Effortless Power, Limitless Poise

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The Range Rover has always occupied a strange, wonderful niche — part mountain goat, part limousine.

After a week in the 2025 Range Rover Autobiography P530, it’s clear that Land Rover hasn’t lost the formula. This SUV still makes the impossible seem easy.

It starts the moment you settle into the driver’s seat. The view over the long hood inspires confidence, and the silence at speed makes highways disappear.

The twin-turbo V8 delivers its 523 horsepower with unflappable grace. This isn’t a vehicle that begs to be driven fast, but it has the muscle to surge past slower traffic with a velvet punch. The eight-speed automatic glides through shifts like it’s reading your mind.

Ride quality is extraordinary. Air suspension absorbs broken pavement with casual indifference, and the cabin remains as isolated as a sound booth.

Even on 23-inch wheels, the Autobiography rides like a dream. The chassis feels composed and tight, never floaty or vague, and it’s astonishing how naturally this 5,700-pound SUV shrinks around you.

The 2025 Range Rover’s clean, sculptural design balances elegance and authority with minimalist precision.

The Range Rover’s off-road capability remains its secret party trick. Few owners will test its limits, but knowing it can traverse a muddy trail or climb a steep grade with minimal fuss adds to its mystique. Luxury, after all, is confidence — and the Range Rover delivers it in spades.

Design might be its finest attribute. The 2025 model continues the minimalist, sculptural look introduced in 2022. The clean lines, hidden lighting and flush glass make it look more like an architectural concept than a utility vehicle.

There’s no flash, no chrome excess, just quiet authority. Parked curbside, it radiates confidence without shouting.

Inside, it’s the same story of restraint and perfection. The mix of soft leathers, genuine wood and metal accents feels impeccably curated.

The touchscreen interface replaces almost every button, but it’s fast, clear, and logically arranged — proof that digital controls don’t have to be frustrating.

Inside, the cabin showcases exquisite materials, advanced tech, and serene comfort worthy of a private jet.

Even the climate menus and off-road modes are easy to reach. The attention to detail is staggering, from the stitching to the seat controls shaped like small sculptures.

Of course, such opulence comes at a cost. The as-tested price of $174,705 is breathtaking, and that’s before considering Range Rover’s long-standing reliability reputation. History suggests buyers should budget for the occasional service visit beyond routine maintenance.

Still, for those who can afford it, this SUV offers a level of comfort and craftsmanship that few cars — of any kind — can match.

Fuel economy, at 16 city and 23 highway, is predictably poor, but it’s almost beside the point. The Range Rover isn’t about efficiency. It’s about effortless travel.

Whether crossing continents or crawling up a gravel road to a private lodge, it isolates its occupants from chaos in a way that few vehicles can replicate.

Ultimately, the 2025 Range Rover represents the summit of modern luxury SUVs. It’s not perfect, but perfection isn’t the goal. It’s about serenity, status and the knowledge that no destination is off-limits.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Range Rover Autobiography SWB P530 ($166,400). Options: Premium paint ($1,950), 23-inch wheels ($1,500), towing pack ($1,200), premium interior and storage pack ($740), gloss black interior ($650), cold climate pack ($350), wheel protection pack ($225), handover pack ($65). Price as tested (including $1,625 destination charge): $174,705

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 118 in.
Length: 198.9 in.
Width: 87 in.
Height: 73.6 in.
Engine: 4.4-liter turbocharged eight cylinders (523 hp, 553 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
MPG: 16 city, 23 highway

RATINGS

Style: 10
Performance: 10
Price: 3
Handling: 7
Ride: 10
Comfort: 10
Quality: 7
Overall: 9

WHY BUY IT?

The Range Rover is the rare vehicle that can cross a mountain range in the morning, glide through a gala valet line at night, and make both experiences feel equally effortless.

Posted in Land Rover

Diesel Muscle, Rebel Style

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2025 Ram 2500 Rebel is not subtle. Nearly 20 feet long, more than 80 inches wide, and closing in on 100 grand as tested, this is a truck that fills every lane it enters.

Behind that bulk sits the heart of the matter: a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel with 430 horsepower and 1,075 pound-feet of torque. The numbers almost don’t sound real until you hitch a trailer and feel the Rebel shrug off 10,000 pounds like it’s a lawn chair.

What makes the Rebel distinct is where it sits in Ram’s heavy-duty hierarchy.

It’s meant to blend the everyday use of a 2500 with a dose of off-road flavor, without going full Power Wagon. That means you get 33-inch all-terrain tires, Bilstein shocks and skid plates, but not the trick disconnecting sway bar or front locker. It’s plenty capable on dirt and gravel roads, but the serious rock-crawling crowd will still gravitate to the Power Wagon.

The 2025 Ram 2500 Rebel pairs heavy-duty proportions with off-road-inspired styling touches and a bold Rebel-specific grille.

On the pavement, the Rebel is exactly what you’d expect from a three-quarter-ton truck. The ride is stiff, the steering vague at highway speeds, and the Goodyear Wranglers hum noticeably at 75 mph.

Ram’s optional rear air suspension helps tame bounce when unloaded, and it’s a blessing when hitching a trailer, but it doesn’t make the Rebel ride like a half-ton.

Buyers looking for cushy cruising will want a Ram 1500 instead.

The diesel engine is the clear highlight. It feels stronger and smoother than before, and the new eight-speed automatic makes the most of that torque.

Inside, the Rebel feels surprisingly plush. Soft-touch materials, thoughtful storage and the latest Uconnect 5 system make it a pleasant place to spend time. The 14.5-inch touchscreen is enormous but quick to respond, and the optional Harman Kardon audio system has the muscle to match the truck.

Ram’s camera tech deserves a shoutout too. With multiple angles and trailer-guidance views, it takes much of the stress out of maneuvering such a massive rig.

Practicality is strong, as expected. RamBox storage adds lockable, weatherproof bins in the bed rails, perfect for tools or muddy gear.

Inside, the Rebel balances work-ready durability with premium materials, advanced technology and generous passenger space.

The Rebel with the Cummins diesel is rated to pull more than 30,000 pounds with the right setup, a figure most owners will never approach but one that underscores the capability baked into the truck.

Not everything is perfect. Nearly $100,000 is a staggering as-tested price, and while the Rebel is luxurious, it’s still fundamentally a work truck with a stiff ride and compromises in everyday drivability.

And while the styling is bold, it’s also polarizing. Some buyers will love the aggressive Rebel grille, others may prefer the subtler look of a Laramie or Limited.

Still, the 2025 Ram 2500 Rebel hits a sweet spot for a certain buyer. It’s for the person who tows big trailers, wants a refined cabin, and likes their truck to look the part of an off-road bruiser without needing the full arsenal of Power Wagon hardware.

In that role, it delivers, with the Cummins engine making it one of the most capable heavy-duty pickups you can buy.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Ram 2500 Rebel Crew Cab 4×4 ($68,645). Options: Towing technology group ($1,595), safety group ($1,995), tow technology plus group ($1,490), Rebel Level 2 equipment group ($6,495), Cummins diesel engine ($12,595), power sunroof ($1,195), automatic leveling rear air suspension ($1,705), RamBox ($1,295). Price as tested (including $2,095 destination charge): $99,105

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 149 in.
Length: 238.8 in.
Width: 83.5 in.
Height: 80.2 in.
Engine: 6.7-liter Cummins inline six cylinder turbo diesel (430 hp, 1,075 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
MPG: Not rated

RATINGS

Style: 9
Performance: 8
Price: 7
Handling: 8
Ride: 5
Comfort: 4
Quality: 5
Overall: 6

WHY BUY IT?

It offers heavy-duty towing strength, a surprisingly refined interior and rugged styling for buyers who want both capability and presence.

Posted in Ram

Road-Trip Ready Family Hauler

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2025 Subaru Ascent is not the flashiest three-row SUV on the market, but it might be one of the most confidence-inspiring.

After a week behind the wheel, it’s clear that Subaru’s biggest vehicle leans into what the brand does best: all-weather grip, smart packaging and safety features that make family duty a little easier.

The Ascent’s defining trait is its sure-footedness. Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive and well-tuned chassis give it a planted, predictable feel on the road.

In corners, it hangs on better than most rivals this size, with body motions kept in check without making the ride too stiff. It feels closer to the expensive German crossovers than mainstream competitors when it comes to handling composure, which is high praise for a vehicle starting under $40,000.

Under the hood, every Ascent comes with a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four rated at 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. On paper, that might look small compared to the V6 engines many competitors still offer, but in practice it’s plenty. The Ascent doesn’t struggle to get up to speed even when fully loaded.

The 2025 Subaru Ascent offers standard all-wheel drive and a sleek, upright SUV profile with blacked-out accents on Onyx trims.

The continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a mixed bag. It helps fuel economy, rated at 19 mpg city and 25 highway, but it also makes the Ascent feel a little more lethargic than it really is. That rubber-band sensation is less bothersome in a family SUV than it is in a sporty car, but it still dulls driver engagement.

Practicality is where the Ascent shines. Thanks to a relatively low beltline and generous glass, visibility is excellent to the front and sides. It’s easier to place in tight parking lots than many rivals, despite being nearly 197 inches long.

Standard driver-assist tech — including Subaru’s latest EyeSight system, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping, and even automatic emergency steering — adds another layer of reassurance.

Inside, the Ascent makes good use of space. Second-row passengers get USB-A, USB-C, and also a household outlet, so devices stay charged on long trips.

Inside, the Ascent features generous passenger space, modern tech and available Nappa leather for an upscale feel.

There’s an available Cabin Connect intercom system that projects the driver’s voice to the third row, a small but clever feature for families with chatty kids.

The Onyx Edition Touring trim adds blacked-out styling cues, ventilated front seats, Nappa leather with green stitching, and Harman Kardon audio. It’s an upscale take on the family hauler formula, though its $53,802 as-tested price edges close to premium-brand territory.

That said, you get a long list of standard equipment that rivals often charge extra for, including a panoramic moonroof, heated steering wheel and power liftgate.

Not everything is perfect. Fuel economy is only average for the class, and the CVT’s feel will turn off some buyers. While Subaru’s cabin materials are generally solid, a few surfaces don’t match the near-luxury price tag of the Onyx Touring. And though the Ascent can tow up to 5,000 pounds, buyers needing frequent heavy towing might still prefer a body-on-frame SUV.

Overall, the Ascent is one of the more balanced and thoughtfully executed three-row crossovers. It doesn’t try to overwhelm with size or brute force but instead focuses on being easy to drive, safe and accommodating.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition Touring ($52,050). Options: All weather floor mats ($176), cargo tray ($156). Price as tested (including $1,420 destination charge): $53,802

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 113.8 in.
Length: 196.8 in.
Width: 76 in.
Height: 71.6 in.
Engine: 2.4-liter four cylinder (260 hp, 277 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Continuously variable
MPG: 19 city, 25 highway

RATINGS

Style: 8
Performance: 7
Price: 6
Handling: 7
Ride: 7
Comfort: 7
Quality: 8
Overall: 7

WHY BUY IT?

The Ascent combines Subaru’s trademark all-wheel-drive confidence with space, safety and family-friendly tech in a practical three-row SUV.

Posted in Subaru

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