Author
Alex Torque
Performance & Sports Cars Editor
Alex Torque
Performance & Sports Cars Editor
Alex Torque is a lifelong gearhead who grew up in Detroit with motor oil in his veins. After a decade as a performance driving instructor at Laguna Seca and the Nurburgring, he traded his racing helmet for a keyboard—though he still logs track days whenever possible. Alex specializes in sports cars, supercars, and anything with forced induction. His reviews blend technical precision with the visceral thrill of pushing machines to their limits. When he’s not testing the latest performance machines, you’ll find him restoring his 1973 Datsun 240Z or arguing about optimal tire pressures. Alex believes that driving should be an event, not a commute.
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Articles
Latest Articles
2027 Kia Seltos First Drive Review: Can Kia’s More Upscale Budget SUV Beat the Hyundai Kona, Chevrolet Trax, and Mazda CX-30 on Value, Tech, and Everyday Refinement?
Kia aims to make the 2027 Seltos feel quieter and smarter without raising payments, and this first drive shows real promise against the Kona and CX-30.
Alex Torque
2026 Audi Q3 First Drive Review: Can Audi’s New Compact Luxury SUV Beat the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Lexus NX on Tech, Space, and Everyday Refinement?
Audi’s new compact Q3 targets the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Lexus NX—so how does it score on tech, space, and everyday refinement?
Alex Torque
2026 Lexus ES 350h First Drive Review: Can Lexus’s Calm New Hybrid Sedan Beat the Toyota Crown, Volvo S90 B5, and BMW 530e on Comfort, Efficiency, and Real-World Luxury?
The 2026 Lexus ES 350h blends calm comfort with hybrid efficiency, aiming to outshine the Toyota Crown, Volvo S90 B5, and BMW 530e.
Alex Torque
2026 Zeekr 7GT First Drive Review: Can Zeekr’s Sleek Electric Shooting Brake Beat the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo, BMW i5 Touring, and Audi A6 e-tron Avant on Range, Charging, and Everyday Style?
Zeekr’s 7GT looks like a concept come to life, with standout range, fast charging, and practical wagon utility to take on top EV estates.
Alex Torque
2026 Kia K4 Hatchback First Drive Review: Can Kia’s New Budget Hero Beat the Honda Civic Hatchback, Mazda3, and Toyota Corolla Hatch on Space, Tech, and Real-World Value?
The new Kia K4 Hatchback aims at budget shoppers with surprising space and tech—can it take the fight to the Civic, Mazda3, and Corolla?
Alex Torque
2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV First Drive Review: Can Toyota’s Quicker, Smarter Plug-In SUV Beat the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, and Kia Sportage PHEV on Electric Range, Usability, and Real-World Value?
Toyota’s refreshed RAV4 PHEV targets true weekday EV driving with better power and smarter packaging, aiming to top the Outlander, Tucson, and Sportage.
Alex Torque
2026 Bentley Continental GT Speed First Drive Review: Can Bentley’s Electrified Grand Tourer Beat the Aston Martin DB12 and Mercedes-AMG SL 63 on Pace, Refinement, and Everyday Drama?
Bentley’s new Continental GT Speed rewrites the grand tourer playbook with electrified muscle and hush, but can it truly beat the DB12 and SL 63?
Alex Torque
2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV First Drive Review: Can the Updated Plug-In Family SUV Beat the Toyota RAV4 Prime, Mazda CX-70 PHEV, and Kia Sorento PHEV on Range, Ride Quality, and Real-World Value?
The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is updated, but does it finally deliver real-world value and ride comfort against the RAV4 Prime and rivals?
Alex Torque
2027 Rivian R2 First Drive Review: Can Rivian’s Smaller Electric SUV Beat the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Ford Mustang Mach-E on Range, Character, and Everyday Usability?
We drive the 2027 Rivian R2 to find out if its smaller size delivers the range and daily practicality rivals like the Model Y can’t match.
Alex Torque
2026 BMW M2 CS First Drive Review: Can BMW’s Hardcore Compact Coupe Beat the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 and Audi RS 3 on Track Pace, Road Feel, and Everyday Livability?
The 2026 BMW M2 CS feels lean, sharp, and uncompromising, but can it match the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 and Audi RS 3 on track?
Alex Torque
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV First Drive Review: Can the New Entry Luxury Electric Sedan Beat the Tesla Model 3, BMW i4, and Hyundai Ioniq 6 on Range, Charging, and Everyday Refinement?
Mercedes finally delivers a compact luxury EV that targets range, fast charging, and everyday comfort head-to-head with top rivals. Read the first drive.
Alex Torque
2026 Tesla Model 3 Performance First Drive Review: Can the Updated Sport EV Beat the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and BMW i4 M50 on Speed, Handling, Range, and Everyday Value?
The updated 2026 Tesla Model 3 Performance proves quick EV fun can stay classy. Here’s how it stacks up on speed, handling, range, and value.
Alex Torque
2026 Aston Martin DB12 S First Drive Review: Can Aston’s Sharper Super Tourer Beat the Ferrari Roma Spider and Bentley Continental GT on Speed, Luxury, and Daily Drivability?
The 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S adds real edge to an already great super tourer, challenging the Roma Spider and Continental GT in day-to-day comfort.
Alex Torque
2026 Honda Passport TrailSport First Drive Review: Can Honda’s Tougher Two-Row SUV Beat the Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Ford Bronco Sport on Everyday Comfort and Weekend Adventure Duty?
The 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport promises real trail capability, but does it stay comfy on commutes, school runs, and highway trips?
Alex Torque
2026 Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid First Drive Review: Can Toyota’s Electrified Off-Roader Beat the Lexus GX 550, Land Rover Defender 110, and Ford Bronco Raptor on Comfort, Capability, and Daily Usability?
Does the 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid deliver real comfort and everyday usability without sacrificing trail capability? Find out in our first drive.
Alex Torque
2026 Cupra Born VZ First Drive Review: Can the Sharper Hot Hatch EV Beat the MG4 XPower, Volkswagen ID.3 GTX, and Mini Cooper Electric on Fun, Range, and Everyday Value?
The 2026 Cupra Born VZ brings sharper EV hot-hatch handling and rear-drive balance—can it outshine the MG4 XPower, ID.3 GTX, and Mini?
Alex Torque
2026 BMW iX3 First Drive Review: Can BMW’s Neue Klasse Electric SUV Beat the Audi Q6 e-tron, Porsche Macan Electric, and Tesla Model Y on Range, Tech, and Driver Appeal?
BMW’s Neue Klasse iX3 arrives in the EV spotlight—can it beat the Audi Q6 e-tron, Porsche Macan Electric, and Model Y on everyday appeal?
Alex Torque
2026 Mazda 6e First Drive Review: Can Mazda’s Electric Sedan Beat the Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal, and Hyundai Ioniq 6 on Design, Driving Feel, and Real-World Range?
Mazda’s 6e makes EVs feel stylish again—rear-drive bias, real driving impressions, and range questions against the Model 3, BYD Seal, and Ioniq 6.
Alex Torque
2026 Mazda CX-5 First Drive Review: Can the Sharper Chassis, New Cabin Tech, and Hybrid Push Finally Beat the Honda CR-V Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, and Subaru Forester?
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 sharpens the drive, upgrades the cabin tech, and adds hybrid power. Does it finally outshine the CR-V Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid?
Alex Torque
2026 Kia EV2 First Drive Review: Can Kia’s Smallest Electric Crossover Beat the Volvo EX30, BYD Dolphin, and Mini Aceman on Urban Range, Cabin Packaging, and Everyday Value?
Kia’s smallest electric crossover aims to be calm, clever, and genuinely useful—does the EV2 top the Volvo EX30 and BYD Dolphin on daily living?
Alex Torque