Adventure Truck Evolution

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

Adventure Truck Evolution

Toyota’s 4Runner Trailhunter Modernizes Without Compromise

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner represents something rare in today’s automotive landscape: a complete redesign that actually improves upon an icon without neutering its soul.

After driving this $69,893 adventure machine for a week, it’s clear Toyota understood the assignment: make the 4Runner better without making it soft.

Let’s address the obvious first. Yes, this is a hybrid 4Runner.

If that sentence makes you wince, relax. Toyota didn’t stuff a Prius powertrain into America’s favorite rock crawler.

The i-FORCE MAX hybrid system combines a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with electric motors to produce 326 horsepower and a massive 465 pound-feet of torque. That’s substantially more grunt than the old naturally aspirated V6, and the extra torque arrives instantly thanks to the electric assistance.

The hybrid system feels right at home in this application. Where economy cars use electric motors to sip fuel delicately, the 4Runner deploys them like a sledgehammer, providing immediate low-end torque that makes crawling over obstacles feel effortless.

The 2025 4Runner Trailhunter’s bronze accents and aggressive stance signal serious off-road intent while maintaining the boxy proportions that define the 4Runner aesthetic.

The EPA-estimated 24 mpg highway rating represents a meaningful improvement over the previous generation’s thirst, though don’t expect Camry-like efficiency from this brick-shaped behemoth.

Behind the wheel, the new 4Runner still drives like a real truck, and that’s entirely the point.

The body-on-frame construction creates a distinctly different driving experience than the unibody crossovers that dominate driveways. It feels substantial, even ponderous at times, with a slight bounce that reminds you there’s serious hardware underneath.

After driving crossovers that feel like appliances, the 4Runner’s honest truck character proves refreshingly authentic.

The Trailhunter trim takes the adventure theme seriously. Old Man Emu suspension components, 33-inch Toyo tires, an onboard air compressor, and bronze-finished wheels signal serious off-road intent.

The distinctive exterior graphics and color-selectable LED fog lights from RIGID Industries add visual drama without crossing into cartoonish territory.

Inside, the transformation is dramatic. Where the previous 4Runner felt stuck in the early 2000s, this generation offers a thoroughly modern experience. The available 14-inch touchscreen runs

Toyota’s latest multimedia system with wireless smartphone integration.

The redesigned cabin features contemporary technology and premium materials while maintaining the functional, tool-like character that 4Runner buyers expect.

The cabin technology represents the most significant upgrade. Previous 4Runner interiors felt like time capsules, with infotainment systems that belonged in rental cars. The new setup responds quickly, looks contemporary and integrates features like the JBL premium audio system seamlessly.

Toyota finally dragged the 4Runner into the smartphone era without compromising its tool-like character.

Space proves generous up front and adequate in the second row, though the optional third row feels like an afterthought designed for emergency use only.

Cargo capacity remains impressive with the rear seats folded, and the various storage cubbies show thoughtful attention to outdoor gear organization.

Some compromises remain. The turbocharged four-cylinder, while torquier than the old V6, could use more outright power for highway passing. The higher trim levels require the hybrid system, limiting powertrain choice. And despite the improvements, this remains a specialized tool rather than a mainstream family hauler.

The 4Runner Trailhunter succeeds because Toyota recognized what needed changing and what didn’t.

For buyers seeking genuine off-road capability without crossover compromises, the redesigned 4Runner offers the complete package.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid AWD Trailhunter ($66,900). Options: Digital key ($275), towing hitch ($65), LED lantern ($160), D-pillar cargo lights ($375), cargo cover ($135), cargo mat ($130), floor mats ($199), trailer ball ($24), tow hooks upgrade ($180). Price as tested (including $1,450 destination charge): $69,893

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 112.2 in.
Length: 194.9 in.
Width: 79.9 in.
Height: 74 in.
Power: 2.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder and electric motors (326 hp, 465 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
MPG equivalent: 23 city, 24 highway

RATINGS

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

WHY BUY IT?

The new 4Runner delivers authentic off-road capability with thoroughly modern technology while preserving the rugged character that made the original special.

Posted in Toyota

Attainable Audi Excellence

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2025 Audi A3 Quattro succeeds in a challenging mission: providing an authentic taste of the Audi experience without requiring luxury-car pricing.

As an entry point to the brand, it strikes a careful balance between premium aspirations and practical realities, delivering genuine driving satisfaction while acknowledging the compromises inherent in its segment.

The most significant improvement for 2025 comes from the powertrain upgrades. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder now produces more torque and feels notably peppier than its predecessor.

The engine responds eagerly to throttle inputs, providing the kind of immediate acceleration that makes merging and passing genuinely enjoyable. The seven-speed S tronic transmission shifts smoothly and quickly, contributing to the overall sense of refinement.

Handling characteristics lean decidedly toward the sporty side of the spectrum. The steering feels precise and well-weighted, providing confidence through corners while remaining manageable in daily driving.

The suspension tuning prioritizes control over comfort, resulting in a firm ride that communicates road surface details clearly. This approach favors enthusiastic driving over long-distance comfort, which may not suit all buyers but aligns with Audi’s sporting pretensions.

The 2025 A3’s refined exterior design incorporates Audi’s signature styling cues while maintaining the proportions necessary for urban maneuverability and parking convenience.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the A3 Quattro is its standard all-wheel drive system. At this price point, most luxury competitors offer front-wheel drive as standard, making quattro a significant competitive advantage.

The system provides reassuring traction in adverse conditions while enhancing cornering stability during spirited driving.

Fuel efficiency proves surprisingly impressive despite the performance-oriented character. Real-world driving consistently delivers a range exceeding 400 miles per tank, even with an aggressive driving style in my week of testing. This combination of efficiency and performance represents one of the A3’s strongest selling points.

Interior space reveals the inevitable compromises of the compact luxury segment. Rear seat legroom feels tight for adult passengers, while trunk capacity limits cargo carrying.

The A3’s cabin balances premium materials and technology with the space constraints of the compact luxury segment, prioritizing driver-focused ergonomics and build quality.

Road noise intrudes more than expected in a premium product, though the level remains acceptable for the price point. The cabin materials and build quality feel appropriately upscale, with logical control placement and intuitive tech.

At $46,040 as tested, the A3 represents solid value in the luxury compact segment. The extensive option list allows buyers to customize the experience, though the base model includes generous standard equipment. The pricing strategy positions the A3 as an accessible entry point to Audi ownership without feeling stripped or compromised.

The compromises are real and worth acknowledging, though. Space limitations, firm ride quality and elevated road noise represent trade-offs inherent in the segment. However, these concerns feel proportionate to the pricing rather than glaring deficiencies.

For buyers seeking an introduction to German luxury without the associated financial commitment, the A3 Quattro delivers authentic Audi character in an approachable package.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Audi A3 Quattro ($38,200). Options: Premium paint ($595), Premium Plus package ($2,600), black optic package ($1,750), technology package ($1,600). Price as tested (including $1,295 destination charge): $46,040

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 103.7 in.
Length: 177.3 in.
Width: 78.1 in.
Height: 56.2 in.
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder (201 hp, 236 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
MPG equivalent: 24 city, 34 highway

RATINGS

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

WHY BUY IT?

The A3 Quattro offers an entry-level Audi experience with standard all-wheel drive, engaging performance and impressive efficiency.

Posted in Audi

Sports Car Perfection

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF represents something increasingly rare in today’s automotive landscape: a vehicle designed to excel at one specific mission without compromise.

In an era when manufacturers chase broader appeal through added size, luxury and convenience features, Mazda has steadfastly refused to dilute the Miata’s essential character — a commitment that has created one of the most enduring sports car formulas in automotive history.

Behind the wheel, the connection between driver and machine feels immediate and organic.
The Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, with a thrilling 7,500 rpm redline.

These figures sound modest on paper but feel perfectly calibrated for the lightweight chassis.

Power delivery is linear and predictable, building smoothly through the rev range while the six-speed manual transmission offers crisp, precise shifts that encourage frequent gear changes and redline chases.

What truly distinguishes the Miata from virtually every other sports car is its ability to make ordinary drives feel special.

The steering weight builds naturally as speeds increase, providing genuine feedback about road surface and tire grip. The suspension strikes an ideal balance between comfort and control, absorbing road imperfections while maintaining the taut responses that make canyon roads irresistible.

The latest Miata maintains the classic roadster proportions while the retractable hardtop adds versatility without compromising the car’s clean aesthetic lines.

The RF (Retractable Fastback) variant tested here addresses one of the traditional roadster compromises.

The power-folding hard top transforms the driving experience dramatically, creating a quiet, refined cabin when closed that makes daily driving genuinely pleasant.

Road noise drops to civilized levels, eliminating the fatigue associated with soft-top convertibles during longer journeys. When opened, the top stows cleanly without compromising the car’s elegant proportions.

As someone who has owned a 1994 Miata for years, I can see that the fundamental appeal of this formula remains unchanged. That first-generation car captured something magical about the pure sports car experience — lightweight construction, perfect balance, and an almost telepathic connection between driver and machine.

The joy of rowing through gears, feeling every nuance of the road surface and experiencing the mechanical symphony of a naturally aspirated engine never grows old.

After decades of driving that original car, it’s remarkable how Mazda has preserved those essential qualities while adding modern refinement.

The Miata’s purposeful cabin places the driver at the center of the experience, with intuitive controls and a low seating position that enhances the connection between car and driver.

This current generation represents the finest evolution of the original concept since that 1989 debut. Rather than succumbing to focus group demands for more size, power or luxury, Mazda has refined the fundamental formula through their philosophy of kaizen — continuous improvement.

Interior space remains tight by conventional standards, but every surface feels purposefully designed rather than compromised. The driving position places you low and centered, with major controls falling naturally to hand.

Material quality exceeds expectations for the price point, though luxury amenities remain minimal by design — exactly as they should be.

Few modern vehicles manage to feel like living, breathing entities rather than sophisticated appliances.

The Miata achieves this connection through careful engineering and unwavering commitment to its core mission. It represents automotive purity in an increasingly complex world, continuing a 35-year tradition of making every drive an event worth savoring.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF ($40,650). Options: Premium paint ($595). Price as tested (including $1,185 destination charge): $42,430

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 90.9 in.
Length: 154.1 in.
Width: 59.2 in.
Height: 49 in.
Engine: 2.0-liter four cylinder (181 hp, 151 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Six-speed manual
MPG equivalent: 26 city, 34 highway

RATINGS

Style: 10
Performance: 7
Price: 9
Handling: 10
Ride:5
Comfort: 3
Quality: 9
Overall: 10

WHY BUY IT?

The 2025 Miata delivers an uncompromised sports car experience that prioritizes driver connection and pure enjoyment over everything else.

Posted in Mazda

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