Neutral Reviews

📅 : Finding the Perfect Hybrid Balance! ⚖️

​For today’s throwback, we are looking back to our full review of the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring AWD!

​When we tested the CR-V Hybrid, we called it a great "Goldilocks vehicle" because it struck a solid balance of efficiency, cargo space, and daily drivability. But it also got us thinking: how does it hold up against its increasingly rugged competition?

​That brings us to what's coming next! We are taking those exact benchmark lessons and applying them to the highly anticipated 2026 Jeep Cherokee Limited Hybrid.

​Can Jeep match the daily efficiency of the CR-V while keeping its legendary 4x4 off-road DNA? We are putting it to the test to give you the facts, the feels, and our completely unbiased final thoughts.

​🗓️ Don't miss it: The all-new Jeep Cherokee Hybrid review drops June 6 at 7 AM ET!

​While you wait, refresh your memory on our CR-V Hybrid review here: https://youtu.be/IjM-r18YkgY

​

My kind of SUV! | 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring AWD FULL Review The CR-V is one of ...

It may be the end of an era for enthusiasts, as recent rumours indicate that Volkswagen has killed the manual transmission in the Jetta GLI for the 2027 model year. Following the departure of the stick-shift Golf GTI and Golf R, the sporty compact sedan was the absolute last holdout in the lineup, meaning its transition to an automatic-only seven-speed DSG marks the complete death of the manual gearbox for Volkswagen in North America. A company spokesperson confirmed the heartbreaking news, noting that despite regional efforts to save the three-pedal setup for passionate enthusiasts, narrowing global demand made the DIY gearbox completely unsustainable. While the 228-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine will remain, purists will no longer be able to row their own gears in a new vehicle sporting a VW badge. Tightening emissions regulations and faster dual-clutch shift times continue to claim the industry's most engaging driver's cars, leaving only a handful of competitors like the Civic Si and Subaru WRX to carry the torch. This final blow cements a tragic reality for fans who have relied on German engineering for affordable, analog fun for decades. How do you feel about this monumental shift—is dropping the manual a dealbreaker that will drive you to another brand, or do you think the dual-clutch DSG is a worthy replacement?

Be sure to check out our full review on the Volkswagen Jetta GLI 6MT on YouTube - link in the comments. 🔗

BMW is sending off the sixth-generation G80 M3 with an absolute masterpiece for purists: the 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter. Built exclusively for North America and limited to fewer than 1,000 units, this special edition marks the first time a track-honed CS model has ever been paired with a six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. Under its carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) hood lies the ferocious S58 twin-turbo inline-six, pumping out a healthy 473 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to a titanium exhaust muffler, standard M Carbon bucket seats, and extensive carbon detailing, it sheds nearly 75 pounds compared to the standard model, making it the lightest G80 M3 you can buy. The chassis also receives a serious upgrade, featuring a 6mm drop in ride height and specialized dampers lifted directly from the extreme M4 CSL. Visually, it demands attention with its yellow-illuminating GT-inspired daytime running lights and stunning heritage paint options like Techno Violet and Imola Red. However, the most significant news surrounding this launch is that it reportedly marks the permanent end of the manual transmission for the M3, with the next-generation gas-powered "G84" model rumored to go strictly automatic alongside a new all-electric sibling. For decades, the three-pedal M3 has been the absolute benchmark for everyday driver engagement, and losing it feels like the end of a legendary automotive era.

​So, what do you think—is this manual-only CS a flawless final salute to a legend, or are you ready to embrace the dual-clutch and electric future?

​

Bright skies, open ground, and a brand-new hybrid to test. We are officially behind the camera today filming our deep-dive review of the Jeep Cherokee Hybrid! From the pavement to the trails, we’re finding out exactly what this electrified rig can do.

Huge thanks to the team at Glassford Chrysler for making today's shoot possible. They always hook us up with the best rides! 🙌

Drop your questions about the Cherokee Hybrid in the comments below, and we'll make sure to answer them in the upcoming video! 👇

Congratulations to our friends at Honda Canada! 🎉🥳🎉

A very well deserved honour. 😊

Honda is reportedly preparing to hit the pause button on its midsize pickup truck, with plans to halt Honda Ridgeline production in the fourth quarter of 2026. The unexpected 18-month hiatus is entirely emissions-related, as the truck’s aging, naturally aspirated 3.5L J-series V6 engine fails to meet upcoming, stricter emissions standards. Rather than permanently discontinuing the unibody pickup, Honda will use this extended timeout to re-engineer the powertrain and roll out a heavily refreshed model in the third quarter of 2028. This upcoming 2028 refresh will feature a much more efficient, updated V6 engine—with strong rumors pointing to a potent V6 hybrid dual-motor setup—alongside aggressive exterior and interior styling changes designed to give the impression of a next-generation truck. The production gap will also allow Honda to shift factory capacity at its Lincoln, Alabama plant to boost high-volume models like the Pilot, Passport, and Odyssey. Ultimately, this temporary departure serves as a vital bridge for Honda, buying the automaker time to develop a dedicated, large-vehicle hybrid architecture for the next decade. Buyers eyeing a current-gen Ridgeline may face a serious inventory crunch over the next year and a half before the electrified version returns to dealer lots.

Be sure to check out our full review on the current Ridgeline on YouTube - link in the comments.

​

At its massive Investor Day 2026 meeting in Auburn Hills this week, Stellantis unveiled its ambitious "FaSTLAne 2030" strategic plan, promising a sweeping product blitz that will bring 11 all-new models and 12 significant refreshes to North America by 2030. The brand portfolio is getting a massive influx of cash, with 60% of a massive 36 billion euro product budget specifically allocated to revitalize the American stores and boost overall market coverage past 90%. Jeep enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to with the upcoming return of the Cherokee nameplate alongside the rugged Recon EV. Ram is aggressively expanding its footprint with a new midsize pickup, a large SUV, and a broader rollout of the Maverick-fighting compact Rampage, confirming the rumours we've previously reported on. Chrysler will finally get a lifeline to move away from its single-car lineup, plotting an entry into the affordable space with a new midsize crossover and two compact sibling variants derived from European architectures. Meanwhile, Dodge is capitalizing on the "Brotherhood of Muscle" by expanding its high-performance Hemi V8 offerings alongside multi-energy hybrid and electric choices. This aggressive, multi-energy product strategy represents a calculated effort to dramatically scale up factory capacity utilization across the continent while aggressively tackling affordability with nine new models priced under $40,000.

​

The rumors were true, and the street truck scene is officially back! Ram has formally unleashed the new Rumble Bee lineup, and it is a multi-tier muscle truck assault. Skip the off-road tires because this widebody pavement shredder comes strictly in a Quad Cab/short bed setup built to corner and destroy the drag strip.

​The options list is legendary: you can choose between a budget-friendly 395-horsepower 5.7L Hemi, a mid-tier 392 pushing 470 horsepower, or go completely nuclear with the Rumble Bee SRT. That top-dog SRT model packs a 777-horsepower supercharged 6.2L Hellcat V8, rocketing from 0-60 mph in a blinding 3.4 seconds. With massive Brembo brakes, adaptive Bilstein dampers, and a target top speed of 170 mph, the SRT is officially reclaiming the high-performance truck crown. Best of all, Ram added a rear-wheel-drive mode specifically designed for pure, unadulterated tire-smoking shenanigans.

​