Awesome Rides

Backyard engineer Geng Ge loves to make things out of parts he finds in the trash. Using a mix of junk and new parts, he built himself a bubble-shaped electric car that can maneuver in tight places. It features a curvy, stainless steel shell, wheels that can turn in any direction, a backup camera, and a 32″ TV for navigation.

The Lexus RX is the best-selling luxury SUV in the US. So when Lexus redesigned it for 2023, they set out to preserve what people love about it while also appealing to new buyers. There are four RX models in the works, but the powerful RX 500H F SPORT Performance was our hands-down favorite when given a chance to drive them all.

Jeep’s all-new electric SUV is offers outdoor adventures in blissful silence. Jeep says the 4×4 has the chops to cross the daunting Rubicon Trail, enabled by a traction management system, e-locker axle tech, skid plates, all-terrain tires, and tow hooks. Like the Wrangler, you can open its roof and remove its doors.

We already know it’s possible to build an entire bicycle out of wood. But how durable are wood wheels when pushed to their limits? Mountain biker Sam Pilgrim fitted his bike with some custom wood wheels and put them to the test on a forest trail, a pump track, and even a staircase. They held up way better than we expected.

Like the first-gen RS Q E-Tron rally car, the latest incarnation of Audi’s badass hybrid rally car uses its gas engine to charge its battery and drive its motors. It also has a lifted suspension for traversing rugged terrain, a widened stance and lower center of gravity to help keep it more stable, along with greatly-improved aerodynamics.

We appreciate Mazda’s dedication to keeping cars pure and fun to drive, and the new CX-50 is no exception. This compact crossover is designed to be a bit more adventurous than the CX-5, with a little more ground clearance and more rugged looks. We drove the powerful Turbo model in top-of-the-line Premium Plus trim.

Normally, a vehicle’s suspension sits between the frame and the wheels to absorb shocks. After seeing a vintage photograph of a car wheel with springs built into it, the car hackers at Garage 54 built their own to see how it would affect ride quality. It sounded like a busted shopping cart after the rubber came off.

Hyundai turns down the lights for this slick new variant of its Santa Cruz sports activity vehicle. This AWD model packs a powerful 2.5L turbo engine, making 281 hp and 311 lb-ft. of torque, and is decked out entirely in black, with a dark chrome grille, 20″ dark alloy wheels, black body trim, dual side steps, LED bed lighting, and more.

This unique folding scooter features a flexible frame and suspension system that can lean up to 40 degrees. Its dual front wheels and springs provide stability and absorb shocks, while its hydraulic disc brakes stop with confidence. The 250-watt EU version tops out at 22 mph, while the 500-watt US version can hit 25 mph.

Engineers need to simulate earthquakes to make buildings and other structures safer. Tom Scott headed to the University of Texas to check out the T-Rex, a mobile test rig that can produce massive vibrations in the ground. Combined with sensors, it can measure the stiffness of soil thousands of feet beneath the surface without digging.

The Tundra 1794 Edition is one of the most luxurious versions of Toyota’s full-size pickup. We spent a week with this tricked-out truck, enjoying its muscular looks, capable drivetrain, and upscale interior. Toyota did an excellent job modernizing this workhorse, and this model is a treat for buyers with deep pockets.

YouTube channel Handmade features models of cars that were individually hand-built out of Plasticine clay. The artist behind the camera uses a plastic model as his form, then painstakingly traces and cuts out each piece of its body to create impressively accurate miniatures. And then he crash-tests them.

When it comes to pedal-powered vehicles, weight is your enemy. But that didn’t stop Play to DIY from making this fully functional bicycle (and matching helmet) by casting concrete. The slow-moving bike weighs in at a whopping 134.5 kg – or about 296 lb. We’re surprised that it moves and balances as well as it does.

The guys from car care company AMMO NYC heard about a 1991 Volvo 240 wagon that’s been sitting in the woods since 2007. Its exterior was covered in a thick coating of lichen and mud, and its interior was a smelly, rodent-infested disaster. With the help of Rebuild Rescue, can they bring the car back to its former glory?

This high-performance Lamborghini Urus SUV has more power, less weight, and better aerodynamics. Its twin-turbo V8 makes 657 hp and 627 lb-ft. of torque. By shaving 104 pounds, it does 0-to-60 mph in 3.3 sec and has a 190 mph top speed. It rides 20mm lower and 16 mm wider than a standard Urus and has a new Rally mode.

A paramotor is a single-person flying machine with a parachute wing to keep it aloft and a large fan to propel it. Aviation buff Peter Sripol wanted to see if it was possible to create a version powered by a bunch of individual drone motors instead, and as you can see from the thumbnail, he succeeded. It’s insanely loud, though.

Take to the slopes this winter on ENVO’s pedal-assisted electric snowbike. It has a 1500-watt motor and can ride from 9 to 31 miles in the snow, depending on speed, load, and angle. It can climb grades up to 25%, and its modular design lets you use its foldable frame to make ENVO’s Flex Overland e-Bike when the snow melts.

What’s better than a Bentley Continental GT? How about a 6-wheel-drive Bentley lifted for off-road rallying and outfitted with fat tires and skid plates? While we’d love to see a real-world version of this, for now, we’ll have to settle for this sweet custom Hot Wheels car from the Jakarta Diecast Project.

We’ve always enjoyed watching videos generated using the vehicle physics simulator BeamNG.Drive. This clip showcases various vehicles driving over a square-edged pit in the middle of the road. Place your bets now: which cars will make it over, and which will fall in? Need more car vs. pit action? You’ve got it.

Road America may be famous for its 4-mile road course, but tucked away at the eastern edge of the complex is a gnarly off-road park that’s been used to test the mettle of everything from Wranglers and Broncos to Raptors. Last week, we ran those trails in something very different, the 2023 Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic.

Dodge previews its electric future, and they’re not backing down from making muscle cars. The 2-door Charger Daytona SRT has an 800-volt Banshee propulsion system, all-wheel drive, a multi-speed transmission, and a growly, emissions-free exhaust note made by pushing air through chamber and amplifying it.

The muscular brother to the Alfa Romeo Tonale compact crossover, the Hornet is the first Dodge vehicle with a hybrid electric drivetrain. The Hornet R/T has a 1.3L turbo engine and rear motor that combine to make 285 hp and 383 lb-ft. of torque. As a PHEV, you can plug it in and get 30 miles of pure electric range too.

This Class III E-Bike is ideal for rides to work, running errands, and speedy cruising. Its 500W rear motor can hit 28 mph and offers pedal-assist and throttle modes. A wide seat, fat tires, and front fork suspension provide a comfortable and stable ride. Its battery pack is removable for charging and juices up in 3 to 4 hours.