Drew Winter

4 weeks ago | wardsauto.com | Drew Winter

The Ford Expedition has gone through a metamorphosis in 2025. The previous utilitarian interior based on the F-150 pickup has been transformed into one that resembles a luxury vehicle ready to compete with high-end SUVs with six-figure price tags.

1 month ago | wardsauto.com | Drew Winter

An impressive level of standard equipment and ADAS/comfort features? High-quality interior materials, comfortable heated seats and steering wheel – and a killer 10-speaker Bose audio system? Excuse us, but that doesn’t sound like a sporty compact CUV priced less than $32,000 including a $1,400 destination charge. In fact, it sounds impossible with new-car prices averaging almost $50,000, but this describes the Nissan Kicks SR AWD CVT, winner of a 2025 Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX award.

2 months ago | wardsauto.com | Drew Winter

Imagine vehicles with holographic instrument panels floating in thin air; cars with see-through doors that allow drivers to see nearby pedestrians and cyclists more easily; biometric health monitoring using facial recognition and various health metrics; and less-costly massaging car seats. This is a small sample of the diverse technologies French auto supplier Forvia is showcasing at the Shanghai auto show beginning April 24.

Jan 29, 2025 | wardsauto.com | Drew Winter

The 600-hp Wagoneer S is a strong start in the 2-row battery-electric SUV segment. SAN DIEGO – Imagine the Jeep Grand Wagoneer crossed with the Dodge Charger BEV muscle car and you get an idea of what the new Jeep Wagoneer S is all about. It’s a cushy 2-row SUV with a luxurious interior that goes 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in a thrilling 3.4 seconds.

Jan 10, 2025 | wardsauto.com | Drew Winter

There are a lot of awards for vehicles of the year, but the 2025 North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year (NACTOY) awards are unique because there are 50 judges from 50 different media outlets throughout the U.S. and Canada. Some are from enthusiast media, some focus on consumer audiences and others like me write for an automotive industry audience. Each juror brings their own interpretation of innovation, design, safety, performance, technology, user experience and value.