Mazda redesigned the CX-5 Crossover for 2017. The latest design boasts of poised chassis, and sharp steering, making it a popular choice amongst sport car enthusiasts. This time around the CX-5 Grand Touring AWD is slightly heavier, a bit smaller and yet it has improved dramatically over its predecessor.
What’s new in Mazda’s CX-5 Grand Touring?
The appearance of 2017’s model is slightly longer and a lot wider, but that’s only apparent when you compare the two side by side. Perhaps the large concave grille coupled with the slit tight LED headlights further accentuate the width. Though figures don’t lie and by our measurements, the A-pillars have moved back by around 1.4 inches making space for a broader hood.
The curvy exterior comes at the expense of cargo capacity leaving it with 31 cubic feet of space, that’s three points down from the previous model and also the competing Honda CR-V. Though in all fairness its not awfully noticeable in everyday use.
The other major change and something we love is the use of premium quality materials on the passenger side of the vehicle. Unlike its predecessor, the 2017 model boasts of top-notch finishing across the seats and armrests. The material feels premium, unlike its predecessor. We also suspect that Mazda has upgraded their sound dampening since decibel levels are much lower. Our testing revealed it to be quieter than the Mercedes-Benz GLC300.
The beast beneath the beauty
The 2017 Mazda CX-5 is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine capable of producing 187 horsepower and delivers 185 lb-ft of torque. Power transferred to the wheels via a six-speed automatic which is pretty much the same as it was in the previous model.
However, what we continue to like about the 2017 Mazda CX-5 is the fact that you can use the console-mounted lever to assume manual control. The Mazda made an odd choice by not including a peddle of some sort.
Mazda has oddly increased the weight by around 141 pounds which is not a lot, but when compared to other manufacturers moving to lighter vehicles it’s not an upgrade either. The added weight does increase traction, but it does so by compromising acceleration. It took 0.3 seconds longer for the 2017 model to hit 60 than its predecessor.
The extra weight also means stopping power has been reduced. When testing 60-0 braking power, it pulled 126 feet before stopping which is a good 10 feet more than the previous model.
How does driving the 2017 Mazda CX-5 feel?
The steering is crisp and precise for starters. Cornering is very tight, but drivers will find that the skidpad does get in the way. Then there is the i-Active stability control system which can’t be disabled which kind of hampers driving through tight corners at high speeds. The traction control can be turned off but why would you want to do that?
So, is it in fact “bigger and faster is better�
Definitely not bigger and surely not faster than its predecessor. However, it’s a lot more comfortable to drive. It’s a midsized family crossover that’s not meant for adrenaline junkies, but its design can fool you into thinking it’s sporty which it apparently isn’t. We’d still recommend it to daily drivers looking for a smooth, quiet and comfortable crossover turns a few heads.
TEST DRIVES
Callaway Returns With a 602-HP Silverado Street Truck
Callaway and Waldoch Crafts have teamed up on a limited-edition Chevrolet Silverado with a supercharged V8, lowered suspension, and a stealthy appearance.
Callaway is back in the street truck business, partnering with Minnesota-based Waldoch Crafts on a heavily modified Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
The new truck combines Callaway’s performance upgrades with Waldoch’s custom styling.
602 HP From a Supercharged V8
The centerpiece is Callaway’s SC602 package, which adds a 2.65-liter Roots-type supercharger to GM’s 6.2-liter V8.
The result is 602 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque, with power sent exclusively to the rear wheels.

The Callaway-Waldoch Silverado produces 602 horsepower from its supercharged 6.2-liter V8.
A stainless-steel Callaway exhaust adds a selectable Sport mode for a more aggressive sound.
The truck also gets a lowered suspension, coil-overs up front, and adjustable dampers.
Performance Hardware Goes Beyond the Engine
The upgrades continue with 22-inch Callaway-Waldoch wheels wrapped in 305/45 Toyo Proxes ST III performance tires.
Stopping power comes from a Callaway big-brake package with six-piston front calipers and 15-inch rotors.

The Silverado gets a lowered suspension, 22-inch wheels, performance tires, and upgraded brakes.
Because the truck sends all its power to the rear wheels and weighs considerably less than vehicles such as the Cadillac Escalade-V, Callaway and Waldoch are aiming for serious straight-line performance.
Just 100 Launch Edition Trucks
Waldoch handled much of the visual transformation.
The Silverado gets color-matched exterior details, rocker extensions, a custom grille, and a leather-and-Alcantara interior.

The Launch Edition combines a subtle exterior with a customized leather-and-Alcantara interior.
TEST DRIVES
2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition
Few modern sports cars generate as much debate as the Toyota GR Supra. Some enthusiasts still point to its collaboration with BMW, while others see that partnership for what it ultimately produced: one of the most compelling rear-wheel-drive sports cars available today.

After spending a week with the 2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition, our conclusion is straightforward: the BMW connection does not diminish this Supra. In many ways, it helps make the car better.

Our test vehicle was particularly special. Finished in Burnout Matte Silver with a black Alcantara-and-leather interior, its window sticker showed a $73,300 total suggested retail price, including the Driver Assist Package, GT4-inspired equipment, carbon-fiber mirror caps, matte graphics, and other accessories.
What Do You Get for $73,300?
Under that long hood is the heart of the modern Supra: a 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged inline-six producing 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. Our car paired it with the six-speed intelligent manual transmission, sending everything to the rear wheels. Toyota also gives the Final Edition additional chassis, suspension and braking development intended to make this the most focused version of the MkV.

The numbers only explain part of the experience.
During our week with the Supra, what impressed us most was how usable it remained. This is a genuine performance car that doesn’t punish you for driving it normally. The inline-six delivers effortless torque, the manual gearbox adds the involvement enthusiasts increasingly struggle to find, and the compact two-seat cabin makes the Supra feel like something you wear rather than simply drive.

Push harder and its personality changes. The short wheelbase, low seating position, rear-wheel-drive layout and near-ideal weight distribution make the Supra eager to rotate through corners. Toyota originally engineered the MkV around classic sports-car fundamentals, including a very low center of gravity and 50:50 front-to-rear weight balance.
Yet you can still commute in it, enjoy the JBL audio system, heated power seats and modern driver-assistance technology, and even return surprisingly reasonable fuel economy. The sticker rates our manual Final Edition at 19 mpg city, 26 highway and 21 combined.

Yes, There Is BMW Underneath. That’s Not a Bad Thing.
Let’s address the elephant in the garage.
The fifth-generation Supra was developed in collaboration with BMW and is related to the BMW Z4. Toyota itself acknowledges that the Supra was developed in collaboration with BMW and based on the Z4 platform.

It also uses BMW’s excellent B58 inline-six architecture, and both cars are assembled by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria.
But calling the Supra simply a “BMW with a Toyota badge” misses the point.
Toyota developed the Supra as a fixed-roof sports coupe with its own body, chassis calibration, steering character and driving mission. Toyota Gazoo Racing engineers have continually refined the MkV through motorsports and track development; the Supra has competed in Formula Drift, Super Taikyu and the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

Think of the BMW partnership less as compromising the Supra and more as giving Toyota access to one of the best modern turbocharged inline-six powertrains available.
Why This Supra May Hold Its Value
This is where the 2026 model becomes especially interesting.
Toyota is closing the chapter on the MkV with the Final Edition, and Toyota says only 1,300 Final Editions are planned for North America. That combination, Final Edition status, limited availability, 382-hp inline-six, rear-wheel drive and an available six-speed manual is exactly the formula enthusiasts tend to remember.

There is already evidence that the Supra holds value unusually well. Current iSeeCars analysis estimates the GR Supra retains approximately 76.1% of its value after five years, ranking it among the strongest luxury two-seat sports cars for resale value.

That doesn’t guarantee appreciation, and we wouldn’t buy one purely as an investment. But a low-mileage, original, well-maintained manual Final Edition has several characteristics that could make it particularly desirable years from now.
The Carsfera Verdict
The 2026 GR Supra Final Edition isn’t perfect. Visibility is limited, cabin storage is minimal, entry and exit require some flexibility, and buyers looking for four seats should look elsewhere.
But none of those things change what matters.
The Supra feels special.

For $73,300 as tested, you’re buying one of the final examples of an increasingly rare formula: a compact, turbocharged inline-six, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe available with three pedals.
BMW supplied some of the ingredients. Toyota turned them into a Supra.
And after living with it for a week, we’d argue that instead of worrying about who baked the cake, enthusiasts should enjoy a slice while they still can.
TEST DRIVES
2025 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands: The Adventure SUV You Can Drive Every Day
If you are considering a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport, the first thing to understand is that it offers more than rugged styling. After four days behind the wheel of a Bronco Sport Badlands, traveling between Port St. Lucie and Miami, visiting the beach, dealing with Florida’s summer weather, and attending a Shakira concert, we discovered an SUV that combines genuine capability with everyday usability.

Our test vehicle arrived in Ruby Red Metallic with a Dark Space Gray leather-trimmed interior. With its squared-off body, upright stance, and Bronco lettering across the grille, it has a stronger visual identity than most compact crossovers.
More importantly, the Badlands has the performance to support that appearance.
The Bronco Sport Badlands Has the Right Engine
While most Bronco Sport trims use Ford’s smaller 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, the Badlands receives a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an advanced four-wheel-drive system.

That extra power makes a noticeable difference. Highway merging feels confident, passing requires less planning, and the engine has enough low-end torque to make the Bronco Sport feel energetic despite its upright shape and off-road equipment.
The steering is easy enough for Miami traffic but still gives the driver a reassuring sense of control. Its suspension feels firm and substantial, particularly with the Sasquatch Package, but it remains comfortable enough for longer trips. Buyers should expect a slightly more rugged ride than they would experience in a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V, but that firmness is part of what gives the Badlands its more purposeful personality.
Easy to Live With in South Florida
The Bronco Sport’s upright seating position and large windows provide excellent visibility. During the drive between Port St. Lucie and Miami, the seats remained supportive, the cabin was comfortable, and the Bronco Sport felt stable at highway speeds.
Its compact exterior dimensions are another advantage. It feels tougher and more substantial than many small SUVs without becoming difficult to park or maneuver through crowded city streets.

For 2025, the Bronco Sport received a major technology upgrade. A 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster are standard across the lineup, bringing its cabin closer to what buyers expect from a modern SUV. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote start, multiple USB connections, and Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assistance technology make it an easy vehicle to use every day. Ford’s 2025 update also introduced the available Sasquatch packages and additional off-road technology.
After spending the day on the highway, the Bronco Sport transitioned naturally into Miami nightlife. It may be designed for the trail, but it did not look out of place arriving in the city for a Shakira concert.
Where the Badlands Separates Itself
The Bronco Sport Badlands is not simply an appearance package. Its advanced four-wheel-drive system uses a twin-clutch rear drive unit capable of directing torque across the rear axle. It also includes seven G.O.A.T. drive modes, Trail Control, and off-road-focused 1-Pedal Drive.
Our vehicle added the $2,990 Sasquatch Badlands Package, which further emphasizes its trail capability with more aggressive all-terrain equipment and the HOSS 3.0 off-road suspension.

These features may be more capability than the average Florida driver needs, but they provide extra confidence when dealing with sand, muddy access roads, heavy rain, or uneven terrain.
The interior is equally suited to outdoor use. Rubberized flooring, a washable cargo area, rubber-backed rear seats, under-seat storage, adjustable liftgate floodlights, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat make it easier to carry sandy towels, beach chairs, wet clothing, and luggage.
This is an SUV designed to be cleaned after an adventure, not protected from one.
How It Compares with the Competition
The Subaru Forester Wilderness is one of the Bronco Sport Badlands’ strongest competitors. It offers more passenger space, 9.2 inches of ground clearance, and a lower starting price of $34,995. However, its naturally aspirated engine produces considerably less power, and its continuously variable transmission does not deliver the same punch as the Bronco Sport’s turbocharged engine and conventional eight-speed automatic. Subaru’s official specifications confirm the Forester Wilderness’ pricing and ground clearance.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition is the better choice for drivers focused on fuel economy. Its 219-horsepower hybrid system and EPA estimate of 38 mpg city and 35 mpg highway easily outperform the Bronco Sport at the gas pump. It also started at $36,070 for 2025. However, its electronic all-wheel-drive system and trail-focused upgrades are intended more for light off-road use than the more advanced hardware found in the Badlands. Toyota describes the Woodland Edition’s hybrid system, TRD-tuned suspension, and trail equipment here.
The Jeep Compass Trailhawk is another alternative for buyers seeking authentic off-road ability. The Jeep is capable, but the Bronco Sport counters with a stronger personality, cleverer cargo-area features, and a more modern infotainment system.
Fuel Economy and Price
The Bronco Sport Badlands is rated at 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Those figures are reasonable for a 250-horsepower compact SUV with genuine four-wheel-drive capability, but buyers prioritizing maximum efficiency should consider a hybrid competitor.

Our Badlands started at $40,115. After $5,010 in options, including the Sasquatch Badlands Package, and a $1,595 destination charge, the final MSRP reached $46,720.
Nearly $47,000 is substantial for a compact SUV. At that price, buyers should be certain they want the stronger engine, specialized off-road equipment, and distinctive Bronco character. If most of your driving involves paved roads, a less expensive Bronco Sport Outer Banks may provide a better combination of comfort, style, and value.
Should You Buy the Bronco Sport Badlands?
Buy the Badlands if you want the most powerful Bronco Sport, plan to explore beyond paved roads, or simply prefer an SUV with personality and legitimate capability. Consider the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland if fuel economy is the priority, or the Forester Wilderness if you need more interior space at a lower price.
After four days of Florida highways, beaches, summer rain, Miami traffic, and an unforgettable night with Shakira, the Bronco Sport Badlands proved that it can handle both sides of an owner’s life.
It is comfortable enough for the daily commute, compact enough for the city, practical enough for beach weekends, and capable enough for a real adventure.
The competition may offer more space, better fuel economy, or a lower price. What the Bronco Sport Badlands offers is something harder to measure: it makes even an ordinary drive feel like the beginning of a trip.
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