Podcast
Driven Car Reviews
Hosted by Tom Voelk · EN
New York Times contributor and Emmy Award-winning automotive journalist Tom Voelk looks at all things cars.
37episodes
Episodes
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2026 Lucid Gravity Grand Touring Goes Fast… and Far
3d ago00:21:05Tap to summarizeLucid finally has its 3-row electric SUV, the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring. With up to 450 miles of EPA-rated range you'll need to stop for bathroom breaks more often than charging session. This 828-horsepower, dual-motor AWD luxury EV gets ultra-fast 1,000V charging architecture capable of 400kW peak speeds. In this full review, I take you through performance, charging, driving impressions, interior tech, cargo space, and of course… the TP Trunk Test. Gravity aims to redefine the premium performance EV SUV space. Starting just over $81,000 for the Touring trim and climbing to $125,000 as tested, Gravity positions itself against the Cadillac Escalade IQ, Rivian R1S, and Volvo EX90 on the high side. Kia EV9, and Hyundai IONIQ 9 are more affordable. — while offering sleeker styling and some of the fastest DC fast-charging in the business.
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Go Farther Into the Wilderness With the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
4d ago00:12:39Tap to summarizeDo you feel your dog is judging your vehicle's gas mileage? It'll be happy to know that the Subaru Crosstrek is now available as a more efficient hybrid. This isn't the first Crosstrek to run with a gas-electric powertrain, but it might be the best. Smoother and more powerful than the gas-only version, the hybrid might be the way to go if the bump in price is affordable. And know you might not make that money back in a timely manner. But it does keep the brand's famous Symmetrical AWD with a real drive shaft to the back axel. Tom Voelk checks out a fully loaded Limited model with $395 Sand Dune Peral paint, and the $1,600 Option Package that adds a powered sunroof and surround view camera monitor.
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2026 Audi A6 TFSI First Drive: Old-School Sedan Meets New-School Audi
1w ago00:13:55Tap to summarizeThe new 2026 Audi A6 TFSI proves the traditional luxury sedan isn't dead yet. Built on Audi's new Premium Platform Combustion architecture, this ninth-generation A6 sticks with Audi's proven formula- a turbocharged 3 -liter V6, quattro all-wheel drive, and a classic four-door layout. Gen 9 but layers in more performance, a quieter, more refined ride and modern tech. In this first-drive review from Newport Beach, CA, I cover pricing, trims, driving dynamics, interior tech, cargo space, and how the A6 stacks up against rivals like the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Genesis G80. Shopping for a luxury midsize sedan? I've got your real-world impressions without the fluff. Let's go! Tom attended an Audi sponsored event to produce this video. Opinions remain his and his alone.
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2027 Rivian R2 Performance First Drive- When Smaller is a Big Deal.
3w ago00:13:23Tap to summarizeThe wait is finally over. The all-new 2027 Rivian R2 is one of the most anticipated electric vehicles on the market, and I got behind the wheel of the flagship Dual Motor Performance model during a test drive in Bellevue, Washington. This is not my normal video review. It's a consumer test drive much like you would take, only a lot more cameras stuck all around the vehicle. In this first-drive review, Rivian's Dan Lake walks us through the new R2 before I hit the road for a real-world drive and share my impressions. I'll also cover pricing, range, charging, cargo space, interior features, off-road capability, and what separates R2 from its larger sibling, the R1S. The R2 Performance packs 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque, offers an EPA-estimated 330 miles of range, and starts in the high-$50,000 range. Rivian hopes this smaller, more affordable SUV will bring the brand to a much larger audience.
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2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness Review. Real Off-Road Capability or Just the Look?
3w ago00:14:11Tap to summarizeSubaru's Forester is back with the Wilderness treatment the brand is known for. There's extra ground clearance, an off-road tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, upgraded cooling, and of course, Subaru's signature symmetrical all-wheel drive. In this in-depth review, Tom Voelk tests the 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness both on road and off pavement to see how much real capability it adds — and what you give up in the process. As always, this review is about the good, the bad, and the mildly annoying.
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2026 Nissan Leaf Review- The Affordable EV That Finally Gets It Right
3w ago00:14:04Tap to summarizeThe 2026 Nissan Leaf is all-new and more refined. Plus it's more affordable than most EVs on sale today. Starting at $31,500 (yeah, including shipping), it delivers real-world range, upgraded tech, and the everyday comfort Nissan is known for — without drifting into luxury-car pricing. After living with the Leaf for a full week, I dig into real-world range, charging speeds, interior usability, ride quality, and how it stacks up as a practical electric vehicle. The third-generation Leaf is so improved, Nissan could've given it a new name. Remember, Leaf was a finalist for the NACTOY 2026 North American Utility of the Year.
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2026 Subaru Outback- More Space, Less Wagon
4w ago00:13:26Tap to summarizeThe Subaru Outback is new for 2026 and it's a solid choice for brand loyalists (and they are a faithful bunch). Will current owners return for another Outback now that it has moved away from the wagon look and embraced a more SUV-like design? In this full review of the 2026 Subaru Outback Touring XT, I test the turbocharged 2.4-liter Boxer engine, evaluate the new interior, improved infotainment system, EyeSight Highway Hands-Free Assist, cargo space, ride quality, towing capability, and off-road performance. In other words, pretty much everything. A bonus- some thoughts on the rugged Outback Wilderness after driving it at Mudfest 2026. The new Outback offers more cargo room, improved technology, great visibility, and increased utility. But the styling is proving... polarizing.
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2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS is Roomy Rapid Transit
4w ago00:19:43Tap to summarizeSome sporty vehicles are more show than go. The 2025 Chevy Blazer EV SS earns its performance letters but stays chill. With dual motor AWD, it delivers up to 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. That should get the kids to school. And the enhanced suspension keeps it under control without a punishing ride. Tom Voelk travels to North Carolina and the Ten Tenths Motor Club in the shadow of Charlotte Motor Speedway to check out the SS on road and track. And welcome Tedward to the drive! CORRECTION- The Blazer EV SS Tedward and I drove retails for $62,490 with destination and Performance Package before any tax incentives. Not sure why I gave it a $10K discount while reading my notes. Tom attended a General Motors program to produce this review. Opinions remain his own.
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Scout Motors Traveler and Terra Full Tour Inside and Out
4w ago00:10:21Tap to summarizeHave a deposit down on a Scout Motors Traveler or Terra? Maybe you're curious about what Volkswagen's revival of the brand will look like. For sure they're packed with heritage. Team Scout brought its prototype vehicles to Mudfest 2026 to show the members of the Northwest Automotive Press Association what to expect when the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup start arriving in 2028. Tom Voelk offers up loads of visuals that show what the vehicle should look like, inside and out.
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A Cherokee That Parks Itself? Testing the Jeep ParkSense
4w ago00:04:38Tap to summarizeThe new 2026 Jeep Cherokee has a lot tech in it. For starters, a hybrid powertrain comes standard. And ParkSense self-parking technology is available in the top trim Overland version as an option. Self-parking systems are not new, but the Jeep tech is especially easy to figure out. It works when parallel plus forward and backward perpendicular parking. You may not need it on the trail but, for the spatially challenged, it could be handy in urban situations. We've all wished this tech on those who hold up traffic while they try to wedge their vehicle into a slot. Awkwardly. Tom Voelk gives it a try without looking at the owner's manual, because that would be cheating.
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