Welcome to Gearbox Car Reviews!
My name is Jason and I have a driving problem. I like to drive, but I don't have the budget for Jay Leno's garage. So I figured being one of those car review guys would be the perfect solution. I'll find whatever I can get my hands on and share some info about the cars and share some background info and the drive with you.
If you're in central CT and you have a car that I can take for a spin, please feel free to reach out! There are a lot of interesting cars coming down the pike, so I'm hoping to be a part of the last hurrah, before gas-powered cars fade away.
If you like the reviews and background info on different cars, make sure to subscribe and share. If you don't like the reviews, subscribe anyway so that I can get access to more cars and find something you're into!
Thanks & enjoy!
Jason
Gearbox Car Reviews
2026 Mercedes AMG E 53 Wagon!
Fast wagons are making a comeback and I am all for it! This lux long-roof took a few years off and returned with a new powertrain. It's now a plug-in hybrid (41 miles of all-electric range) with a turbocharged straight-six and a battery pack, combining for 577-hp (or 604 with the Dynamic Plus Package) and 553 lb-ft of torque. Power hits the ground through a fully-variable all-wheel-drive system, and rear-wheel-steering helps keep the wheelbase from feeling quite as long as it is.
Your transmission is a 9-speed SPEEDSHIFT TCT.
Inside, the car looks like the future. Lots of screens, lights, colors, and an unfortunate lack of buttons. And fingerprints. Lots of fingerprints.
But the steering wheel does give you some nice quick-access drive controls that are physical, and the comfy seats along with the skinny pedal help melt away the woes of the haptic sliders. At least, until you have to change the volume.
Full thoughts to come!
5 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 26
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Gearbox Car Reviews
No video this week, as I take a quick break to explore Ireland! Here are a handful of cars we don't get in the States, as well as my Hybrid Corolla Hatch rental. Back at it next week!
1 week ago | [YT] | 73
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Gearbox Car Reviews
Subaru has shaken up the Outback for 2026, with a boxier shape and some controversy over whether or not it's still a wagon.
I tested out the 2026 Subaru Outback Touring XT with the 2.4L turbocharged BOXER that makes 260-hp and 277 lb-ft. A naturally-aspirated 2.5L is also available in the non-XTs. A lineartronic CVT is standard, as is Subaru's patented Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive.
The boxier shape makes for tons of headroom, a new infotainment system is quicker and easier to use, and HVAC controls once again live outside of the screen, in the physical world. My touring tester is genuinely nice inside, and feature availability is excellent across the trim levels. And there's even a shark carrier!
Full thoughts to come on YT!
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 16
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Gearbox Car Reviews
2026 Cadillac Escalade-V!
They say you can sleep in a car but you can't race a house, but Cadillac took that as a challenge.
This monster is powered by a hand-built 6.2L Supercharged V8 (LT4) that pumps out 682-hp and 653 lb-ft of torque, with power siphoning through a 10-speed automatic transmission, and hitting the ground via all four wheels (all-wheel-drive), with an electronic limited-slip-differential ensuring the tires and the ground are getting along.
But it's not all about speed, standard air suspension and magnetic ride control mean it's also comfortable and stable through corners.
Luxury doesn't end with the ride though, the front seats are heated, ventilated, and massage out of the box, while the second row can get the same treatment by adding the Executive Package. Entertainment screens abound, including the front row and second row passengers. There's even a standard refrigerator to keep your drinks and sandwiches cold.
Worried about making a mess? The executive package also adds fold out tables. Worried about straining yourself reaching to close the door? Just use the slider on the tablet instead.
While you're barreling down the highway at speed, you can blast your favorite tunes through 38 speakers (42 with the Executive Package).
There's a lot to unpack here. Full thoughts to come!
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 12
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Gearbox Car Reviews
Spent the week with Land Rover's top dog Defender, the 110 OCTA!
Land Rover has built the ultimate do-everything vehicle, with off-road chops, rugged looks, an 8200 lb towing capacity, a 3.8 second 0-60 time, a crazy smooth ride, and a serene, quiet cabin.
Not an easy feat, and also not cheap. My Edition One tester will set you back $170k.
This beast is powered by a BMW-sourced 4.4L V8 with twin-turbos and a mild-hybrid system. It makes 626-hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. And you get a standard snappy ZF 8-speed transmission.
Looks great on paper, but what's it actually like in the real world?
Full thoughts to come!
1 month ago | [YT] | 17
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Gearbox Car Reviews
2026 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited!
The Sonata often gets overlooked in a world of Camrys and Accords, but it probably shouldn't be. It has quite a lot to offer.
For 2026, there's a new Blue base trim (that's the trim name, not the color), the SEL gains a standard sunroof, while the Limited is essentially a carryover.
My tester, the top spec Limited, feels almost like it should have a Genesis badge. This thing is way smoother and way quieter than I ever expected it to be. And the 51 mpg highway will have the gas tank outlasting your bladder. The new base model ups that number to 56 mpg highway. Both are segment leaders.
The back seats are the smallest of the bunch, smaller than Hyundai's own compact, the Elantra, but what you lose in rear seat space, you gain in the front. Taller drivers may want to check this one out.
Power for this mid-size hybrid comes through a 2.0L 4-cylinder along with an electric motor, combining for 192-hp, but the 151 lb-ft of electric torque is the real hero. Well, that and the 6-speed automatic transmission. No eCVTs here. Power goes exclusively through the front wheels.
Full thoughts to come!
1 month ago | [YT] | 16
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Gearbox Car Reviews
The Volkswagen Atlas is on the brink of a new generation, but I recently spent some time with the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Premium R-Line!
This family hauler has a surprising amount of space for a mid-size three-row--the sliding seats certainly help with legroom, and the tall greenhouse mean height's not an issue. And you can choose to get it as a 6-seater or a 7-seater, even up in the top spec.
The Atlas also comes with tons of standard features, creature comforts and driving support.
It's powered by a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes 269-hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic is standard, as is front-wheel-drive, but you can opt for a 4Motion all-wheel-drive system (depending on trim).
Full thoughts to come!
1 month ago | [YT] | 16
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Gearbox Car Reviews
Want a practical, all-wheel-drive, NA hatchback that doesn't break the bank? Your choices are extremely limited, but Mazda's got you covered!
This is the 2026 Mazda3 Hatchback Carbon Edition painted in Polymetal Grey--though this year Mazda has opened the Carbon up to black and white as well. They've also quietly dropped the Carbo Turbo from the lineup. And sticker for this particular car has only gone up by $5 from last year, hitting $30,765 (before destination).
The hood houses a 2.5L Skyactiv-G naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder that makes 186-hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. Power goes through all four wheels in this particular trim. And a 6-speed automatic transmission is standard.
Mazda is keeping manuals alive, but only in the front-wheel-drive, Premium hatchback.
Full thoughts to come!
1 month ago | [YT] | 20
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Gearbox Car Reviews
The mk5 Supra is bowing out with the 2026 Final Edition!
This isn't just a sticker pack--in fact, the sticker pack is optional--there are actually some performance upgrades here. The Final Edition carbon fiber ducktail, carbon fiber mirror caps, increased camber at both ends, bigger front brakes, extra bracing, and suspension tweaks.
Choosing the special edition unlocks the GT4 Style Pack, which gets you matte black (Undercover) or white (Burnout) paint, dark wheels, a matte black Supra logo, and a wind buffeting kit (the little mirror nubs).
Power still comes through a 3.0L twin-scroll turbo straight-six (B58), power still goes through the rear wheels exclusively (limited-slip standard), and you still get to choose between the row-your-own 6-speed manual and a quick-shifting ZF 8-speed automatic transmission.
Full thoughts to come!
2 months ago | [YT] | 14
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Gearbox Car Reviews
2026 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series!
This is the end of the line for the LC 500, unfortunately, with production ending in August of 2026. The final year includes another Inspiration Series, limited to 350 units for the convertible and 200 for the coupe for the North American market.
The convertible version of the special edition comes exclusively in Wind [read: gray], with a silver and brown top, some dark chrome accents, and a white interior. The coupe version is matte Smoke Gray over black and white.
Both Inspiration Series come fully loaded with performance dampers, limited-slip-differential, head-up display, Mark-Levinson sound system, and more. The coupe adds performance brakes as well.
Under the hood is a familiar 5.0L naturally-aspirated V8 that makes 471-hp and 398 lb-ft of torque--in addition to gorgeous sounds. A 10-speed auto is standard, as is rear-wheel-drive.
Whether you opt for the Inspiration Series or not, this timeless beauty offers plenty of choice, from great paint colors, interior options, performance, and more. This is a special car that will be missed for sure.
Full thoughts to come.
2 months ago | [YT] | 35
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