - 10 minutes - 128 MB VideoThe 2019 Mazda3 is a car that checks all the boxes. It’s stylish, refined, practical, affordable, fun to sling into turns and available with all-wheel drive. So if you were thinking about a crossover because of inclement weather, the 3 might be an option. Tom Voelk checks out an all-wheel drive Premium hatchback model and finds it to be a top pick in the compact car segment.
2019 Toyota RAV4 AWD Limited
April 17, 2019 11:00 - 11 minutes - 134 MB VideoRemember when the Toyota Camry used to be the most popular car in the U.S? Well, now that sedans aren’t as popular, that baton has been passed to the RAV4. For 2019 it’s all-new with a more rugged look. What’s life like in one after 450 miles? Tom Voelk takes a top-trim Limited model on a road trip and takes a quick look at the Adventure Series as well.
Life With the Jaguar I-Pace HSE
April 10, 2019 11:00 - 12 minutes - 152 MB VideoMore electric vehicles are about to hit the market. What’s it like to live with an EV that has a range over 200 miles? If it’s the Jaguar I-Pace, there’s a lot of fun and a lot less worry about running out of juice. Looks great too. Tom Voelk tests a loaded HSE model and finds out what happens when the temperatures turn very cold.
2019 Lexus UX 250h Luxury
March 27, 2019 11:00 - 12 minutes - 146 MB VideoAutomakers are racing to fill every niche in the crossover market. The Lexus UX is going for the small premium segment. It’s the brands entry-level vehicle. Tom Voelk drives the all-wheel drive UX 250h which is not only the most powerful UX, it’s the most fuel-efficient too because it’s a hybrid. And there’s no drive shaft to the rear wheels. They’re powered by, well, watch the video and find out.
2019 BMW X7
March 20, 2019 11:00 - 14 minutes - 175 MB VideoIt has three rows of seating, standard all-wheel drive and is manufactured in America. Oh, and it’s a BMW. The X7 is the largest vehicle BMW makes. It’s ready to haul your clan in luxury, as long as you have $75,000 for a base xDrive 40i model. Tom Voelk drove from Phoenix, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada with Top Gear Magazine writer Paul Horrell. And they talk politics! And they can’t find the key…
2019 Mercedes-Benz S 560 4MATIC
March 13, 2019 11:00 - 10 minutes - 124 MB VideoThe word “iconic” is over used. Not on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Powerful, elegant and luxurious, rolling up in the S is shorthand for success. Tom Voelk looks at the S 560 4MATIC model that will whisk the wealthy from boardroom to weekend home in style and comfort, whether they drive or are driven.
2020 Kia Soul X-Line and Turbocharged GT-Line
February 27, 2019 12:00 - 12 minutes - 150 MB VideoThe third generation Kia Soul is still a square deal and remains instantly recognizable as a Soul. But Kia did more than just fire the hamsters for the all-new version. Tom Voelk travels to San Diego, CA to drive the rugged looking X-Line and sporty GT-Line equipped with the optional turbocharged engine. Kia added refinement but took away the panoramic roof. Just so you know…
2019 Ford Edge ST
February 20, 2019 12:00 - 10 minutes - 118 MB VideoAs sedans, hatchbacks and wagons disappear from automaker’s lineups, performance enthusiasts have fewer choices. Ford answers with the Edge ST, a crossover with both zoom and family room. It’s quick, comfortable and corners well, but will it lure drivers into a new form factor? Tom Voelk drives a fully loaded model complete with performance tires and brakes.
2020 Volvo V60 Cross Country in Sweden
February 13, 2019 12:00All-wheel drive crossovers haul people and cargo over tough terrain with ease. So does the 2020 Volvo V60 Cross Country but it adds a lower center of gravity for better handling when the roads are clear and twisty. Tom Voelk travels to Luleå Sweden near the Arctic Circle to test this low-profile crossover (okay, it’s a wagon) in its natural habitat in -7 degree conditions with fellow writer Jason Golson. And don’t forget about fika…
2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan
February 11, 2019 19:20 - 12 minutes - 153 MB VideoNamed after the world’s largest diamond, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan lives up to its name. It’s a gem. Need to get to a very remote mansion? The first all-wheel drive Rolls (and it’s first SUV) can get you there. You’ll need to fork over at least $325,000 first though. Tom Voelk even does a little off-roading (but not enough to do any harm).
2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan
February 11, 2019 19:20 - 12 minutes - 153 MB VideoNamed after the world’s largest diamond, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan lives up to its name. It’s a gem. Need to get to a very remote mansion? The first all-wheel drive Rolls (and it’s first SUV) can get you there. You’ll need to fork over at least $325,000 first though. Tom Voelk even does a little off-roading (but not enough to do any harm).
2019 Honda Passport Elite AWD
January 29, 2019 13:00 - 11 minutes - 136 MB VideoHonda fans that find the CR-V too small and the Pilot too much in the family way may see the third generation Passport as the Goldilocks crossover. Unlike the first two that were built by Isuzu on a truck chassis, this one springs from the Pilot architecture. Can it take on the rugged backroads of Utah’s Moab area? Tom Voelk reviews the top-trim Elite model with standard torque vectoring all-wheel drive.
2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE
January 22, 2019 12:00 - 10 minutes - 128 MB VideoThe Toyota Corolla has always been about efficiency and value. Fun to drive? Not so much. The 12th generation Corolla brings a new dynamic to the storied nameplate to keep buyers from fleeing to crossovers. And the hatchback version offers up the same kind of SUV practicality too, as long as you don’t have too much to haul around. Tom Voelk reviews the XSE model.
2019 Chrysler Pacifica E Hybrid Limited
January 15, 2019 12:30 - 11 minutes - 136 MB VideoThink your neighbors are unimpressed by minivans? First of all, why does that matter? Secondly, the Chrysler Pacifica E Hybrid might be the most impressive car on the block. It comfortably hauls seven and can travel some 30 miles solely on electric power before switching to gasoline for the rest of its 520-mile range. Tom Voelk looks at a Limited model, which might be too nice for the kids and their Happy Meals.
2019 Subaru Forester Sport
January 08, 2019 12:30 - 9 minutes - 118 MB VideoThe fifth generation Subaru Forester might look a lot like the outgoing model (and the model before that and, the one before that) but it’s new and packs a number of significant changes. More appealing to both humans and dogs, it’s safer than ever. Tom Voelk reviews a Sport model and finds a practical machine that the brand’s loyal owners will fully embrace.
2019 Porsche Cayenne
January 01, 2019 12:30 - 9 minutes - 116 MB VideoWhen the Porsche Cayenne launched in 2002, many enthusiasts expected it to fail. Over 770,000 copies later it’s clear the brand’s first SUV was a very good idea. Generation three is longer, lower, lighter and faster. Always a winning combo. Tom Voelk travels to California’s Napa Valley to drive Porsche’s all-new 2019 model that shares only one part with it’s predecessor.
A Look Into the Future of Porsche With CEO Klaus Zellmer
January 01, 2019 02:31 - 15 minutes - 178 MB VideoWant insight into the Porsche brand and the future of the automobile industry? 15 candid minutes with Porsche USA President and CEO Klaus Zellmer sheds a lot of light on a lot of things- the new 911 and Taycan, heritage, electrification, autonomous driving, even marketing. Tom Voelk talks to Mr. Zellmer at the 2018 LA Auto Show. Sorry for the audio echo during my questioning. There was only one mic. And thanks again for your generous donations to my gear fund. You can support Driven Car Re...
2019 Ford Ranger
December 18, 2018 11:00 - 12 minutes - 146 MB VideoThe new Ford Ranger is finally here. Unlike the old compact model that was killed off in 2011, this one is a true mid-sized truck that’s ready to tote your toys. Tom Voelk drives on and off road at the press launch in San Diego, California and finds the version we get in North America is quite different than the Ranger sold globally. Like this video? Feel free to subscribe or contribute to my gear fund. Or both! Venmo- @Tom-Voelk PayPal- paypal.me/TomVoelk Patreon- patreon.co...
2018 Audi A5 Sportback 2.0T Quattro
December 11, 2018 12:00 - 10 minutes - 125 MB VideoNot all hatchbacks sacrifice graceful looks for practicality and utility. The Audi A5 Sportback gives up nothing in the looks department while it swallows 65-inch televisions whole. Tom Voelk checks an S-line Prestige model. Love this free (and ad free) podcast? Tom’s main production camera is toast after falling onto the pavement. Please feel free to support Tom’s New Gear fund at the links below. And thanks! Venmo- @Tom-Voelk PayPal- paypal.me/TomVoelk Patreon- patreon.com/TomVoelk
Driven- 2019 Nissan Altima Platinum AWD
December 04, 2018 12:00 - 10 minutes - 121 MB VideoPeople aren’t shopping for sedans the way they used to, but they’re still buying them. The new 6thgeneration Nissan Altima aims to reinvigorate the segment with crisp design and something that’s popular with SUVs and crossovers- all-wheel drive. Tom Voelk checks out an AWD Platinum model. Want to Contribute To My Gear Fund? Venmo- @Tom-Voelk PayPal- paypal.me/TomVoelk Patreon- patreon.com/TomVoelk Thanks to all that have contributed! Panasonic has deemed my old one a to...
2018 Honda Clarity Touring Plug-In Hybrid
November 27, 2018 12:00 - 9 minutes - 115 MB VideoLong-range electric cars are spendy because they need large expensive batteries. Want an EV that’s budget friendly without the huge price tag or any range anxiety? The Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid could be the answer. It covers most commutes on battery power then switches to gas for cross-country travel. Tom Voelk checks out the Touring model.
Driven- 2019 Genesis G70 Sport
November 20, 2018 12:00 - 9 minutes - 107 MB VideoGenesis is a new brand but its first effort at the segment that includes BMW 3-Series, Cadillac ATS and Mercedes proves it did its homework. With two turbocharged engines to choose from and a chassis tuned by former BMW M Performance division guru Albert Biermann, the G70 is no poser. Tom Voelk drives the rear-drive Sport model.
2018 Jaguar E-Pace P250 AWD
November 13, 2018 12:00 - 10 minutes - 119 MB VideoThink the E-Pace is the electric Jaguar? That’s the I-Pace. But it doesn’t mean the E isn’t electrifying in its own way. This small crossover is a gas to drive. Tom Voelk takes an all-wheel drive P250 SE out and of course heads off to Costco to see how much TP fits in the trunk. Hint- It’s the small Jag.
2019 GMC Sierra Denali 1500 4x4
November 07, 2018 06:36 - 13 minutes - 155 MB VideoNo doubt about it, the all-new 2019 GMC Sierra Denali 1500 is the boss’s pickup. It even has the trick MultiPro tailgate that has more positions than a politician. But there are a lot of luxury trucks to choose from these days. Tom Voelk looks at loaded model with the big 6.2-liter V8 to find out if it’s worth the retail price of $67,000. See? It is the boss’s truck.
2019 Hyundai Veloster N
October 30, 2018 11:00 - 9 minutes - 116 MB VideoThe short list of performance cars that mere mortals can afford has grown by one- Hyundai’s Veloster N. Track ready the moment it leaves the dealership lot, it’s also a comfortable daily driver. Tom Voelk travels to Thunderhill Raceway Park in California to flog this hot hatch. He also interviews Albert Biermann, the engineer poached by Hyundai from BMW’s M Performance division to make the N letter perfect.
2018 BMW 640i Gran Turismo
October 23, 2018 11:00 - 10 minutes - 119 MB VideoDoes every BMW have to be a knife-edged “Ultimate Driving Machine”? The 640i Gran Turismo is not. Instead, the Bavarians offer up a GT with all day driving comfort and a useful hatchback design. Tom Voelk drives a well-optioned version and asks the question “why not this instead of a base 7 Series”?
2018 Volkswagen Golf R
October 16, 2018 11:00 - 10 minutes - 124 MB VideoThe Volkswagen GTI is tons of fun in the twisties, but to get the most out of your local tarmac, consider going with just one letter- R. The all-wheel drive Golf R is about as hot as a hatch can get. The question is, will drivers really use the extra performance? Yeah. It’s that good.
2018 Land Rover Range Rover HSE Td6
October 09, 2018 11:00 - 9 minutes - 116 MB VideoVery few of us need a vehicle that will tackle tough off-road situations then turn around to look perfectly at home arriving at the opera house. The Land Rover Range Rover can do it with ease. Tom Voelk drives the Td6 diesel model that adds to the trail experience (though not as much to La Bohème).
2018 McLaren 720S
October 02, 2018 11:00 - 9 minutes - 108 MB VideoThe McLaren 720S is equal parts status symbol, collectable art, engineering marvel and rapid transit system. Starting at $289,000 you may never see this machine with your own eyes, so let Tom Voelk show you around the twin turbocharged V8 and carbon fiber structure.
2019 Subaru Ascent Premium Car Review
September 25, 2018 11:00 - 9 minutes - 118 MB VideoSubaru loyalists with large families, rejoice! The 2019 Ascent has finally arrived. With three rows of seating it’s large enough to handle kids, dogs and mass quantity of bath tissue (though I’m pretty sure I’m the only one that matters to). I test a Premium model with Symmetrical all-wheel drive, because they all come with all-wheel drive.
Driven- 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate
September 11, 2018 11:00 - 8 minutes - 106 MB VideoThe Hyundai Veloster has always had an extra door on the passenger side. The second generation adds an extra dollop of driving fun. It proves Hyundai is serious about giving its cars the handling dynamics they’ve lacked. Tom Voelk drives the Turbo Ultimate model with a dual-clutch transmission, turbocharged engine and a black roof.
Driven- 2018 Ford Expedition Limited 4x4
September 04, 2018 11:00 - 10 minutes - 119 MB VideoDo you have a family to haul and big toys to tug? Maybe you need something like the Ford Expedition. It gets F-150s aluminum skin and room for up to eight passengers. But maybe, just maybe, you don’t need all this capability. Tom Voelk checks out a mid-level Limited model.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 2.0T AWD
August 27, 2018 11:00 - 10 minutes - 122 MB VideoThe two-row Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is dead. Long live the Santa Fe. The 2019 model is now just Santa Fe again, no Sport. The fourth generation Santa Fe is improved in every way and gets an impressive amount of active electronic safety technology. Tom Voelk travels to Park City, Utah to drive the 2-liter turbocharged all-wheel drive Ultimate model. Oh, and the three row model? It will eventually get an all-new name.
2019 Toyota Avalon Touring V6 Review
August 21, 2018 11:00 - 7 minutes - 91.3 MB VideoNot everyone wants an SUV or crossover. For some, a well-crafted sedan is just the thing to pamper a person after a long day at work. The Toyota Avalon fills that bill. The all-new fifth generation is available with two powertrains. Tom Voelk takes the V6 Touring model out for a test drive and finds it keeps the unpleasantries out while offering up some decent driving dynamics. Yes, an Avalon.
2018 Ford F-150 Platinum Power Stroke Review
August 14, 2018 11:00 - 11 minutes - 132 MB VideoChances are the Ford F-150 has been the best selling vehicle since before you were born. It now gets something that adds depth to the line- a V6 turbo diesel. The Power Stroke engine has a great work ethic. Tom Voelk checks out a Platinum model while conveniently picking up stuff for his kitchen remodel.
2019 Honda Insight Touring Car Review
August 07, 2018 11:00 - 9 minutes - 108 MB VideoIn 1999 the Honda Insight was an odd looking machine while the Toyota Prius was indistinguishable from an ordinary Japanese budget sedan. Now the roles have reversed. Tom Voelk reviews the third generation Insight and finds Honda has built a refined efficient hybrid with lots to like, with just a few quirks left in.
2018 MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 Car Review
July 31, 2018 11:00 - 8 minutes - 95.8 MB VideoWhen an automaker says it is electrifying its cars, it doesn’t have to mean a fully electric vehicle. It might be something like the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4. Simply put, it’s a plug-in hybrid. Does it have the goods to attract buyers by the truckload? Tom Voelk checks it out.
2018 Ford EcoSport Titanium AWD Car Review
July 24, 2018 11:00 - 8 minutes - 106 MB VideoRemember when SUVs and crossovers were big family vehicles? The Ford EcoSport joins a growing number that are very small. Tom Voelk reviews the upmarket Titanium model with all-wheel drive and offers a primer on how to open the back door. Seriously.
2019 Volvo XC40 T5 R-Design
July 17, 2018 11:00 - 10 minutes - 120 MB VideoIt could have looked like a shrunken version of Volvo’s XC90 and 60, but the XC40 has a style all its own. And then there’s the available Lava interior treatment. Safe to say, there’s never been a Volvo like this small crossover. Tom Voelk reviews the T5 R-Design model.
2018 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Review
July 10, 2018 11:00 - 8 minutes - 96.4 MB VideoThere are all sorts of Jaguars to lust after. The XF Sportbrake is particularly desirable if you want performance and a way to get the family where they need to be. Simply put, it’s a station wagon, or in other words a low slung crossover. Tom Voelk finds it’s a good option for people who love driving, need practicality and crave individuality.
2018 BMW i3s Giga World with Range Extender
July 03, 2018 11:00 - 8 minutes - 95.9 MB VideoBMW’s “i” vehicles are more than just cars, they’re rolling automotive think tanks with electrification and carbon fiber passenger cells. For 2018, the i3 gets a little sportier with the i3s model that adds a little more power and cornering fun. Tom Voelk checks this avant-garde four-seater out to see if it’s worth the $58,695 (before tax incentives) price tag.