snake care

Editor Travis Langness gets behind the wheel of the redesigned 2020 Subaru Outback for a test drive. On the outside, the Outback is updated with fresh new looks in the form of new headlights and taillights, a new front grille, wider fenders, and a bigger opening for loading items in the back. The engines have changed, too, with a reworked version of the standard 2.5-liter engine still powering the base Outback and a new turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder available if you want to upgrade.

It may look like a wagon, but the Subaru is classified as a midsize SUV by our standards, which means it's spacious inside and has a serious amount of ground clearance. It also comes with all-wheel drive as standard.

Subaru has added a tablet-style 11.6-inch touchscreen, with crisp graphics and quick responses to user commands. This screen also employs Subaru's Starlink system, which we've been big fans of in the past and we expect it to perform well here, too.

2020 Subaru Outback Review:

The redesigned 2020 Outback features updated powertrains, more standard features, and more capability than ever before.

For starters, the Outback gets a new look — sort of. The wagon-like profile is still distinctively Outbackian. But there are new headlights and taillights, a larger front grille, wider fenders, and a wider opening at the rear hatch. It all sits on a new platform that Subaru says decreases road noise and improves structural rigidity.

Subaru says it reworked the Outback's base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Power is up from last year's 175 horsepower to 182 ponies in the 2020 model. Torque gets a similarly modest increase from 174 lb-ft to 176 lb-ft, as does fuel economy, which Subaru expects to be 26 mpg city/33 mpg highway.

The base powertrain, the non-turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine, gets a small increase in power and it now puts out 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. That's a healthy amount of power, but the optional engine is even better. The turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder replaces the old six-cylinder, and it produces 260 hp and 277 lb-ft.

The new 2020 Outback will be available in seven trim levels: base, Premium, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT and Touring XT. The base, Premium, Limited and Touring models all get the 2.5-liter engine, while XT models get the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. Standard on all models is Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology — a suite of active and passive driver aids. That suite includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist (plus lane centering), and DriverFocus, an infrared camera with facial recognition capabilities that can spot driver fatigue or distraction.

Standard on all but the base model is an 11.6-inch touchscreen display, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with Bluetooth connectivity and satellite radio. On upper trim levels, available features include LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, reverse automatic braking, a head-up display, a 180-degree front-view camera, heated and ventilated front seats, four USB ports, and a power rear liftgate. There's also plenty of available soft-touch materials and leather all around inside the cabin — enough to make long road trips comfortable.

Off-road, the Subaru Outback is just as trail-friendly as it has ever been. The 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel-drive system mean that gravel and dirt roads are no issue. You can even take on the tougher stuff by using the Outback's X-Mode system that operates hill descent control and selectable traction-control modes for snowy or muddy conditions.

2020 Subaru Outback Pricing and Release Date:
The 2020 Subaru Outback is slated for release in summer 2019.

Read more about the Subaru Outback: https://www.edmunds.com/subaru/outbac...

#subaruoutback #subaru

Make sure to subscribe to Edmunds to get all of the latest videos on car reviews, automotive news, car comparisons, and shopping advice. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edmundsv...

Edmunds will help you find your perfect car with unbiased and useful reviews, advice, pricing, and tools. Visit us at https://www.edmunds.com.

The 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 has subtle styling updates, such as aerodynamic drag-reducing parts and a Gurney flap, and a new set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires designed specifically for the Shelby. That's as good of a reason to get behind the wheel as any, which is exactly what we did.

To sample these new upgrades, Ford invited us to the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan. There, we'd get a closer look at the new parts and a few laps around the racetrack on site to experience the effects. Watch to find out more.

About the 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350:

The Shelby GT350 is a muscle car for the track-day obsessed. Yes, it shares some looks and interior parts with the standard Mustang, but the key differences are hidden from view. Under the hood is a non-turbocharged 5.2-liter V8. It revs up to 8,200 rpm, punches out 526 horsepower, and even has a flat-plane crankshaft that lends a distinctive warble to the engine's sound. From there, the GT350 has a race-tuned adaptive suspension, high-performance brakes and all sorts of supportive powertrain upgrades that set it apart. It'll lay down thick stripes of rubber in a straight line, naturally, but the GT350 is most at home around a complicated racetrack or a winding mountain road.

Despite its focus on performance, the GT350 is comfortable and relatively quiet (when your right foot isn't planted on the floor), and it could easily serve as a daily driver. Well-rounded and massively entertaining, the GT350 is definitely our idea of the ultimate Mustang.

Standard equipment for the base GT350 includes a 5.2-liter V8 (526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque), a six-speed manual transmission, 19-inch wheels, adaptive suspension dampers and heavy-duty springs, Brembo brakes, a Torsen rear differential (with 3.73 gearing), a front-suspension tower brace, three powertrain coolers (oil, differential and transmission), adjustable drive settings, xenon headlights, a rear spoiler and diffuser, and keyless ignition and entry.

Inside, you'll find manually adjustable Recaro front seats with simulated suede inserts, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, a 4.2-inch center display, Track Apps performance telemetry, a rearview camera, phone and audio voice commands (Sync), smartphone app integration, and a six-speaker sound system with two USB ports.

Opting for the Electronics package equips the GT350 with dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3 (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity), a navigation system, and a nine-speaker audio system with satellite radio. The Convenience package adds leather upholstery, driver-seat memory functions, six-way power-adjustable sport front seats with power lumbar for the driver, and heating and ventilation for the front seats.

Read more about the 2019 Ford Shelby GT350: https://www.edmunds.com/ford/shelby-g...

Make sure to subscribe to Edmunds to get all of the latest videos on car reviews, automotive news, car comparisons and shopping advice. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edmundsv...

Edmunds will help you find your perfect car with unbiased and useful reviews, advice, pricing and tools. Visit us at https://www.edmunds.com

The fully redesigned 2020 Toyota Highlander has what it takes to be one of the most family-friendly three-row crossover SUVs in its class. This fourth-generation Highlander rides atop Toyota's new global platform, promising improved agility and ride quality. It's 2.4 inches longer than before, which should increase cargo capacity and provide more third-row passenger space. Up front, the new style adopts some of the brawny character in Toyota's truck lineup, as well as the new RAV4.

Toyota will offer the 2020 Highlander in L, LE, XLE, Limited and Platinum trims. Lower trims feature cloth upholstery and a second-row bench seat. Higher trims get simulated leather and second-row captain's chairs, reducing capacity to seven passengers, but the bench is available as an option. Last year's weak four-cylinder base engine is gone. Instead, all Highlanders will come with the same 295-hp V6 from the last generation. There will also be a new Highlander Hybrid that will return 34 mpg combined. That's an increase of 6 mpg over its predecessor, but in return it loses 66 hp, for a total output of 240 hp.

2020 Toyota Highlander Price and Release Date:
We expect prices to start around $35,000 for the base Highlander and $45,000 for the top Platinum trim when it goes on sale in December. The Highlander Hybrid should cost a few thousand more and will arrive in February.

Read more about the 2020 Toyota Highlander: https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/highla...

Make sure to subscribe to Edmunds to get all of the latest videos on car reviews, automotive news, car comparisons and shopping advice.
Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edmundsv...

Edmunds – we help you find your perfect car with unbiased and useful reviews, advice, pricing and tools. Visit us at https://www.edmunds.com/.

Resident truck expert and Director of Vehicle Testing Dan Edmunds just got back from driving the new 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. In this video, he shows what it's like to drive and tow with gas- and diesel-powered variants. We also get a look at a comprehensive camera system along with a functional look at the interior and bed.

With extremely capable engines and transmissions, smart technology and a functional bed, the Silverado 2500 makes a great first impression. Yes, the interior may not be as nice to look at as some of the competitors, but we think the Silverado HD will put up a strong fight when we compare it to its key rivals.

A glance at the Silverado's specs makes Chevy's claimed tow rating seem like some kind of trick. After all, Chevrolet's 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel may have been revised to the point where its 445 horsepower outmatches Ram's top-dog diesel, but its 910 lb-ft of torque falls short of the Ram's nice, round number. So what gives?

The answer may lie in the transmission. Chevrolet pairs its Duramax diesel with a 10-speed automatic, while the Ram soldiers on with a six-speed. The extra gears reduce the gear splits dramatically, and that alone could make up the difference. Whether that's really the case, the extra cogs will certainly be a boon in the form of better drivability and improved fuel economy whether you're towing or not.

Not into the whole diesel thing? The HD's new non-turbocharged 6.6-liter gasoline V8 now makes a healthy 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque, and it can tow as much as 17,400 pounds. Those three figures represent 11%, 21% and 18% improvements over last year, respectively. What hasn't changed is the transmission. The gasoline V8 is still paired with a six-speed automatic.

Whether towing is your prime directive, the Silverado HD's lengthened wheelbase will pay dividends each and every day. The most popular combination, especially for the 2500HD version, is the crew cab with the standard bed. This combination has had its wheelbase stretched by 5.2 inches, which results in two major improvements.

Rear legroom in the Chevy's crew cab has increased by nearly 3 inches — also bringing the Chevy to within a couple of tenths of the Ford F-250. Look at the front and rear legroom together, however, and the Chevy takes the win. Meanwhile, the Ram crew cab languishes behind because its new 2500 and 3500 trucks didn't get the enlarged crew cab the automaker bestowed on the Ram 1500. Why? Because the Ram HD offers a Mega Cab option, with about the same rear legroom as Chevy's new crew cab, plus reclining rear seats and behind-the-seat storage.

Read more about the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD: https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/sil...

Watch our 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD & 3500HD first look video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03dCm...

Make sure to subscribe to Edmunds to get all of the latest videos on car reviews, automotive news, car comparisons, and shopping advice. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edmundsv...

Edmunds will help you find your perfect car with unbiased and useful reviews, advice, pricing, and tools. Visit us at https://www.edmunds.com.

It's back in the USA! Say hello to the 2020 Land Rover Defender, revealed today at the Frankfurt Motor Show. In this video, Mark Takahashi takes a close look at the next generation of this iconic nameplate.

About the 2020 Land Rover Defender

After 40 years, the Defender has finally received a full makeover and here's the best part: It will be offered in the U.S. When the new Land Rover Defender goes on sale in the spring, it will be offered in the larger Defender 110 variant. The smaller Defender 90 will follow it to market later in the year.

There will also be two engine choices. The 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 will come with the base P300 engine: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (296 hp, 295 lb-ft), which Land Rover estimates will get the vehicle to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds. Shoppers can opt for the P400 mild hybrid powertrain (395 hp, 406 lb-ft) made up of a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder paired with a 48-volt electrical system that is fed by lithium-ion battery packs, which also power an electric supercharger. It should hit 60 mph in only 5.8 seconds. The Defender 90 will only be offered with the P400 engine.

Both powertrains are combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission, a twin-speed transfer case, permanent four-wheel-drive and Land Rover's Terrain Response system. Optional locking center and active locking rear differentials will be offered, along with the latest configurable Terrain Response 2 system.

Perhaps as impressive (or alarming) is the Defender's weight. The Defender 90 and 110 with the four-cylinder should tip the scales at over 4,800 pounds. Properly equipped, the Defender will have a maximum tow rating of 8,201 pounds.

As far as styling goes, the new Land Rover Defender is more rounded and smoothed over. At least from initial impressions, it's missing the brawn and brutality of its forebear. At the same time, it's still recognizable as a Defender, but we admit it looks a little too soft for our tastes. At least the short overhangs are present, allowing for a 38-degree maximum approach angle and a 40-degree departure angle.

For the interior, the same theme continues, though with some touches like beefy grab handles that give it some character. Sitting atop the center of the dash is Land Rover's new PIVI Pro infotainment system that promises quicker responses and fewer operational steps than the rage-inducing system in current Land Rovers. Unfortunately, one of the previous Defender's traits did not make it into the redesign. The sealed switches are gone, meaning you can no longer just hose out the interior after a long dusty day. The carpeting, however, will be capable of quick removal for cleaning and drying.

We've been awaiting the 2020 Land Rover Defender for quite some time, and we're confident it will have the kind of off-road prowess of its predecessor. We're also sure it will be more comfortable and practical, but wish that the design projected more strength and rugged presence.

Read more about the Land Rover Defender: https://www.edmunds.com/land-rover/de...

Make sure to subscribe to Edmunds to get all of the latest videos on car reviews, automotive news, car comparisons, and shopping advice. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edmundsv...

Edmunds will help you find your perfect car with unbiased and useful reviews, advice, pricing, and tools. Visit us at https://www.edmunds.com

#LandRoverDefender #LandRover #Edmunds

If you have a penchant for performance, the new 2020 BMW M8 is the athletic counterpoint to the still sporty but softer BMW 8 Series coupe. It has more horsepower but the same amount of torque, so there's not a huge difference when it comes to the sensation of acceleration. The bigger difference can be felt in handling: The M8's suspension is much stiffer and handles more like a sports car. At the same time, the ride quality remains pleasantly compliant.

Edmunds Senior Reviews Editor Mark Takahashi had the enviable task of evaluating the M8 coupe and convertible on the roads in Portugal as well as on the track at the Portimao circuit. As a bonus, he also got to evaluate the 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, the four-door adaptation that will eventually be offered in M8 form as well.

Is the M8's $20,000 premium over the M850i justified? Mark says, YES!

2020 BMW M8

The M8 has more power, naturally, as well as a firmer and more track-oriented suspension. But the all-wheel-drive system is also upgraded, as are the electronics to help the driver put all of that newfound power to the best use. Of course, the exterior has received an M redressing with new bodywork, black chrome trim (carbon-fiber accents are optional) and some intriguing new paint colors. The interior, too, gets a redo with an M model-specific instrument panel display, a new shift lever, and programmable buttons for the various M driving modes. Oh, and you can ratchet everything up another notch with the BMW M8 Competition models.

All the available space under the hood is taken up by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine. That engine, in standard trim, makes a stout 600 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque from just 1,800 rpm all the way to 5,700 rpm. Writing a bigger check for the Competition models gives you an additional 17 hp and makes the same 553 lb-ft of torque available to 5,860 rpm.

The "standard" M8 coupe and convertibles should hit 60 mph in 3.1 and 3.2 seconds, respectively, while the Competition versions shave off a critical tenth of a second to drop the numbers to 3.0 and 3.1 seconds. Top speeds are governed to 155 mph, but that can be overcome with the M Driver's package that allows the M8 to run to its drag-limited top speed of 189 mph.

Handling can go one of three ways in the new M8: sane and sporty, track-focused or mentally unstable — the latter is thanks to the rear-wheel-drive-only setting. The M8 comes standard with an M-tuned adaptive suspension, new bushings, swivel bearings and unique strut bars. Competition models add even firmer suspension settings, stiffer motor mounts, a more aggressive alignment, and metal joints instead of rubber bushings in the rear suspension to accommodate higher-cornering loads.

More about the 2020 BMW M8: https://www.edmunds.com/bmw/m8/2020/

2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

The 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is the four-door sedan version of the BMW 8 Series (an actual two-door coupe). It grows significantly from its two-door sibling, adding 7.9 inches to the wheelbase and 9 inches in overall length. It's also wider and taller than the two-door, with a less aggressive rake to the front and rear windscreens to improve both headroom and visibility and create a larger and more usable trunk opening.

Two engines are available. The 840i and the all-wheel-drive 840i xDrive Gran Coupe use a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, making 335 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. The inline-six, BMW's bread-and-butter engine, offers performance that we've never had a reason to complain about in any other Bimmer.

BMW says the 840i reaches 62 mph in 5.2 seconds, while the xDrive model does it in 4.9 seconds. Just as important as the acceleration times is how the acceleration feels. Not only is power from the 840i's six-cylinder plentiful, but it is incredibly linear. Were it not for the transmission shifts and engine sound, it could be mistaken for an electric vehicle.

From the front seat forward, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is almost identical to the coupe. The optional M Sport seats have plenty of lateral support to keep you firmly in place when cornering, yet they are well-cushioned and well-shaped for long-distance comfort. From the driver's seat, all the controls are logically grouped and placed right within easy reach.

Also carrying over is the liberal use of quality materials throughout the cabin. Every touch point has a premium feel, and the underlying construction is reassuringly sturdy. The biggest difference to the coupe, and indeed the Gran Coupe's reason for being, is found in back.

More about the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe: https://www.edmunds.com/bmw/8-series-...

Subscribe to Edmunds: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edmundsv...

#bmwM8 #bmw8series #Edmunds